DES MOINES -- After another intense debate over police protections and racial equity, the Republican-led Iowa Senate on Monday approved legislation that would boost support for law enforcement and enhance punishments for individuals convicted of rioting.
The so-called âback the blueâ legislation would, among other things, shield law enforcement officers from some lawsuits in the form of qualified immunity, and raised the penalty for rioting from an aggravated misdemeanor to a Class D felony.
Republicans said the legislation fulfills a promise they made during the 2020 election campaign, and adds protections for law enforcement officers after, over the past year, racial justice protests in some cases have turned violent.