The bill introduced aims to authorize public institutions of higher education in Alabama that already employ campus police officers to also employ reserve police officers. This new section, Section 16-22-1.1, would be added to the Code of Alabama 1975. Reserve police officers can be employed with or without compensation and will serve at the discretion of the president or chief executive officer of the institution. Applicants for reserve police officer positions must be at least 19 years old, of good moral character, and have no felony or certain misdemeanor convictions. They must also consent to a background check.

The duties of reserve police officers are limited to patrol operations under direct supervision, traffic direction and control with reasonable supervisory control, and crowd control assistance at public gatherings or campus functions under supervision. Reserve police officers are not allowed to exercise arrest powers unless they have current certification from the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission. Additionally, the bill includes a deletion regarding the carrying of firearms by reserve police officers; they no longer need a properly issued permit but must still have approval from the institution's president or chief executive officer and follow institutional policies. The act will take effect on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor or otherwise becoming law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-22-1
Enrolled: 16-22-1