MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Judiciary

By: Senator(s) Burton

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-6-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, INCLUDING GRANDFATHERED, PART-TIME, RESERVE, AUXILIARY OR VOLUNTEER SHALL RECEIVE ANNUAL TRAINING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 45-6-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-6-19. (1) The chief of police of any municipality in the State of Mississippi is required to annually complete ten (10) hours of executive level continuing education courses which are approved by the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training. Such education courses may be provided by an accredited law enforcement academy or by the Mississippi Chiefs of Police Association. Other law enforcement officers, including full- and part-time officers and any officers exempt from the requirements of the Law Enforcement Training Program under Section 45-6-11(1), are annually required to complete successfully continuing education courses which are approved by the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. Such education courses may be provided by an accredited law enforcement academy or by other law enforcement institutions as approved by the board.

(2) Any chief of police or other law enforcement officer who fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be subject to having his certification as a chief of police or as a law enforcement officer revoked by the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training, in accordance with Section 45-6-11.

(3) The Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training is authorized to institute and promulgate all rules necessary for considering the revocation of any municipal chief of police or other law enforcement officer who does not comply with the provisions of this act, and may grant, for sufficient cause shown, an extension of time in which compliance with the provisions of this act may be made.

(4) The board shall provide funding, but only from such funds authorized and appropriated by the Legislature, on an annual basis prorated per certified officer to each law enforcement institution to assist in the funding of law enforcement continuing education.

(5) Any chief of police or other law enforcement officer who is aggrieved by any order or ruling made under the provisions of this section has the same rights and procedure of appeal as from any other order or ruling of the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.