STATEHOUSE (Jan. 15, 2021) – The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code unanimously voted Tuesday to advance State Rep. Greg Steuerwald’s (R-Avon) bill supporting local law enforcement, and boosting accountability and transparency in policing.
Steuerwald, a member of the committee, said his proposal for a new law would require de-escalation training for new recruits and current officers, provide additional flexibility to the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board in order to address significant officer misconduct, and require full employment record sharing between police departments to identify bad actors.
Voicing support for 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.
“This proposal is the culmination of months-long work among a bipartisan group of state policymakers, and local and state police departments,” Steuerwald said. “Our public safety officials risk their lives to protect our communities, and they need the tools to continue keeping us safe. From improved training to increased accountability to weed out those who delegitimize the profession, these enhancements would help Hoosier police officers better serve and protect us.”
Steuerwald said he will also support efforts to invest in much-needed facility upgrades at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield, which hasn’t been updated since the 1970s, and improved training programs.
Steuerwald’s legislation now moves to the full House of Representatives for consideration. To learn more and watch legislative proceedings, visit iga.in.gov.
State Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon) represents House District 40, which includes a portion of Hendricks County.
