Police chiefs across the state are applauding Governor Doug Ducey for vetoing Senate Bill 1445. The proposal would have shielded the names of officers involved in shootings for 60 days. As Arizona Public Radio’s Aaron Granillo reports, Sedona’s Police Chief was one of the bill’s outspoken critics.
Police Chief Raymond Cota said the governor used good judgment on Monday, when he rejected the legislation. Cota is one of the vice presidents of The Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, or AACOP. The group sent a letter to Ducey’s office last week, saying the bill would limit transparency, and potentially create distrust in communities.
"There are very many law enforcement agencies that are struggling with maintaining or enhancing that trust in their community," Cota said. "It seemed to AACOP that this was a step in the opposite direction of trying to retain that transparency and trust.”
Cota said police chiefs were also concerned that their protocol was being undermined by politicians. Supporter saw the bill as a way of protecting officers and their families. But in the governor’s veto letter, Ducey wrote the bill could “result in unforeseen problems.”