Legislation Could Limit New Ind. Police Officers from Changing Jobs

New Indiana police officers may want to carefully choose the first law enforcement agency they work at, because they're likely to be stuck there at least three years.

State lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to legislation potentially limiting the ability of police officers hired after July 1 to leave for higher pay or a better working environment at a different police department.

Senate Enrolled Act 95 obligates the state or a local police department that poaches a relatively new officer from another law enforcement agency to reimburse the first department for the officer's training, wages, equipment and other costs, upon request.

Likewise, a police officer who chooses to leave law enforcement for a different public- or private-sector job within three years of completing basic training also could be held personally responsible for repaying the cost of their police training and equipment, according to the measure.

State Rep. Steve Bartels, R- Eckerty, and state Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville, the sponsors of the legislation, said the plan promotes public safety and puts rules in place that make the cost of training new police officers fair to all agencies.

"Police agencies across the state hire and spend tax dollars to train officers only to lose them, in many cases, shortly after graduating the academy from basic training. Senate Bill 95 will stabilize losing younger officers from being hired away from other police agencies," Byrne said.

According to the legislation, a subsequent police employer or the individual officer may be required to repay the first law enforcement agency its expenses for officer testing, training, fitted bulletproof vests and other supplies provided to the officer that can't be reused, as well as the first year of the officer’s base salary and benefits.

The new employer, or a police officer who quits the force, would be liable for 100% of those costs in the first year after the officer completes basic training, 66% between one and two years after basic training and 33% between two and three years after basic training.

"Three years after graduating the academy there would be no cost for that officer to be hired away," Byrne said.

The plan is backed by the Indiana Sheriffs' Association and was approved 90-1 by the House Thursday after passing the Senate, 49-0, in February.

It next goes to Republican Gov. Mike Braun to be signed into law.

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