by Christian Morrow
Courier Staff Writer
Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus have announced a package of five bills designed to change police accountability and oversight in the wake of last month’s “not guilty” verdict for former East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld, who stood trial for killing Antwon Rose II as he fled from a traffic stop.
But as state Rep. Summer Lee, D-North Braddock, said during a Facebook Live post after returning home from Harrisburg April 17, this is just the first step in getting “Justice for Antwon.”
“If you believe that Black lives matter, that Antwon’s life mattered, then call your state rep, call your senator, and tell them to get behind this package,” she said.
The first bill, which will be introduced by her and state Rep. Ed Gainey, D-Larimer, would set tighter standards for when, and under what circumstances, police can use deadly force.
“Effectuating an arrest is not a good enough reason for a police officer to kill a person,” said Rep. Lee. “An unarmed person fleeing is not a good enough reason to kill somebody.”
The second bill, to be introduced by state Rep. Brian Sims, D-Philadelphia, would require the Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate police use of excessive force/shootings because district attorneys rarely charge officers they must rely on to make cases. The third, being introduced by Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Philadelphia, would create a database repository for incidents of police misconduct so that municipalities and small police forces can know about issues before they hire an officer.
The fourth, to be introduced by Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Philadelphia, would remove a police officer’s ability to have arbitration settle disciplinary conduct disputes.
Finally, Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District, will introduce legislation creating a state police review commission that would require police to get another level of licensing contingent on implicit bias and other training not currently required.
Together, Rep. Lee told the New Pittsburgh Courier on April 23, the legislation is designed to make police more accountable, but it is only one step. It has to be kept in the public’s mind.
“A lot of times, people get voted to go to Harrisburg and do things, and then you don’t hear of anything,” she said. “I’ve introduced several bills, and none have even been assigned to a committee. That’s why we need the public’s help.”
Representative Sims introduced his legislation during the last House session, and it went nowhere. So, Rep. Lee said the first step is to pressure Speaker of the House Mike Turzai, R-McCandless, to bring the bills up so they can be assigned to a committee.
“He controls every bill. He needs to be bombarded with calls and emails to move the package,” she said. “If he does it will be assigned to a committee—likely the Judiciary Committee. I sit on that. Its chairman is Rob Kauffman serving Franklin County. He doesn’t have to bring it up for a vote if he doesn’t wish to, either. We need people to pressure him and their representatives to get it voted out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.”
Representative Lee and her fellow legislators have scheduled a rally for April 30 ahead of the legislation’s formal introduction. Brandi Fisher, executive director of the Alliance for Police Accountability, is coordinating the travel arrangements and will have five buses leaving for Harrisburg that morning.
Anyone who wants a seat can text J4A to 38470, or contact Fisher at 412-256-8449.
“Join us and show your strength and power. We have to hold our representatives accountable,” Fisher said. “Remember, for each one of us there are 60,000 of you—that we need to hear from. Send letters, send emails and continue to demand justice. This is something that we can do.”
About Post Author
