State Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville) recently filed a bill to promote public safety by supporting staff retention at local law enforcement agencies. Byrne authored a similar billin the 2024 session, which passed the Indiana Senate unanimously, but did not receive a hearing in the House of Representatives.
Beginning with contracts executed or renewed July 1, 2025, the bill would allow state and local governments to obtain reimbursement of employment and training costs of a law enforcement officer from another unit of government that subsequently employs the officer within three years of completing basic training.
"Indiana is already dealing with a statewide shortage of police officers, and this problem is exacerbated when governments foot the bill for training an officer, only for them to be recruited elsewhere shortly after,” Byrne said. “This bill would make sure that every unit of government pays their fair share to train their employees and would stabilize local department staffing.”
The bill would also allow governments to seek reasonable reimbursement from the officer if the officer is subsequently employed by a nonpublic employer.
The reimbursement amount would decrease over time and would be eliminated three years after the officer successfully completes basic training.
Eligible costs would include those for qualifying examinations, basic training course fees and costs, fees and costs for any specialized training provided to the individual within one year after completing basic training, some supplies and base salary and benefits up to the first year of employment at the agency that paid for the training.
Byrne encourages residents of Senate District 47 to contact him with any questions or comments they may have. Byrne can be reached by filling out a "Contact Me" form online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Byrne or by phone at 800-382-9467.