National Association of Police Organizations: Press Releases and Bulletins

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) announced today its disappointment with yesterday’s House vote regarding the ability of the police to seize private property from individuals suspected of criminal offenses. With a vote of 375-48, the House passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Henry Hyde (R-IL) and John Conyers (D-MI) that severely impacts police powers to seize private property such as cash, securities, cars, boats and real estate.

If passed into law, the legislation would require the federal government to prove with "clear and convincing" evidence that the property was eligible to be seized. Officers would also have to actually prove criminality rather than alleging it and give owners notice before seizing any property.

"Yet again, the federal government is attempting to limit police power while at the same time expecting the police to combat the ‘war on drugs’," said Robert T. Scully, NAPO’s executive director. "Police departments across this nation already have severely restricted budgets. By lessening income potential from asset forfeiture, the federal government will be severely handicapping law enforcement capabilities," continued Scully.

No companion bill has been introduced in the Senate.

The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States that serves in Washington, DC to advance the interests of America’s law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. Founded in 1978, NAPO now represents 4,000 police organizations and more than 220,000 sworn law enforcement officers.

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