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While many politicians pay lip service to the heroic sacrifice of the nation’s men and women of law enforcement because it’s just good public relations, some leaders are putting some money where their mouths are. Just recently, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed the Peace Officer Bill of Rights into law.
Many police advocates have been pushing for similar legislation at the national level and have so far been stymied in their pursuit. The Iowa law secures procedural requirements that protect the rights of the state’s peace officers. The bill was crafted and guided through the state legislature by the Teamsters Law Enforcement League.
Among other things, the legislation strengthens due-process rights concerning internal investigations for police officers and other public safety and emergency personnel in Iowa. “This is a great day for Iowa police officers and others who protect the public good,” said Detective Jim Romar, a 30-year member of the West Des Moines, Iowa Police Department and a 25-year member of Teamsters Local 238 in Cedar Rapids. “This law will raise standards, consistency and professionalism statewide. The Teamsters led the charge for this, but it benefits all officers.” The law is similar to officer bills of rights in other states, including Illinois, Minnesota and California, and is designed to ensure the fair handling and investigation of complaints against police officers by requiring an informant to substantiate their complaint.
In addition, the law enables a charged officer to review and respond to any investigation of his or her conduct, including the initial complaint and statements concerning the case. The new law guarantees a ten-day appeal window, enabling an officer to remain on the job before deciding to appeal a decision concerning his or her case.
“It’s the most comprehensive bill in the state’s history for police officers,” said Gary Dunham, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 238, which represents approximately 1,000 law enforcement officers in some 90 agencies across the state. “It took us three years to get this bill passed for the people who serve and protect us.” Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million men and women in the United States and Canada, including Teamsters Law Enforcement League members working at more than 1,400 law enforcement agencies across the U.S.
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