Police Misconduct Is Target of Illinois Bill
Reason Magazine reports that the Illinois state legislature has passed a bill aimed at curbing abuse by law enforcement officers and protecting whistleblowers who report such misconduct. The magazine noted that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker probably would sign the legislation.
The bill, more than 700 pages long, does not abolish the qualified immunity defense which shields officers from many lawsuits. However, it does include a number of important reforms. They include requiring police officers to wear cameras and establishes a new felony of "law enforcement misconduct."
Officers will risk prison sentences of 2 to 5 years for misrepresenting facts during an investigation, withholding knowledge of misrepresentations by other officers, or failing to comply with regulations concerning the wearing of body cameras.
The bill tightens the definition of when deadly force may be used. A "fear of future harm" alone will not justify shooting. The legislation also restricts the use of non-lethal weapons such as Tasers and pepper spray..
Officers will not be allowed to stand idly by while another officer inflicts physical harm on an unresisting person. Rather, the legislation establishes a duty to intervene and protects the intervening officer from retaliation.
Its many other provisions include reforming the bail system and allowing the Illinois attorney general to sue an officer for up to $50,000 damages for violating someone's civil rights.
Memphis police officer Patric Ferguson has been charged with kidnapping and murdering a man he knew. Ferguson allegedly committed the crime while on duty and used a police car to carry out the kidnapping.
John Peccavi
January 14, 2021
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