Bill > A4713

Introduced Session

This bill requires comprehensive police training on core competencies in both the basic training course and in-service training. The bill specifically requires the Police Training Commission to include certain core competencies in the curriculum of the basic training course which every State, county, and municipal law enforcement officer is required to pass prior to appointment to a full-time police officer position. Core competencies are defined in the bill as "common activities in which law enforcement officers engage and the skills used during the daily performance of their law enforcement duties." The bill also requires four hours of in-service training each quarter on the core competencies. The core competencies to be covered in the basic training course and in-service training include: relationship-based policing and community interaction; conflict resolution; crisis intervention, mediation, and rumor control; de-escalation, including training in nonlethal methods of interacting with combative or threatening persons and persons experiencing a mental health crisis; minimization of use of force; leadership; problem-solving skills; community specific problems; cultural diversity and implicit bias; appropriate methods of engagement with members of diverse cultures and religions, including members of the lesbian, gay, biracial, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community and gender nonconforming persons, English language learners, and differently abled persons; juvenile justice and engagement; legal authority and procedural justice; individual rights; officer and civilian safety; communication skills; and lifestyle stressors, self-awareness, and self-regulation. The bill requires the Police Training Commission to consult with adult and juvenile community members of all racial, social, and economic backgrounds in developing the core competencies curriculum for the basic and in-service training. In addition, the curriculum is to include scenario-based training on core competencies. The core competency curriculum is to be periodically update and revised. According to the sponsor, societal changes and increased scrutiny of police interactions with persons of diverse backgrounds necessitate up-to-date, comprehensive police training to ensure the safety of both the officers and the citizens they serve.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Brian Bergen (R)*,  Herbert Conaway (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee (on 09/21/2020)