Amendment #150 to H4860

Improving Municipal Police Training

Mr. Fernandes of Falmouth moves to amend the bill, as amended, in section 29, in paragraph (2) of subsection (e) of section 4 of said chapter 6E of the General Laws, by inserting in line 562, after the word “training” the following words:- “including, but not limited to, training relative to the handling of emergencies and complaints, including, but not limited to, involving victims, witnesses or suspects with mental illness, substance use disorder, trauma history or developmental or intellectual disabilities, which shall include training related to common behavior and actions exhibited by such individuals, strategies law enforcement officers may use for reducing or preventing the risk of harm and strategies that involve the least intrusive means of addressing such incidences and individuals while protecting the safety of the law enforcement officer and other persons; provided, however, that training presenters shall include certified mental health practitioners with expertise in the delivery of direct services to individuals, including victims, witnesses or suspects with mental illness, substance use disorder, trauma history or developmental or intellectual disabilities in emergency situations"; and

in said section 29, in said section 4 of said chapter 6E, by inserting after the word “trainings”, in line 598, the following words:- “and trainings completed by an officer that are not mandated by law”; and

in said section 29, in subsection (h) said section 4 of said chapter 6E, by adding the following sentence:- “An appointing agency shall that shall track the completed trainings for all officers appointed by said agency through the committee’s database.”; and

in said section 29, in section 16 of said chapter 6E, by adding the following 2 paragraphs:-

“Annually, not later than December 31, the commission shall file a report with the secretary of administration and finance, the state auditor and the house and senate committees on ways and means. The report shall account for the expenditures of the commission during the prior fiscal year and shall include, but not be limited to, the: (i) total funds spent on training for new law enforcement officer candidates; (ii) total funds spent on in-service training for existing officers; and (iii) percentage of existing law enforcement officers who have completed their required annual in-service training requirements. Upon the request of the secretary of administration and finance, the state auditor, the chair of the house committee on ways and means or the chair of the senate committee on ways and means, the commission shall provide data used to develop the report in a de-identified form.

Not less than once every 3 years, the committee on police training and certification shall complete a review of its curriculum, training materials and practices. The review shall be conducted in collaboration with the commission on the status of African Americans, established in section 72 of chapter 3, at least 1 person affiliated with an academic institution in the commonwealth who has experience with, or expertise in, law enforcement practice and training, criminal law, civil rights law, the criminal justice system or social science fields related to race or bias and any other persons or entities the committee deems appropriate. Not more than 30 days after the completion of a review under this section, a summary of the review shall be filed with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the joint committee on public safety and homeland security and the secretary of public safety and security.”; and

in said section 29, in said chapter 6E, by adding the following section:-

“Section 17. The commission shall complete a 10-year strategic plan establishing its goals and objectives, approved by not less than two-thirds of its voting members. The strategic plan shall include, but not be limited to: (i) a description of how the commission plans to prioritize its financial resources; (ii) the scope of training the committee on police training and certification plans to offer new and existing officers; and (iii) an analysis of whether the committee on police training and certification will be able to provide the required, mandated in-service training to existing officers. Not later than July 1, 2021, a report on the strategic plan shall be filed with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on public safety and homeland security. The commission shall publish the report on its website.”; and

by adding the following section:-

“SECTION 92. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the first review of the  committee on police training and certification curriculum, training materials and practices, as required by section 17 of chapter 6E of the General Laws, shall be completed not later than January 1, 2023.”.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #150 to H4860

Improving Municipal Police Training