Alabama House Bill HB152

Alabama 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/21/23
• Refer: 3/21/23
• Report Pass: 4/5/23
• Engrossed: 4/27/23
• Refer: 4/27/23
• Report Pass: 5/11/23
• Enrolled: 6/1/23
• Passed: 6/1/23

Caption

Relating to public institutions of higher education; to add Section 16-22-1.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975; to authorize public institutions of higher education that employ campus police officers to also employ reserve police officers; and to specify the qualifications and duties of reserve campus police officers.

Impact

The introduction of reserve police officers is expected to have a significant impact on how public institutions manage safety on their campuses. Reserve officers can assist in a variety of policing functions including patrol operations, traffic control, and crowd management but must operate under the direct supervision of regular police officers. This structure is intended to provide flexibility in staffing while ensuring that experienced, certified officers maintain oversight. The qualifications for reserve officers include being of good moral character, passing a criminal background check, and completing necessary training.

Summary

House Bill 152 seeks to amend the Code of Alabama 1975 by adding Section 16-22-1.1, which authorizes public institutions of higher education in Alabama to employ reserve police officers in addition to full-time and part-time campus police officers. This provision aims to enhance campus safety and security by allowing educational institutions to utilize additional personnel trained in law enforcement, albeit under specific qualifications and duties. The bill's intent is to bolster the resources available for crime prevention, traffic management, and crowd control during campus events.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 152 appears to be generally supportive, particularly among those prioritizing safety in higher education settings. Public institutions and safety advocates have welcomed the bill as a means to enhance security measures without significantly increasing the financial burden on the institutions. However, there may be concerns from civil liberties groups regarding the potential implications of increasing police presence on campuses and how that might affect the campus environment.

Contention

A notable point of contention arises from the balance between enhancing safety and the potential for over-policing at educational institutions. Opponents could argue that increasing the number of police officers, even if they are part-time reserves, may create a culture of surveillance that does not align with the educational mission of higher institutions. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that reserve officers may not exercise arrest powers unless properly certified, which may lead to debates over the adequacy of training and supervision required to ensure proper law enforcement practices.