Annapolis, MD (July 24, 2007)---Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold announced today that he will introduce emergency legislation that lifts the current ban on County police officers to take secondary employment at businesses that serve alcohol and have bingo licenses. The ban is a result of a recent advisory opinion of the county Ethics Commission.

"After consulting with members of the County Council and the Office of Law, it was determined that legislation was the appropriate solution at this time,"said County Executive John R. Leopold. "Secondary employment by police officers not only provides much needed supplemental income, but also increases police presence in the community to help deter crime."

The legislation will go before the County Council and will become effective immediately upon the County Executive’s signature.