DENVER — The House Judiciary Committee passed legislation on Feb. 6 to boost public safety by streamlining the process for properly trained armed forces members to become peace officers. HB24-1093 passed by a vote of 10 to 1.
“Peace officers in the armed forces are well-trained professionals, and this bill streamlines the process for these individuals to become public peace officers,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “Peace officers play an important role in public safety and this bipartisan legislation removes barriers for qualified members of the armed forces to become peace officers in our state. We’re taking steps to improve public safety around Colorado, and this bill makes it easier for qualified peace officers to begin protecting our neighborhoods and livelihoods.”
HB24-1093, also sponsored by Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, would streamline the process for qualified members of the armed forces to become peace officers in Colorado. Under current law, the Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Board has the authority to grant a provisional peace officer certification to individuals that were authorized as peace officers in a federal jurisdiction, excluding the armed forces. This bill removes the armed forces exclusion so that peace officers in the armed forces can become public peace officers in Colorado.
