Alabama lawmakers approve additional legal protections for police
officers
[May 15, 2025]
By KIM CHANDLER AND SAFIYAH RIDDLE
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Wednesday approved enhanced
legal protections for police officers, changes that Republicans said
show support for law enforcement but Democrats called “a green light to
kill Black folks.”
The Alabama Legislature gave final approval to the legislation that sets
legal standards for the use of force and provides for an immunity
hearing. The bill states that an officer “shall be justified” in the use
of physical force as long as it is not constitutionally excessive force
or “recklessly” outside of the officer’s discretionary authority.
Republicans, who called the legislation the “Back The Blue” bill said it
is needed to provide a clear legal framework and show support for law
enforcement officers faced with making split-second decisions.
“We ask them to take care of us, keep us safe in our homes as we sleep
at night. This bill will give them the assurances that we back them and
back the blue,” Sen. Lance Bell, a former deputy sheriff, said. Bell
said officers who act improperly can still be prosecuted.
The approval came after an emotional debate in which Black lawmakers
read the names of Black people who have been killed by police and
described their own encounters with law enforcement.
“HB 202 is a license to kill Black people. That’s what it is,” Sen.
Rodger Smitherman, a Black Democrat from Birmingham, said.
Smitherman said departments have very good officers, but they also have
officers who are “racist against Black people” or will make impulsive
decisions because they are scared.
Sen. Merika Coleman, a Black Democrat from Pleasant Grove, said she
fears the bill will protect “bad apples” in police departments. She
described her worries that someone might see her honors student son as a
threat someday because of his tall frame and twisted locs.
“If this bill passes and there are young Black males, females, brown and
other folks killed, you will have blood on your hands because of this
piece of legislation,” Coleman said.
Bell urged opponents to “walk a mile in a law enforcement officer’s
shoes and find out what they have to deal with.” Smitherman responded,
“Walk a mile in the person’s shoes when the person is dead.”
[to top of second column]
|
This photo taken in Decatur, Ala., Tuesday, March 25, 2025, shows
the Alabama courthouse for a case of former Decatur police officer
Mac Marquette's fatally shooting Steve Perkins in 2023. (AP Photo/Safiyah
Riddle), File)
The Alabama Senate approved the bill on a 25-6 late-night vote in
the final hour of the legislative session. The House of
Representatives accepted Senate changes. The bill now goes to
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey who said she will sign it into law.
“There is NO question Alabama backs the blue!” Ivey stated on social
media after the bill’s passage.
Under existing state law, police and civilians alike are currently
entitled to a “stand your ground” hearing in criminal cases where a
judge can determine whether the defendant acted in self defense. The
legislation will allow an immunity hearing where a judge will decide
if a case can proceed based on whether the officer acted recklessly
outside the scope of law enforcement duties. It would add similar
protections in state civil lawsuits. It would also require law
enforcement departments to collect data that tracks use of force
complaints.
The executive director of the Alabama Sheriff’s Association, Hoss
Mack, testified in favor of the bill in April.
“This is of equal benefit to law enforcement and the public. Let me
reiterate what this bill does not do. It does not give blanket
immunity to law enforcement,” said Mack, who added that he had
personally arrested officers that worked for him for misconduct
throughout his 39-year career in law enforcement.
Leroy Maxwell, a civil rights attorney based in Birmingham, said he
is afraid the bill would embolden misconduct.
“Legislation like this paves the way toward a police state, where
law enforcement operates above the law and without fear of
consequence,” Maxwell said.
Civil rights attorney Harry Daniels opposed the law but doubted the
overall impact on civil rights cases which could still be filed in
federal court and will not be affected by the legislation.
“It is a lion with no teeth. It appears to be big and bad but it has
no teeth and no claws,” Daniels said.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
