Congressman Veasey Leads Charge to Address Police Transparency & Accountability

Washington, D.C. – In light of the recent police-involved shootings around the United States, Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, introduced a series of bills aimed at protecting innocent police officers and the public. The Police Protection Act of 2016 and the Preservation of Public Evidence Act of 2016 will increase transparency and accountability in order to improve the relationship with the community it serves.

Veasey introduced H.R. 6217, the Police Protection Act of 2016, to protect police officers who may be encouraged to corroborate a false or inaccurate report. The bill would require local and state governments to have in place laws ensuring that police officers submit reports within 24 hours when an individual is injured or killed by a police officer or while in police custody. Most importantly, the bill would ensure that police departments will provide thorough, accurate, and professional investigations of an individual in a case.

In addition, Veasey introduced H.R. 6216, the Preservation of Public Evidence Act of 2016, to provide the general public access to evidence when investigating a crime. Evidence including footage from body cameras, dashboard cameras, photographs, videos, and witness statements would be accessible to the public to provide transparency when complying with the fundamental mission of the police: to protect and serve.

“Every day police officers throughout the nation put their lives on the line to protect and serve. In order to enhance the relationship between police departments and the community, additional accountability and transparency measures must be implemented,” said Congressman Veasey. “I believe both of my bills will protect the integrity of how community policing should function.”

Bill language for thePolice Protection Act of 2016 can be found here.

Bill language for Preservation of Public Evidence Act of 2016 can be found here.