PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Police Department kept its accreditation after a hearing Tuesday in the Poconos. The Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association threatened to pull the accreditation over the city’s Driving Equality Law.
The Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC) warned the department could lose its standing because of the law that downgrades minor vehicle violations, to curb car stops that unfairly target drivers of color.
The law classifies eight violations as not enforceable by police stops:
• Late registration.
• Relocation of temporary registration.
• Relocation of license plate.
• Missing a single brake light.
• Items hanging from the rearview mirror.
• Minor bumper issues.
• Driving with an expired inspection sticker.
• Driving with an expired emission sticker.
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PLEAC said accredited departments must uphold all state laws.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and Inspector Fran Healey appeared before the commission to explain that police would be enforcing laws, but they would be secondary offenses like the seat belt law.
The department explained that officers can write a ticket for the eight violations covered in the Driving Equality Law, but it can’t be the reason they pull a driver over.
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The commission was persuaded.
In a tweet, Commissioner Outlaw thanked PLEAC for its careful consideration of the case and said she looks forward to ensuring the department continues to use best practices.
There would have been no real consequences if PLEAC denied the renewed accreditation. It is mostly an honorary designation.
The police union sued to stop the Driving Equality Law back in February, and state legislators tried to tie it to a bill easing the creation of bike lanes. Both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which has a similar law, have been targeted.
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