Councilwoman Cheh’s bill seeks new rules for police

A D.C. councilwoman is suggesting major changes she says will reform the Metropolitan Police Department and give residents more confidence in the criminal justice system. The Police and Criminal Discovery Reform Amendment Act of 2015, proposed by Councilwoman Mary Cheh, would completely redefine what is considered to be assault on a police officer and change the rules for what can happen after someone is charged with a crime. Under the current law, assault on an officer in D.C.  is broadly defined to include behavior such as holding closed a home’s door so officers cannot get inside, or making your arms rigid when being handcuffed. Cheh’s new proposal would greatly narrow the definition of assault on a police officer. It would also make significant changes as to how police lineups are conducted, how police handle witnesses and expand what prosecutors need to share with defendants prior to going to court. It would also make more information available to the Office of Police Complaints on previous grievances or discipline related to an officer (useful for when review boards look into citizen complaints against officers).