Caroline Upthegrove (ORU)
Rep. White presented OU-522 on Nov. 13. The bill brings new reform to the police departments in Oklahoma. According to the bill, the state of Oklahoma should draft a Uniform Code of Police Conduct (UCPC) and a civilian investigations board. The bill also creates an anonymous reporting system for officers, bans qualified immunity, and requires police officers to provide documentation from the doctor for sick leave. White also includes reforms on police policy in his bill.
“The officers can individually be sued for wrongdoings like wrongful death, and it bans the existence of police unions in Oklahoma,” White explained.
The bill creates a system of accountability for police officers. The penalties of section 4.1 are suspension without notice, suspension of petition, and a fine less than $10,000. Other penalties are suspension in pay, termination, or reduction in rank. Rep. Bonham proposed a friendly amendment that would change subsection four.
“Would the author be willing to accept a friendly amendment striking in section four, subsection one forfeiture of pay and adding in its place, pay a fine no less than $2000?” Bonham asked.
The author accepted the amendment leading to a reduction in fines for an officer who violates the statute. Additionally, there were other parts of the bill debated in the House. Since the bill bans labor unions of the police force, there could be possible legal issues. Rep. Nowaski brought up the potential legal issue of lobbying.
“But are lobbying organizations still allied to function?” Nowaski asked.
White explained that organizations of that manner would still be allowed to function under that rule since they operate differently. Overall, the House thoroughly questioned the legal measure, and the benefits of a well-regulated police force won the vote. The House voted 20 for the bill and ten against the bill.