Loading chat...

IN HB1645

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/24/2017

Primary Sponsor

Vanessa Summers

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2017 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Establishes a law enforcement ombudsman office appointed by the governor, requiring the ombudsman to be a licensed Indiana attorney working full-time.

  • Ombudsman receives and investigates complaints against state and local law enforcement officers to determine if agency investigations were complete, thorough, objective, and fair.

  • Ombudsman has access to all relevant records from state and local agencies and may mediate complaints between complainants and officers if all parties consent.

  • If investigation finds problems, ombudsman submits written recommendations to the police chief or agency head; if not addressed within 15 days, escalates to the governor (state agencies) or county/city executives and legislatures (local agencies).

  • Makes it a Class A misdemeanor to interfere with the ombudsman or retaliate against anyone who files a complaint or provides information; effective July 1, 2017.

Legislative Description

Law enforcement ombudsman. Establishes the office of the law enforcement ombudsman (ombudsman). Provides that the governor appoints the ombudsman, who must be a licensed attorney and devote full time to the duties of the office. Provides that the ombudsman receives and investigates complaints made against law enforcement officers of state and local law enforcement agencies to determine if the law enforcement agency's investigation of the law enforcement officer's actions was complete, thorough, objective, and fair. Requires the ombudsman to have access to any local or state agency records that are relevant to the complaint. Provides that if the ombudsman determines

Last Action

First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety

1/24/2017

Committee Referrals

Veterans Affairs and Public Safety1/24/2017

Full Bill Text

No bill text available