Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SSB3018

Introduced
1/10/24  
Introduced
1/10/24  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the revocation or suspension of the certification of a law enforcement officer.

Impact

One significant impact of SSB3018 is the shift in how disciplinary actions against law enforcement officers are handled in Iowa. By protecting investigatory materials under confidentiality, the bill aims to encourage officers and agencies to report misconduct without fear of reprisal or legal action. However, this also raises questions about transparency and accountability in law enforcement, as the public may have limited access to the details surrounding investigations.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 3018 addresses the revocation or suspension of certification for law enforcement officers in Iowa. The bill outlines the processes regarding investigatory materials, indicating that all investigatory records related to these proceedings will be treated as confidential. This confidentiality clause is designed to protect the integrity of investigations while still allowing for transparency in final disciplinary decisions, which the bill stipulates must remain public records.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding SSB3018. Supporters argue that the confidentiality provisions foster a safer environment for reporting misconduct, which could lead to better policing practices. However, critics express concern that this confidentiality may hinder public scrutiny of law enforcement activities and prevent communities from having essential insights into the disciplinary processes against officers. Balancing the need for confidentiality with the public's right to know is a central debate in the discussions surrounding this bill.

Companion Bills

IA HSB550

Related A bill for an act relating to the revocation or suspension of the certification of a law enforcement officer.(See HF 2559.)

IA HF2559

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to the revocation or suspension of the certification of a law enforcement officer.(Formerly HSB 550.)

Previously Filed As

IA HSB550

A bill for an act relating to the revocation or suspension of the certification of a law enforcement officer.(See HF 2559.)

IA HF2559

A bill for an act relating to the revocation or suspension of the certification of a law enforcement officer.(Formerly HSB 550.)

IA HSB264

A bill for an act relating to the revocation or suspension of law enforcement officer certification.(See HF 937.)

IA HSB289

A bill for an act relating to the Iowa law enforcement academy council including the revocation or suspension of certifications of law enforcement officers and reserve peace officers, and administrative investigations under the peace officer, public safety, and emergency personnel bill of rights, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

IA HF2413

A bill for an act relating to the revocation or suspension of a law enforcement officer's certification or a reserve peace officer's certification.(See HF 2597.)

IA SF267

A bill for an act relating to the Iowa law enforcement academy council including the revocation or suspension of certifications of law enforcement officers and reserve peace officers, and administrative investigations under the peace officer, public safety, and emergency personnel bill of rights.

IA HSB709

A bill for an act relating to law enforcement officers and reserve peace officers, including the revocation or suspension of certification by the Iowa law enforcement academy council, administrative investigations under the peace officer, public safety, and emergency personnel bill of rights, and communications in professional confidence, and including effective date provisions.

IA HF2597

A bill for an act relating to the revocation or suspension of a law enforcement officer's certification or a reserve peace officer's certification.(Formerly HF 2413.)

IA HSB738

A bill for an act relating to law enforcement, including the enforcement of state, local, and municipal laws at regents institutions, personal injury or illness of a peace officer employed by a regents institution, the revocation or suspension of a law enforcement officer's or reserve peace officer's certification, administrative investigations under the peace officer, public safety, and emergency personnel bill of rights, and communications in professional confidence.

IA HF937

A bill for an act relating to certain administrative procedures involving law enforcement officers, including the revocation or suspension of law enforcement officer certification and communications in professional confidence, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 264.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.