Wolf Vetoes Bill Aimed At Protecting Identity Of Cops Involved In Shootings
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Gov. Tom Wolf has vetoed a bill that would ban public officials and employees from identifying an officer who fired a gun or used force in the line of duty while an investigation is pending.
The bill, HB 1538, would have amended Title 44 (Law and Justice).
Gov. Wolf released a statement on his decision, saying in part that while he is "deeply concerned for the safety of the Commonwealth's police officers, government works best when trust and openness exist between citizens and their government."
He goes on to say:
"As such, I cannot sign into law a policy that will enshrine the withholding of information in the public interest," said Governor Tom Wolf. "These situations in particular – when law enforcement uses deadly force – demand utmost transparency, otherwise a harmful mistrust will grow between police officers and the communities they protect and serve. Further, I cannot allow local police department policies to be superseded and transparency to be criminalized, as local departments are best equipped to decide what information is appropriate to release to the public."
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