State SealARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

SB 1064: court security officers; certification; powers

PRIME SPONSOR: Senator Borrelli, LD 5

BILL STATUS: Caucus & COW

                                Judiciary: DPA 7-3-0-0

 

Overview

☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NotePermits the courts to use certified court security officers who, while engaged in official duties, possess the powers and duties of peace officers.

History

A peace officer is any person vested by law with a duty to maintain public order and make arrests (A.R.S. § 13-105(29)). Examples of peace officers include Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers, county sheriffs, and city police officers (A.R.S. §§ 11-441; 41-1713(A)(3); Phoenix City Code § 2-119(b)). Peace officers' powers and duties vary by jurisdiction but generally include the power and duty to:

1.       Preserve the peace;

2.       Arrest people who commit public offenses; and

3.       Prevent breaches of the peace, riots, and insurrections.

Peace officers are certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST) (A.R.S. § 41-1822).

Provisions

1.       Requires the Arizona Supreme Court to certify court security officers.

2.       Permits the courts to use certified court security officers to ensure the safe transaction of court business.

3.       Grants a certified court security officer engaged in official duties the powers and duties of a peace officer.

4.       Exempts certified court security officers from retirement plans available to state public safety employees.

Amendments

Committee on Judiciary

1.       Specifies that a certified court security officer has the power to:

a.       Arrest and detain individuals, as reasonably necessary, to maintain the safety of those within judicial branch facilities and grounds;

b.       Seize unlawful weapons or materials within judicial branch facilities and grounds;

c.        Respond to threats and emergencies within:

                                 i.      A judicial branch facility and grounds;

                               ii.      Another location while accompanying a judicial officer in an official capacity;

                             iii.      The immediate vicinity of the judicial branch facility and grounds; or

                             iv.      Another location; and

d.       Exchange information with law enforcement agencies regarding threats to court employees or the court's facilities and grounds.

e.        

f.          

g.       ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

h.       Fifty-fourth Legislature                               SB 1064

i.         First Regular Session                    Version 2: Caucus & COW

j.          

k.       ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------