2020-10-03 Opposition to repeal or revise the Judicial Doctrine of Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officials PITTSYVLANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
RESOLUTION # 2020-10-03
A RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO ANY LEGISLATIVE EFFORT TO REPEAL OR
REVISE THE JUDICIAL DOCTRINE OF QUALIFIED IMMUNITY FOR LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS
VIRGINIA: At a meeting to the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors ("Board") on
Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at the Chatham Community Center(Gallery Room), 115 South Main
Street, Chatham, Virginia 24531,the following Resolution was presented and adopted:
WHEREAS,the Virginia General Assembly is considering possible repeal or revision of
the judicial doctrine of qualified immunity, and
WHEREAS, qualified immunity protects law enforcement officials from frivolous,
vengeful, and harassing lawsuits, while allowing full trial of any case with merit; and
WHEREAS, any legislative repeal or revision of qualified immunity would manifestly
harm law enforcement by putting law enforcement officers at constant risk of unjustified lawsuits
for almost every action they take; and
WHEREAS, any legislative repeal or revision of qualified immunity would require
Pittsylvania County, Virginia ("County"), citizens to pay for the defense of any and every claim
against law enforcement officials, no matter how frivolous or unjustified; and
WHEREAS, repeal or revision would contribute to making law enforcement officials
hesitate or refrain from becoming involved in some high-conflict situations, because of the fear of
liability,even for actions taken in good faith,and such hesitation or restraint will jeopardize public
safety; and
WHEREAS, repeal or revision would make it harder to recruit and to retain the most
highly qualified candidates for Deputy positions, because of the fear of repeated unjustified
lawsuits; and
WHEREAS, efforts at repeal or revision represent ill-advised prejudice against law
enforcement men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect public safety.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD:
1. That the County opposes any legislative repeal or revision of the judicial doctrine of
qualified immunity and urges the County's delegation to the General Assembly to oppose
any such effort.
2. The Clerk shall provide an attested copy of this Resolution to all members of the County's
General Assembly delegation.
Given under my hand this 20th day of October, 2020.
Thi,./. .
bert("Bob") W. Warren, Chairman
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors
ATTEST:
IP avid M. Smithe an, Clerk /
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors
VOTE
Joe B. Davis Yes
William("Vic") Ingram Yes
Charles H. Miller, Jr. Yes
Robert("Bob") W. Warren Yes
Ronald S. Scearce Yes
Ben L. Farmer Yes
Tim W. Dudley Yes
Ayes 7 Nays 0 Abstentions 0