In a week , rowdy and the nation continued to search for solutions to police abuse and the racial tensions around it, the Colorado legislature seemed to be reneging on its pledge to find solutions here at home.
Legislators offered 10 bills, which Democrats labeled the “Rebuilding Trust Package.” As of Friday, with three working days left before the Wednesday adjournment, five bills were dead, two were pending and three relatively minor bills were passed.
Friday morning, a Senate committee killed legislation that would have on body-worn cameras that already are used by 47 of the state’s 170 local law enforcement agencies.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. John Cooke, R-Greeley, the former Weld County sheriff, said at lunchtime he had no idea why the bill was killed, but he was hoping to get the bill reconsidered and onto the floor for a debate and vote.
Body cameras are a smart choice for law enforcement and taxpayers, said Benjamin Hartford, a former Adams County deputy prosecutor who now works as a criminal defense attorney and who has represented clients in cases of alleged abuse by police. He said body cameras can exonerate police officers or prevent cops and suspects from acting out in the first place.
“Taxpayers are going to pay, one way or the other,” he said. “They can either pay for body cameras on the front end that help out bad cops or prevent bad behavior, or they can pay in court,” he said.
Some of the bills before the session started. Legislators, who had talked about body cameras being a mandatory addition to officer’s equipment, settled on a study and grant program.
Another bill killed in the Senate moved the police misconduct allegations from district attorneys to judges. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Daniel Kagan, D-Cherry Hills Village, in December said the bill would provide a special prosecutor to investigate those cases.
The Senate killed legislation Friday that would have of the public to the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.
On Wednesday, a Senate committee of profiling, because members thought the bill’s language was too vague.
Instead, a joint committee plans to meet after the session to come up with legislation able to pass both chambers next year, said Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, who worked on the package.
“We think there needs to be a more extensive discussion than we can have here under the dome,” she said, referring to the Capitol.
Other quashed bills included and legislation requiring judges to dismiss charges and reimburse suspects’ attorney fees if an officer gave an unlawful order.
A bill that passed Thursday about officers and victims in officer-involved shootings.
The House on Friday gave final approval to a bill that with people videotaping incidents, as long as they don’t get in the way.
On Wednesday, the Senate gave final approval to a bill that unfavorable information in personnel files from future law enforcement employers.
The House and Senate could seek a compromise on for officer-involved shootings, but that has to happen before midnight Wednesday on a crowded legislative calendar.
“Rebuilding Trust Package”
Dead
: The Senate killed HB 1288, which would have broadened rules governing officers; a committee will work on a new bill for next year after the session.
: The Senate killed HB 1286, which would have allowed judges, not district attorneys, to decide whether to prosecute.
HB 1291, a ban on the dangerous tactic, was blocked by the Senate.
The Senate killed HB 1287, which would have added diversity to the Peace Officers Standards and Training Board.
HB 1289 would have waived charges in cases in which an officer acted unlawfully.
Passed
Personnel files: SB 218 allows perspective law enforcement employers to see the personnel files of officers’ previous jobs.
: HB 1290 bars officers from interfering with people videotaping police incidents.
SB 217 requires agencies to collect information about race and other information about officers and victims in abuse cases.
Pending
:
A House and Senate conference committee still needs to come up with a compromise on SB 219 that both chambers can agree on.
