SB 120 - This act requires each law enforcement agency to have a written policy regarding the investigation of deaths resulting directly from an act or omission of a police officer. The policy must require an investigation conducted by at least two investigators, neither of whom is employed by the law enforcement agency that also employs the police officer involved in the death. The policy must also require, in traffic-related deaths, the use of a crash reconstruction unit from a law enforcement agency that is not the employer of the officer, unless the employer is the Missouri State Highway Patrol, in which case the Highway Patrol may provide the unit.
The investigators must expeditiously provide a report to the prosecuting attorney. If the prosecuting attorney determines there is no basis to prosecute the police officer, the investigators must release the report to the public.
These provisions apply to deaths that occur after August 27, 2015.
Under current law, victims of crime have certain enumerated rights. This act adds, for victims of officer-involved deaths, the right to be informed about the process of filing an affidavit seeking prosecution of a crime and the process of inquests.
This act also requires law enforcement agencies, within 24 hours of investigating a crime, to provide victims with certain information about their rights and available services.
MEGHAN LUECKE