Senate Bill 835 Summary

• Amends G.S. 15A-401 to require law enforcement officers to attempt to intervene when observing another officer use excessive force if safe to do so, and report suspected unauthorized force to a superior within 72 hours even if intervention was not possible.

• Prohibits termination, discipline, or retaliation against officers who report excessive force in good faith, though prior misconduct may still be disciplined.

• Extends the duty to intervene and report requirements to criminal justice officers and justice officers under new sections G.S. 17C-17 and G.S. 17E-17, covering violations of law, fraud, misappropriation of resources, public health dangers, and gross mismanagement.

• Establishes that knowingly false reports under these provisions constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor.

• Appropriates $50,000 each to the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission for officer training, effective December 1, 2024.