Pennsylvania Approves Police Reform Bill Requiring Employment Records From Officers Seeking New Jobs

[Nevilledog]

https://www.theroot.com/pennsylvania-approves-police-reform-bill-requiring-empl-1844396906

The state of Pennsylvania is taking baby steps towards weeding out the “bad apples”—in a bunch that’s more spoiled throughout than people want to admit—plaguing police departments by requiring officers applying for new positions to reveal previous employment records. And I know what you’re thinking: How was this not already a thing?

CNN reports that on Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf signed two police reforms bills into law. One of those bills mandates mental health evaluations for officers as well as training on the use of force, de-escalation (again, how. the. hell. is this a new requirement?), and community and cultural justice. The other bill will likely make it that much more difficult for officers with problematic records to receive promotions or to return to the force after losing their jobs due to infractions—a thing that happens a lot apparently.

From CNN:

One law will require officers to turn over all previous employment records when applying for new roles in law enforcement. It will require police agencies to explain why officers with past offenses were hired and it mandates creation of a database where departments can document disciplinary actions.

Before the bills were signed, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro acknowledged in a press conference that what’s being done isn’t enough, but it’s a start.

*snip*

[sop]

1. It's "not a thing" because police departments have been intentionally hiring the most violent,

racist and authoritarian thugs they can get to protect and serve.

[thucythucy]

2. This is amazing, jaw-droppingly unbelievable.

The fact, I mean, that these "reforms" haven't been in place for at least a generation.

[Nevilledog]

3. Shows a systemic desire to not weed out the bad cops.