Bill Protecting Due Process for Police Officers Introduced in Senate;
F.O.P. Continues to Push for This Critically Important Legislation

Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, hailed yesterdays introduction of legislation in the Senate which he described as "critical" for law enforcement officers. The bill, S. 1277, provides due process protections for law enforcement officers in noncriminal proceedings.

"This bill has been and continues to be one of the most important pieces of legislation to rank-and-file law enforcement officers," said Canterbury.

The legislation, entitled the "Law Enforcement Discipline, Accountability and Due Process Act," was introduced by Senators Joe Biden (D-DE), Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Jim Bunning (R-KY) and Assistant Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The F.O.P. is working to get the companion bill introduced in the House.

"As police officers, we are used to placing our own lives in danger to protect another's--it's in the job description," said Canterbury. "Unfortunately, rank-and-file police officers are sometimes subjected to abusive and improper procedures and conduct on the part of the very departments or agencies they serve. In a startling number of jurisdictions throughout this country, law enforcement officers have no procedural or administrative protections whatsoever."

"One thing is certain," Canterbury continued, "we should not have to accept adversity and confrontation in the squad room as well as on the street. The men and women of law enforcement have their rights overlooked too often by police managers who are more interested in administrative expediency or political posturing. Adoption of this legislation will go a long way toward ensuring that America's police officers continue to meet the highest standards of conduct and still be afforded fair and equitable treatment as employees."

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States, with over 306,000 members.