07 LC 35
0381
House
Bill 326
By:
Representatives Talton of the
145th,
O`Neal of the
146th,
Day of the
163rd,
Brooks of the
63rd,
and Starr of the
78th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 1 of Chapter 16 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to sheriffs, so as to
require candidates for sheriff to be certified peace officers in good standing
at the time of qualifying for election to the office; to repeal conflicting
laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
1 of Chapter 16 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to general provisions applicable to sheriffs, is amended in Code Section
15-16-1, relating to qualifications and training of sheriffs, by striking
subparagraph (J) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) and inserting in lieu
thereof the following:
"(J)
Is a registered peace officer as provided in Code Section 35-8-10 or is a
certified peace officer as defined in Chapter 8 of Title 35.
Any person
who is not a registered or certified peace officer at the time such person
assumes the office of sheriff shall be required to complete satisfactorily the
requirements for certification as a peace officer as provided in Chapter 8 of
Title 35 within six months after such person takes office; provided, however,
that an extension of the time to complete such requirements may be granted by
the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council upon the presentation
of evidence by a sheriff that he or she was unable to complete the basic
training course and certification requirements due to illness, injury, military
service, or other reasons deemed sufficient by such council. The Georgia Peace
Officer Standards and Training Council shall make every effort to ensure that
space is available for newly elected sheriffs who are not certified or
registered peace officers to attend the course as soon as possible after such
persons take office. Such council shall notify the appropriate judge of the
probate court whenever a newly elected sheriff who is not certified fails to
become certified as a peace officer pursuant to the requirements of this
subparagraph."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.