Los Angeles – Two California lawmakers on Monday introduced legislation making it a federal crime to kill a peace officer and flee the country.
U.S. Reps. David Dreier and Adam Schiff said in an interview from Washington that the legislation would help prosecutors and the government in extradition efforts. Current law already makes it a federal crime to flee the country to avoid prosecution, but the lawmakers said the new legislation is needed to strengthen prosecutors’ hand.
“To bring (suspects) back and prosecute them only on a lesser charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution wouldn’t do any kind of justice,” said Schiff, a Democrat. “It gives prosecutors and law enforcement a powerful new tool,” he said, citing “the power of the federal government, the resources of the federal government, and the leverage of the federal government.”
Dreier, a Republican, noted the case of Denver police detective Donald Young, who was shot and killed May 8. Police believe the suspect fled to Southern California and then possibly to Mexico.
Dreier said the legislation would help authorities negotiate with Mexico in such situations.
