SENATE BILL 567

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Richard C. Martinez

AN ACT

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT; REQUIRING ANNUAL REPORTING OF SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS TEAM DEPLOYMENTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS TEAM DEPLOYMENTS--ANNUAL REPORTS.--

          A. Every law enforcement agency that has a special weapons and tactics team or similar law enforcement unit shall annually file with the secretary of public safety, on or before May 1 of each calendar year, a report regarding all deployments of that agency's team during the previous calendar year.

          B. The report required pursuant to Subsection A of this section shall include at least the following information for each team deployment:

                (1) the purpose of each deployment, including whether or not the specific reasons the situation for which the team was deployed presented an imminent threat to the lives or safety of civilians or law enforcement officers;

                (2) whether the determination that the situation for which the team was deployed was ultimately upheld;

                (3) the location of each team deployment;

                (4) the number of arrests made as a result of each team deployment;

                (5) whether a forcible entry was required in the course of the team deployment;

                (6) whether a weapon of any type was discharged by a member of the team or any other law enforcement officer at the scene of the deployment;

                (7) whether a person or domestic animal was injured or killed in the course of a team deployment;

                (8) the type of tactical equipment deployed in the course of a team deployment;

                (9) the race, sex and age of each individual encountered in the course of a team deployment, whether as a suspect or bystander; and

                (10) a list of any controlled substances, weapons, contraband or evidence of crime that is found on the premises of the team deployment or on any individuals involved in the team deployment.

          C. As used in this section:

                (1) "law enforcement agency" means the police department of a municipality, a county sheriff's department or a similar agency of the state or a political subdivision of the state authorized to enforce criminal statutes;

                (2) "law enforcement officer" means a state or municipal police officer, county sheriff, deputy sheriff, conservation officer, motor transportation enforcement officer or other state employee authorized by state law to enforce criminal statutes; and

                (3) "special weapons and tactics team" or "team" means a group of law enforcement officers that is utilized for situations that require increased personnel, firepower or specialized tactics.

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is January 1, 2016.

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