The proposed Municipal Police Oversight Act mandates the creation of citizen police oversight boards in cities with full-time police officers by January 1, 2028. These boards, composed of seven public members appointed by the city council, will investigate grievances against police departments, address complaints of discrimination and misconduct, and monitor police practices. The bill grants these boards the authority to conduct independent investigations, issue subpoenas, and require police departments to respond to their recommendations. It also emphasizes the necessity for adequate funding and resources to ensure the boards can effectively fulfill their responsibilities. Additionally, the bill prohibits no-knock search and arrest warrants, mandates the maintenance of public Brady and Giglio lists by city and county attorneys, and provides civil liability protections for oversight board members acting in good faith.

Moreover, the bill requires law enforcement agencies to maintain comprehensive records regarding the separation of service for each officer, permanently retaining records of conduct that could lead to certification revocation or suspension, including the officer's name. It eliminates the previous requirement to retain such records only for the duration of employment and ten years post-separation. The legislation also updates the requirements for maintaining a public list of law enforcement officers who have surrendered their certifications or been found guilty of serious misconduct since January 1, 2021, now including the status of each officer's certification and requiring a signed affirmation from the agency head regarding the accuracy of the information. A procedure for officers to challenge their inclusion on this list is also established, and the bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 29-411, 81-1414.15, 81-1414.19