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MD’s Law Enforcement Bill of Rights could be repealed as lawmakers debate police reforms

September 25th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

Maryland’s Law Enforcement Bill of Rights could be in jeopardy amid nationwide demands for policing reforms.  A state Senate hearing outside of session concluded a third day of hearings Thursday, after discussing 15 bills directed at reform of police departments. The Law Enforcement Bill of Rights grants officers broad protections, which critics say stands in the way of disciplining and prosecuting officers who have abused their authority.  Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby has said the protections made her office’s job harder in a pair of high-profile cases: the death of Freddie Gray and the Gun Trace Task Force.  The American Civil Liberties Union has argued officers should be held to the same disciplinary standards as other public employees.