Legal
Legal matters are a core focus for local and state government agencies, encompassing the creation, interpretation, and enforcement of laws and regulations that govern public affairs. Legal frameworks ensure that government actions are consistent with the rule of law and protect citizens’ rights. Though by no means a perfect system – enforcement inequities continue to make the headlines – local leaders strive to create laws that work fairly for all.
Amid ballot box burning and machete-wielding intimidators, law enforcement agencies across the nation affirm they are ready to ensure voters’ safety
States United Democracy Center, a non-partisan organization, discussed priorities for law enforcement during election season
Officers unable to return to full duty after 251 workdays will be given a choice to apply for a reclassification, take a leave of absence, seek medical retirement or resign
Providing LEOs “emotional and psychological support is important to ensure that officer stress and fatigue do not contribute to constitutional violations,” the report said
The bills also make it possible for anyone sentenced for a serious crime as a child to be given the option of parole after 10 years
New standards include the use of soft restraints, rather than metal cuffs; the routine involvement of health professionals; and regular checks on restrained inmates
The “clean slate” bill would automatically seal most recent convictions — 3 years after serving time or parole for a misdemeanor, and 8 years for felony convictions
LEOs interviewed said the law decriminalizing small amounts of heroin and other street drugs is ineffective and they believe it negatively affects public safety
There’s currently no law against making ghost guns; the new law would ban the ownership, sale and shipping of ghost gun parts in New York
The bill called for changing the standard for releasing police K-9s to bite someone, which would make it the same standard for officers using deadly force
Under the law, the sale of drug paraphernalia, such as glass tubes for smoking fentanyl, is a civil infraction. But possession is not banned
The $230M legislation provides funding for armed SROs at all public schools, increases physical safeguards and enhances mental health services for students
The bipartisan agreement would avoid making the state the second in the U.S. to decriminalize the possession of controlled substances
People with small amounts of methamphetamine, heroin and LSD are subject to non-criminal violations and given the choice to call a statewide hotline or pay a $100 fine
“I was handed, when I took over, what I believed were politically based and politically motivated prosecutions against police officers.”
“In other words, this current board might decide to reorganize the county fire department... take it out of existence,” a Vance County commissioner said
The Austin Police Association plans to take action against the city’s enforcement of “the illegal provisions”
An agreement between lawmakers and the DeSantis administration puts up funds for LEOs who have protested the ban of DJI drones
Timothy W. Gorman ruled that Ogdensburg violated the collective bargaining deal when it forced the FD to have than five members on a shift over two years
MOST POPULAR
- Grant funding for age-friendly communities: Nurturing inclusivity and well-being
- Pa. township approves tax credit for fire, EMS personnel
- GreenKey police body camera audio analysis
- On-Demand Webinar: The growing threat of ransomware attacks on public safety agencies
- Texas A&M advocates for national veterinary emergency response network to strengthen disaster preparedness