The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1006 authored by Rep. Steuerwald regarding law enforcement officers. This bill requires the Indiana law enforcement training board to establish mandatory training in de-escalation at basic training and in-service trainings. It also establishes a procedure to decertify officers from being law enforcement officers in the state of Indiana if they have committed misconduct. The bill defines “chokehold” and prohibits the use of it unless deadly force is appropriate. Additionally, a law enforcement officer who turns off a body worn camera with intent to conceal a criminal act commits a Class A misdemeanor. The bill also allows an agency hiring a law enforcement officer to request the officer’s employment record and other information from previous employing agencies and requires the previous employing agency to supply the record and information upon request.
The bill was amended by consent to add “hospital police department” to the definition of law enforcement agency.
The Indiana State Police, Indiana Fraternal Order of Police, Indiana Law Enforcement Coalition, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Indiana Sheriff’s Association, Hoosier State Press Association, ATT, Indy Chamber, and the Indiana Public Defender Council testified in support of the bill. The amended bill passed 11-0.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2021/bills/house/1006