FOP-TV: Qualified Immunity “What it is, What it’s not.”

HR 1280 – “calls for the elimination of qualified immunity for law enforcement.”

Good afternoon! The below message, links and attachments are from President Neri. Your immediate attention and action is respectfully requested. For your convenience, this information is also attached on State Lodge letterhead.

Brothers and Sisters,

The U.S. House of Representatives just passed H.R. 1280, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, by a vote of 220-210. This legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate. This bill includes sweeping police reform. One issue of critical importance to our membership is a provision that calls for the elimination of qualified immunity for law enforcement.

Qualified immunity allows police officers to respond to incidents without pause, make split-second decisions, and rely on their training and the current state of the law in making those decisions. The loss of qualified immunity protection would have a profoundly chilling effect on police officers and would limit their ability and willingness to respond to both critical incidents and routine calls for service without hesitation.

Qualified immunity does not protect officers that “knowingly violate the law.” In cases where it is obviously, or sufficiently clear, that the officer’s conduct was unlawful, qualified immunity is unavailable and the case will proceed to trial.

Qualified immunity does not protect a police officer from criminal charges, internal investigations and/or termination.

We’re asking you to take action today by:

Contacting Senator Bob Casey and Senator Pat Toomey and ask that they continue to protect those who place their lives on the line every day in the service of the citizens of Pennsylvania by voting no on H.R. 1280.

Tweeting at @SenBobCasey and @SenToomey and ask that they continue to protect those who place their lives on the line every day in the service of the citizens of Pennsylvania by voting no on H.R. 1280.

Sending a Facebook message to @SenatorBobCasey and @senatortoomey and ask that they continue to protect those who place their lives on the line every day in the service of the citizens of Pennsylvania by voting no on H.R. 1280.