Certification and Decertification of Police Officers (H 7312, S 2215)

As one of only two states without a process for the certification and de-certification of law enforcement officers, we strongly supported this legislation which would have instituted such oversight over these public-facing personnel.

Police officers who have been fired for serious misconduct on the job or who have been convicted of serious crimes that affect their qualifications for carrying a weapon as part of their duties should not be able to simply head over to another police department for employment with their history of misconduct hidden from view. As one of only two states without a process for the certification and de-certification of law enforcement officers, we strongly supported this legislation which would have instituted such oversight over these public-facing personnel, but noted that the parameters for decertification are significantly narrower than other states, limited to felony convictions and certain federal crimes. This bill died in committee.