County passes bill allowing police to sue protesters who harass or injure them
Back the blue: County passes bill allowing police to sue protesters who harass or injure themNassau County legislators voted Monday to approve a bill that would allow police and other first responders to sue protesters who harass or injure them. by Lawenforcement today Scott A. Davis|
The bill, which passed the Nassau County legislature on a 12-6 vote, still needs the signature of county executive Laura Curran.
The bill would allow first responders to sue anyone who harasses, attacks, or injures them while they are in uniform. Under the bill, Nassau County police officers and other responders would be a protected class under the county’s human rights law. (Editor’s NOTE: there have been 194 line of duty deaths this year, 369 in 2020 ODMP)
During hours of heated debate before the bill’s passage, supporters argued the bill provided protection to officers in the face of “destructive riots and lawlessness” targeting law enforcement following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Critics of the bill claim the action is direct retaliation against Black Lives Matter and the social justice movement. Critics claim the bill will suppress protests against police brutality and abuse.
Tracey Edwards, the NAACP’s regional director, argued that police already could arrest people who harass them and that the bill “disrespected” activists and organizations that fought against discrimination:
“What you are doing with this bill is you are taking this profession and you are putting that chosen profession above all of those people who fought during the Civil Rights movement.”
Civil rights attorney Fred Brewington said:
“This is an enormous grant of power to police who don’t need to have this power and also don’t need to try to utilize a lawsuit that will basically silence individuals by threatening them that they could lose their livelihood, lose their property, and their bank accounts.”
On the other side of the issue, Brian Sullivan, president of Nassau County Correction Officers Benevolent Association, called the law necessary because of the “widespread pattern of physical attacks and intimidation directed at police.”
One public commenter argued the bill was too vague, not defining harassment, menacing or other conduct. The commentator said the lack of definitions gave too much power to police.
The commentator argued that under the bill, former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted in the death of George Floyd, could have arrested the bystanders who yelled at him as he pressed his knee to Floyd’s neck.
Under the bill, first responders could sue for civil penalties of $25,000 per violation or a total of $50,000 if the violation occurs during a riot. FOR MORE VISIT LAWENFORCEMENT TODAY