CCS HS SB 1053 -- PROFILING

This bill requires peace officers to make informational reports after every motor vehicle stop concerning the age, gender, and race or minority group of the individual stopped, as well as the nature of the stop and any action taken.

The reports must be compiled annually and submitted by March l to the Attorney General, who will analyze the data and report findings to the Governor, the General Assembly, and law enforcement agencies no later than June 1 of each year. The Attorney General will determine the format that law enforcement agencies will use to submit the report.

The bill also requires each law enforcement agency to adopt a policy on race-based traffic stops that prohibits the practice. If a pattern of race- based traffic stops is determined to exist, an investigation must be initiated, with counseling and training for officers provided.

Law enforcement agencies may utilize federal funds from community-oriented policing service grants or any other federal funding sources to equip vehicles with video cameras and voice-activated microphones.

Each county and city may establish a civilian review board or use an existing civilian review board which has been appointed by the local governing body to investigate allegations of misconduct by local law enforcement officers. This board will have the power to receive complaints, investigate, hold hearings, make findings, and recommend disciplinary action against peace officers involving misconduct. No findings or recommendations will be based solely upon an unsworn complaint or statement nor will prior unsubstantiated, unfounded, or withdrawn complaints be the basis for any finding or recommendation.

Failure to comply with provisions of the bill may result in the Governor withholding state funds from the law enforcement agency.