Relates to establishing mandatory continuing law enforcement education for peace officers; requires peace officers to biannually complete a minimum of 32 credit hours of training including de-escalation techniques, implicit biases and mental health training.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4286
SPONSOR: Walker TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to establishing
mandatory continuing law enforcement education for peace officers
PURPOSE:
To require peace officers to take continuing education courses.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 provides that peace officer shall complete bi-annual mandatory
continuing education course. The training shall be in de-escalation
techniques, implicit biases and mental health training. No employer
shall allow any peace officer it employers to carry or use a weapon if
such officer did not complete the continuing education course.
JUSTIFICATION:
Most professions require some form of continuing education. Doctors and
lawyers are required to take continuing education course to maintain
their licenses. This is because these professions, and those similarly
situated, require a great deal of public trust and their fields are
constantly evolving. Likewise, peace officers are professional whose
possession and power entail a great deal of public trust, and their
field, like that of an attorney, is constantly changing. New laws,
procedures and technologies can affect daily operations, even recent
changes in the fields of psychology and social science has brought an
increased awareness as to mental illnesses, drug dependency and racial
biases. The peace officer, no less than the doctor or lawyer, must also
keep abreast of the changes to their profession.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A10717 : 2019-20
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
