- A Utah Senate committee approved proposals targeting police quotas and unmarked cars.
- SB262, sponsored by Sen. Dan McCay, prohibits unmarked cars from making stops for infractions.
- SB67, by Sen. Todd Weiler, which requires reporting on police quotas, passed unanimously.
SALT LAKE CITY – A Utah Senate committee took aim at police quotas and unmarked cop cars by approving two proposals on Friday that could change how some officers do their jobs.
SB262, sponsored by Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, would prohibit unmarked law enforcement vehicles from making traffic stops if the offense is an infraction, such as speeding. The bill passed out of the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee in a 6-1 vote.
McCay told KSL unmarked cars do not make Utah's streets safer.
"I had a constituent come to me, and she was concerned about her safety getting pulled over in a remote area with no lighting, with an unmarked vehicle, and the individual that stepped out to stop her was wearing jeans and a polo shirt," McCay said.
It turned out to be a legitimate officer who pulled her over. But McCay said unmarked police vehicles should not be making minor traffic stops in the first place.
"Using unmarked cars does hurt the trust because there are other people who can pretend to be law enforcement and create a question," McCay said. "It is really hard to tell if a car is really a police officer or not."
But multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Utah Highway Patrol, oppose McCay's bill.
"It limits a variety of ways that we can do some enforcement projects, distracted driving being one of them," said UHP Col. Greg Holley.
Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis also spoke against the bill, expressing similar concerns.
But Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, pushed law enforcement representatives about the fear that some people have about being pulled over, particularly when they are unsure about who is doing it.
"Are you not hearing that people are afraid?" Escamilla said. "People, especially women. Can we have a conversation about the fear factor please?"
Curtis acknowledged that, while noting that people who are concerned about being pulled over can do something.
"If you're nervous and you don't know who that is, dial 911 and drive directly to the law enforcement agency, wherever is closest," Curtis said.
Despite law enforcement opposition, SB262 now heads to the full Senate for a vote. McCay indicated he would be interested in negotiating with law enforcement to find a compromise.
At the same time, Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, wants to end police ticket-writing quotas once and for all – even though lawmakers already banned them eight years ago.
"We had some law enforcement agencies that kind of skirted the policy," Weiler said. "I believe most of that's been snuffed out."
But SB67 would require new reporting to the state to determine if any police departments are still trying to do it.
"I think that this is a step in the right direction," Weiler said.
No one spoke against his bill during the Senate committee hearing on Friday. After a brief discussion, it passed unanimously, 4-0, and will next be considered in the full Senate.
