House Bill 507

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-6-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE BOARD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING TO ESTABLISH A HIGH SPEED PURSUIT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINEES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 45-6-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-6-7. (1) In addition to the powers conferred upon the board elsewhere in this chapter, the board shall have power to:

(a) Promulgate rules and regulations for the administration of this chapter, including the authority to require the submission of reports and information by law enforcement agencies of the state and its political subdivisions.

(b) Establish minimum educational and training standards for admission to employment or appointment as a law enforcement officer or a part-time law enforcement officer: (i) in a permanent position; and (ii) in a probationary status.

(c) Certify persons as being qualified under the provisions of this chapter to be law enforcement officers or part-time law enforcement officers.

(d) Revoke certification for cause and in the manner provided in this chapter.

(e) Establish minimum curriculum requirements for basic and advanced courses and programs for schools operated by or for the state or any political subdivision thereof for the specific purpose of training police and other law enforcement officers, both full- and part-time.

(f) Consult and cooperate with counties, municipalities, state agencies, other governmental agencies, and with universities, colleges, community and junior colleges and other institutions concerning the development of training schools, programs or courses of instruction for personnel defined in this chapter.

(g) Make recommendations concerning any matter within its purview pursuant to this chapter.

(h) Make such inspection and evaluation as may be necessary to determine if governmental units are complying with the provisions of this chapter.

(i) Approve law enforcement officer training schools for operation by or for the state or any political subdivision thereof for the specific purpose of training personnel defined in this chapter.

(j) Upon the request of agencies employing personnel defined in this chapter, conduct surveys or aid municipalities and counties to conduct surveys through qualified public or private agencies and assist in the implementation of any recommendations resulting from such surveys.

(k) Upon request of agencies within the purview of this chapter, conduct general and specific management surveys and studies of the operations of the requesting agencies at no cost to those agencies. The role of the board under this subsection shall be that of management consultant.

(l) Adopt and amend regulations consistent with law, for its internal management and control of board programs.

(m) Enter into contracts or do such things as may be necessary and incidental to the administration of this chapter.

(n) Establish jointly with the State Board of Education the minimum level of basic law enforcement training required of persons employed by school districts as school security guards, or school resource officers or in other positions that have the powers of a peace officer.

(2) (a) The board shall establish a high speed pursuit training program that includes classroom and vehicle training for state and local law enforcement officers and law enforcement trainees. The board shall develop a manual for the training program and provide the manual to all state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies. The training program shall include specific instruction in rules of engagement and risk awareness designed to minimize the risk to law enforcement officers and the public.

(b) All law enforcement officers and law enforcement trainees shall be required to attend and complete the training program described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. The time, place and duration of the training program shall be determined by the board.

(c) All rules and regulations established by the board in paragraph (a) of this subsection creating the training program must meet all requirements of notice to and inspection by the public under the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law being Sections 25-43-1 through 25-43-19.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.