[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12331-S12332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RESOLUTIONS OF THE VERMONT ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask to have printed in the Record, 
copies of two resolutions passed on May 31, 1996, by the Vermont 
Association of Chiefs of Police dealing with the creation of a national 
clearinghouse for information on police performance and the police 
officer bill of rights.
  I would like to thank them for sharing these resolutions with me.
  The resolutions follow:

     Resolution for the Support of National Officer Clearinghouse 
                              Legislation

       Whereas the vast majority of police officers serve and 
     protect their communities professionally and successfully 
     with diligences, courage and integrity; and
       Whereas it is essential that the public maintain confidence 
     in the professionalism and integrity of its police officers, 
     and the ability of police agencies to maintain those 
     standards; and
       Whereas only a small percentage of police officers have 
     acted in a manner that does not meet the public's 
     expectations or the profession's standards of ethics and 
     conduct; and
       Whereas it is in the best interest of the public and the 
     policing profession to assure that such officers are denied 
     further opportunities to serve as police officers; and
       Whereas such officers who are terminated or who resign 
     because of misconduct can often secure subsequent police 
     service employment at other agencies, often by reason of not 
     fully disclosing the circumstances of a previous termination 
     or resignation; and
       Whereas the ability of such officers to move from one 
     agency to another severely limits police agency's ability to 
     identify officers that should not be working police services; 
     and
       Whereas the ability of a prospective employing agency to 
     identify such officers could be enhanced through a national 
     clearinghouse of information by which prior police service 
     employment is made known to prospective employing agencies; 
     and
       Whereas, at the urging of the International Association of 
     Chiefs of Police, the Florida Police Chief's Association, and 
     the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, legislation was 
     introduced by Senator Bob Graham and Congressman Harry 
     Johnson to create a National Officer Clearinghouse, but the 
     legislation was not enacted by the 103rd Congress: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police 
     calls for Vermont's Congressional delegation to support S. 
     484--the ``Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers 
     Registration Act of 1995'' and companion House legislation 
     co-sponsoring this legislation, and be it further
       Resolved, That the Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police, 
     through its membership, actively participate in the 
     clearinghouse once it is established.
       Passed this 31st day of May, 1996 in Vergennes, Vermont.
                                                      Gary Watson,
                                                        President.

Resolution in Opposition of Police Officers' Bill of Rights Legislation

       Whereas, the U.S. Congress is presently considering 
     legislation to establish a federal Police Officers' Bill of 
     Rights; and
       Whereas, if adopted, this legislation would require every 
     local, county and state law enforcement agency to adopt a Law 
     Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights, or lose substantial 
     amounts of federal grants; and
       Whereas, the Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police 
     believes that due process rights for all police officers 
     subject to (1) investigation for violation of department 
     rules and regulations; and (2) subsequent disciplinary action 
     are well provided for in individual agency policy and 
     procedure in compliance with prevailing federal and state law 
     and court mandates; and

[[Page S12332]]

       Whereas, this legislation violates the theory of states' 
     rights established under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. 
     Constitution, through which the states retain the right to 
     regulate those matters that the federal government had not 
     regulated; and
       Whereas, specific provisions of the Police Officers' Bill 
     of Rights will deprive police administrators of vital and 
     necessary powers to conduct both informal and internal 
     investigations to resolve employee grievances, and to 
     maintain a civil service system free of politics;
       Now therefore be it resolved that the Vermont Association 
     of Chiefs of Police hereby affirms its opposition to H.R. 
     2946, H.R. 2537 and all bills and amendments of a similar 
     nature that would establish a federal Police Officers' Bill 
     of Rights.
       Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be 
     delivered to Vermont's Congressional Delegation along with a 
     request that the resolution be entered into the Congressional 
     Record.
       Passed this 31st day of May, 1996 in Vergennes, Vermont.
                                                      Gary Watson,
     President.

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