Arkansas Senate Bill SB537

Arkansas 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/29/23
• Refer: 3/29/23
• Report Pass: 3/30/23
• Engrossed: 4/3/23
• Refer: 4/3/23
• Failed: 5/1/23

Caption

To Amend The Law Concerning The Appointment Of A Part-time Law Enforcement Officer By A Political Subdivision.

Impact

Additionally, the bill allows political subdivisions with populations of 1,000 or less to appoint part-time officers based on the number of part-time chiefs of police they employ. If a political subdivision identifies special circumstances that warrant additional part-time officers beyond the standard ratios, they can apply to the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training for approval. This could enhance local law enforcement capabilities in responding to unique community challenges.

Summary

Senate Bill 537 seeks to amend existing laws regarding the appointment of part-time law enforcement officers by political subdivisions in Arkansas. Specifically, the bill permits a political subdivision to appoint part-time officers proportional to the number of full-time certified officers it employs. For each full-time officer, a political subdivision can appoint two part-time officers. This provision aims to give local governments greater flexibility in addressing law enforcement needs, especially in rural or smaller communities.

Contention

There may be potential contention surrounding this bill as it shifts some regulatory powers from state oversight to local level decisions. Supporters of the bill may argue it empowers local governments to tailor their law enforcement strategies based on specific community needs, while critics might express concerns that it could lead to inconsistencies in standards for hiring or training part-time officers across the state. The process for requesting additional officers adds a layer of bureaucratic oversight that could be debated among stakeholders.