Local Cops Could get Whistleblower Protections | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post is Barry Smith, who is an associate editor for the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

    RALEIGH     Local police in North Carolina would have whistleblower protections under a bill introduced in the state house.

    "If you have whistleblower protections throughout government, to not have these fellows also covered just wasn't copacetic," said Rep. Chris Malone, R-Wake, the sponsor of the bill, House Bill 37.

    "We want people to be able to feel comfortable in knowing that if somebody sees something, that they have a right to bring it forward and not worry whether or not they're going to get in trouble for bringing something forward," Malone said. "Typically they're not, but it's nice to have that protection."

    Malone said the sanctuary city issue wasn't the reason for the bill, but it could apply to those situations.

    "I assume that if someone is breaking a federal or state law and they're making a point of it, that they're covered," Malone said.

    Meanwhile, Rep. David Lewis, R-Harnett, introduced a bill reducing the number of members elected by the General Assembly to the UNC Board of Governors (H.B. 39). Currently, lawmakers elect 16 members to the UNC Board of Governors every two years. If the bill becomes law, the number elected every two years would drop to 12.

    Lawmakers in both the Senate and the House wrapped up their sessions for the week Thursday. The next sessions are scheduled 4 p.m. Monday in the Senate and 7 p.m. in the House.

    The House Transportation Committee has scheduled a meeting for 11 a.m. Tuesday. Earlier in the day, supporters of a Convention of the States resolution are planning a rally at 10 a.m.