HB765 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dexter Grimsley

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Law enforcement officers, continuing education, chief of police and law enforcement officers required to complete continuing education courses that consist of a certain number of hours of instruction on dealing with mentally ill patients, Sec. 36-21-51 am'd

Summary

HB765 would require Alabama police chiefs and other law enforcement officers to complete annual continuing education, with specific hours dedicated to dealing with mentally ill patients, and it sets conditions for sheriff's department training and commission enforcement.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes the required hours of annual continuing education for police chiefs to 20 hours, with 2 hours focused on mentally ill patients, and for other officers to 12 hours, with 1 hour focused on mentally ill patients; both categories require the instruction to be approved by the commission. Sheriff’s department officers are only required to receive the mental health training if the county commission adopts a resolution requiring it. It also introduces enforcement tools and rights, including possible revocation of certification for noncompliance, potential extensions for sufficient cause, and appeal rights comparable to other commission orders.

Who It Affects

• Municipal police chiefs: must complete 20 hours annually, including 2 hours on dealing with mentally ill patients, approved by the commission.
• Other law enforcement officers (non-chiefs): must complete 12 hours annually, including 1 hour on dealing with mentally ill patients, approved by the commission.
• County sheriff's department officers: training on mentally ill patients is required only if the county commission adopts a resolution requiring it.
• Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission: administers approval of the mental illness curriculum, enforces compliance (including potential certification revocation), can grant extensions, and handles appeals.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 36-21-51 to require chiefs of police to complete 20 hours of executive level continuing education annually, with 2 hours on dealing with mentally ill patients, approved by the commission.
• Requires other law enforcement officers to complete 12 hours annually, with 1 hour on dealing with mentally ill patients, approved by the commission.
• Provides that sheriff's department officers must complete the training only if the county commission adopts a resolution requiring such continuing education.
• Authorizes the commission to revoke an officer's certification or authority for noncompliance with the section.
• Allows the commission to grant extensions of time to complete the courses for sufficient cause.
• Gives aggrieved persons the same rights and appeal procedures as for other commission orders or rulings.
• States the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Law Enforcement Officers