(a)The Law Enforcement Advisory Board is created within the Department of Public Safety to advise the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Governor, and the General Assembly on issues involving the cooperation and coordination of all agencies that exercise law enforcement responsibilities. The Board shall review any matter that affects more than one law enforcement agency. The Board shall comprise the following members:
(1)the Commissioner of Public Safety;
(2)the Director of the Vermont State Police;
(3)the Director of the Enforcement Division of the Department of Fish and Wildlife;
(4)the Director of the Enforcement and Safety Division of the Department of Motor Vehicles;
(5)the Chief of the Capitol Police Department;
(6)the Director of the Vermont Criminal Justice Services Division
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(a) The Law Enforcement Advisory Board is created within the Department of Public Safety to advise the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Governor, and the General Assembly on issues involving the cooperation and coordination of all agencies that exercise law enforcement responsibilities. The Board shall review any matter that affects more than one law enforcement agency. The Board shall comprise the following members:
(1) the Commissioner of Public Safety;
(2) the Director of the Vermont State Police;
(3) the Director of the Enforcement Division of the Department of Fish and Wildlife;
(4) the Director of the Enforcement and Safety Division of the Department of Motor Vehicles;
(5) the Chief of the Capitol Police Department;
(6) the Director of the Vermont Criminal Justice Services Division;
(7) a member of the Chiefs of Police Association of Vermont, appointed by the President of the Association;
(8) a member of the Vermont Sheriffs’ Association, appointed by the President of the Association;
(9) a representative of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, appointed by the Executive Director of the League;
(10) a member of the Vermont Police Association, appointed by the President of the Association;
(11) the Attorney General or designee;
(12) a State’s Attorney appointed by the Executive Director of the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs;
(13) the U.S. Attorney or designee;
(14) the Executive Director of the Vermont Criminal Justice Council;
(15) the Defender General or designee;
(16) one representative of the Vermont Troopers’ Association or its successor entity, elected by its membership;
(17) a member of the Vermont Constables Association, appointed by the President of the Association; and
(18) a law enforcement officer, appointed by the President of the Vermont State Employees Association.
(b) The Board shall elect a chair and a vice chair, which positions shall rotate among the various member representatives. Each member shall serve a term of two years. The Board shall meet at the call of the Chair. A quorum shall consist of 10 members, and decisions of the Board shall require the approval of a majority of those members present and voting.
(c) The Board shall undertake an ongoing formal review process of law enforcement policies and practices with a goal of developing a comprehensive approach to providing the best services to Vermonters, given monies available. The Board shall also provide educational resources to Vermonters about public safety challenges in the State.
(d)(1) The Board shall meet not fewer than six times a year to develop policies and recommendations for law enforcement priority needs, including retirement benefits, recruitment of officers, training, homeland security issues, dispatching, and comprehensive drug enforcement.
(2) The Board shall present its findings and recommendations in brief summary form to the House and Senate Committees on Judiciary and on Government Operations annually on or before January 15. (Added 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 85e; amended 2005, No. 71, § 81a; 2011, No. 134 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2011, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 19, eff. May 14, 2012; 2013, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; 2019, No. 166 (Adj. Sess.), § 22, eff. Oct. 1, 2020 (redesignated from 24 V.S.A. § 1939).)