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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Marc Gergely |
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House passes Gergely bill to protect police officers
HARRISBURG, June 25 -- The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill today introduced by state Rep. Marc Gergely, D-Allegheny, that would help police officers cope with situations such as the April murder of three Pittsburgh police officers.
"Police officers all across the state selflessly put themselves in harm's way to help protect all of us," Gergely said. "When they must manage dangerous situations or the loss of a fellow officer in the line of duty, then the statements they make to the specially trained crisis response teams should be private and protected."
Gergely said Critical Incident Stress Management teams are deployed across the Commonwealth to provide consultation, risk assessment, referral and on-site crisis intervention services to law enforcement officers following incidents claiming their colleagues' lives or involving the use of deadly force.
His bill would prohibit CISM team members, also law enforcement officers but specially trained to speak with their peers, from disclosing information they receive in legal proceedings, trials or investigations. The team members generally do not share the information, but Gergely said his bill would protect them from unmerited requests.
"I believe we have a responsibility to help police officers who are coping with stressful situations they may face as part of their jobs. Officers should be able to know they can speak openly to a crisis response team member and not have their statements used in court or other legal proceeding."
Gergely's bill (H.B. 1332) would include several exceptions to the confidentiality of the information exchanged, such as: the information indicates a clear and present danger to the law enforcement officer receiving services or other people; a law enforcement officer gives express consent to the testimony or voluntarily testifies; or the officer is deceased and the surviving spouse or estate administrator gives consent.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.