Florida Proposed Law Shielding Law Enforcement Officer Names
Proposed Florida law would shield names of law enforcement officers involved in deadly or harmful force incidents from the public for 72 hours and potentially indefinitely. The bill is part of a larger effort to protect the identities of crime victims.
Key Points
- 72-hour waiting period before officer names are released
- Agency heads can decide to withhold officer information indefinitely
- Officer can choose to waive public records exemption at any time
Pros
- Protection of law enforcement officer identities for a period after incidents
- Enhanced privacy for officers involved in harmful force situations
Cons
- Potential lack of transparency in law enforcement actions
- Concerns about subjective discretion in withholding officer names indefinitely