RICHMOND, Virginia – The Senate passed its omnibus policing reform bill on Thursday, which encompasses other already introduced legislation and covers many hotbed issues relating to law enforcement.
After over an hour of debate and Republicans voicing concerns, the Democratic majority passed the bill by a vote of 21-Y 19-N, right along party lines.
Republicans thought there were good aspects within the bill, but, because the legislation puts a wide range of issues together, their opposition to specific provisions meant they could not support the overall bill itself.
The primary objections from Republicans came over the provisions on acquiring military property, Criminal Justice Services Board membership and Committee on Training membership, use of deadly force by law enforcement officers and others.
“We are going to make Virginia a much less safe place,” Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Rockingham County) said while discussing language in the use of deadly force provisions. “We have to provide some ability not to apply 2020 hindsight from the comfort of our law offices or judicial chambers or legislative chambers to actions that may require the decision in a split second that may cost that law enforcement officer his or her life.
“We have got to give them the ability to exercise some judgement and to make a mistake, otherwise there is no way that we are ever going to be able to fill these positions or keep our community safe.”
Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Spotsylvania County) was one of many Republicans to oppose the provision on that prohibits law enforcement agencies in Virginia from acquiring military property from the government.
McDougle said he opposed that provision because the localities he represents often need to use military vehicles and other property during emergencies like hurricanes or floods and that the bill would hinder efforts by first responders to save lives.
Sen. Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania County) added: “Why would we limit ourselves to have the ability to save people’s lives?”
Democrat senators responded to many of their peers’ concerns, including Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw (D-Fairfax County) and Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax County), but ultimately could not sway any member’s vote.
Sen. Mamie Locke (D-Newport News), one of the lawmakers primarily responsible for the bill, addressed the body before the vote, simply saying the legislation is not anti-police and that it contains lots helpful provisions to improve law enforcement.
Included within the omnibus legislation are two bills from Senate Minority Leader Thomas Norment (R-Hampton), SB 5002 and SB 5005, one bill from Sen. Joseph Morrissey (D-Chesterfield County), SB 5049, and then one bill from Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Fairfax County), SB 5037.
Norment’s bills pertain to criminal justice training academies and prohibiting the use of neck restraints by law enforcement, Morrissey’s bill is also on prohibiting the use of neck restraints and Favola’s bill pertains to the aforementioned criminal justice services board and its membership.
Next, the bill will be considered for passage by the Democratic-controlled House of Delegates. As of Thursday night, the next House session has not been added to the meetings schedule on the Virginia legislative information website.
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Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
