STATEHOUSE (Feb. 4, 2021) – After a unanimous vote by the Indiana House of Representatives this week, legislation co-authored by State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) supporting local law enforcement now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Mayfield said to boost accountability and transparency in policing, this proposal for a new law would require full employment record sharing between police departments to identify bad actors, provide additional flexibility to the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board in order to address significant officer misconduct, and require de-escalation training for new recruits and current officers.
"Our public safety officers have one of the toughest jobs imaginable, potentially putting their lives on the line every time they're on duty," Mayfield said. "Ensuring they have the latest training will make them, as well as every Hoosier they help protect, safer. Other states have already taken notice of how Indiana accomplished passing this groundbreaking legislation that enhances our current law enforcement practices, and I am proud to be a co-author of the bill."
She said the legislation also includes a $70 million investment in improved training programs and facility upgrades at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, which Mayfield said hasn't been updated since the 1970s.
Supporters of House Bill 1006 are the Indiana State Police, Indiana State Police Alliance, Indiana Fraternal Order of Police, Indiana Sheriff's Association, Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Hoosier State Press Association, Inc., the Indy Chamber of Commerce and the Public Defender Commission.
To learn more and watch legislative proceedings, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) represents House District 60,
which includes portions of Morgan and Monroe counties.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
