ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
local officers; merit system
Expands
the powers and duties of the Law Enforcement Merit System Council (the
Council).
The
Council has been in existence in some form for 32 years. The Council was
established for law enforcement agencies and their officers in counties, cities
and towns of the state to provide personnel administration based on merit
principles governing the appointment, promotion, layoff and removal of law
enforcement officers.
The Fraternal Order of
Police feels that S.B. 1511 sets forth minimum standards for counties and
modernizes the merit system by compelling the production of evidence and the
attendance of witnesses.
The fiscal impact upon the
state general fund is unknown at this time.
1. Allows the Council to issue subpoenas, permits the Council to affirm, reverse or modify department head or hearing officer rulings and affords the Council the discretion of awarding the appellant all or part of the costs and attorney fees associated with an appeal to the Council.
2. Requires the Council to award costs and reasonable attorney fees to the law enforcement officer if a court overrules the Council’s determination.
3. Expands the definition of “law enforcement officer” to include county, city or town detention or corrections officer.
4. Expands the list of counties participating in the Council to all counties except those providing the established minimum protections.
5. Makes technical changes.
6. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 16, 2001