AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Recent examples of excessive force by law enforcement point to the need for additional training to reduce such abuses.
S.B. 1676 requires law enforcement officers in Texas to complete an eight-hour education and training program on ethical decision-making once during the year beginning September 1, 2012, and once every 24 months for the two Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education training cycles beginning September 1, 2013.
The training would be conducted by the governmental entity that employs the officer and must include education and training on: ethical dilemmas faced by law enforcement; stress inoculation, de-escalation, and crisis management techniques; principles of ethics and decision making as they relate to use-of-force; public accountability and police professionalism; and their application in scenario-based ethical dilemmas.
As proposed, S.B. 1676 amends current law relating to educational and training requirements for certain peace officers on ethical decision making.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, by adding Section 1701.260, as follows:
Sec. 1701.260. EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS ON ETHICAL DECISION MAKING. (a) Requires the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) by rule to require an officer to complete an eight-hour training program on ethical decision making once during the year beginning on September 1, 2012, and once every 24 months for the two TCLEOSE training cycles beginning September 1, 2013.
(b) Requires that the program described by Subsection (a) be approved by TCLEOSE and be conducted by the governmental entity that employs the officer. Requires that the program include education and training on:
(1) identification of ethical dilemmas in law enforcement;
(2) stress inoculation, de-escalation, and crisis management techniques;
(3) principles of ethics and decision making in law enforcement as they relate to use of force;
(4) public accountability and police professionalism; and
(5) application in scenario-based ethical dilemmas.
(c) Authorizes a trainer of a course described by this section to use curriculum and instructional materials developed by TCLEOSE, a governmental entity conducting a course, and an entity that has a training agreement with TCLEOSE
(d) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2021.
SECTION 2. Requires TCLEOSE, not later than December 1, 2011, to adopt the rules necessary to implement Section 1701.260, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.