State Representative Mark DeCaprio Introduces Legislation to Fully Restore Qualified Immunity to Law Enforcement Officers
Hartford- On Friday, State Representative Mark DeCaprio (R-48) announced that he has drafted legislation, aimed at fully restoring qualified immunity to law enforcement officers. This follows the passage of Public Act No. 20-1, An Act Concerning Police Accountability, during a special legislative session in July of 2020. The controversial legislation has drawn attention locally, and across the nation, as the 2020 law put an end to qualified immunity which exposes police officers and their municipalities to civil lawsuits.
“We hear time and time again that crime is down, however I do not think that paints an accurate picture of the reality here in Connecticut,” said Rep. DeCaprio. “Our roadways have turned into speedways, we have experienced violent automobile thefts statewide, and there are newsworthy headlines that we see daily about the latest crimes. You cannot tell me that one of the reasons contributing to this wasn’t the result of the misguided police accountability legislation that was passed in 2020. Police officers are put into situations that require real-time decisions on the job, the stress of the job weighs heavily on these men and women as it is, having additional concerns of legal action in the back of their minds prevents not only proactive policing, but overall enrollment of police officers in our communities,” he concluded.
This proposed bill, H.B. No. 5179- An Act Concerning Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers, was referred to the legislature’s Judiciary Committee, of which Rep. DeCaprio was assigned to prior the start of Connecticut’s current legislative session that adjourns on June 4th.
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State Representative Mark DeCaprio represents Connecticut’s 48th General Assembly District including the towns Bozrah, Colchester, Franklin, and Lebanon.