ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
peace officer standards board; membership
Purpose
Modifies requirements for law enforcement officers appointed to the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST).
Background
AZPOST consists of 13 members appointed by the Governor, including: 1) two sheriffs, one from a county with more than 200,000 persons and one from a county with fewer than 200,000 persons; 2) two chiefs of police, one from a city or native tribe with more than 60,000 persons and one from a city or native tribe with less than 60,000 persons; 3) a college faculty member in public administration or a related field; 4) the Attorney General; 5) the Director of the Department of Public Safety; 6) the Director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry; 7) one member employed in administering county or municipal correctional facilities; 8) two certified law enforcement officers who have knowledge and experience in representing peace officers in disciplinary cases, one of which must be an officer and one of which must be a deputy; and 9) two public members (A.R.S. § 41-1821).
AZPOST is required to, among other responsibilities: 1) prescribe reasonable minimum qualifications for officers to be appointed to enforce the laws of Arizona and its political subdivisions and certify officers in compliance with these qualifications; 2) prescribe courses of training minimum standards for training facilities for law enforcement officers; and 3) make inquiries to determine whether Arizona and its political subdivisions are adhering to required standards for recruitment, appointment, retention and training (A.R.S. § 41-1822).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Removes the specified rank requirements for the two certified law enforcement officers appointed to AZPOST, and instead requires them to:
a) not be in a supervisory capacity; and
b) be from different law enforcement agencies.
2. Retains the membership of all persons serving on AZPOST on the general effective date until the expiration of their normal terms and requires the Governor to make all subsequent appointments as prescribed by statute.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
MAPS 1/24/22 DP 14-1-0-0
3rd Read 2/3/22 59-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 1, 2022
ZD/sr