This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 8-14-17a, to the Code of West Virginia, 1931, which establishes specific criteria for the promotion of municipal law enforcement officers. Under this new section, officers must complete a minimum of 40 hours of leadership training to be eligible for promotional written examinations. The promotional process will include a written examination that accounts for 40% of the total score, an evaluation by a Law Enforcement Board that also contributes 40% to the score, and seniority, which will account for the remaining 20%. The Law Enforcement Board will consist of at least four sworn officers from an outside agency, ensuring an unbiased evaluation process.

Additionally, the bill mandates that all promotional criteria be applied uniformly to all eligible candidates and allows municipal civil service commissions to adopt rules consistent with these new provisions. This structured approach aims to enhance the integrity and fairness of the promotion process within municipal law enforcement agencies in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-14-17a