ATLANTA – State Representatives Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) and Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) recently introduced House bills 107, 112 and 113 to increase police accountability following the death of Tyre Nichols. These legislators will hold a press conference with the Georgia NAACP to discuss these bills TOMORROW, Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 9 a.m. at the South Wing Steps of the Georgia State Capitol
“I have heard the citizens in House District 76 who are calling for law enforcement officers to be held accountable for their actions,” said Rep. Scott. “We cannot continue to watch our loved ones be abused or killed by law enforcement officers because of the color of their skin. The time is now to pass common sense accountability legislation. In the wake of Tyre Nichols, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and so many more, it is time for common sense police accountability, ethical policing and anti-racial profiling legislation.”
“We will no longer allow the lack of oversight, accountability and transparency to be the norm in law enforcement,” said Rep. Schofield. “No one gets a pass when lives continue to be intentionally taken. Georgians deserve better.”
House Bill 107, or the Police Accountability Act, would require all law enforcement agencies to provide a body-worn camera to every officer and require such body cameras be turned on during interactions with the public. It would also require the public release of certain video and audio recordings captured by body-worn cameras. The attorney general would also produce an annual report regarding the use of force, contact and unannounced entry by officers in Georgia. This bill also includes standards for how police officers should respond to protests or demonstrations and would remove qualified immunity for officers.
“Georgia citizens, including the Black community, were confronted with high profile cases that demonstrated a lack of ethics, accountability, transparency and justice with law enforcement,” said Rep. Davis. “Many of the high profile cases have resulted in police officers receiving criminal charges of murder, thus placing a cloud over those in law enforcement that strive to do right and operate lawfully. We must rebuild and restore trust in law enforcement, especially within the Black community.”
Furthermore, House Bill 112, or the Ethical Policing Act, would provide additional procedures and requirements for law enforcement officers and agencies in order to ensure “ethical policing” in Georgia and set new standards for policing in Georgia law. It would also authorize local municipalities to create and operate citizen review boards to ensure accountability for ethical police conduct, as well as direct the attorney general to create a form for local agencies to use to record complaints alleging police misconduct and disciplinary actions for such misconduct.
House Bill 113, or the Preventing Tragedies Between Police and Communities Act, would require police departments to provide de-escalation training to law enforcement officers. Specifically, this legislation would require training on the use of alternative, non-lethal methods and first using the lowest level of necessary force. Police would also utilize verbal and physical tactics to minimize the need for the use of force. This bill would also require agencies to teach awareness, recognition and crisis intervention strategies for mental health and substance abuse issues, as well as distance, cover and time techniques for approaching and managing critical incidents.
“I applaud Representative Schofield, Representative Scott and Representative Davis for taking a stand for the citizens of Georgia,” said Gerald Griggs, attorney and president of the Georgia NAACP. “We can’t swear to uphold the law and not hold law enforcement accountable when they operate outside the letter of the law. This state has a police accountability problem. We must be pro-justice and pro-accountability for everyone in this state. These three pieces of legislation are a step towards backing justice and accountability for every resident of Georgia.”
Representative Sandra Scott represents the citizens of District 76, which includes portions of Clayton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as the Minority Caucus Chief Deputy Whip. She also serves on the Banks & Banking, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Insurance and Reapportionment and Redistricting committees.
Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 63, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Urban Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Health, Interstate Cooperation and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Insurance, Interstate Cooperation, Natural Resources & Environment and Urban Affairs committees.
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