Have Congress Amend the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights
Have Congress Amend the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights
The Issue
The Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights from 1974 was created to protect American Police from investigations and prosecution. However, these right extend beyond the "due process" of a civilian. These rights give police officers modified investigations, up to 10 days before giving a statement and other such privileges. Because of LEOBoR, the rules and procedures of an investigation become so cumbersome that time-consuming that departments will opt out. This will often cause complaints against an officer to pile up until they commit a more serious act and are forced to investigate. According to an author for Reason.com, LEOBoR is like teacher's tenure, making "firing a cop damn near impossible".
As a part of LEOBoR. police officers are investigated and tried by other police officers preempting a civilian review. This process opens the door for inherited bias.
Unfortunately, LEOBoR prevented a quick account of how Freddie Gray was killed. Giving 10 days of cool off time (among other privileges) opens the door for policer officer story corroboration.
Currently 16 states have such Bills and many others have similar rules written into their contracts with police unions. Periodically, the congress will see a call for the national adoption of the LEOBoR, however so far unsuccessful.
Rhode Island as of June 19th has created a special task force to probe police protections such as LEOBoR. However, there is a great need for a national Bill of Rights to be amended for civilian review, less "cool down" time before giving a statement, reasonable interrogations, and swift response into civilian complaints.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/law-enforcement-bill-of-rights_n_7153106
https://reason.com/2015/12/29/washington-post-calls-for-reform-of-mary/
https://www.cato.org/blog/police-misconduct-law-enforcement-officers-bill-rights
The Issue
The Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights from 1974 was created to protect American Police from investigations and prosecution. However, these right extend beyond the "due process" of a civilian. These rights give police officers modified investigations, up to 10 days before giving a statement and other such privileges. Because of LEOBoR, the rules and procedures of an investigation become so cumbersome that time-consuming that departments will opt out. This will often cause complaints against an officer to pile up until they commit a more serious act and are forced to investigate. According to an author for Reason.com, LEOBoR is like teacher's tenure, making "firing a cop damn near impossible".
As a part of LEOBoR. police officers are investigated and tried by other police officers preempting a civilian review. This process opens the door for inherited bias.
Unfortunately, LEOBoR prevented a quick account of how Freddie Gray was killed. Giving 10 days of cool off time (among other privileges) opens the door for policer officer story corroboration.
Currently 16 states have such Bills and many others have similar rules written into their contracts with police unions. Periodically, the congress will see a call for the national adoption of the LEOBoR, however so far unsuccessful.
Rhode Island as of June 19th has created a special task force to probe police protections such as LEOBoR. However, there is a great need for a national Bill of Rights to be amended for civilian review, less "cool down" time before giving a statement, reasonable interrogations, and swift response into civilian complaints.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/law-enforcement-bill-of-rights_n_7153106
https://reason.com/2015/12/29/washington-post-calls-for-reform-of-mary/
https://www.cato.org/blog/police-misconduct-law-enforcement-officers-bill-rights
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Petition created on June 19, 2020