State law now requires every law enforcement agency to implement an “early warning system.” What is an early warning system? Do such systems work? And what can small agencies do to comply with the law? Read on to learn more. The basics. S.L. 2021-138, more commonly known as SB300, enacted new G.S. 17A-10, which requires every agency that employs certified officers or deputies to “develop and implement an early warning system” to track and improve officers’ performance. Here’s the pertinent text in full: PART VIII. DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS SECTION 8.(a) Chapter 17A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: 17A-10. Development of law enforcement early warning system. (a) Every agency in the State that employs personnel certified by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission or the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission shall develop and implement an early warning system to document and track the actions and behaviors of law enforcement officers for the purpose of intervening and improving performance. The early warning system required by this section shall include information, at a minimum, regarding the following: (1) Instances of the discharge of a firearm. (2) Instances of use of force. (3) Vehicle collisions. (4) Citizen complaints. (b) Information collected under this section that is confidential under State or federal law shall remain confidential. (c) For purposes of this section, "law enforcement officer" means any sworn law enforcement officers with the power of arrest, both State and [...]
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