OLR BILL ANALYSIS

sHB 5294

AN ACT CONCERNING LATERAL CERTIFICATION OF POLICE OFFICERS.

SUMMARY:

Under the Police Officer Standards and Training Council's (POST) regulations, POST-certified officers who move to a different police department in the state must meet all of the council's entry level requirements, including physical fitness standards, and be certified anew. (This is called “lateral certification. ”) This bill specifies that the officer, who must hold a current certificate, is subject to the council's entry level requirements, except the physical fitness test. (Under a 2011 law (PA 11-251), the officer is no longer required to repeat the council's basic training program. )

The bill also makes a technical change.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2012

BACKGROUND

POST Authority and Regulations

POST establishes minimum qualifications for municipal police officers and enforces professional standards for certifying and decertifying them. Its entry level requirements for police officers include personal interviews, fingerprint examination, background investigation, psychological examination, criminal history record check, controlled substance screen, and physical fitness and medical tests (Conn. Agencies Reg. § 7-294e-16).

COMMITTEE ACTION

Public Safety and Security Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute