JEFFERSON CITY — Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, will present comprehensive law enforcement legislation to the Missouri Senate’s Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee tomorrow (2-4). Chappelle-Nadal’s legislation is a response to the protests in Ferguson, during which the Senator and her constituents were tear-gassed and witnessed several instances of police brutality. The legislation (SB 21) is designed to protect Missouri citizens from overzealous law enforcement. A core component of the bill requires all police to wear body cameras.

“Cameras don’t lie.  Often, two competing stories are told.  Cameras will assist in these types of disputes,” said Chappelle-Nadal.

The wearing of body cameras by police officers has recently become part of a national discussion. The cameras have just recently become technologically available. 

Senator Chappelle-Nadal continued, “A body camera requirement can not only help restore trust in law enforcement, it can also protect the police from frivolous complaints. Body cameras are not the only solution, but if used intelligently and responsibly, the cameras can begin to repair some of the mistrust caused by the tragedy in Ferguson.”

SB 21 also scales back “use of deadly force” laws in Missouri, allowing officers to use deadly force only in instances where a suspect poses a clear danger to the officer or the public. 

“It is unacceptable for law enforcement to shoot and kill anyone for any reason,” Chappelle-Nadal asserted.  “Every human being is entitled to due process under the Constitution. Law enforcement cannot be allowed to erratically pick and choose who is protected under the law. The use of deadly force should be reserved for suspects who pose a clear and present danger.”

Among many other provisions, SB 21 requires: all law enforcement agencies in Missouri to be accredited; the automatic appointment of a special prosecutor if a police officer shoots or kills an unarmed citizen; all law enforcement deployed to scenes of civil unrest wear accurate and visible identification; and immediate reporting of any abuses of human, civil, and constitutional rights to the Missouri and Unites States Attorneys General.

“SB 21 is not the total solution,” concluded Chappelle-Nadal. “But in the wake of Michael Brown’s shooting, and the resulting unrest in Ferguson, real reform is essential.  Healing cannot truly begin until our elected leaders demonstrate a real commitment to fair treatment for all Missourians.  The status quo is simply unacceptable; we must evolve.”