H.B. 428 Summary

• Requires law enforcement officers to report observed criminal misconduct by other officers to their department head in writing immediately or as soon as practicable; department head must investigate within 15 days and notify the county police chief.

• Mandates psychological screening test battery administered by licensed psychologist or psychiatrist as a requirement for appointment as law enforcement officer, with results valid for one year.

• Establishes grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of law enforcement certification for failure to report observed criminal misconduct or for committing criminal misconduct including assault, sexual assault, bribery, coercion, fraud, theft, tampering with evidence or witnesses, use of chokehold, or excessive use of force.

• Prohibits law enforcement officers from using a chokehold unless deadly force is justifiable; defines chokehold as application of pressure to throat, windpipe, or neck that prevents or reduces air or oxygen intake to the brain.

• Excludes adult correctional officers from the definition of "law enforcement officer" for purposes of this chapter.