Tucson police officers are asking the Legislature to pass a bill that would require pedestrians and cyclists to provide Identification if there is probable cause they committed a traffic violation.
State law doesn’t currently require those not operating a motor vehicle to do so.
Joe Dickinson with the Tucson Police Officers Association told the House Judiciary Committee that state law treats some people differently than others.
"If that person just remains silent, we cannot ask them to get their identity. There's no way to write them a citation, anything, to enforce the current laws," Dickinson said.
Opponents worry the measure will escalate tensions in traffic stops.
Further still, Democratic Rep. Analise Ortiz said the nation has a sordid history with racial profiling.
"And where does that happen? At these traffic stops,'' Ortiz continued. "And it disproportionately impacts my community and Black and brown Arizonans.''
The bill now goes to the House floor.
