Statehouse — With the governor’s signature, a bill co-authored by State Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) supporting law enforcement, and boosting accountability and transparency in policing is now law.
To ensure only the best officers are hired, Ziemke said House Enrolled Act 1006 requires police agencies to request an officer candidate’s full employment records from their previous department. She said this will help departments better vet prospective candidates and identify bad actors. The law also requires all new recruits and current officers to participate in de-escalation training and provides additional flexibility to the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board in order to address significant officer misconduct.
Ziemke said $70 million will also be invested to improve training programs and facility upgrades at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, which has not been updated since the 1970s. Departments could apply for new state grants to purchase body-worn cameras for officers, once the new state budget proposal is signed into law.
House Enrolled Act 1006 sailed through the legislative process, unanimously supported at every step by state lawmakers. The new law is also backed by the Indiana State Police, Indiana State Police Alliance, Indiana Fraternal Order of Police, Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and the Public Defender Commission.
