Law Designed to Reduce Deaths in Police Custody Heads to Gov. Lee

Lawmakers call for additional training for law enforcement officers

A bill that would provide training for law enforcement officers on how to respond to people in custody facing a medical crisis has passed both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly. The bill now heads to Gov. Bill Lee for his signature.

SB 1242 requires that as part of the required training for becoming a certified member of law enforcement in Tennessee, prospective officers receive instruction on how to respond to someone facing a medical crisis or having a severe reaction requiring medical attention.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Raumesh Akbari of Memphis, comes about as a report on individuals in police custody reveals that there were 245 deaths in custody in 2022.

Akbari says she wants officers to have the training and support they need to prevent deaths and provide essential response to keep medical emergencies from becoming fatalities.

“This law enforcement training will ensure our local police officers are equipped with the tools they need to recognize and respond to a medical emergency involving a person in police custody,” said Sen. Akbari.

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