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Danielle Blocker • February 22, 2021

Preservation Over Repeal. Resistance to Change in Maryland's Fight for Police Reform

Sen. Jill Carter, calls the amendments to LEOBR are “absolutely appalling.”

Maryland advocates are keeping up the momentum towards repealing the state’s controversial Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBR). Enacted in 1974, Maryland was the first state to adopt a law that provided extensive protection and due process requirements for law enforcement officers being investigated for police misconduct. 


Since the May 25th murder of George Floyd more than 36 states have introduced bills to address the issues of police accountability. Despite declining trust towards police officers, critics who oppose the repeal believe that the Law Enforcement Bill of Rights is both fair and impartial.


In a recent Washington Post article, Maryland Police Reform Would Repeal Officer Job Protections, Clyde Boatwright, president of the Maryland Fraternal Order of Police’s November letter to union members is referenced, where Boatright expressed his concern as “we are in the fight of our lives.”

A number of police accountability measures are currently being decided in Maryland. In addition to proposed Legislation to repeal LEOBR, Anton's Law is another bill currently being decided.

“Anton’s Law,” named after 19-year-old Anton Black, who was murdered in police custody. Black died in the Caroline County town of Greensboro while being both handcuffed and in ankle restraints, Black was left lying flat on his chest and stomach while being pinned under the crushing weight of three police officers for 6 minutes. 

The Public Information Act - Personnel Records - Investigations of Law Enforcement Officers (Anton's Law) sponsored by Senator Jill Carter aims to improve police officer accountability and transparent by requiring that records be released to the public when an officer is under investigation for a criminal offense or misconduct. 

Greensboro police officer Thomas Webster IV one of the three officers involved in the death of Anton Black had been recorded on dashcam kicking a black man in the head while held at gunpoint and already complying with the officer. Black’s family spent months tirelessly requesting answers about the death and requesting the release of body-worn camera footage, toxicology results, and the autopsy report. Their requests were denied until Gov. Hogan intervened publicly months later. 

Anton’s Law would improve access to officer disciplinary records and prior complaints against an officer. For complete details on Anton's Law visit http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/legislation/details/sb0178 


The Maryland Senate committee signed off Friday on legislation aimed at a repeal of the  Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, after upending amendments that the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jill Carter, calls  “absolutely appalling.”


While the amendments are disappointing, the fight isn't over. Reach out to members of the Senate to pass the bill with no amendments! 


Anton's Law Toolkit

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