HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 91-038 RESOLUTION OPPOSING "POLICE BILL OF RIGHTS" LEGISLATION Meeting Sheet
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103633
Box: 26
Folder: RES 1991
Document: CC RES 91-038 RESOLUTION OPPOSING "POLICE BILL OF
RIGHTS" LEGISLATION
• CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
RESOLUTION 91-038
A RESOLUTION OPPOSING 'POLICE BILL OF RIGHTS" LEGISLATION
WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress is considering adoption of legislation that would pre-empt
state and local laws and require cities to impose federal standards on the
conduct of internal investigations of police misconduct by the city while
providing police officers subject to such discipline the right to sue cities for
monetary and other damages, including full reinstatement; and
WHEREAS, these provisions restrict the authority and ability of the Police Chief to
investigate allegations of police misconduct or use of excessive force; and
WHEREAS, definitions provided in the legislation are so unclear that interpretations could
prevent any measures without the need for formal hearings; and
WHEREAS, restrictions raise the issue of whether police officers would no longer be
subject to normal supervision; and
WHEREAS, provisions raise the conduct of such disciplinary investigations to the level of
criminal proceedings; and
WHEREAS, 'Police Officers Bill of Rights" imposes the will of the federal government on
matters that are clearly state and local labor relations issues; and
WHEREAS, some states, including Minnesota, have adopted similar requirements, while
others have rejected such legislation; and
WHEREAS, the legislation directly interferes with local processes governing provision of
police services; and
WHEREAS, provisions appear to disallow local appointment of civilian review boards and
require that the entire investigative file be open to the police officer under
investigation while not providing personnel file information on such officers
to those investigations; and
WHEREAS, congress has failed to hold any hearings or to investigate the views of police
officials and others who would be adversely affected by such restrictions; and
WHEREAS, this proposal is unrelated to local government efforts to fight crime, control
drug abuse and reduce violence, therefore should not be included in federal
• anti-crime legislation.
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NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of St. Anthony opposes the federal
imposition of a "Police Officers Bill of Rights" or other similar legislation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of St. Anthony urges Congress to hold
hearings on this issue in both the House and Senate to solicit views of city officials charged
with ensuring the public safety of our neighborhoods and the responsibility for management
of local police department affairs.
Adopted this 13+h day of 11991.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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Reviewed for administration: 22
City Manager
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