Alabama Closes Loophole on Police Impersonation with New Law

Can someone knowingly take a cop job without certification and still avoid charges? Not anymore.

A new Alabama law, Senate Bill 115 (SB 115), signed by Governor Kay Ivey on March 21, 2025, tightens the state’s laws on police impersonation. It goes into effect October 1, 2025—and it’s designed to close key gaps in current legislation.

What’s New

Under SB 115, it’s now a crime to:

Knowingly accept a job as a police officer without the proper training or certification.
Hire someone for law enforcement duties when you know they’re not legally qualified.

This expands Alabama’s existing crime of “impersonating a peace officer” to cover real-world scenarios where individuals might operate without credentials but still wear the badge.

Penalties

Impersonating a police officer in Alabama is a Class C felony:

Prison: 1 to 10 years
Fines: Up to $15,000

SB 115 ensures that those penalties now apply to unqualified hires and negligent employers—not just fake badge wearers.

Why It Matters

Closes a loophole: Previously, someone could work as an officer without credentials and avoid serious penalties.
Protects trust: Governor Ivey says the law aims to preserve confidence in law enforcement and ensure officers are held to proper standards.
Supports public safety: It’s part of a larger strategy to back officers and improve community safety.

Part of a Broader Safety Package

SB 115 is one piece of Alabama’s 2025 public safety initiative, which also includes:

Use-of-force protections for officers, unless their actions violate constitutional rights.
LEO Family Scholarships to boost recruitment and retention.
Inner City Gun Violence Act, expanding firearm restrictions for felons.

Takeaways for Officers

This law targets unqualified hires, not certified officers—but it reflects a larger push for accountability across the board.
Agencies must now be more diligent in verifying training and eligibility.
Expect future scrutiny on hiring practices and credentials, especially in smaller departments.