The House gave initial approval to a bill that amends a current law which prohibits the state from certifying or recertifying as a police officer, anyone who has been convicted of a felony. The bill would amend the law by continuing to prohibit certification for a felon even if the person has received a presidential or gubernatorial pardon for commission of the crime.
Supporters say that the bill will close a loophole in current law that allows felons, who receive a presidential or gubernatorial pardon for commission of a felony, to be eligible for certification as a police officer. They said that a pardoned felon has still committed the felony and should not be eligible to be a police officer. They argued the loophole goes too far and should be closed.
Rep. Mike Day (D-Stoneham), the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on why he filed the bill and on its passage…