By Haley Bull | Capital News Service
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on a Maryland case involving the police and their right to take DNA samples following an arrest.
One local police chief called the ruling the biggest setback to law enforcement in 20 years.
A recent Maryland Court of Appeals ruling that overturned a provision allowing Maryland police officers to take the DNA from defendants is a setback to public safety, according to Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger. “These DNA hits enable law enforcement to apprehend repeat offenders that prey upon our citizens thereby making our communities safer for everyone,” Manger said. The ruling affects state, county and local police jurisdictions. Maryland State Police employees were notified Tuesday to immediately cease collection and analysis of anyone arrested and charged with a qualifying crime of violence, or first, second or third-degree burglary, or attempts to commit any of those crimes. Maryland law enforcement officials are …
In this Article:
Doug Collins
5:54 pm on Saturday, May 5, 2012
I believe government should maintain a clear record of DNAon all citizens as soon as government can prove competence in handling such critically sensitive information. But Montgomery County and the rest of Maryland has a long way to go. And Manger isn't the guy to see it through. Him and the other local FOP thugs need some serious education on how to serve the County's citizens. more ›