Relates to providing for a refresher course for peace officers who have had an interruption in continuous service for less than ten years

BILL NUMBER:S7023

Title of bill

An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to providing for a refresher course for peace officers who have had an interruption in continuous service for less than ten years

Purpose of the Bill:

This bill would amend the Criminal Procedure Law (CPL) to provide for a refresher course for peace officers who have had an interruption in continuous service of less than ten years.

Summary of Provisions:

Section one of the would bill amend CPL § 2.30(6) to allow a peace officer, who has had an interruption in continuous services for less than ten years, to complete an approved peace officer refresher course as prescribed by the municipal police training council.

Section two of the bill provides the effective date.

Existing Law:

Currently, a peace officer who has had an interruption in continuous service for more than four years would be required to retake the entire mandated basic training course in order to be appointed as appointed as a peace officer.

Prior Legislative History:

This is a new bill.

Statement in Support:

CPL § 2.30(6) sets forth the basic training requirements for peace officers. A similar provision of the General Municipal Law pertaining to police officers allows a police officer who has had an interruption in continuous service for less than ten years, to take a refresher course instead of having to retake the entire basic training course. Chapter 491 of the Laws of 2010 amended the CPL by increasing the maximum number of hours the Municipal Police Training Council could prescribe for peace officer basic training from 35 to 180 hours. Before the enactment of that law, the mandated basic peace officer training consisted of 10 hours for part-time peace officers and 35 hours for full-time peace officers.

On June 1, 2011, the Municipal Police Training Council approved proposed enhancements to the Basic Course for Peace Officers to provide for a minimum of 99 hours of instruction. Thus, before June 1, 2011, retaking these courses was not burdensome for peace officers whose service was interrupted for an extended length of time. However, the expanded hours of training has caused the retaking of these courses to become burdensome. Additionally, police officers, who have greater powers of investigation, arrest and detention have the benefit of just taking a refresher course. This proposed amendment will permit peace officers who have had an interruption in continuous service of less than ten years take a refresher course to remain

certified, and it will allow municipalities to hire qualified persons without unnecessary expense.

Budget Implications:

None.

Local Impact:

None.

Effective Date:

This bill would take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.