§ 1939. Law Enforcement Advisory Board
(a) A 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 which exercise law enforcement responsibilities. The Board shall review any matter which 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 Vermont Criminal Justice Services Division;
(4) a member of the Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police appointed by the President of the Association;
(5) a member of the Vermont Sheriffs' Association appointed by the President of the Association;
(6) a representative appointed by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns appointed by the Executive Director;
(7) a member of the Vermont Police Association appointed by the President of the Association;
(8) the Attorney General or his or her designee;
(9) a State's Attorney appointed by the Executive Director of the Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs;
(10) the U.S. Attorney or his or her designee;
(11) the Executive Director of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council;
(12) the Defender General or designee;
(13) one employee-representative of the Vermont State Police, appointed by the Director of the Vermont State Employees' Association; and
(14) a member of the Vermont Constables Association appointed by the President of the Association.
(b) The Board shall elect a chair and a vice chair, which 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 six 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) The Board shall meet no fewer than six times a year to develop policies and recommendations for law enforcement priority needs, including retirement benefits, recruitment of officers, training needs, homeland security issues, dispatching, and comprehensive drug enforcement. The Board shall present its findings and recommendations in brief summary to the House and Senate Committees on Judiciary annually by January 15.
(e) The Board shall examine how individuals make complaints to law enforcement and suggest, on or before December 15, 2012, to the Senate and House Committees on Judiciary what procedures should exist to file a complaint. (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.)