§ 12-9-104 - Commission's powers generally. - Arkansas Statutes

12-9-104. Commission's powers generally.

In addition to powers conferred upon the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training elsewhere in this subchapter, the commission may:

(1) (A) Promulgate rules and regulations for the administration of this subchapter.

(B) The rules and regulations promulgated by the commission shall not go into full force and effect until the commission seeks the advice of the Legislative Council and the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor and the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor or appropriate subcommittees of the Legislative Council and the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor and the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor;

(2) Require the submission of reports and information by police departments within this state;

(3) (A) (i) Establish minimum selection and training standards for admission to employment as a law enforcement officer.

(ii) The standards may take into account different requirements for urban and rural areas, full-time and part-time employment, and specialized police personnel.

(B) However, the minimum selection and training standards for admission to employment as a law enforcement officer shall not apply to volunteer police auxiliary officers, to volunteer officers of county sheriffs' mounted patrols, and to honorary police officer commissions issued by appropriate police authority;

(4) Establish minimum curriculum requirements for preparatory, in-service, and advanced courses and programs of schools operated by or for the state and political subdivisions for the specific purpose of training recruits for law enforcement officers;

(5) Consult and cooperate with counties, municipalities, agencies of this state, other governmental agencies, and with universities, colleges, junior colleges, community colleges, and other institutions or organizations concerning the development of police training schools and programs or courses of instruction;

(6) Approve institutions and facilities to be used by or for the state or any political subdivision of the state for the specific purpose of training law enforcement officers and recruits;

(7) Adopt rules and minimum standards for schools which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(A) The curriculum for:

(i) Probationary police officers, which shall be offered by all certified schools, and which shall include, but shall not be limited to, courses on:

(a) Accident investigation;

(b) Arrest;

(c) Civil rights;

(d) Court testimonies;

(e) Criminal law;

(f) Firearms training;

(g) First aid;

(h) Handling of juvenile offenders;

(i) Human relations;

(j) Law of criminal procedure;

(k) Law of evidence;

(l) Physical training;

(m) Race relations and sensitivity;

(n) Recognition of mental conditions which require immediate assistance and methods to safeguard and provide assistance to a person in need of mental treatment;

(o) Reports;

(p) Search and seizure;

(q) Statements;

(r) Techniques of obtaining physical evidence;

(s) Traffic control; and

(t) Vehicle and traffic law; and

(ii) Permanent police officers, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, refresher and in-service training in:

(a) Any of the courses listed in subdivision (7)(A)(i) of this section;

(b) Advanced courses in any of the subjects listed in subdivision (7)(A)(i) of this section;

(c) Training for supervisory personnel; and

(d) Specialized training in subjects and fields to be selected by the board;

(B) Minimum courses of study, attendance requirements, and equipment requirements;

(C) Minimum requirements for instructors; and

(D) Minimum basic training requirements which a probationary police officer must satisfactorily complete before being eligible for permanent employment as a law enforcement officer;

(8) Make and encourage studies of any aspect of police administration;

(9) Conduct and stimulate research by public and private agencies designed to improve police administration and law enforcement;

(10) Make recommendations concerning matters within its purview pursuant to this subchapter;

(11) Make evaluations as may be necessary to determine if governmental units are complying with the provisions of this subchapter;

(12) Adopt and amend bylaws, consistent with law, for its internal management and control;

(13) Enter into contracts or do such things as may be necessary and incidental to the administration of this subchapter;

(14) Facilitate training of certified law enforcement officers pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the State of Arkansas and the United States Department of Justice or the United States Department of Homeland Security concerning the enforcement of federal immigration laws;

(15) In consultation with the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police, develop and implement suggested selection and training requirements and nonmandatory basic and advanced levels of certification for chiefs of police; and

(16) In consultation with the Arkansas Sheriffs' Association, develop and implement suggested training requirements and nonmandatory basic and advanced levels of certification for county sheriffs.