Fanta Bility's Fatal Shooting By Police Prompts New Legislation Push

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Nearly three years after 8-year-old Fanta Bility was fatally shot by police officers in Sharon Hill Borough that were responding to another shooting, a new piece of legislation that hopes to improve police training is making its way through Harrisburg,

State Sen. Anthony Williams (D-8th District) recently introduced Senate Bill 1212.

In brief, the bill would amend Title 53 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, providing for mandatory firearms training for certain law enforcement agencies.

The bill's last action was being referred to the Law and Justice Committee in the State Senate on May 28.

Back in 2023, Williams said the legislation "would ensure quality policing for all Delaware County residents by requiring that all Delaware County police departments are accredited through a statewide organization such as the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Program of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and receive use of force training on an annual basis."

"The use of force training would provide all Delaware County police officers with additional education and training regarding how and when to use force in emergency situations," he wrote.

According to Williams, these measures would increase standards for preparedness and accountability, create fairness and equality in policing between Delaware County communities, increase safety and effectiveness.

All that, he said, would result in better outcomes involving police interactions, reduce fatalities, restore trust in the community, and provide additional training for police officers.

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