A police officer could break a lot of rules, and nobody would know about it if a new law passes legislative muster.

SB260 would make private all formal charges and disciplinary actions against a peace officer. The only way the public could see them is if the officer agrees.

Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, crafted the bill after a man sent public records requests to multiple police departments across the valley asking for disciplinary records for every police officer.

The chiefs believe the man is trying to set up a Web site and charge defense attorneys to set up a database of disciplinary actions. The Deseret Morning News was unable to track down the man.

"We do not want the disciplinary actions by our police departments to be used against them by an enterprising young attorney," said Dave Spatafore, a lobbyist representing the Utah Chiefs of Police Association.

Public watchdogs worry the bill will allow police officers to get away with bad behavior.

"If a police officer does something wrong, the public has a right to know," said Joel Campbell of the Utah Press Association. Campbell also pens a column for the Deseret Morning News.

Spatafore said he heard the chiefs are willing to work with public watchdog groups to broaden the proposed law.

Legislators are considering a few other bills that would restrict the public's access to public information.

HB321 would classify certain records of the Utah Educational Savings Plan Trust.

Another bill, HB166, would keep the minutes of public meetings private for 14 days after the meeting, or until the next scheduled meeting, whichever is later.

Minutes of public meetings are often available to the public shortly after the meeting is over, even if the clerk hasn't finished the final draft. Campbell said the bill, sponsored by Rep. Mel Brown, R-Coalville, would give public officials "an excuse to withhold minutes." And, in the worst of cases, public officials could use that time to change the minutes to reflect what they want.

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com