Brushing aside vetoes from Gov. Larry Hogan, Maryland legislators on Saturday passed a landmark police reform package into law that supporters hailed as a major step toward transforming policing in the state.
Hogan, a Republican, contended that central provisions of the sweeping four-part Maryland Police Accountability Act go too far and will treat police officers unfairly. He vetoed three bills Friday evening containing those sections.
But Democrats swiftly overruled his objections. By Saturday afternoon, the Democrat-controlled General Assembly had voted to override the vetoes. The first provisions of the Maryland Police Accountability Act will take effect later this year.
The legislation will overhaul the disciplinary process for officers accused of misconduct, allow public scrutiny of complaints and internal affairs files, and create a new legal standard requiring that police use only “necessary” and “proportional” force. Officers who use excessive force will face additional criminal penalties, including up to 10 years in prison. Also, police will be limited on when they can obtain so-called “no-knock” warrants or raid homes at night.
Supporters described the legislation as the most far-reaching police reform in the state’s history, an advance that will begin to restore frayed community trust in law enforcement.
Democratic leaders in Annapolis declared that changing how law enforcement is carried out in Maryland would be a priority following nationwide protests last summer over police brutality and after decades of demands from activists here.
These are some real fking idiots here. If I was an officer I’d stay the hell outta shit, and let it go down. You can’t enforce the law with your hands tied like this. Plus it endangers the lives of law enforcement. This put all of us at risk. But they don’t care. Its about feel good policies.
This is a step towards healing the community.
How so by placing their lives in danger everyday by rampant lawlessness?? Democrats always destroy the black community
It will only change when the black communities rise up against the DEMOCRATS! But that won’t ever happen because they are too busy with their hands in the democrats pockets! Can’t have it both ways!
So, in other words, we are going to be like every other state and see our good police officers leave their profession because of these idiots sitting in Annapolis thinking they know more than the person who has to do the actual job. So damn wrong.
What you’ll end up with is unqualified people becoming cops based on race because hood cops will leave… this will end up with corrupt police and bribery like a turd world country
Welcome to Maryland – the SHIT hole of the Country. Healing – LOL – well when crime is off the charts, see how you feel about healing then dipshit…
This piece was so disappointing or disturbing that I didn’t finish reading it all. Thank you Governor for doing the correct thing but vetoing this ridiculous legislation. Unfortunately the ignorant senators over power in numbers only, any senator of intellect. How many of these dummies have worn a shield and made it past the probationary required? How many are friends with anyone wearing a badge? How many have rode in a patrol car to observe, the back seat doesn’t count? Just as I thought, very very few. If they could answer yes to the above the would know how asinine it is to say use only the force necessary. You would not have the mind set that law officers go beyond that line. You would not think they enjoy fighting a subject that is most often nasty, stinking, filthy, etc. and possibly drugged to the point that they don’t feel any pain from the resisting. Not to mention the extra strength they may have from a substance. It comes natural, where a police officer has to work hard exercising to get close to that strength. You our elected senator ( for the people) have thoughtlessly just made your own life and the citizens you “serve” miserable. Because you will eventually run out of protection. What man or women would want to serve and protect you when they knowingly realize what they mean to you personally. You need to get your head out of your ass that you set on at work and change this disaster now before the harm is done to us all. Don’t forget to apologize to those men and women guarding you at work and play when you thank them. Just my humble opinion.
I see a mass exodus of good police officers leaving the state.
My son decided not to go into law enforcement because of what
is going on out there.
Good for him. Mine is 15yrs in, and can’t wait to get out.
Mine is another and I agree with his decision.
You can blame your career criminal Senators Bill Cardin(democrat) and Chris Van Hollen for not supporting the police and the safety of Maryland. When are we going to wise up and get these butts out of office. 17 years in a political office and not doing what is best for the people, but sitting on their haunches and getting kickbacks. Wise up people. Hogan is a jerk, but at least this time he tried. Might want to start carrying your own gun – legal or not !!!!! Pray for our officers.
VERY SAD day in Maryland. I wore a uniform for 40 years and absolutely loved working and dealing with the public. Thank God I could retire. These changes do nothing for the police, and in fact, favor the criminal over the police officer. Do you remember the old song ,”Walk a mile in my shoes…….?” The changes will only make the good cops hesitate to take action and may end up dead like the New Mexico state trooper who was killed recently. The next time your house is burglarized or you yourself is robbed, call a politician!
The Eastern shore needs an organized well armed militia… we’ll have to take care of ourselves
11:41
We already have one but no one knows who we are
Glad that Maryland Legislators passed these Police reform bills. This will hold Police Officers more accountable and make them think twice before using force that can eventually be ruled as excessive. Most Police Officers do a good job but the few bad cops out there have caused this type of legislation to be enacted. Police Officers when they first start out are usually on a power trip anyways…
will affect all of them and when there arent any more cops, suck it up cause YOU will be next and no one to help
Abolish the Police NOW!
what about dnr? how about abolishing them? glad to see this, not a fan of how many kops out there violate peoples rights every day. but then again they work for the state not the people. bottom line if you are or have been thinking about joining the ranks of law enforcement you have been warned. Lots of better jobs out there where you dont have to deal with the dregs of society! where are the citizen review boards? every incident of a kop using excessive force against a individual should be reviewed by the citizens of that community!
Dont really feel bad for the kops, you brought this on yourselves by banding together and just following orders! schmucks! sucks to be you!