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 evaluate policing standards. The bill grants these boards investigative powers, including access to police records and the ability to issue subpoenas, while requiring cities to allocate sufficient funding and resources for their independent operation. Additionally, the legislation prohibits no-knock search and arrest warrants and mandates that city and county attorneys, along with the Attorney General, maintain public Brady and Giglio lists of law enforcement officers with compromised credibility.

The bill also establishes new record-keeping requirements for law enforcement agencies regarding officer separations, mandating that comprehensive records be maintained for five years post-separation, including details of any conduct that could affect certification. These records must be permanently retained, replacing the previous retention policy. Furthermore, the bill requires the commission to maintain a public list of officers who have surrendered their certifications or been found guilty of serious misconduct since January 1, 2021, detailing their names, ranks, agencies, reasons for inclusion, and any imposed discipline. It also introduces a process for officers to contest their inclusion on this list, with the act set to take effect immediately upon passage.

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