WASHINGTON – Congressesman Jim Banks (IN-03) introduced the Qualified Immunity Act yesterday that would codify clearly established Supreme Court precedent in favor of qualified immunity and the protections it provides for law enforcement agents into statutory law. The bill has already received praise from police groups: The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the Indiana State Police Alliance, the National Center for Police Defense and the Police Officers Defense Coalition have all endorsed it.

Qualified immunity, as explained by the Supreme Court, “shields police officers from harassment, distraction and liability when they perform their duty reasonably.”

“Ending qualified immunity is another way of saying abolish the police,” said Rep. Jim Banks.

Rep. Banks has lamented Democrats’ crusade to overturn qualified immunity. By adding language to their police reform bill that would overturn qualified immunity, Rep. Banks said “Democrats inserted a ‘poison pill,’ language they know will mean the legislation will be defeated by the opposing party.”