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Bill would give due process to municipal officers

Cary Chapter members recently attended a historic event for the PBA at the North Carolina General Assembly on Thursday, April 26, 2007. HB 980 titled the “Law Enforcement Discipline Act” was heard in the Judiciary-1 committee on this date. This bill would provide basic procedural due process for municipal police officers.

Since 1989 NCPBA has sponsored or supported many pieces of legislation, 38 of which have passed into law. However, due process legislation for law enforcement officers has never passed out of committee. On April 26^th, the bill passed out of the committee by a 7-6 vote.

During the meeting the committee heard from numerous organizations and individuals who either support or oppose the bill. The bill is opposed by the NC Police Chiefs Association, the NC Sheriff’s Association, the NC Association of County Commissioners and the NC League of Municipalities. Representatives from those organizations were on hand to speak against the bill. The PBA also had speakers that spoke in favor of the bill. Retired police Chief Mel Tucker gave many favorable comments about the need for this legislation to the committee. Cary Chapter member Adam Dismukes also spoke to the committee and made many articulate points. According to Dismukes, “I don’t mind my decisions being scrutinized or reviewed. In fact, as a professional public servant I understand its part of the job. HB 980, however, gives me the opportunity to have those decisions reviewed fairly and independently without outside influences.” Dismukes also pointed out the basic premise of HB 980 and why officers are so concerned about due process. “Fairness can’t be achieved if you are appealing to the same city or town manager who is backing the discipline in the first place,” said Dismukes. Dismukes closed out his comments by highlighting the sacrifices that officers make and their desire for fairness. He also requested that the committee vote in favor of the bill. “Law enforcement officers make the sacrifices they do because they believe in what they do. They only want the same fairness for themselves that they uphold for the citizens they serve. A vote for HB 980 is for the officers on the frontlines that are serving in each of your communities,” said Dismukes.

The PBA is extremely grateful to primary sponsors Representative Grier Martin and Representative Paul “Skip” Stam who are part of the Wake County delegation. They are also grateful to the other House J-I Committee members who voted for HB 980. They are representatives Angela Bryant, Larry Hall, Pricey Harrison, Verla Insko and House J-I Committee Chair Deborah Ross. Representative Ross who is also a member of the Wake County delegation voted “yes” to break the 6-6 tie.

The representatives who voted against HB 980 are Melanie Goodwin, Bonner Stiller, John Blust, Debbie Clary, George Holmes, and Annie Mobley.

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	Cary Chapter members present strong showing as HB 980 passes Judiciary Committee
	Bill would give due process to municipal officers Cary Chapter members recently attended a historic event for the PBA at the North Carolina General Assembly on Thursday, April 26, 2007. HB 980 titled the “Law Enforcement Discipline Act” was heard in the Judiciary-1 committee on this date. This bill would provide basic procedural due process for municipal police officers. Since 1989 NCPBA has sponsored or supported many pieces of legislation, 38 of which have passed into law. However, due process legislation for law enforcement officers has never passed out of committee. On April 26^th, the bill passed out of the committee by a 7-6 vote. During the meeting the committee heard from numerous organizations and individuals who either support or oppose the bill. The bill is opposed by the NC Police Chiefs Association, the NC Sheriff’s Association, the NC Association of County Commissioners and the NC League of Municipalities. Representatives from those organizations were on hand to speak against the bill. The PBA also had speakers that spoke in favor of the bill. Retired police Chief Mel Tucker gave many favorable comments about the need for this legislation to the committee. Cary Chapter member Adam Dismukes also spoke to the committee and made many articulate points. According to Dismukes, “I don’t mind my decisions being scrutinized or reviewed. In fact, as a professional public servant I understand its part of the job. HB 980, however, gives me the opportunity to have those decisions reviewed fairly and independently without outside influences.” Dismukes also pointed out the basic premise of HB 980 and why officers are so concerned about due process. “Fairness can’t be achieved if you are appealing to the same city or town manager who is backing the discipline in the first place,” said Dismukes. Dismukes closed out his comments by highlighting the sacrifices that officers make and their desire for fairness. He also requested that the committee vote in favor of the bill. “Law enforcement officers make the sacrifices they do because they believe in what they do. They only want the same fairness for themselves that they uphold for the citizens they serve. A vote for HB 980 is for the officers on the frontlines that are serving in each of your communities,” said Dismukes. The PBA is extremely grateful to primary sponsors Representative Grier Martin and Representative Paul “Skip” Stam who are part of the Wake County delegation. They are also grateful to the other House J-I Committee members who voted for HB 980. They are representatives Angela Bryant, Larry Hall, Pricey Harrison, Verla Insko and House J-I Committee Chair Deborah Ross. Representative Ross who is also a member of the Wake County delegation voted “yes” to break the 6-6 tie. The representatives who voted against HB 980 are Melanie Goodwin, Bonner Stiller, John Blust, Debbie Clary, George Holmes, and Annie Mobley. View Gallery