House approves amended peace-officer certification changes amid broad stakeholder support

The Utah House passed first substitute House Bill 187, a measure revising Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) processes, after floor amendments that sponsors and law-enforcement organizations said improved the bill. Lawmakers approved two key amendments on the floor before a final voice vote recorded as 68-0 in favor.

Amendment No. 1 raised the evidentiary standard in POST actions from a preponderance of the evidence to "clear and convincing," a change supporters described as addressing concerns raised by police organizations. Representative Wimmer explained the standard increase and said POST agreed to the change. Amendment No. 2, moved under Representative Brown’s name, prohibits a direct supervisor from serving on a POST council that is considering a disciplinary matter involving that officer and bars officers who voluntarily relinquish certification during an investigation from reapplying for certification, language sponsors said prevents avoidance of fact-finding.

Proponents told colleagues the amendments resolved major objections from constituencies including the Fraternal Order of Police, police unions, sheriffs’ associations and POST itself. Representative Jenny Wimmer and other supporters said the changes created broad support and improved the bill beyond its initial form. Detractors were not recorded on the floor after the amendments were adopted; several members who had earlier expressed concerns publicly said the revisions addressed those issues.

With the amendments adopted, the House passed the first-substitute HB 187 and will transmit it to the Senate. The sponsor and supporters said the measure strengthens procedural fairness in officer certification and discipline while preserving POST’s regulatory role.