House Bill No. 6873
Public Act No. 23-87
AN ACT REQUIRING THE POLICE OFFICER STANDARDS AND
TRAINING COUNCIL TO DEVELOP AND PROMULGATE A MODEL
POLICY REQUIRING THE USE OF A SEAT SAFETY BELT FOR ANY
PERSON WHO IS BEING TRANSPORTED IN A MUNICIPAL POLICE
VEHICLE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) Not later than December
31, 2023, the Police Officer Standards and Training Council established
under section 7-294b of the general statutes shall develop and
promulgate a model policy that provides guidelines on (1) the required
use of a seat safety belt by any person who is being transported in a
municipal police vehicle, and (2) standardized procedures to be utilized
by a municipal police officer to ensure that any person who is being
transported in a municipal police vehicle is secure in such vehicle
through the use of a seat safety belt. Not later than April 1, 2024, each
municipal law enforcement unit shall adopt and maintain a written
policy that meets or exceeds the standards of the model policy
developed pursuant to this subsection.
(b) On and after April 1, 2024, if the chief law enforcement officer of
a municipal law enforcement unit finds, through procedures developed
pursuant to subsection (g) of section 7-294d of the general statutes, that
a municipal police officer has engaged in conduct that constitutes a House Bill No. 6873
Public Act No. 23-87 2 of 2
violation of the policy established pursuant to subsection (a) of this
section and that such violation undermines public confidence in the
municipal law enforcement unit, the chief law enforcement officer shall
report such violation to the Police Officer Standards and Training
Council. Said council shall thereafter conduct a de novo review of the
matter. Whenever the council believes there is a reasonable basis for
suspension, cancellation or revocation of the certification of a municipal
police officer due to the reported violation, the council shall give notice
and an adequate opportunity for a hearing to such officer prior to such
suspension, cancellation or revocation. Such hearing shall be conducted
in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes.
If the council finds by clear and convincing evidence that a violation of
this section has occurred, the council may suspend, revoke or cancel the
certificate of the certificate holder in accordance with the provisions of
section 7-294d of the general statutes.