Expand Accountability for Police Use of Force and Disciplinary Infractions

This coming week, Tennessee General Assembly committees will take up two bills that would expand police accountability in Tennessee. One bill would require reporting when a law enforcement officer uses excessive force and the other would prevent a law enforcement agency from hiring an officer who left or was fired from another agency due to disciplinary infractions. Please contact committee members and urge them to support both bills. Information and contact info for both measures follow.

Promote accountability when police use excessive force

The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will take up this bill on Wednesday, March 24 at 9 a.m.
(Last updated March 23, 2021. Check current bill status here.)

SB 1496/HB 1316 would require reporting on cases of use of force to the district attorney general with jurisdiction over the law enforcement agency. Currently, there is virtually no data or transparency associated with police officers who use force on the job. This bill would ensure data collection and a path to accountability if an officer used force unlawfully or excessively. Very few communities have oversight boards to hold law enforcement accountable for allegations of excessive use of force. SB 1496/HB 1316 will require a district attorney general to conduct a review of at least 10 percent of the allegations of excessive force submitted to a law enforcement agency within their district, which can serve as an additional layer of accountability and protection for community members.

Please call or email House Criminal Justice Subcommittee members and urge them to vote YES on SB 1496/HB 1316.

House Criminal Justice Subcommittee members:

Stop the rehiring of police officers with disciplinary infractions

The House Public Service Subcommittee will take up this bill on Wednesday, March 24 at 9 a.m.
(Last updated March 23, 2021. Check current bill status here.)

SB 461/HB 969 would prohibit police departments from hiring an officer who left another department (by resignation or firing) due to disciplinary infractions or while under investigation for misconduct or disciplinary infractions. It stands to reason that an officer fired for unreasonable use of force, for example, should not be given more chances to abuse police power. SB 461/HB 969 offers a meaningful step toward reforming Tennessee police hiring practices and rooting out bad officers.

Please call or email House Public Service Subcommittee members and urge them to vote YES on SB 461/HB 969.

House Public Service Subcommittee members: