This bill that has made it through the House and been transmitted to the Senate, would allow for two or more municipalities to create a joint police department.
HB 260, authored by Rep. Bryant Clark, would only be able to be enacted if the governing authorities of those municipalities find it in the best interest of those communities. The joint departments will be overseen by a board of directors, whose membership is outlined in the bill.
The bill reads:
The governing authorities of two (2) or more municipalities may, by resolution, determine that it is in the best interests of the municipalities to establish a joint municipal police department. In determining whether or not to establish a joint municipal police department to best serve the needs of the citizens of the municipalities, the governing authorities of a municipality shall take into consideration, but shall not be limited to, the following:
The bill has not yet been sent to a committee in the Senate for further discussion.