New Laws Are Turning Police Into 'Supercitizens' [View all]

[Passages]

Dreams of no legal accountability.

A series of legislative and judicial efforts have removed police oversight from oversight boards and communities.

BY JOHN PFAFF MAY 8, 2024

This story was produced in partnership with The Garrison Project, an independent, nonpartisan organization addressing the crisis of mass incarceration and policing.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed two bills gutting the informal and formal oversight of the police. Senate Bill 184, the “Impeding, Threatening, or Harassing First Responders” Act, makes it a misdemeanor to stand within 25 feet of the police or other first responders if told to move, if the purpose is to interfere with, threaten with physical harm, or otherwise “harass” them. Harassment is defined to include “substantial emotional distress,” and what counts as distress or who makes that determination is not defined.

House Bill 601, simply titled “Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers,” takes aim at civilian oversight boards, local committees set up by cities to provide outside supervision of police departments. Under the new law, the existing boards would be re-established and any new ones created under new rules. Each committee can have three to seven members, but one member must be a retired law enforcement officer. Importantly, all members must be appointed by the local sheriff or police chief.

https://prospect.org/justice/2024-05-08-new-laws-turning-police-into-supercitizens/