Section 40:2401 - Findings and policyThe legislature finds all of the following:
A. Law enforcement work is of such importance to the health, safety and welfare of the people of this state and is of such a nature as to require education and training of a professional character. The needs of such education and training can be met only by programs adequate in quality and scope and made available to those persons who are serving as such officers including those in a temporary or probationary capacity. Education should also be made available to persons who seek to become peace officers, and this education should be supervised by a special council composed of persons experienced in law enforcement work and the training thereof rather than any other general board composed of nonlaw enforcement members.B. Part-time, volunteer, and reserve peace officers have been utilized for decades by many police departments around the state and nation and have traditionally served as a valuable remedy to combat staffing shortages and to provide additional security during natural disasters and at events attracting large groups of people. These reserve, volunteer, and part-time peace officers have routinely been men and women who volunteered to serve their communities by freely giving their time and talent to assist their local law enforcement agencies and often received no monetary compensation whatsoever for their considerable past law enforcement experience. Added by Acts 1976, No. 397, §1.Amended by Acts 2024, No. 322,s. 1, eff. 5/28/2024.Added by Acts 1976, No. 397, §1.