Ley 98 del 2008
Resumen
Esta ley enmienda la Ley de la Policía Municipal de Puerto Rico para establecer requisitos alternativos para el puesto de Capitán, permitiendo a tenientes con experiencia calificar para el puesto sin necesidad de un grado asociado.
Contenido
(No. 98)
(Approved June 19, 2008)
AN ACT
To amend subsection
(f) (6) of Section 7, Act No. 19 of May 12, 1977, as amended, known as the "Municipal Police Act," in order to establish alternate requirements for the position of Captain, stated in this Act.
STATEMENT OF MOTIVES
Act No. 19 of May 12, 1977, as amended, known as the "Puerto Rico Municipal Police Act," governs all matters related to the administration, authorities, obligations, powers and responsibilities of the Municipal Police Corps of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
On September 30, 2004, this Legislature approved Act No. 533, which amended several provisions of the "Municipal Police Act," for the purpose of establishing a uniform rank system that conforms to the rank system and chain of command of the Puerto Rico Police, as established in Act No. 53 of June 10, 1996.
As part of the amendments made to the "Municipal Police Act" by Act No. 533, it expressly created the rank of Captain, specifically including the minimum requirements to hold said rank as well as the required academic studies.
The academic requirements established by Act No. 533, specifically for the rank of Captain have made it impossible to qualify police officers to hold the rank of Captain in several municipalities of Puerto Rico. At present, there is a large number of vastly experienced Lieutenants with impeccable records, both in the Puerto Rico Police and the Municipal Police, who have not been able to compete for the position
of Captain because they do not have an Associate Degree, as provided at present by the "Municipal Police Act."
Maintaining vastly experienced personnel in our corps allows us to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the security and command procedures necessary for our Municipal Police.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF PUERTO RICO:
Section 1.-Subsection
(f) (6) of Section 7 of Act No. 19 of May 12, 1977, as amended, known as the "Municipal Police Act," is hereby amended to read as follows: "(f) The ranks of the members of the Municipal Police shall be subject to the following Uniform Rank System: (1) Cadet: A member of the Police, as defined by Section 2, subsection
(i) of this Act. (2) Deputy Guard: A member of the Police, as defined by Section 2, subsection
(h) of this Act. (3) Municipal Guard: A member of the Police, as defined by Section 2 , subsection
(g) of this Act. (4) Sergeant: A Municipal Guard promoted to Sergeant after having approved the examinations or met the requirements established in the regulations issued by the mayor and who holds, at least, a high school degree or its equivalent in examinations. The rank of Sergeant constitutes the first line of supervision within the uniform rank system of the Municipal Police. (5) Lieutenant: A Sergeant promoted to the rank of Lieutenant after having approved the examinations or met the requirements for this rank established in the regulations issued by the Commissioner and who at least holds a high school degree or its
equivalent in examinations. The rank of Lieutenant constitutes the second line of supervision within the uniform rank system of the Municipal Police. (6) Captian: A Lieutenant promoted to the rank of Captain after having approved the examination or met the requirements for said rank established in the regulations issued by the mayor and who at least holds an Associate Degree conferred by a college or university certified or accredited by the Puerto Rico Council on Higher Education or, as an alternative to the Associate Degree requirement, after having hold the rank of Lieutenant for a term of more than four (4) years in the Puerto Rico Police, the Municipal Police, or any Federal Agency. The rank of Captain constitutes the third line of supervision within the uniform rank system of the Municipal Police."
Section 2.—This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 98 (H.B. 4198) of the $7^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $15^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to amend subsection
(f) (6) of Section 7, Act No. 19 of May 12, 1977, as amended, known as the "Municipal Police Act," in order to establish alternate requirements for the position of Captain, stated in this Act, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $28^{ ext {th }}$ of August of 2008.
Francisco J. Domenech Director