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Arkansas committee advances bill tightening police‑agency rules, requiring full‑time chiefs and codifying part‑time ratios
Summary
The Senate City, County & Local Affairs Committee gave a do‑pass recommendation to House Bill 1197, which shortens the inactive‑agency threshold, requires a full‑time police chief for agencies, codifies a two‑to‑one part‑time‑to‑full‑time officer ratio with waiver authority, and clarifies separations during investigations.
The Senate City, County & Local Affairs Committee on the record recommended approval of House Bill 1197, a package of changes aimed at tightening oversight of local law‑enforcement agencies.
Representative Dowby, speaking for the bill, said the measure implements several recommendations from the governor’s task force on law enforcement. Dowby said the bill shortens the definition of an “inactive law agency” from 12 months to six months, meaning newly formed or reactivated agencies must appear before the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training to demonstrate readiness and discuss matters including funding, use‑of‑force policy and vehicle‑pursuit rules.
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