Senate passes bill giving jail officers more power
BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Idaho county jail officers could soon have more power to arrest inmates and jail visitors under a measure approved by the Senate.
On a 21-14 vote, the Senate passed the legislation which allows detention officers to arrest people residing in or visiting a county jail without a warrant. The law requires probable cause as a standard for the arrest.
Nampa Republican Sen. Todd Lakey said the bill makes it easier for officers to deal with attacks or drug trafficking within the jail. He said unjustified arrests by officers with animosity toward inmates would be kept in check because video recorders keep watch inside jails.
But both Republican and Democrat members voiced opposition. Boise Democrat Les Bock said it creates an exception for using warrants and could be subject to abuse.
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