Given the legislation that passed in MD on Saturday, are those of you who live in this fine state fearful that recruitment of quality law enforcement officers will suffer?
Maryland lawmakers passed legislation Saturday, becoming the first state to end its police Bill of Rights after the Democrat-controlled Legislature voted to override three of Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s vetoes.
The sweeping reform bills remove protections in police due process for alleged misconduct that critics say have impeded accountability and will now give civilians a role, The Baltimore Sun reported.
The reform package also increases the civil liability limit for officers from $400,000 to $890,000 and an officer convicted of using excessive force, causing serious injury or death could face 10 years in prison. It also sets a new statewide standard for what is deemed "necessary" force.
Within the reforms, officers will also be limited to daytime for "no-knock" raids, except for emergencies, and body cameras will be mandated by 2025.
Supporters of the bills call them "citizen-centered" and a necessary reaction to protesters who "demanded change" last year, but critics say the reforms go too far and are "anti-cop."
Hogan explained in his vetoes that he thought 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," he wrote.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/maryland-to-end-police-bill-of-rights-after-democrats-override-gop-governors-vetoes