SB537

Senate Bill 537 amends Arkansas Code § 12-9-124 to adjust the regulations governing the appointment of part-time law enforcement officers by political subdivisions. The bill specifically adds a provision allowing political subdivisions with a population of 1,000 or less to appoint up to two part-time law enforcement officers for every part-time chief of police employed by the agency. It also maintains the existing process for political subdivisions to petition the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training for additional part-time officers if they face special or unusual circumstances. The legislation updates the cross-referencing of subsections to accommodate these new provisions. The bill clarifies that these restrictions do not apply to honorary police officers who lack official law enforcement authority.