SECOND REGULAR SESSION
92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES BROWN (Sponsor), MUNZLINGER,
DUSENBERG AND SMITH (14) (Co-sponsors).
Pre-filed December 19, 2003, and copies ordered printed.
STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To repeal section 590.500, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to disciplinary action against law enforcement officers.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 590.500, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 590.500, to read as follows:
590.500. Any law enforcement officer, other than an elected sheriff or deputy, who possesses the duty and power of arrest for violations of the criminal laws of this state or for violations of ordinances of counties or municipalities of this state, who is regularly employed for more than thirty hours per week, and who is employed by a law enforcement agency of this state or political subdivision of this state [which employs more than fifteen law enforcement officers], shall be given upon written request a [meeting] hearing within forty-eight hours of a dismissal, disciplinary demotion or suspension that results in a reduction or withholding of salary or compensatory time. The [meeting] hearing shall be held before any individual or board as designated by the governing body. At any such [meeting] hearing, the employing law enforcement agency shall at a minimum provide a brief statement, [which may be oral] which shall be in writing, of the reason of the discharge, disciplinary demotion or suspension, and permit the law enforcement officer the opportunity to respond. The results from such [meeting] hearing shall be reduced to writing. Any law enforcement agency that has substantially similar or greater procedures shall be deemed to be in compliance with this section. This section shall not apply to an officer serving in a probationary period or to the highest ranking officer of any law enforcement agency.