A Louisiana Senate committee turned back an effort Tuesday to lessen lawsuit protections for law enforcement officers who engage in “unreasonable” and “unconstitutional” conduct.
Louisiana Senate Rejects Efforts To Weaken Protection for Police
A Louisiana Senate committee voted down a bill that was designed to weaken police protection from lawsuits in the state.
Representative Edmond Jordan, of Baton Rouge, says it s almost impossible for a Louisiana resident to win a lawsuit against law enforcement in Louisiana. He wants the protection of law officers in the state to not include protection for officers who engage in “unreasonable” and “unconstitutional” conduct.
Jordan brought up court cases while arguing to the Senate committee that involved a seven-month pregnant woman who was handcuffed and tasered. He went on to say the court found the officers were acting unreasonably and showing unconstitutional behavior. However, they also found this behavior still qualified for law enforcement immunity.
State Sen. Jay Morris authored the bill that would end the concealed carry permit mandate. | Louisiana State Senate
A bill that would allow the carrying of concealed firearms without a permit passed the Louisiana Senate this week on a vote of 27-11 in spite of public safety concerns raised by law enforcement.
The vote on Senate Bill 118, authored by Sen. Jay Morris (R-Monroe), took place after Gov. John Bel Edwards pledged that he would veto the measure.
Under current law, it’s a crime in the state to carry a concealed firearm, although the law provides an exception if a gun owner obtains a concealed handgun permit from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. SB 118 provides an exception to this permit requirement for people 21 years or older who are not otherwise barred from possessing a firearm.
Livaccari
BATON ROUGE – The attorney who represents the Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police is cautioning state lawmakers to think twice about doing away with qualified immunity for law enforcement officers.
Donovan Livaccari told the
Louisiana Record that taking away such protections from civil litigation would be a disincentive for people to enter the profession, which typically doesn’t pay high-end salaries.
“I don’t know how it would be a smart decision to choose law enforcement as a profession,” Livaccari said, adding that he knew of no insurance policies that would step in and provide the liability coverage if the government revoked it.