ENROLLED
2018 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 98
BY REPRESENTATIVE HUNTER
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To recognize the potential value for local law enforcement agencies of an independent
police monitor.
WHEREAS, local law enforcement officers, both sheriff's deputies and municipal
police officers, are, as they have always been, the essential guardians of the safety of
communities; they are the critical barrier between the few who wish to cause harm and the
many who wish to go about their daily activities free from fear; and
WHEREAS, effective policing requires effective community support; policing is not
done in a vacuum; if civilians are to be as safe as possible they must work collaboratively
with law enforcement officers and agencies, but if citizens come to perceive law
enforcement officers to be as much of a threat to their safety as are criminals, the health of
the community deteriorates rapidly; and
WHEREAS, though citizens and local elected officials desire to hold sheriff's
deputies and municipal police officers to very high standards of integrity and service, many
aspects of a law enforcement agency are unique to the law enforcement field, and special
expertise is required to evaluate and improve internal practices, procedures, and culture;
general management experts and local officials may not be in the best position to determine
whether a particular department is fulfilling its duties in a way that meets such high
standards; and
WHEREAS, an independent police monitor can fill that gap by combining law
enforcement expertise with an outside-the-department perspective, thereby playing a role
that neither a member of the department nor a traditional government executive or inspector
general can play; and
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WHEREAS, responsibilities of an independent police monitor can include:
monitoring civilian and internal complaints, internal investigations, and discipline; reviewing
the classification of all internal investigations and requiring that investigations be reopened;
reporting to elected officials and the public on the effectiveness of the department; compiling
and reporting on data to identify officers, units, and precincts that have been commended for
exceptional work; reviewing training schedules and content and identifying and insisting on
the adoption of best practices with respect to training; and
WHEREAS, in short, an independent police monitor can forge the required trust and
collaboration between a law enforcement agency and the citizens of a community by
cultivating an agency that strives for superior community service in every facet of life in a
local law enforcement agency, including hiring and promotion, training, discipline,
interagency cooperation, and community outreach.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
recognize the potential value for local law enforcement agencies of an independent police
monitor and does hereby encourage parish and municipal governing authorities to consider
the advantages of such a position for its respective sheriff's office or police department.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Louisiana Municipal Association and the Police Jury Association of Louisiana for
distribution to their respective local government membership.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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