18-02-2025
Bill gives Alabama police criminal immunity in some cases
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — One Alabama bill would shield law enforcement from prosecution in some cases. It is called the Back the Blue Legal Protection Act.
'They get cussed on, spit at and attacked. It's a very difficult job,' said Calera Police Chief David Hyche.
Hyche said police officers should always be held accountable, but they shouldn't be afraid of getting sued.
'When something happens, I've seen officers thrown under the bus by law enforcement leadership or politicians without due process,' Hyche said. 'Everybody in our country deserves due process.'
That's what former Huntsville police chief and current state Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville) hopes to give officers. His bill provides civil and criminal immunity to law enforcement. It states the use of force is justified unless it violates someone's rights.
'We've seen over the last five, six years where there's been numerous officers indicted quickly after instances within their communities. Some justified, some not across our nation,' Reynolds said.
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But state Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) said immunity bills dilute the justice system.
'I am bothered as an attorney when you see good people, good citizens, who simply are shut out because one class of individuals is immune,' Givan said.
Givan said she respects the blue, but there's enough immunity in the books.
'If we continue to make everyone immune, there would be no need for a judicial system in regards to tort matters, in regards to negligence,' Givan said.
Reynolds said officers will continue to be held accountable.
'Just as clear is the language that they can be prosecuted, and they can see civil remedies if they go outside the scope of their duties, if they don't follow policy,' Reynolds said. 'So we want to ensure that we're covering both sides of it. I think the bill clearly does that.'
Reynolds said the bill will be taken up in the Judiciary Committee this week. He said there will be a public hearing on the bill Wednesday.
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