HOUSE RESOLUTION 7

(By Delegates Holstein, Wamsley, Kimble, Mazzocchi, Barnhart, Hanna, Ferrell, Keaton, Mandt, Zatezalo, Bridges, Haynes, Horst, Longanacre, Sypolt, B. Ward, McGeehan, Dean, D. Jeffries, J. Jeffries, Conley, Maynard and Mallow)

[Introduced February 15, 2021; Referred to Veterans’ Affairs and Homeland Security then Rules  ]

Condemning calls to Defund the Police.

Whereas, The state of West Virginia is established on the rule of law, which upholds the founding principles of our nation; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; and

Whereas, The House of Delegates of the West Virginia Legislature, recognizes imperfections that exist within law enforcement and every other institution in the great state of West Virginia.  We further recognize the importance of the work of our law enforcement officers across the state and nation; and

Whereas, Law enforcement officers are entrusted by the public to uphold and enforce the law.  Law enforcement officers who abuse their positions, engage in corruption, employ excessive force, or exhibit bias betray the public trust and undermine the rule of law; and

Whereas, The duties of law enforcement officers place these individuals in harm’s way more often than the average citizen; and

Whereas the state of West Virginia recognizes there is a culture of anti-law enforcement bias in this nation that must be condemned, but defunding the police would leave police departments lacking staff, underpaid, and underequipped, while also increasing the risk of unattended crime to communities throughout West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

That the State of West Virginia condemns all calls to Defund the Police across the nation, and in states, and localities.