Governor supports bill to protect police in use of force cases
ALABAMA — A new proposal in the Alabama Legislature to expand legal protections for police officers has been hailed by Governor Ivey.
She said in her 'State of the State' speech Tuesday, the proposed bill would allow officers to do their jobs 'without fear of Monday morning quarterbacking in the courts.'
Huntsville Police investigate bank robbery at Regions downtown, suspect still on run
The 'Back the Blue Legal Protection Act' was introduced Wednesday.
The bill would change Alabama law related to an officer's use of force, including deadly force.It has been introduced by Alabama Rep. Rex Reynolds, who is a former Huntsville police chief.
Reynolds told News 19 today the measure is aimed at providing additional support and protection for law enforcement officers. He said if officers go outside their duties and violate their department's policies and procedures while using force, they can be prosecuted.
But Reynolds says changing the law will provide support for officers in the course of their duties. The bill's language changes the use of force law from 'which he reasonably believes to be necessary' — to — 'the use of force is justified if it is within the officer's authority and discretion and doesn't violate civil rights for excessive force …'
Reynolds said the new measure could help protect officers from prosecution.
Intoxicated man with gun arrested at middle school, LCSO says
'We've got to continue to support our law enforcement,' he said. 'If you look across the nation there are a lot of examples of where maybe community reaction caused someone to prosecute or arrest a law enforcement in the commission of his duties, and later to find out they're not guilty. But you're ruining that life.'
In recent years two murder cases involving North Alabama law enforcement officers has drawn widespread attention. Huntsville police officer William Darby in 2018, and Decatur police officer Mac Marquette in 2024, were charged with murder in separate on-duty shootings. Reynolds told News 19 he would not comment on individual cases or compare them, but he did discuss how the proposal could affect similar cases in the future.
'Going forward, if this bill's passed it's very clear in the law as to when they can and cannot be prosecuted, both civilly and criminally,' Reynolds said.' So I think it's a good update of a law, that again, has been on the books for almost 50 years. And provides some clear directions so there's clear standards to look at when a local DA or otherwise are looking at prosecuting a police officer for actions that fall within the scope of his duties.'
The bill would also provide an automatic stay for an officer charged in a use of force case. The stay would give the officer time to try and establish they acted within their discretion and authority.
Reynolds said he believes the law will provide clarity, saying the first time he read the bill, he felt like it provided clear language to let that officer know where he falls, based on his actions.
The message to the public?
'We're standing behind our law enforcement,' Reynolds said. 'We're taking very serious their actions, we know when they go outside the policies and procedures of that agency or department, and this clears it up.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Iowa House Republicans, candidates describe Gov. Reynolds pipeline veto as 'betrayal'
DES MOINES, Iowa — It's been just over 24 hours since Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced she was vetoing a bill that would add restrictions around building pipelines in the state; but the gloves are already off for some elected lawmakers in the party. 'It's a betrayal of the Republican party platform, it's a betrayal of those landowners who fought for four years and she didn't even speak with them until recently,' said State Representative Steve Holt (R) District 12 from Denison, when discussing if Reynolds had talked with his constituents. 'So it was very, very unfortunate. Puts us in a very bad position and it, I think, it will forever tarnish her legacy.' House Republicans won't mince words with how they feel with the news about the veto. Rep. Holt said that he talked with Governor Reynolds after the session ended, urging her to sign the legislation, promising a bill to tighten language she thought was a concern. CIWW enacts ban on lawn watering as nitrate levels climb The author of the bill shared his colleague's concerns about the reason why the governor did not sign the legislation. 'To let Iowans down the way she has, it just, it kind of breaks your heart to see that,' said State Representative Charley Thomson (R) District 58 from Charles City when responding to Reynolds' concerns about insurance and voluntary easements. 'It's not credible for her to say that. And we all kind of get it, wink, wink, nod, nod, it's not about insurance, it's about sum.' Thomson outlined to WHO 13 News why he believes there needs to be insurance liabilities on a pipeline company, and protections for landowners. He compared it to an Iowan not being able to drive legally on the road without auto insurance. The pair do not have high hopes for a special session to be called, but they won't completely rule it out. Two gubernatorial candidates both say that this decision from Governor Reynolds was something they were disappointed in, but not surprised. 'I was not surprised by this. I had predicted that this would happen. And quite honestly, I'm deeply disappointed. I think this is a, it's a slap in the face at our property owners, who their only gripe, if you will, is that they just don't want to sell their property to someone for that other person's financial gain,' said State Representative Eddie Andrews, (R) District 43, candidate for governor. 'I was not surprised. Um, the timing is always a little bit of a surprise because you never know when it's going to happen. But I had a conversation with Governor Reynolds back in the early part of '23 when I first got to the statehouse. And, you know, some of the language in her statement was pretty similar to what, what her response was back then,' said Brad Sherman, a former state representative and candidate for governor. Both Sherman and Andrews told WHO 13 News that if they are elected they will sign a bill that bans the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines outright. Iowa News: Iowa House Republicans, candidates describe Gov. Reynolds pipeline veto as 'betrayal' WHO 13 Farm Report: Thursday, June 12th Deal's Orchard is a favorite Jefferson destination Des Moines man identified as body found in Newton home during search warrant execution Art scene thriving in Jefferson with more murals planned for downtown Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Iowans react to Gov. Reynolds' veto
