FACT BRIEF

Do most states have a process for decertifying police officers?

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

By Lisa Freedland

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YES

As of January 2021, most states have processes for decertifying police officers. Decertification prevents an officer from finding police employment elsewhere in a state. Only California, Hawaii, New Jersey and Rhode Island do not decertify officers at the state level.

Recently, several states have instituted or revamped decertification protocols. Massachusetts implemented decertification for officers, including those that inflict excessive force or submit false timesheets, as part of a December 2020 police reform package. Other states created decertification databases or moved to toughen their investigative procedures.

A California bill proposed in 2019 would decertify “officers who are fired for misconduct such as excessive force, sexual misconduct and dishonesty.” After passing in the state’s lower house, the bill expired before it could be voted on in the upper chamber.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

National Conference of State Legislatures : Law enforcement certification and discipline

Massachusetts Legislature Bill S.2963—An act relative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the Commonwealth

AP News US police registry would fail without changes in states

The Crime Report Toughening police decertification an uphill battle for states

California Legislature SB-731–Peace officers, certification, civil rights

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