Opponents: Arizona Bill Would Add Hurdles To Disciplining Police Officers For Misconduct
The Arizona Senate gave tentative approval to a bill, House Bill 2295, that would allow police officers to avoid automatic discipline if they end up on a database that prosecutors use to keep tabs on misconduct.
Democratic Sen. Martín Quezada says this bill could put more hurdles between disciplining “police officers who are dangerous.” He says it sends the wrong message especially after George Floyd’s murder.
“Officer [Derek] Chauvin, he had a long history of misconduct before he committed the murder of George Floyd. In fact he had 18 complaints on his official record, including official letters of reprimand," Quezada said.
A disclaimer about the database says “placement in the database is not evidence of any misconduct.”
Democratic Sen. Kirsten Engel says this bill will just make the situation worse.
She also points out “there’s no requirement for police and prosecutors to report” misconduct to the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.
