SmarterthanYou
rebel
http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S2402-2013
Not surprisingly, the bill has won accolades from police.
"Professionally, I am grateful to see this bill pass through the Senate," said Utica Police Department Chief Mark Williams, as quoted by the House Majority Press. "Our police officers have a very dangerous job and need the support of our government leaders to help make them safe."
Williams believes that all too often, individuals are "physically challenging police officers in the line of duty." Currently, in instances where an officer is physically attacked but does not sustain a physical injury, the only possible charge is a violation, he explained.
These consequences are too lenient for offenders, and send the wrong message to the public, Williams continued.
However, questions may arise as to where the boundaries should be drawn concerning the right of individuals to report on incidents of excessive police force, for example.
In May 2011, New York homeowner Emily Good was arrested by Rochester police while standing in her yard and videotaping police officers who were performing a traffic stop in front of her house.
When one of the officers asked Good what she was doing, Good replied, "I'm just recording what you're doing; it's my right." The officer then told Good that "we don't feel safe with you standing right behind us while we're doing a traffic stop," and ordered her to go inside her house.
When Good insisted on her right to stand in her yard, she was arrested, handcuffed, and taken away in a police car. She was later charged with obstructing governmental administration.
Not surprisingly, the bill has won accolades from police.
"Professionally, I am grateful to see this bill pass through the Senate," said Utica Police Department Chief Mark Williams, as quoted by the House Majority Press. "Our police officers have a very dangerous job and need the support of our government leaders to help make them safe."
Williams believes that all too often, individuals are "physically challenging police officers in the line of duty." Currently, in instances where an officer is physically attacked but does not sustain a physical injury, the only possible charge is a violation, he explained.
These consequences are too lenient for offenders, and send the wrong message to the public, Williams continued.
However, questions may arise as to where the boundaries should be drawn concerning the right of individuals to report on incidents of excessive police force, for example.
In May 2011, New York homeowner Emily Good was arrested by Rochester police while standing in her yard and videotaping police officers who were performing a traffic stop in front of her house.
When one of the officers asked Good what she was doing, Good replied, "I'm just recording what you're doing; it's my right." The officer then told Good that "we don't feel safe with you standing right behind us while we're doing a traffic stop," and ordered her to go inside her house.
When Good insisted on her right to stand in her yard, she was arrested, handcuffed, and taken away in a police car. She was later charged with obstructing governmental administration.
