U.S. NEws

VA Governor Northam Passes Police Reform Legislation

The Bill Restricts the Use of Controversial No-Knock Warrants, Neck Restraints, and Militarization of Officers

Reporter Emily Martin

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam just passed a bill regarding laws of policing and criminal justice that were passed during the General Assembly’s special session over the summer. The new laws are now allowing reforms for policing such as the elimination of no-knock warrants, lessening the use of neck restraints, limiting the militarization of law enforcement, and also, decertification process.

“Too many families, in Virginia and across our nation, live in fear of being hurt or killed by police,” Northam said in a release. “These new laws represent a tremendous step forward in rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. I am grateful to the legislators and advocates who have worked so hard to make this change happen. Virginia is better, more just, and more equitable with these laws on our books."

The elimination of no-knock warrants was proposed after Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by police after her boyfriend shot at police when police entered her home. The deaths of Taylor, George Floyd and other people of color at the hands of police prompted the special session, along with the coronavirus pandemic.

Two of the new police reforms that were signed by Gov. Northam will allow governments to create review boards so that they can monitor police misconduct, as well as decisions on discipline.

House Bill 5104 requires law enforcement to report officers fired for misconduct to the Criminal Justice Services Board, and authorizes the board to initiate decertification proceedings.

Another bill was created to close some missing pieces of legislation that didn’t make it illegal for police officers to have sexual relations with a detainee. Nine of those bills that are sponsored in the House, and were incorporated into another bill sponsored by Senator Locke.

Another two bills dealing with the criminal justice system were also signed into legislation which allows for terminally ill felony offenders to petition the parole board for release and to increase their earnings of sentencing credits.