Posted: | January 12, 2021 09:51 AM |
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From: | Representative Donna Bullock and Rep. Brian Sims |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Law Enforcement Badge Visibility |
In the protests that followed the tragic and unjust killing of George Floyd by the Minneapolis Police, protesters across the country noticed that various police officers were covering their badges, which usually consist of an officer’s nameplate or badge number, with tape or bands. Without this identifying information, protesters who had been subject to excessive use of force by law enforcement were left with few options to hold the offending officers accountable. To join the country in holding our law enforcement officers accountable, our legislation would require officers statewide to have their badge, with pertinent identifiable information, visible at all times without exception. Currently, our state has no law that requires law enforcement officers to disclose their identity or have their badge in plain view, regardless of whether an officer is in uniform or not. It is more important than ever for Pennsylvanians to be able to identify officers engaged in unethical or illegal behavior. As legislators, it is our duty to identify and attempt to rectify problems that threaten the safety and security of constituents. Please join us in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1086