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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 26, 2024 01:14 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative David M. Delloso |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Law Enforcement Use of Force Training |
| While leaving a high school football game in August 2021, eight-year-old Fanta Bility was shot and killed by three Sharon Hill police officers responding to a gunfight in the area. Unfortunately, the three officers began firing at a moving vehicle they believed to be involved in the shooting, killing Fanta, and injuring three others, including Fanta’s 12-year-old sister, when their bullets sped past the car. An investigation into the shooting found that the officers involved fired a total of 25 shots at the vehicle. Although the officers involved in Fanta’s death accepted their involvement and are serving probation, their reckless, split-second decision to start firing at a random vehicle will forever stay with the community. My bill, called Fanta’s Law, aims to hold our police to the highest standards by requiring that all law enforcement officers in an agency located in a county of the second class A with a population between 565,000 and 600,000 undergo and complete mandatory in-service firearms training courses at least four times each year. In addition to mandatory training, an officer would have the opportunity to undergo real-world simulation training at least twice per year to better prepare them for on-duty confrontations. Documentation of all trainings would be required, with officers who fail to complete the training requirements placed on administrative leave until the requirements are met. As elected officials, we need to ensure the safety and security of all of our fellow Pennsylvanians. By requiring our law enforcement officers to complete these concentrated, real-world trainings, they will be better equipped to protect our families and themselves should they need to. Please join me in co-sponsoring this commonsense legislation. |