Secret Police

[Legislature] On Friday, a committee of Utah’s Legislature is scheduled to consider a bill that would put off limits to the public documents about how and why police officers are disciplined. While the records are still public, City Weekly has posted some on our Webpage. They give an idea of the sorts of behavior that might be buried if the bill passes—from cops on drugs to office romance.

Senate Bill 260 would change Utah’s public records law, known as GRAMA.

One of the movers behind the legislation appears to be the administration of Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker. Two months before taking office this January, Becker’s chief administrative officer, in an email to senior Becker staff, suggested working with the city police union during the legislative session, “to support changes in GRAMA to protect our police investigations and discipline.” Senate Bill 260 is proposed by Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan. (Ted McDonough)