PA State Rep Harry Lewis 74th-Coatesville, PA votes for HR 1538-KEEP KILLER COP IDs SECRET

Philly FOP gets HR 1538 blocking identities of cops who shoot civilians. 

"Sims said he views the legislation as a reward for the FOP for supporting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump."

Coatesville State Rep. Harry Lewis votes with his party, the Philly FOP and Donald Trump.

“It doesn’t seem to me that it is legal that you can tell a mother or a father or a family that you cannot know who shot your son or daughter,” says Min. Rodney Muhammad, president of the Philadelphia NAACP.

HARRY LEWIS VOTES AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF COATESVILLE:

House of Representatives Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

"You can count Police Commissioner Richard Ross among those who have misgivings about the House bill. “In my opinion, the bill does little to further our efforts to improve police and community relations. Although we still have work to do, we have taken great strides to show the people of this city who we are, and that we have nothing to hide,” he said.  

State Rep. Brian Sims called the bill “terrible” and was among those who voted against it. The police department, he said, already has policies in place to protect the families of cops who are involved in shootings. The bill is “not about making anybody safer, and it’s certainly not about making communities safer,” he said. “It’s intended to create more secrecy between police and the communities they’re hired to serve.” Sims said he views the legislation as a reward for the FOP for supporting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump."

FROM

Is Pa. Bill That Would Block Naming Cops Who Shoot Civilians ‘Fair’ or Regressive?

Police Commissioner Richard Ross and FOP president John McNesby weigh in.

“I’m against it, I think it’s a huge mistake,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey told KYW Newsradio… 

Ramsey says the fear surrounding officer safety is overblown. Officers are required to wear a badge with their names, identify themselves to suspects and are public officials. In addition, he says threats have been few. 

“We’ve released names on four different occasions on five officers and have not had a single issue,” he says, “there’s a great deal of hysteria that’s been generated.” 

Ramsey says the department takes precautions by monitoring social media, taking note of any threats and offering guards for those officers who feel there is danger. He says the Philadelphia PD won’t release names if threats exist. 

“Transparency is the right thing to do,” says Ramsey, who also heads the President’s Taskforce on 21st Century Policing, “we are public officials and an officer cannot expect to shoot somebody and remain anonymous– it’s just not realistic.” 

Ramsey’s directives concerning transparency were called for by the community and the Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission. The policy was also on the list of recommendations resulting from the Department of Justice investigation called for by Ramsey… 

For years, the Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission called for more transparency from the police department. Executive Director Kelvyn Anderson says organizations like his were not given the opportunity to speak and provide evidence on why transparency is necessary. 

“Throwing a legislative cloak of invisibility over officers who use force is not a way to create better community relations in this city,” says Anderson.

FROM:

CBS PHILLY

Philly’s Top Cop Speaks Out On Bill Aimed At ProtectingIdentity Of Officers Involved In Shootings

November 24, 2015 8:10 AM

By Cherri Gregg