SJ99: Police cadet academy; joint subcommittee to study development thereof.
WHEREAS, youth involvement in crime, both as victims and offenders, is significant; and
WHEREAS, youth gang activity has increased significantly in recent years; and
WHEREAS, in order to successfully address youth crime and victimization, policing agencies must increase their involvement with youth; and
WHEREAS, focusing resources on the root causes of youth criminal behavior can help alleviate delinquency; and
WHEREAS, opportunities for building self-esteem, learning life skills, and gaining employment opportunities can positively benefit youth social development; and
WHEREAS, a police cadet academy can help achieve these positive goals; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the development of a police cadet academy. Such an academy would provide training and educational experience opportunities for individuals aged 18 to 20. The joint subcommittee shall have a total membership of nine members that shall consist of six legislative members, and three ex officio members. Members shall be appointed as follows: two members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; and four members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates. The Secretary of Public Safety, the Superintendent of the State Police, the Chief of the City of Richmond Police Department, or their representatives, shall serve ex officio with voting privileges. The joint subcommittee shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from among its membership, who shall be members of the General Assembly.
In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall review a proposal by the City of Richmond Police Department to create a police cadet program. The joint subcommittee shall study the need for and benefits of establishing such a program or programs in the Commonwealth, identify the appropriate qualifications for participation in such a program, review and make recommendations concerning curriculum, and identify the fiscal impact on state and local governments in establishing such a program.
Administrative staff support shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the Senate. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint subcommittee shall be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee for this study, upon request.
The joint subcommittee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2006 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $6,000. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required.
No recommendation of the joint subcommittee shall be adopted if a majority of the Senate members or a majority of the House members appointed to the joint subcommittee (i) vote against the recommendation and (ii) vote for the recommendation to fail notwithstanding the majority vote of the joint subcommittee.
The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2006, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2007 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the joint subcommittee intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.
Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the study, or authorize additional meetings during the 2006 interim.
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