HB653 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Connie C. Rowe

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Law enforcement officers, training required for newly appointed chiefs of police, and annual training required for all law enforcement officers, Sec. 36-21-51 am'd.

Summary

HB653 would require a newly appointed municipal police chief to take an extra training course within one year and would mandate 12 hours of annual continuing education for all law enforcement officers, including sheriff's department personnel.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 36-21-51 to add a required training course for newly appointed municipal chiefs of police. It maintains the chiefs' existing 20 hours of annual executive-level education. It expands the 12-hour annual continuing education requirement to all law enforcement officers, including those in sheriff's departments, removing the county commission's ability to opt out. It allows the commission to revoke certification for noncompliance, with potential extensions and an appeals process.

Who It Affects

• Municipal police chiefs: must complete an additional training course within one year of appointment and continue to complete 20 hours of executive-level education annually.
• Law enforcement officers (including sheriff's department personnel): must complete 12 hours of continuing education annually, regardless of county commission decisions.

Key Provisions

• Requires newly appointed municipal chiefs to complete a course for newly appointed chiefs within one year of appointment, facilitated by the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police and approved by the commission.
• Keeps the municipal chiefs' requirement at 20 hours of executive-level continuing education annually.
• Mandates all law enforcement officers to complete 12 hours of continuing education annually, with courses approved by the commission.
• Requires sheriff's department officers to complete 12 hours annually regardless of county commission actions.
• Allows the commission to revoke certification or authority for noncompliance, and provides extensions and appeal rights.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

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