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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
peace officers; mutual aid agreements
Purpose
Background
The sheriff of each county must develop and adopt a policy on cross-certification of federal peace officers, including whether cross-certification shall be permitted in that county. A federal peace officer who is employed by an agency of the United States and who has completed the basic training curriculum for the officer's agency possesses and exercises all law enforcement powers of peace officers in Arizona for one year, including if directed by the officer's employer, the capability to enforce the criminal laws of Arizona if the federal peace officer: 1) submits to the sheriff a written request for certification as a pace officer in Arizona; and 2) submits evidence that the officer has been certified as a federal peace officer and is authorized to engage in law enforcement activities as specified. Neither the state or its political subdivisions is liable for any acts or failure to act by a federal peace officer (A.R.S. § 13-3875).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the sheriff of each county to develop and adopt a policy on cross-certification of peace officers from adjacent states, including whether to allow cross-certification in that county.
2. Provides a peace officer who is employed by a county of an adjacent state and who has completed the basic training curriculum for the peace officer's agency with all law enforcement powers of Arizona peace officers for one year.
3. Includes, among the powers possessed by qualified adjacent state peace officers, the capability to enforce criminal laws of Arizona, if directed by the peace officer's employer.
4. Requires a peace officer of an adjacent state, prior to possessing the same powers as Arizona peace officers, to:
a) submit a written request to the sheriff for certification as a peace officer in Arizona; and
b) submit evidence that the peace officer has been certified as a peace officer, is authorized by Arizona law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of a violation of law and is authorized by Arizona law to make arrests, serve warrants and carry firearms.
5. Allows each peace officer from an adjacent state who requests cross-certification to submit a written request for certification with the sheriff.
6. Specifies that cross-certification remains in effect for one year from the date on which the certification was authorized by the sheriff.
7. Indemnifies the state and any political subdivision from liability for any act or failure to act by a peace officer from an adjacent state.
8. Requires the Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board (AZPOST Board) to maintain records of all peace officers from adjacent states who are certified as peace officers in Arizona.
9. Stipulates that the requirement for persons to be AZPOST-certified before exercising the authority of law in Arizona does not apply to peace officer from adjacent states if:
a) an emergency in a county in Arizona necessitates the aid of or assistance from the peace officer from an adjacent state; or
b) a sheriff in Arizona requests the aid of or assistance from the peace officer from an adjacent state.
10. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 12, 2024
ZD/cs