Relating to the law enforcement academy, including military veterans with active duty military police experience and former federal law enforcement officers

The bill provides that a former federal law enforcement officer may qualify for lateral transfer to a law enforcement agency in this state without completing the academy training program if the former federal law enforcement officer has served a minimum of four years as a federal law enforcement officer and has successfully completed accredited federal law enforcement training equivalent to or exceeding the academy’s standards. 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 bill provides that an eligible federal law enforcement officer shall submit an application to the council for evaluation that includes all of the following: proof of employment as a federal law enforcement officer; certification of federal law enforcement training and experience; and documentation of relevant duties performed during employment as a federal law enforcement officer. The council is directed to review the applications and issue a certificate of equivalency to veterans or former federal law enforcement officers who meet the respective eligibility criteria. The bill provides that veterans or former federal law enforcement officers granted a certificate of equivalency must do all of the following: complete a one-week lowa-specific law enforcement orientation course administered by the academy, focusing on state laws, procedures, and community policing that is equivalent to the training required of an out-of-state law enforcement officer transferring to a law enforcement agency in this state; and undergo any required background checks and psychological evaluations as required for all new law enforcement hires in this state. The failure of a veteran or former federal law enforcement officer to become certified within one year of being granted a certificate of equivalency shall void the certificate and would require the veteran or former federal law enforcement officer to resubmit an application for a new certificate of equivalency. 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 and former federal law enforcement officers transitioning to state law enforcement and the veterans’ and former federal law enforcement officers’ performance in law enforcement roles.