Print Amy Lu, WBAL-TV 11
Some police reform activists seek the removal of a protection for law enforcement officers who are immune from criminal liability.
In a hearing Monday, the House Judiciary Committee heard five police reform bills. Lawmakers are considering a handful of bills that supporters said will reimagine public safety and policing in Maryland.
At least one of the bills, the Police Qualified Immunity and Accountability Act, focuses on what s called qualified immunity, which gives officers a legal defense from personal liability for misconduct, and the bill s supporters want to get rid of it.
In a press conference Monday with lawmakers and advocates, Makia Smith recounted a 2009 encounter with Baltimore City police.
Several years ago, Makia Smith was dragged out of her car by her hair and placed under arrest. Her crime: video recording a police officer with her phone.