Assigned to MAPS AS PASSED BY ADD COW
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1683
peace officers; mutual aid agreements
Purpose
Provides for the cross-certification of peace officers from states adjacent to Arizona and
provides that cross-certified peace officers may exercise all of the powers of Arizona peace
officers, employer or if a sheriff of an Arizona county requests aid or assistance from the peace
officer from an adjacent state or if an emergency necessitates the aid.
Background
The sheriff of each county must develop and adopt a policy on cross-certification of federal
peace officers, including whether cross-certification shall be permitted in that county. A federal
peace officer who is employed by an agency of the United States and who has completed the basic
training curriculum for the officer's agency possesses and exercises all law enforcement powers of
peace officers in Arizona for one year, including if directed by the officer's employer, the capability
to enforce the criminal laws of Arizona if the federal peace officer: 1) submits to the sheriff a
written request for certification as a pace officer in Arizona; and 2) submits evidence that the
officer has been certified as a federal peace officer and is authorized to engage in law enforcement
activities as specified. Neither the state or its political subdivisions is liable for any acts or failure
to act by a federal peace officer (A.R.S. § 13-3875).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the sheriff of each county to develop and adopt a policy on cross-certification of peace
officers from adjacent states, including whether to allow cross-certification in that county.
2. Provides a peace officer who is employed by a county of an adjacent state and who has
completed the basic training curriculum for the peace officer's agency with all law enforcement
powers of Arizona peace officers for the purpose of assisting with emergencies.
3. States that peace officer cross-certification remains active for one year.
4. Includes, among the powers possessed by qualified adjacent state peace officers, the capability
to enforce criminal laws of Arizona, if directed by the peace officer's employer.
FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1683
Page 2
5. Requires a peace officer of an adjacent state, prior to possessing the same powers as Arizona
peace officers, to:
a) submit a written request to the sheriff for certification as a peace officer in Arizona; and
b) submit evidence that the peace officer has been certified as a peace officer, is authorized
by Arizona law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation or
prosecution of a violation of law and is authorized by Arizona law to make arrests, serve
warrants and carry firearms.
6. Allows each peace officer from an adjacent state who requests cross-certification to submit a
written request for certification with the sheriff.
7. Specifies that cross-certification remains in effect for one year from the date on which the
certification was authorized by the sheriff.
8. Indemnifies the state and any political subdivision from liability for any act or failure to act by
a peace officer from an adjacent state.
9. Asserts that the home state of a cross-certified peace officer is liable for an act or failure to act
by the cross-certified peace officer.
10. Requires the Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board (AZPOST Board) to
maintain records of all peace officers from adjacent states who are certified as peace officers
in Arizona.
11. Stipulates that the requirement for persons to be AZPOST-certified before exercising the
authority of law in Arizona does not apply to peace officer from adjacent states if:
a) an emergency in a county in Arizona necessitates the aid of or assistance from the peace
officer from an adjacent state; or
b) a sheriff in Arizona requests the aid of or assistance from the peace officer from an adjacent
state.
12. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Additional Committee of the Whole
1. Specifies that the circumstances under which a cross-certified peace officer possesses the
powers of Arizona peace officers include:
a) emergencies in Arizona that necessitate the aid of or assistance from the peace officer from
an adjacent state; and
b) requests from Arizona sheriffs for aid or assistance from peace officer from adjacent states.
2. Asserts that the home state of a cross-certified peace officer is liable for an act or failure to act
by the cross-certified peace officer.
Senate Action
MAPS 2/14/24 DP 7-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 29, 2024
ZD/cs