Newsmakers: Rep. Bahner on Officer Impersonation Bill: ‘It’s Really About Public Trust’
After a gunman impersonating a police officer came to her home last summer, state Rep. Kristin Bahner, DFL–Maple Grove, says the experience has made legislation addressing officer impersonation deeply personal.
“The particularly heinous part about this particular issue is that this gentleman came to my house. The gunman came impersonating an officer is someone that I would trust and I think that most of us would trust in an ordinary situation,” said Bahner. “I get asked often would you have opened that door. And the reality is yes.”
The same person is accused of killing Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and shooting and injuring Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home. Bahner wasn’t home when the gunman showed up at her house.
“There is no circumstance under which I ever believed that serving my community and doing what I love most would put my family in harm’s way,” said Bahner.
Officer Impersonation Bill Advances Through House Public Safety Committee
The bill, which is co-authored by Rep. Ginny Klevorn, DFL-Plymouth, would create increased penalties and fines for someone impersonating a police officer. Under HF3404, impersonating a police officer would become a felony crime. Offenses considered a misdemeanor would become a gross misdemeanor if committed posing as law enforcement. Likewise, a gross misdemeanor offense would become a felony with a maximum prison sentence of three years, and the maximum prison sentence for a felony offense would increase by five years.
The legislation is supported by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, and the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association.
Bahner has hopes the legislation will be signed into law this session.
“I think the feedback we’ve gotten from both sides of the aisle has been incredible. We have wide support,” said Bahner. “We really have Republicans and Democrats coming together on this specific issue because I think it’s really about a lot more than just public safety. At the end of the day, it’s really about public trust.”
See also: Rep. Kristin Bahner Confirms Gunman Stopped at Her House
