STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT STEVE XIARHOS REGARDING PASSAGE OF THE POLICE REFORM BILL

December 2, 2020

WEST BARNSTABLE – State Representative-elect Steve Xiarhos (R – 5th Barnstable) issued the following statement today regarding the Legislature’s passage of S. 2963 (commonly referred to as the Police Reform Bill):
“I am disappointed by the Legislature’s passage of the police reform bill yesterday. After months of mostly-private deliberations, the final bill was voted on hastily and without debate and contemplation befitting its significance. And, while I share the belief that certain reforms are needed, I oppose this particular bill as a whole. The end product, I believe, will undermine first responders and legitimate public safety efforts statewide. That is unacceptable. I urge Governor Baker to review this bill carefully and ultimately to veto it. Should that happen, and should there be matters left for discussion in the next legislative session, I pledge to work with my colleagues to craft a more acceptable bill for passage.”
The 5th Barnstable District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives consists of the entire town of Sandwich, plus precincts 11 and 12 in Barnstable, precincts 1, 2, and 7 in Bourne, and precinct 9 in Plymouth. Xiarhos was elected to serve as State Representative on November 3, and will take office on January 6, 2021.

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