Oklahoma House Bill HB2000

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Law enforcement; directing the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to create certain annual report; codification; effective date.

Impact

This legislation is expected to significantly impact the way law enforcement agencies operate and report incidents of use of force. By publicly maintaining a statewide database that can be accessed via the OSBI website, the bill aims to facilitate greater public scrutiny and promote transparency concerning police conduct. It holds local law enforcement agencies accountable for their reporting practices, outlining that failure to comply could result in the suspension of peace officer certifications until compliance is achieved. This could affect local policing policies and practices in an effort to standardize the handling of use-of-force incidents across the state.

Summary

House Bill 2000 aims to enhance accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma by mandating the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to create an annual report on use-of-force incidents involving peace officers. Beginning January 1, 2024, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies are required to submit detailed reports of all use-of-force incidents that result in death or bodily injury. The report must include information such as the location, demographic details of those involved, and whether firearms were discharged during these incidents. However, the bill specifically prohibits the reporting of personal identification information to protect the privacy of individuals involved.

Contention

While proponents of HB 2000 argue that the bill will lead to improved accountability and help build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, there are concerns regarding the feasibility of compliance for smaller law enforcement bodies. Critics worry that the additional bureaucratic requirements could burden these agencies, potentially hindering their operational capacity. There may also be concerns about the politicization of the data collected, where the publication might lead to misinterpretation or misuse, impacting the integrity of law enforcement agencies.