|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
CONTACT:
Nicole Reigelman |
State Rep. Harold James
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James introduces bills to investigate racial profiling in traffic stops
HARRISBURG, June 13 – State Rep. Harold James, D-Phila., has introduced a pair of bills aimed at investigating and prohibiting traffic stops involving racial profiling.
“Racial profiling is a problem across the country, and I believe we owe it to the citizens of Pennsylvania to investigate records of traffic stops to ensure the problem does not occur in the Commonwealth,” James said.
James’ first bill, (H.B. 1539) would require Pennsylvania's attorney general to collect and study information on traffic stops. James' second bill (H.B. 1540) would prohibit traffic stops solely on the basis of race and authorize the attorney general to investigate all claims of racial profiling and report his findings to the General Assembly.
James served on the Philadelphia police force for 22 years before being elected to the state House and is well aware of the tension that can arise during traffic stops when race becomes an issue.
“The bottom line is that the citizens of Pennsylvania need to know that their representatives realize racial profiling is wrong and are working to end the problem,” James said.
Earlier this year, James introduced similar bills (H.Bs. 1039 and 1041) aimed at preventing racial profiling by training both local and state police in racial profiling prevention. Both of those bills are currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
###cf/2007/agh
l:\print\releases\traffic.186