BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

S.B. 244

By: Patrick

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

A police chief often develops a succession plan for the second in command and attempts to groom that person for the position.  Such plans not only prepare the next generation of police chiefs, they also provide stability within a law enforcement agency when a sitting chief vacates the position.  Since the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas is statutorily charged with police chief training, it is reasonable that the chief's successors receive the same training.  S.B. 244 seeks to encourage law enforcement agencies to take advantage of the continuing education offered by the institute by exempting any second in command who participates in such continuing education from peace officer continuing education requirements established under state law.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

S.B. 244 amends the Education Code to authorize the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas to establish and offer a continuing education program for command staff for individuals who are second in command to police chiefs. The bill requires the program to satisfy the requirements established under provisions of law relating to the institute for the police chief continuing education program.

 

S.B. 244 amends the Occupations Code to exempt a peace officer who is second in command to a police chief of a law enforcement agency and who attends a continuing education program for command staff provided by the institute from the peace officer continuing education requirements imposed by the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education under provisions of law relating to continuing education and yearly weapons proficiency.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2011.