Esta ley enmienda la Ley de la Policía de Puerto Rico de 1996 para facultar a los auxiliares de la policía a asegurar el cumplimiento de los códigos de orden público municipales. Reconoce la importancia de los auxiliares voluntarios en la implementación de estos códigos y los incluye como funcionarios estatales para fines de compensación por accidentes de trabajo.
(Approved September 8, 2004)
To amend Section 32 of Act No. 53 of June 10, 1996, as amended, known as the "Puerto Rico Police Act of 1996," in order to empower police auxiliaries to assure faithful compliance with the public order codes while in the performance of their duties as state officials.
Act No. 81 of August 30, 1991, as amended, known as the "Autonomous Municipalities Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico of 1991," established as public policy the recognition of the discretionary power of the municipalities to implement public order codes within their territory. Said codes constitute a body of ordinances adopted by the municipalities to regulate certain areas within their territory, such as urban centers, recreational or tourism interest areas, or residential areas impacted by commercial development, among other factors. The establishment and implementation of public order codes is based upon the participation of the Municipal Government along with the various groups that comprise the community, in an integrated effort for the residents, citizens and visitors of the public spaces or urban centers to coexist peacefully and carry out their different activities in an orderly and respectful fashion.
On the other hand, Act No. 53 of June 10, 1996, as amended, known as the Puerto Rico Police Act of 1996," provided for volunteer citizens to be accredited as police auxiliaries to help in the fight against crime and toward
the well being of the citizens. Police auxiliaries render services without receiving any compensation, subject to the rules established by the Puerto Rico Police Superintendent in Regulation No. 5945 of April 6, 1999, entitled "Regulation for the Performance of Police Auxiliaries in the Puerto Rico Police." Said Regulation established procedures to coordinate their duties so that they could perform support tasks geared toward maintaining public order, help promote a better understanding of police work by the citizens, and to create trust and cooperation in the persecution and capture of those who break the law.
Since the Legislature deems that the participation of police auxiliaries is essential for the effective implementation of the public order codes, it considers the approval of this Act very meritorious, which amends Act No. 53 of June 10, 1996, as amended, for such purpose, which shall provide greater security in the urban centers and a better quality of life for the residents of all municipalities.
Section 1.- Section 32 of Act No. 53 of June 10, 1996, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 32.- Police Auxiliaries.- For the purposes of Act No. 45 of April 18, 1935, as amended, known as the "Compensation System for Work - Related Accidents Act," members of the Security Councils and private persons who act as Auxiliary Police shall be included within the concept of state officials while performing their duties as such, and the Superintendent may establish the badges to be worn by said state officials. In case of work-related accidents or illness and for the purposes of per diems and compensation payments as such, the corresponding weekly compensation shall be estimated according to the
minimum salary established by law. The Superintendent shall pay an annual premium for these purposes to the State Insurance Fund and shall negotiate the terms for the protective coverage for those volunteers who, as required by the Superintendent or his/her duly authorized delegate, render services at any location assigned to them. The cost of said premium shall be consigned annually in the operating budget of the Agency.
It is further provided that within the duties and responsibilities to be carried out within the concept of state officials, police auxiliaries shall assure faithful compliance with the public order codes adopted by the municipalities by virtue of Act No. 81 of August 30, 1991, as amended, known as the "Autonomous Municipalities Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico of 1991." The manner and scope of such compliance shall be regulated by the Superintendent pursuant to the law.
The police auxiliaries shall have the following additional privileges and benefits:
(a) . .
(e) ..."
Section 2.- This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 262 (S.B. 2474) of the $7^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to amend Section 32 of Act No. 53 of June 10, 1996, as amended, known as the "Puerto Rico Police Act of 1996," in order to empower police auxiliaries to assure faithful compliance with the public order codes while in the performance of their duties as state officials, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $17^{ ext {th }}$ of November of 2005.
Francisco J. Domenech Director