This bill amends current law to allow county sheriffs to certify that law enforcement officers employed by their departments meet the necessary criteria for the renewal of their law enforcement licenses. Previously, the renewal process required law enforcement officers to submit applications through their employing law enforcement units to the Police Training Commission (PTC), which included certifications from both the officer and the chief law enforcement officer. The new provision specifically enables every county sheriff to take on this certification role, streamlining the renewal process for officers within their departments.

The bill maintains the existing criteria that law enforcement officers must meet for license renewal, which includes good moral character, completion of required training, and a clean legal record regarding various offenses. The addition of the sheriff's certification aims to enhance the efficiency of the renewal process while ensuring that the standards for law enforcement officers remain intact. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:17B-71