IOWA (KCAU) — Local landowners and Woodbury representatives spoke out about Governor Reynolds' veto. Multiple landowners from Iowa spoke about their anger over the Governor's veto Wednesday on House File 639. The measure would have required additional insurance by companies looking to build, covering damages and operations of a hazardous liquid pipeline. The bill would have required pipeline companies to hold informational meetings in every county where property rights would be affected. The governor said in a veto letter that the bill combined valid concerns and vague legal standards. Megan Solma, a fourth-generation farmer from Sioux County, says Reynolds had to contemplate farmers' rights and the summit's rights. 'So she weighed those rights, my rights, and the summit's rights, and she chose the summit. She chose a summit over hundreds of landowners, and she allowed them to trample on our property rights, she said. Story continues below Top Story: Recent incident at Sac County Jail highlights need for new facility Lights & Sirens: Suspect shot at during pursuit in stolen vehicle, Dakota Co Sheriff says Sports: Champions Chat: West Sioux boys soccer Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here State Representative Steven Holt also took part in the news conference. He said he questions why the governor did not express her concerns over the measure when it was going through the legislative process. Holt stated, 'Where were her bills? Where were her ideas? If she shares the goal of protecting landowners. That is just a disingenuous statement that is betrayed by the fact that there was a total leadership void from her office over the past three and a half or four years.' Holt said the fight over protecting property rights is 'Far from over.' Democratic State Representative J.D. Scholten released a statement on Facebook saying, 'The Iowa Capitol seems like the White House right now, where if you contribute enough money for a Republican campaign, you get your will… I feel bad for all of the pipeline protesters who come to the capitol, day in day out, only to see our governor sell out to corporate interests.' KCAU spoke with Woodbury County Supervisor and farmer Mark Nelson about his response to the veto. Nelson said, 'And, you know, it's an issue that 80%, 90% of Iowans just don't view this as an appropriate use of eminent domain. And so it's just really ashamed that the government got it wrong and that the ramifications of this are going to continue to happen, and speed up now, unfortunately.' Another woodbury county resident, Doyle Turner, told KCAU 9 in a statement, 'The governor landed on the money.' Turner also said that Reynolds had 'plenty of time to work with legislators, but did nothing for four years.' Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley is asking House GOP lawmakers to sign a petition to reconvene for a special session to override Reynolds' veto. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Florida sheriff's warning to violent protesters: 'We will kill you graveyard dead'
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey issued a harsh warning Thursday to protesters who use violence in his county: 'We will kill you graveyard dead.' Speaking at a news conference with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Ivey said peaceful protests 'are part of our democracy' and allowed, but anyone who uses violence or interferes with law enforcement will be met with force, potentially lethal force. 'Throw a brick, a firebomb or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at,' he said. 'Because we will kill you graveyard dead. We're not going to play.' Ivey spoke as protests over the Trump administration's immigration policies have rocked Los Angeles and popped up in other cities and as nationwide protests against the president's actions are planned for Saturday. The sheriff, in office since 2013, said if anyone tries to mob a car, they will likely be run over and dragged across the street. If anyone strikes a deputy, they will be going to the hospital and likely will be bitten by one of the agency's 'big, beautiful' dogs, he added. 'If you let it turn violent — whoa, you do not want to do that in Brevard County. I'm going to tell you that,' he said. 'You don't want to let it happen.' He later said, 'I don't want to hear any whining later saying 'we didn't know'.' Ivey and Uthmeier both spoke from a podium emblazoned with the words, 'Florida: The anti-riot state.' The press conference was held ahead of the planned nationwide 'No Kings' protests against the Trump administration on Saturday. Multiple protests are scheduled to take place around Central Florida, including in Orlando, Apopka, Kissimmee and Lake Mary. Ivey said 'riots' were already happening across the country, with law enforcement officers, including agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, targeted. Both Ivey and Uthmeier reaffirmed their support for ICE. Uthmeier said Florida is not like California, where the Trump administration has deployed the National Guard and will be deploying U.S. Marines following protests against deportation operations being carried out by ICE. 'We have a great collaborative operation with the feds, with ICE, and we're very, very proud to support them,' Uthmeier said. 'We are not California. We do not allow rioting in the state of Florida,' he said. Just before he stepped down from the podium, Ivey reiterated his warning one last time. 'Go protest all you want. Do it peacefully. Stand on the mountaintops and yell your opinion, your views,' he said. 'We invite that, but don't you dare break the law, because it won't go well for you.' ________
