WE NEED AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE BOTH DAYS TO PRESSURE LAW MAKERS TO VOTE FOR PROPOSED REFORMS.
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Often the decisions of state government are guided not by the desires of the people, but by entrenched special interests.

This is especially true when it comes to police brutality reforms, for despite the recent nationwide protests, legislators often do not see many people pressuring them when it comes time for laws to be passed.

This allows special interests such as police unions to pass special laws (the so called "Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights" or "LEOBR") which protects those accused of police brutality from basic public accountability and forestall efforts for legal actions.

Advocates have proposed legislation that would reform the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, but visible shows of public support are critical to overcome entrenched lobbies.

There are TWO hearings on LEOBR reform. One for the State Senate (Thursday, February 26th at approximately 1pm) and one for the Md House of Delegates (Thursday, March 12 at approximately 1pm).

Please come early, as seats in the hearing chambers will likely be filled quickly, and if possible prepare delays, as state legislative hearings have been known to shift issues around the "docket". Hearing times can last anywhere from 1-2 hours.

For more information email info@lbsbaltimore.com

Overview of some of the proposed reforms to the LEOBR.

* Remove the provision that gives law enforcement officers 10 days before they are compelled to make a formal statement involving an incident of alleged police misconduct and/or excessive force.

* Extend the window of time that a person has to file a complaint from 90 days to a year.

* Give police chiefs the ability to appoint residents from the particular jurisdiction where an incident is being investigated to be on the trial boards that determine disciplinary actions against police officers.