HARRISBURG– Attorney General Shapiro is releasing the statement below following the Pennsylvania Senate’s passage of an amendment that would create a database for police complaints for future hiring.
“I commend today’s vote to establish a mandatory, statewide database of police misconduct — a key change sought by reform advocates and a down payment on the improvements we need to make. When the Governor signs these bills, Pennsylvania will become one of the only states in the country to change its laws in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing. I heard the community, and worked to bring a breakthrough coalition of law enforcement leaders forward to get this done,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “This legislation would make all Pennsylvanians safer by preventing departments from unknowingly hiring officers with past records of misconduct, and is a first step that shows we can make meaningful changes in our criminal justice system. I thank Representatives Harry Readshaw, Chris Rabb, Dan Williams, Jason Dawkins and all of the partners who came together to support this reform that the community was calling for and to commit to continue making needed changes.”
With the passage of HB1814, sponsored by Rep. Harry Readshaw and amended with the database provision by Rep. Rabb; and HB1910, sponsored by Rep. Dan Williams and Rep. Jason Dawkins, Pennsylvania becomes one of the only states in the country to pass police reform measures in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd. The support Shapiro brought on board from law enforcement and community leaders was crucial to breaking the impasse that had prevented previous efforts from reaching the Governor’s desk. The coalition includes:
- U.S. Senator Bob Casey,
- Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw
- Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert
- Allentown Police Chief Glenn Granitz
- FOP Lodge 5 President John McNesby
- President of the Pennsylvania State Lodge FOP Les Neri,
- Pennsylvania State Troopers Association,
- Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, and the
- Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association as well as other local leaders.
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