The Madison County Democratic Occasion, in an announcement issued Wednesday night time, described the police immunity invoice at the moment within the legislative course of as “life-threatening.”
“Allowing extended immunity to police allows prejudice,” govt committee chair Shelia McNeil mentioned about HB202, which has confronted Democratic Occasion opposition at each step because it proceeds within the legislative course of this yr. “It is imperative to stand against this bill and advocate for those susceptible to injustice.”
Rep. Rex Reynolds, a former Huntsville police chief, sponsored the invoice that the Senate judiciary committee authorised Wednesday. If authorised by full Senate, it heads again to the Home earlier than going to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk to signal it into legislation.
Reynolds has mentioned the “back the blue” invoice would give no immunity to police who violate residents’ constitutional rights. He additionally argues that the invoice is required to encourage officer recruitment.
Regardless of that, the Madison County Democratic Occasion urged opposition to HB202 and famous that Alabama police are already well-protected by the legislation.
The invoice would enable a police officer accused of misconduct, together with use of extreme power leading to dying or damage, to request a pretrial immunity listening to, which the courtroom has to listen to inside 45 days of submitting the movement.
“Unfortunately, it is very difficult to hold officers accountable in some circumstances for actions that appear to violate the law or departmental procedures,” McNeil mentioned of the present immunity legislation within the state.
“We are especially concerned for Black people and other minorities who have been historically victimized by bias and fear,” she added. “We believe that some police officers may view increased immunity as a ‘green light’ to use excessive force in their encounters.”
