Bill To Increase Law Enforcement Numbers Signed Into Law
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona legislators are taking action to support the state’s law enforcement.
Earlier this month, Governor Katie Hobbs signed SB 1683, which “establishes rules for the cross certification of peace officers from states adjoining to Arizona” – according to the overview from the state House of Representatives.
Senator David Gowan, the sponsor of the proposal, issued a statement following the governor’s action on his bill. He wrote, “Arizona’s law enforcement agencies in rural and border communities are currently understaffed, as they attempt to tackle both border-related crimes and routine calls for service. They should have the ability to call for backup support from law enforcement in neighboring states during emergency situations. States bordering Arizona, like California, have laws allowing Arizona peace officers to aid their law enforcement in emergency situations, but our law enforcement does not have the same ability.”
Gowan added, “My bill, SB 1683, which was just signed into law, will help fix this issue by allowing our law enforcement to invite peace officers from adjoining states to provide their assistance in Arizona when needed, as well as conduct cross-certification. Cross-certified peace officers may exercise all of the powers of Arizona peace officers, if directed by their agency in an emergency situation. According to Coconino County Sheriff Joe Driscoll, lives will be saved because of this new law.”
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Fraternal Order of Police, as well as County Supervisors from Coconino, endorsed the legislation.
In March, the Arizona Senate passed the bill with a bipartisan 23-5 vote (with two members not voting). Last month, the Arizona House approved an amended version of the legislation with a unanimous 60-0 result. The Senate concurred with the House’s changes with a 23-6 vote (with one member not voting) before sending it to the Governor’s Office.
Earlier this session, Senator Wendy Rogers posted about the bill as it progressed through the legislative process, saying, “Thank you Coconino Sheriff Jim Driscoll and deputies for putting forward SB 1683 to supplant Coconino County with cross-state-border law enforcement augmentation.”
SB 1683 will go into effect 90 days after the conclusion of the 2024 Arizona Legislative Session.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.