Panel kills bill that sought to make police names secret

(AP) – A Virginia legislative panel has killed a bill that would have allowed the government to keep the names of police officers secret from the news media and the public.

A House subcommittee voted unanimously to table Republican Sen. Cosgrove’s bill on Thursday, effectively killing the measure for the year.

The bill pit open-records advocates up against law enforcement groups in a fierce debate over government transparency.

It was introduced in response to a recent court ruling directing the state to turn over the names and employment dates of thousands of law enforcement officials to The Virginian-Pilot. Supporters of the bill said the release of such information could put officers in danger.

Open records advocates have said they’re unaware of another state with a law of this scope.