JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Gina Mitten, D-St. Louis, recently filed legislation that would prohibit law enforcement officers, parole officers, probation officers and correctional officers from engaging in sexual activity while on duty. Under House Bill 2520, the offense of sexual conduct while on duty is classified as a Class D felony, which is punishable by up to 7 years in prison.
“It’s an absolute shame that a few individuals whose duty it is to serve and protect use their status to put our citizens in uncomfortable and dangerous situations,” said Mitten. “To add insult to injury, many of those who commit these heinous crimes receive no punishment whatsoever.”
Mitten filed House Bill 2520 following the emergence of multiple reports highlighting incidents of sexual misconduct by law enforcement officers without punishment. According to a year-long investigation conducted by the Associated Press, over 1,000 officers lost their badge within a span of six years due to sexual misdeeds. Additionally, the AP found that 35 states including California, New York and Missouri have yet to adopt a system that would decertify or adequately discipline officers. Because so many areas have no systems to track these incidents, there is every reason to believe the actual numbers are far higher.
A St. Louis Post-Dispatch article recently reported that former St. Louis police officer John Stewart was charged with sodomy after forcing a 25-year old pregnant woman to perform sexual acts against her will and without her consent in 2015. The Kansas City Star also cited a 2017 incident that occurred in Brooklyn, New York where an 18-year old woman was handcuffed and raped by two Brooklyn South Narcotics Division officers inside of a police van. The victim was later visited by a group of officers in the hospital who attempted to bully her out of pressing charges against their colleagues. Both officers were charged with counts of rape, criminal sexual act, kidnapping and official misconduct.
“Considering the current climate of our country, it is imperative that we put into statute policy that will hold officers accountable for engaging in inappropriate sexual activity,” Mitten said. “Intimidation, coercion and sexual harassment by anyone, and particularly by those who are to protect us is unacceptable and has no place in our state, let alone our nation. Ignoring the reality of these situations will not make the problem disappear, and House Bill 2520 is a safeguard we can put in place to ensure victims receive the justice they so rightfully deserve.”
