Relating to the law enforcement academy, including military veterans with active duty military police experience

This bill relates to the law enforcement academy, including military veterans with active duty military police experience. The bill provides that a veteran may qualify for lateral transfer to a law enforcement agency in this state without completing the academy training program if the veteran meets the following criteria: has served a minimum of four years of active duty in the United States armed forces; has held a primary military occupational specialty or equivalent designation as a military police officer in the army, or its equivalent in other branches; has successfully completed accredited military police training equivalent to or exceeding the academy’s standards; and has received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. The bill provides that an eligible veteran is required to submit an application to the council for evaluation that includes all of the following: proof of military service and discharge status; certification of military police training and experience; and documentation of relevant duties performed during active duty. The council shall review the applications and issue a certificate of equivalency to veterans who meet the eligibility criteria. Veterans granted a certificate of equivalency must complete a one-week Iowa-specific law enforcement orientation course administered by the academy, focusing on state laws, procedures, and community policing, and undergo any required background checks and psychological evaluations as required for all new law enforcement hires in the state. The bill directs the council to develop procedures and guidelines for evaluating military police training and equivalency standards, and to publish an annual report including data on the number of veterans transitioning to state law enforcement and the veterans’ performance in law enforcement roles.