On Thursday, Sept. 2, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association sent out a press release announcing that the association is proud to stand beside all law enforcement in North Carolina as Senate Bill 300 was signed into law.

According to the association: “This bill helps ensure that North Carolina law enforcement agencies are able to recruit and retain the best and most qualified law enforcement officers. This will allow sheriffs to better serve their citizens and communities in all 100 counties.”

The bill has multiple reform measures that touch upon everything from the training for new officers to the establishment of department databases to track problem officers.

The bill also modifies the ways in which people can get access to police video footage when a family member is involved with the stop or incident.

According to Sheriff’s Association officials, in 2020,the organization began discussing needed criminal justice reforms and ways to get more professionalism into law enforcement.  On Sept. 2,  many recommendations that came out of those discussions were signed into law thanks to “the leadership at the General Assembly and the attention given by legislators to the needs of law enforcement.”

New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon, the president of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, stated in the Sept. 2  press release that he appreciated “the opportunity for North Carolina sheriffs to be involved in conversations and legislative efforts to enhance the law enforcement profession and to see the recommendations of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association heard and incorporated into such a transformative piece of legislation.”

The Sheriff’s Association also wanted to publicly thank the leadership of Senators Danny Britt, Warren Daniel, and Michael Lee for their efforts regarding Senate Bill 300 – as well as Representatives John Szoka, Kristin Baker and Howard Hunter for their work on provisions that are also included in Senate Bill 300.

Each of these leaders, the press release states, took input from the association as well as from others in law enforcement across the state.

“This legislation will enhance the criminal justice system and the law enforcement profession,” the Sheriff’s Association concludes.