DELAWARE: DEMAND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY NOW

TIME’S RUNNING OUT: SPEAK UP NOW

For decades, Delaware police officers have enjoyed special layers of protection in incidents of police misconduct through policies and laws that allow harmful practices like excessive use of force and block public access to body-cam recordings and investigations.

In the wake of continued police brutality, and in light of over 56 police-involved shootings that lead to 30 deaths in Delaware since 2005, it’s never been more clear: We must increase police transparency and accountability in Delaware.

Together, we can ensure that police reform moves ahead this year. Send a letter to your legislators asking for their support on this issue, then share this action with your friends and family to spread the word. Delaware: We Need Police Accountability. NOW.

Message Recipients:
Your State Senator
Your State Representative

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Your Message

Subject

Dear Legislator,

Do you know that at least 56 people were shot by police in Delaware since 2005, and that more than 30 of those people died? No officers have been convicted in these incidents.

And yet, despite those staggering numbers, police misconduct continues unchecked, putting Delawareans’ lives at risk and growing the deep divide of trust between our communities and the officers who are sworn to serve and protect them.

But we can change this. We need to change this. Delaware needs police accountability, NOW.

Message Body

Delaware’s current Law-Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights (LEOBOR), the law that protects officers from disciplinary action, is the worst in the nation for transparency. Under LEOBOR, the public has no right to know why an incident of police misconduct occurred, what could have been done to prevent it, or what disciplinary actions, if any, happened as a result of the investigations. LEOBOR also prevents the community-led groups from having any meaningful role in investigating and disciplining law enforcement officers who violate the law and professional standards.

Beyond LEOBOR, laws that allow excessive use of force and body-worn camera footage to remain held from the public are additional tools that help fuel further incidents of police misconduct.

Lawmakers have a duty to address this urgent need before session ends in June, and as a Delawarean who cares deeply about this issue, I am asking that you consider supporting the following legislative recommendations immediately:

1. Revise the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) to make police disciplinary records and use of force reports public record.

2. Amend LEOBOR to allow civilian review boards that can review, investigate, and discipline officers in misconduct cases to be established in cities across Delaware.

3. Revise the standards and practices for use of force so that officers can be held accountable when they engage in unconstitutional use of force.

4. Implement body-worn cameras, require them to be turned on during all police and community interactions, and make that footage public.

I’m counting on you to use your power as my legislator to help create and pass legislation that will move increase accountability and transparency, and I'm urging you to get that done before this year's legislative session ends. We need to begin to heal the deep divide between our communities and the police that are meant to serve and protect them - and the only way to get there is through accountability, transparency, and fair policing practices.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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DELAWARE: DEMAND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY NOW

TIME’S RUNNING OUT: SPEAK UP NOW

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