Arizona will soon give some military police veterans a shorter path to civilian law enforcement certification.
Gov. Katie Hobbs has signed Senate Bill 1107, creating an alternative certification pathway for honorably discharged U.S. veterans who served as military police officers.
The bill, designated the “Military Police to Peace Officer Pathway Act,” directs the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board to establish the new pathway starting next year.
Under the law, eligible veterans will be able to apply prior military police training and experience toward Arizona’s peace officer certification requirements. They will still be required to complete an abbreviated AZPOST program focused on Arizona law and procedures, pass the state certification exam and meet existing background, medical and psychological standards.
Supporters said the measure is intended to help Arizona law enforcement agencies facing recruitment and retention challenges without lowering certification standards.
The idea came from Avondale City Councilmember Jeanette Garcia, a former military police officer.
“As a former Military Police officer, I wrote SB 1107 because I saw firsthand the level of law enforcement training, discipline, and accountability our military police receive, and how often that experience is not recognized when veterans return home,” Garcia said. “Military Police veterans already have real law enforcement training, and Arizona should recognize that while still keeping standards high. This bill closes that gap by creating a responsible pathway for veterans to continue serving their communities, strengthens public safety across our state, and respects the value of military service. I’m grateful to the committee and President Petersen for sponsoring and advancing this legislation unanimously.”
The bill passed with bipartisan support and backing from law enforcement groups, including the Arizona Police Association, which represents more than 12,000 officers.
Senate President Warren Petersen said the law will cut red tape while maintaining public safety standards.
“This is a smart, practical reform to cut red tape for the safety of our communities,” Petersen said. “Jeanette Garcia brought forward an idea rooted in real experience. SB 1107 recognizes the training former military police already have, removes unnecessary barriers to service, and keeps Arizona’s standards strong. We are backing law enforcement and taking action to strengthen public safety.”
