Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes individuals 20 years old or older to apply for certification as a police officer or law enforcement officer.

Highlights:

• Requires applicants for certification to be (Sec. 1):

• Employees of a state, county, or city law enforcement agency;

• Employees of a tribal law enforcement agency;

• Managers or employees of the horsethief reservoir benefit district; or

• School security officers designated as a school law enforcement officer.

• Requires the appointing authority or agency to provide a statement certifying an applicant’s compliance with the minimum standards for certification to the director of police training and to the commission (Sec. 1).

• Requires applicants for certification to meet the following minimum requirements (Sec. 1):

• Be a United States citizen;

• Submit fingerprints for a criminal background check;

• Not be convicted of any felony, misdemeanor charges of domestic violence, or any crime that would reflect on the individual’s honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, or competence;

• Have graduated from a high school accredited by the appropriate agency in any state, including Kansas, or a state-approved private high school;

• Be of good moral character;

• Complete a psychological assessment;

• Be free of any physical or mental condition that would adversely affect the individual’s ability to perform the functions of a police officer or law enforcement officer; 

• Be at least 20 years of age; and

• Be at least 21 years of age before service as a full-time or part-time police officer or law enforcement officer.

• Authorizes the commission to deny certification for individuals that have engaged in behavior that may cause the certificate to be revoked, suspended, or other disciplinary actions (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that convictions used to determine eligibility for certification include (Sec. 1):

• Judgments from military court;

• Judgments by a court of the United States; or

• Judgments by a competent court of any state. 

• Repeals pre-existing legislation on law enforcement certification eligibility (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this bill is effective after signing by the Governor (Sec. 3). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes individuals 20 years old or older to apply for certification as a police officer or law enforcement officer.

Highlights:

• Requires applicants for certification to be (Sec. 1):

• Employees of a state, county, or city law enforcement agency;

• Employees of a tribal law enforcement agency;

• Managers or employees of the horsethief reservoir benefit district; or

• School security officers designated as a school law enforcement officer.

• Requires the appointing authority or agency to provide a statement certifying an applicant’s compliance with the minimum standards for certification to the director of police training and to the commission (Sec. 1).

• Requires applicants for certification to meet the following minimum requirements (Sec. 1):

• Be a United States citizen;

• Submit fingerprints for a criminal background check;

• Not be convicted of any felony, misdemeanor charges of domestic violence, or any crime that would reflect on the individual’s honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, or competence;

• Have graduated from a high school accredited by the appropriate agency in any state, including Kansas, or a state-approved private high school;

• Be of good moral character;

• Complete a psychological assessment;

• Be free of any physical or mental condition that would adversely affect the individual’s ability to perform the functions of a police officer or law enforcement officer; 

• Be at least 20 years of age; and

• Be at least 21 years of age before service as a full-time or part-time police officer or law enforcement officer.

• Authorizes the commission to deny certification for individuals that have engaged in behavior that may cause the certificate to be revoked, suspended, or other disciplinary actions (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that convictions used to determine eligibility for certification include (Sec. 1):

• Judgments from military court;

• Judgments by a court of the United States; or

• Judgments by a competent court of any state. 

• Repeals pre-existing legislation on law enforcement certification eligibility (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this bill is effective after signing by the Governor (Sec. 3). 

Full Bill Text