By Meghan Ottolini
Boston Herald
BURLINGTON, Mass. — Law enforcement officers and their supporters gathered in Burlington Wednesday evening to rally against a police reform bill under debate on Beacon Hill, calling it “rushed” and riddled with “big problems.”
“I have no idea what we’ll do if this bill passes. Not only will it jeopardize our livelihood, it will jeapordize our lives,” said local police officer Joe Abasciano, who organized the event.
The legislation, which has not yet passed through the conference committee, would limit qualified immunity and ban choke holds, among other measures to reform law enforcement.
The Massachusetts House and Senate have a ways to go to finalize the bill, but cops and supporters waving “Back the Blue” flags on the Burlington Town Common Wednesday had a clear message for Governor Charlie Baker: Veto it.
“It’s going to be the end of proactive policing,” said Tom Daly, retired detective and executive vice president of the New England Police Benevolent Association.
Daly said he’s worried the State House bill would crush qualified immunity for police officers, which he said might change how cops are able to protect themselves fighting violent crime. He would like to see more research into the effects of curbing qualified immunity before putting it into action.
Police officers opposing the bill say it was pushed through too quickly and accused legislators of failing to read and understand the many pages of reform passed through both branches of the State House.
“Maybe it was in good faith, but it was a rushed bill with a number of big problems from a law enforcement perspective,” Acasciano said.
A number of “Back the Blue” rallies have swept the Commonwealth in response to demonstrations calling to “defund the police.”
Public demonstrations of support for police have also created some strife in local communities.
Many cops at the rally said law enforcement needs reforming in Massachusetts, but they want to see more cops brought into discussions with state legislators.
“Ride out there for six months using the same restrictions that you’re imposing on these officers now. Go out and deal with the criminals we see everyday. Come back and talk to us in six months,” said retired Somerville Police Officer Mario Oliveira, who was shot six times in the line of duty in 2010.
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