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ACLU Vermont backs S.208, committee debates mask exemptions, enforcement and civil penalties
Summary
Falco Schilling of ACLU Vermont told the House Judiciary Committee S.208 would improve accountability by requiring clearer law-enforcement identification; members questioned whether exemptions for undercover work and protections for officers' families are broad enough and raised enforcement and federal-jurisdiction concerns.
Falco Schilling, associate director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont, told the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 17 that the ACLU supports S.208, legislation intended to require clearer identification of law-enforcement officers and to limit when officers may conceal their identities.
"At a high level, we are supportive of the goals of S.208," Schilling said, adding that clear identification helps people know an order is lawful and allows individuals harmed in encounters with officers to pursue complaints and remedies. He cited instances of impersonation and warned that law-enforcement-style markings can be easily purchased online: "You can get patches that just say police. You get patches that say ICE," he said.
Schilling highlighted accountability and public trust as central aims. He acknowledged the bill includes enumerated exceptions for when officers may need to mask or conceal…
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