Criminal procedure: testimony of law enforcement officers.

Existing law, as amended by Proposition 115, approved by the voters at the June 5, 1990, statewide primary election, authorizes a finding of probable cause to be based in whole or in part upon the sworn testimony of a law enforcement officer or honorably retired law enforcement officer relating the statements of declarants made out of court offered for the truth of the matter asserted. Under existing law that officer is required to have 5 years law enforcement experience or completed specified training. Existing law provides for amendment of these provisions by a 23 vote of each house of the Legislature. This bill would define a law enforcement officer, for purposes of these provisions, as any officer or agent employed by a federal, state, or local government agency who, in addition to that experience or training, has primary responsibility of the enforcement of any law, the detection and apprehension of persons who have violated any law, or the investigation and preparation for prosecution of cases involving violation of laws.