Maryland governor vetoes 3 police reform bills
by Brian Witte, The Associated Press
Posted Apr 9, 2021 7:54 pm EDT
Last Updated Apr 9, 2021 at 7:58 pm EDT
ANNAPOLIS, Md. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Friday that he has vetoed three police reform measures approved by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly, all measures passed with enough votes to override the vetoes.
The House of Delegates was taking up the legislation Friday night.
The Republican governor vetoed legislation that includes the repeal of job protections in the police disciplinary process that have become common in other parts of the country. The vetoed measures include a statewide use-of-force policy and mandated use of body cameras statewide by July 2025.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan vetoes 3 police reform bills
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Maryland bill to make police discipline records public to be heard by House
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ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Friday that he has vetoed three police reform measures approved by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly, all measures passed with enough votes to override the vetoes.
The House of Delegates was taking up the legislation Friday night.
The Republican governor vetoed legislation that includes the repeal of job protections in the police disciplinary process that have become common in other parts of the country. The vetoed measures include a statewide use-of-force policy and mandated use of body cameras statewide by July 2025.
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One of the measures also includes an expansion of public access to records in police disciplinary cases.
Another includes new penalties for cases of excessive force. A police officer convicted of causing serious injury or death through excessive force would face 10 years in prison, under the legislation.
In his veto message, Hogan said he believed the bills would “further erode police morale, community relationships, and public confidence.”
“They will result in great damage to police recruitment and retention, posing significant risks to public safety throughout our state,” Hogan wrote.
The police job protections that are being repealed are known as the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights. Critics have contended it has long stood as a barrier to officer discipline and accountability. Maryland first enacted it in 1974, and about 20 states have adopted similar laws setting due process procedure for investigating police misconduct.
Maryland lawmakers pass landmark police reform package into law, overriding Gov Hogan s vetoes baltimoresun.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from baltimoresun.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.