By james art 
Kansas’s house has adopted a bill, reducing the minimum age that someone can become a police officer who has been requested by Topeka, who said they could help them recruit more officers.
At present, someone must be at least 21 years old to apply to become a police officer, and then have to undergo a certification program. According to the bill, Kanzans can start his education at 20, but he still must be 21 years old to serve as a law enforcement officer.
Police officers’ training programs are about four to six months long, so the bill in total gives only a few months to start young people who want to become a police officer.
“I know in Topeka, it’s an almost 20-week training program, so probably nearly six months or more, so this would allow them to complete this training early,” said reporter John Alcala, D-Topeka. “But we are not talking about so much time by changing the age limit. So I would ask to encourage everyone to support this, because I think it will help you fill the vacancies and the gaps we have within the law enforcement agencies. “
A bill that reduces the minimum age at which people can train to become police officers have passed Kansas’s house. It was presented on behalf of Topeka.
However, the bill had its offenders, with some claiming that 20-year-olds may not be mature enough to become law enforcement officers and that future police officers could go through collegial criminal justice programs.
“We run the risk of having people who have just not yet reached the maturity level, people who are not adult enough to buy beer go to school to be a law enforcement officer,” said reporter John Carmatile, D -Topeka. “I urge the house to move very slowly on this request because I think I think we will make mistakes.”
Republicans have countered that 20-year-olds are allowed to make decisions to change life, joining the military at the age of 18 or to obtain permission to carry a hidden gun.
“I don’t understand what the hook is here. We have police departments that need help,” said reporter Rebecca Shmoe, P-Otawa. “We have young men and women who want to serve their communities so that they are hired, they receive temporary police officer at the age of 20 and they do not become a full -fledged police officer up to 21 years old. It seems quite short and dry.”
The bill adopted the Chamber with a big margin of support, receiving 97 votes for and 24 against. The opposition was largely democratic, but democratic legislators from areas where local police support the bill, is inclined to vote for it, even though there were some reservations.
Reporter Alexis Simmons, D-Topeka, said he was worried about the law enforcement standards as a result of Taylor Lowi’s shooting of Topeka police officers, but ultimately supported the bill.
“I will support this legislation because I understand the need for more law enforcement authorities,” said Simmons, “but I also think it is extremely important to look at the consequences of life and death fully developed.”
The bill must pass through the Senate before reaching the Bureau of Governor Laura Kelly.
This article originally appeared at Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas Bill will let 20-year-olds train to become police officers