(AP) Nebraska law enforcement would have to become certified and undergo more training before being hired under a bill advanced by lawmakers on Wednesday. Under the proposal police, sheriffs and state patrol deputies in Nebraska would face greater accountability and have more yearly training, with a focus on de-escalating conflicts.
Senators gave the measure initial approval on Wednesday despite concerns from some that the requirements would be difficult for smaller law enforcement agencies to follow, including traveling to the Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island. The bill would allow officers to take the courses online.
The bill would require all officers to undergo 32 hours per year of “de-escalation training” by 2023, up from the current minimum of 20. “It will increase the professionalism of our police force and raise public trust in law enforcement,” says Senator Steve Lathrop of Omaha, who sponsored the bill.
It also would ban police chokeholds except to stop someone from being killed or seriously injured. Senator Tom Brewer of Gordon voiced concerns that the proposal puts too many mandates on the state’s smallest law enforcement agencies, but he said he’d keep working with Lathrop.
“Most of the departments are on skeleton crews because it’s hard to hire for what they pay in western Nebraska.” Brewer says. Sen. Terrell McKinney, of Omaha, called the bill “a step in the right direction” but said he’d like to see more done to stop racial profiling and keep problem cops off the street.