The Mississippi House has passed legislation to give the state’s officer training board the power to investigate law enforcement misconduct.

“We’re glad that it’s moving forward,” said Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell.

House Bill 691 now moves to the Senate, where the fate of its own version, SB 2286, is uncertain. 

Tindell said he’s happy to see “continuing conversations on how to improve the board and its oversight.”

If the bill becomes law, he anticipates the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training would hire two or three investigators who would investigate matters and make recommendations. 

“Ultimately,” he said, “it’s going to be up to the board.”

The bill comes in the wake of an investigation by the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting at Mississippi Today and The New York Times into sheriffs and deputies across the state over allegations of sexual abuse, torture and corruption.

For the first time, deputies, sheriffs and state law enforcement would join police officers in the requirement to have up to 24 hours of continuing education training. Those who fail to train could lose their certifications.

Other changes would take place as well. Each year, the licensing board would have to report on its activities to the Legislature and the governor. 

The board’s makeup would be changed to include the public safety commissioner and the director of the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy.

The bill calls for a nine-member board with the governor having four appoints – two police chiefs, a sheriff and a district attorney. Other members would be the presidents of the Constable Association, the Mississippi Campus Law Enforcement Association and the sheriff’s association (or designee).

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