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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 27, 2021 09:59 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Liz Hanbidge |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Recording Police Interrogations |
| Following the death of George Floyd in police custody in 2020, the American public’s faith in law enforcement fell to an all-time low. However, the success of law enforcement and our criminal justice system relies heavily on a relationship of mutual trust between police and the communities they serve. One important first step towards rebuilding the crucial foundation of trust between law enforcement and the public is to require the recording of police interrogations. According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the recording of law enforcement interactions with civilians “can help protect both the suspect(s) and interviewing officers against potential assertions of police coercion or related interrogation misconduct and may increase the likelihood of successful prosecution.” For this reason, I will be introducing legislation which would require law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania to record audio and video of all interrogations. This would ensure that individuals’ rights are safeguarded during an interrogation, while also protecting our police officers from false allegations of misconduct. My bill would also create a grant program for police departments that do not have the funding to purchase the necessary recording equipment and/or to train personnel in the use of the equipment to ensure that all of our law enforcement agencies are following best practices. It is time for Pennsylvania to listen to the experts and require interrogations to be electronically recorded. Please join me in improving our criminal justice system for both suspects and law enforcement alike. |
Introduced as HB2005