HB86 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Spencer Collier

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Law enforcement agencies, internal investigations, written procedures required within certain time period

Summary

HB86 would require every state and local law enforcement agency in Alabama to adopt written internal investigation procedures and share them with officers.

What This Bill Does

It requires agencies to have written procedures for internal investigations of their officers and to provide copies to all officers. It sets a 90-day deadline to complete investigations, with extensions for specific circumstances. It gives officers rights such as notification, representation, and an appeals process, and it allows suspension or reassignment pending the investigation. It also clarifies handling of criminal complaints related to the same incident and requires the procedures to be written and accessible to officers.

Who It Affects

• State and local law enforcement agencies must establish and follow written internal investigation procedures.
• Law enforcement officers must receive a copy of the procedures, be notified about complaints, have rights to representation, and be subject to the 90-day investigation timeline (with possible extensions) and potential suspension or reassignment.

Key Provisions

• Require each law enforcement agency to adopt written internal or administrative investigation procedures.
• Distribute a copy of the procedures to all officers employed by the agency.
• Define key terms used in the act (Commission, Complaint, Internal Investigations, Law Enforcement Agency, Law Enforcement Officer).
• When an officer is questioned, require notification of the nature of the complaint and the complainant's name when not confidential.
• Criminal complaints related to the same incident take precedence over administrative charges.
• Allow suspension or assignment to alternative duties pending the investigation, per agency policy.
• Ensure administrative investigations inform officers of their rights, allow representation, and provide an appeal process for adverse findings.
• Complete internal investigations within 90 days of filing, with extensions for agreed delays, witness issues, unavailable reports, or newly identified violations.
• Allow renewing complaints if new evidence becomes available after the 90-day period, and state that the act does not alter existing statutes of limitations.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Law Enforcement