Utah Legislature Bill Would Seal Police Misconduct Records

[DeSwiss]

Bill To Seal Police Misconduct Records

KUTV.com
'Misconduct Be Hidden From Public'
Written by: Jonny Glines
Last Update: 2/12 10:50 pm

Senator Chris Buttars (Four Points Media) A new bill proposed at the legislature would allow for police to withhold misconduct reports from the public. Supporters of the bill believe that police misconduct should be kept secret from the public so to not discredit police testimony. Others say that a forthright police unit is essential to the community.

In September, Jared Massey was zapped with a taser by Trooper John Gardner. A video of the incident was recorded from Gardner’s patrol car. Gardner can be seen shocking Massey until he hits the ground while Massey’s wife screams from the side of their SUV.

More than a million people watched the video on “YouTube.” Massey was shocked to see his new found fame. The footage may have never been seen had Massey not made a records request to obtain the tape.

Currently, misconduct reports are available in Utah with an official records request. Under the bill SB260, sponsored by Senator Chris Buttars, the video and investigation report from Massey’s tazering might have been kept secret from the public and journalists.

http://www.kutv.com/content/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=49094c36-ec83-4306-954a-eca063c62693">MORE

- "Buttars." Remember that name. Because I'm sure he'll be way up in the hierarchy when the Fascist American overlords feel its safe to come out of the closet. Tasers in-hand....

[AX10]

1. Chris Buttars needs to be targeted in the next election!

This is absurd. We should keep the records sealed so that we cannot prove police misconduct.
:wtf:

[DeSwiss]

2. I would agree....

...assuming there's someone who could give him a run for his money. On the other hand, this is Utah.

But I'd think that msiconduct reports being public records would run into the Constitution at some point.

- These days, that means it's got about a 50-50 chance....

[Kitty Herder]

3. He does indeed!

He's a piece of work. Of course, most of our legislature in Utah needs to be replaced.

[DeSwiss]

4. Yeah...

...I kinda figured that. I wish that we could do the same thing here in Tennessee. Maybe we could work out a trade with some Blue States???

- Never hurts to ask...

[Kitty Herder]

7. I don't think the blue states would go for that.

They don't want our crazy red-necks either.

[DeSwiss]

8. It sounded like a good idea at the time I thought it....

- Meh....

[Raydawg1234]

5. Link to taser incident video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ifEvD2PSd8

[DeSwiss]

6. Thanks! n/t

[HCE SuiGeneris]

9. Well, it's about time! This information sharing thing has been a total bust!

:crazy: