SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5058

BYSenators Pullen and Talmadge

Creating a law enforcement officer pool.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1989; February 8, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5058 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Pullen, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Madsen, Nelson, Niemi, Talmadge.

Senate Staff:Joyce Ansley (786-7418)

                  February 8, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 8, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Law enforcement agencies periodically require temporary replacements for their permanent officers when the permanent officers are attending basic law enforcement training.

The Criminal Justice Training Commission reimburses small law enforcement agencies (ten or fewer officers) for the cost of temporary replacements.

Concern has been expressed that the smaller law enforcement agencies, especially those in the outlying areas, have difficulty finding trained replacements for officers who are on leave.

It is suggested that the Criminal Justice Training Commission create a pool of trained officers which will provide temporary replacements to the smaller agencies.

SUMMARY:

The Law Enforcement Training Commission will create a law enforcement officer pool composed of trained officers who are available for duty as temporary replacements for agencies with ten or fewer officers.

Replacement officers will be provided for each officer enrolled in basic training.  If the pool has none available, the commission will reimburse the agency for a replacement found by the agency.

Replacement officers will be provided for vacancies which result from resignation, retirement or removal, but the agency must reimburse the commission for this cost.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Instead of hiring and training replacement officers, the commission will maintain a list of retired law enforcement officers who are interested in working as temporary replacements.  Each retiree may work up to 60 days per year and still retain retirement benefits.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 8, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Jim Scott, Law Enforcement Training Commission