MONTGOMERY, AL — Governor Kay Ivey signed Senate Bill 115, known as the Officer Impersonation Prevention Act, into law on Friday. Sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss and Rep. Ron Bolton, the legislation strengthens existing laws regarding the offense of impersonating a police officer by closing a legal loophole that could allow unqualified individuals to unlawfully serve in law enforcement roles.
Governor Ivey emphasized the importance of the new law in maintaining public trust in law enforcement.
“Safeguarding the law enforcement profession is just plain common sense, and bolstering the existing law here adds one more tool in our toolbox,” Ivey stated. “Every Alabamian deserves to know that the men and women entrusted with enforcing our laws are fully qualified and properly certified. Not only are we building public trust in the men and women who serve, but we are also working to better protect them and enable them to do their jobs more effectively through legislation like our Back the Blue bill, House Bill 202, working its way through the process. I look forward to all our public safety bills reaching my desk, so we can create a safer Alabama.”
SB115 is part of Governor Ivey’s broader Safe Alabama public safety initiative. Earlier in the week, she also signed SB116 into law, which imposes a state ban on illegal machine gun conversion devices. The governor has identified public safety as a key priority for the current legislative session and has expressed support for additional measures that are still under consideration by lawmakers.
