CT SB00135

The Police Officer Standards and Training Council and Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall jointly develop minimum standards and practices for law enforcement units based on International Association of Chiefs of Police and Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies standards, including standards on bias-based policing, use of force, body-worn cameras, officer misconduct complaints, and police pursuits.

The council shall divide standards into three state-accreditation tiers by January 1, 2023: tier one (liability protection and public confidence), tier two (administration and management), and tier three (higher standards).

Law enforcement units must meet minimum certification requirements on a phased schedule: tier one by December 31, 2023; tiers one and two by December 31, 2025; and all three tiers by January 1, 2026, or alternatively meet higher Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies standards.

The council shall work with law enforcement units that fail to obtain or maintain required certification or accreditation standards, and may revoke certificates of compliance for units that fail to comply with council guidance on officer reporting procedures.

No civil action may be brought against law enforcement units for damages arising from failure to adopt and maintain minimum standards or obtain required certification.