NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Gov. Bill Lee is asking every law enforcement agency in the state to review their use of force and duty to intervene policies in the next 60 days.
The governor announced Thursday a partnership with law enforcement agencies across the state to create broad policy change.
Watch the full announcement below:
He will be working with the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association and the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.
Gov. Lee said the goal of the police reform is for law enforcement officers to consistently be on the side of the communities that they serve.
"Tragic, preventable events across this country has caused all of us to confront the difference between law enforcement and police brutality," said Lee.
Over the next 60 days, policies will be reviewed and updated to ensure chokeholds are not used as a technique to restrain and require officers to act to prevent that violates law or policy.
"think the timing is spot on, as a representative of the chiefs association, we welcomed the opportunity to partner with the sheriff’s association, the TBI, THP," said Brentwood Chief Jeff Hughs, "We need to work together collectively as a profession to make sure that we’re all doing the things that need to be done as it relates to use of force."
The Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission will make the National Decertification Index more accessible to law enforcement agencies in an effort to improve information sharing. The index is a national registry that tracks officers who had licenses or certificates removed due to misconduct.
Minimum curriculum hours for state, county and local law enforcement officials will be increased from 400 to 488 hours. This change formalizes the practice of completing 88 additional hours of training and studying which is currently in place.
The curriculum will also be updated to include relevant community-oriented policing concepts for in both lecture and hands-on scenario training.
"I think it’s time that we take a step back and review our policy to make sure that they’re current and they’re really sound; and that they’re meeting the needs that we’re having to deal with today as a society," said Hughes.
At least 16 course hours to train officers on de-escalation techniques, officer’s duty to intervene, public assembly interaction and emphasizing positive community and officer interactions and relationships will be required. The POST Commission will also require eight hours of yearly in-service training on these topics.
