SB 19-COMPLAINTS AGAINST PEACE OFFICERS/VPSOS  CHAIR OLSON announced the consideration of SB 19. SENATOR FRENCH said he is the prime sponsor of SB 19. It establishes a framework that allows the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to provide investigation status updates to complainants about grievances they file against peace officers. The legislation protects personnel information and the confidentiality of investigative processes while also allowing the department to provide evidence that a complaint is being taken seriously and getting reviewed for potential disciplinary action. When a citizen files a complaint against a peace officer, the law must balance the confidentiality of the process with the legitimate need to inform the complainant about the status of the department's investigation. In instances where wrong doing has actually occurred, silence by the department may result in greater mistrust of the system, particularly if it lasts for months. This legislation provides citizens with more information about how their government responds to their concerns, without reducing protections on confidential personnel files or hindering the objective of completing unbiased investigation processes. SENATOR FRENCH said SB 19 is an outgrowth of the Branchflower investigation that took place last summer and fall. Mr. Branchflower recommended two changes in state law. As the project director, Senator French felt it was his duty to fulfill these common sense ideas. This bill is about one of the two recommendations. It provides some feedback to people who have complained against peace officers to let them know how far along the investigation is and if it is being taken seriously. It will also let the person know if the complaint was valid. It is a simple bill. 4:34:53 PM SENATOR KOOKESH asked for a definition of a peace officer. SENATOR FRENCH said the definition is found in the statutes, 01.10.060. It lists six things: state trooper officer; member of a municipal police force; village public safety officer (VPSO); regional public safety officer; United States marshal or deputy marshal; or an officer whose duty it is to enforce and preserve the public peace. SENATOR KOOKESH asked why do you have "/VPSO" [in the title]? It is already included in the definition of peace officer. SENATOR FRENCH said he doesn't have a good explanation. The drafters came up with that title. 4:37:00 PM SENATOR KOOKESH said it doesn't need to be in the title. CHAIR OLSON said he doesn't want a separate category for VPSOs. SENATOR FRENCH said his desire was to see that Mr. Branchflower's recommendations were fulfilled, and he was aiming at state troopers. He said to be careful not to lump in municipal police forces, because each municipality should address it within their own ordinances. He doesn't object to removing it, but he doesn't want to adopt a definition of peace officer that grabbed all six. He can prepare an amendment. 4:38:23 PM CHAIR KOOKESH said he is in favor because his village is more of a VPSO village. SENATOR KOOKESH said he doesn't want to single them out as if they were a problem area. GINA APPOLLONI, VPSO director, Kawerak, Inc, Nome, said the bill misleads the public to believe that VPSOs are employed by the state, when they are employed by the regional nonprofit. She recommends adding: VPSOs who are employed by the regional nonprofit. Kawerak agrees with having a policy to handle complaints, which is already in their policies and procedures. 4:39:44 PM CHAIR OLSON asked how many complaints have there been for VPSOs under her direction. MS. APPOLLONI said there may have been one in the last six months. There are six employees and four of them are at the VPSO academy. Nine are allotted to Kawerak. 4:40:30 PM CHAIR OLSON asked what Senator French thought. SENATOR FRENCH said his approach would be to simply remove the VPSO references. Lines 11 and 12 contain what he was trying to get at: peace officers employed by the department. That will be state troopers. He offered to prepare a committee substitute. CHAIR OLSON said Ms. Appolloni's concern was that there was an implication that the VPSOs were employees of the state. MS. APPOLLONI said the bill makes VPSOs look like state employees. SENATOR FRENCH said he thinks they all agree to remove references to VPSOs. Would that alleviate those concerns? MS. APPOLLONI said yes. 4:42:54 PM SENATOR FRENCH offered another amendment. Some complaints are anonymous or just tips, and it seems fair to ask for a written complaint signed by the person complaining in order to get the disclosures. 4:44:42 PM JOSEPH MASTERS, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety, Anchorage, said he thinks he is in favor the amendments. The comments on VPSOs are valid. It would be an additional burden for DPS to compel a nonprofit to provide that information. CHAIR OLSON asked if he had a copy of the amendment. 4:46:22 PM The committee took an at-ease. 4:47:03 PM CHAIR OLSON said the bill will be amended at a later date. He wants the commissioner to understand the amendments. COMMISSIONER MASTERS said he is amenable to the changes, and the DPS will be in favor of the bill. SENATOR MENARD asked if the cosigners are aware of the amendment. 4:48:51 PM SENATOR FRENCH said he will discuss it with the other cosponsors. Sponsors can remove their names if they so choose. SB 19 was held over.