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MD Officer's Bill of Rights Draws Sharp Criticism Before Hearing

MSNBC

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Advocates for police accountability reforms are calling for changes to the Maryland Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights.

Civil rights and police reform activists have set a news conference Monday to criticize the number of law enforcement officials who have been scheduled to testify before a panel of state lawmakers who are considering changes to the law, compared to the number of representatives from groups that are seeking reforms.

Critics say the state's bill of rights for law enforcement officers creates roadblocks in holding police accountable in cases of misconduct or brutality.

Legislation to make changes to the law stalled in the last legislative session. Lawmakers set up the panel to review the law shortly after rioting in Baltimore after Freddie Gray died from injuries he suffered in police custody.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.