NC S697

Career municipal law enforcement officers in North Carolina can only be dismissed for just cause, as defined by rules adopted by their employing agency and approved by the municipality's governing authority.

Officers facing potential dismissal must receive notice of charges and an opportunity to be heard before a fair and impartial board or hearing officer, with rights to representation at officer's expense, witness examination, and evidence presentation.

All municipalities must establish an impartial hearing officer or review board to hear disciplinary action appeals, with all hearings recorded and transcripts available to parties paying applicable copying or transcription costs.

Existing civil service systems, agency review boards, civilian complaint boards, or personnel boards that meet the bill's minimum due process requirements are considered compliant.

Each municipality must adopt an ordinance establishing composition and powers of the review board, and defining policies for dismissals, grievances, and just cause standards, with the act effective December 1, 2021.