A police reform bill, which requires stricter standards for how state-wide law enforcement officers use rubber bullets and tear gas to control crowds, has been approved by both the California Senate and Congress.
Parliamentary Bill (AB) 48, a legislation introduced by Parliamentary woman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), is awaiting the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom. He must sign or refuse by October 10.
“During the 2020 national protests, many reports showed that peaceful protesters and bystanders were seriously injured and permanently injured by dangerous projectiles,” San Diego said. Gonzales, who represents California’s 80th Parliamentary District in the south of the county, said.
“This bill protects Californians’ right to protest safely by establishing state-wide standards that help minimize the abuse of these dangerous weapons, while at the same time truly life-threatening situations. We will instruct law enforcement agencies when and how the projectiles can be deployed, “she continued.
AB 48 bans the use of dynamic impact projectiles (rubber bullets and plastic bullets) and chemicals such as tear gas by law enforcement officers or agencies “to disperse rallies, protests, or demonstrations.” .. It is also prohibited to use only for “curfew violations, verbal threats, or violations of law enforcement directives.”
Training requirements
Current law allows police officers to use reasonable force to arrest or prevent a suspect from fleeing, or to quell a person if there is resistance. Existing law requires the Commission on Standards and Training of Police Officers (POST) to provide law enforcement officers with educational courses and training on the use of force.
POST is a state agency responsible for setting the basic standards for hiring and training police officers in all 58 counties.
In addition, AB 48 will train officers on the safe use of dynamic projectiles and chemicals in case of life-threatening situations or in the face of serious injury. I’m looking for it.
In these situations, the bill requires officers to employ other deescalation techniques before using projectile weapons. Police officers must also provide prompt medical assistance to the injured. The bill prohibits pointing these weapons at the head, neck, or other important organs.
Nationally, police officers receive an average of about 50 hours of firearm training at police academy. The Brookings Institution reported in April 2021 that it had received less than 10 hours of escalation training.
The California Peace Officers’ Association (CPOA), which represents more than 16,000 members employed by city, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, has publicly registered discrepancies with parts of AB48.
“This bill is an almost exact copy of last year’s failed AB 66, which CPOA opposed,” said Shaun Rundle, Deputy Director of CPOA.
AB66 was also created by Gonzales.
CPOA is in favor of limiting the use of non-fatal forces, but it is safe for officers to be attacked or targeted by life-threatening items such as frozen water bottles, bricks, and laser pointers. I have a concern.
“Restricting the use of less lethal options limits the tools police officers have at their disposal to protect public security,” the California Sheriffs Association said in a statement against AB48.
“But by limiting when executives can use these tools, responding to specific situations may not be the most appropriate means in the context of the event and may or may not be acceptable to some. It may be guided by choices about certain practices. ”The statement continued.
Another law deals with bad officers
Last year, Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), chairman of the California Legislative Black Caucus, submitted another police reform bill, Senate Bill (SB) 731. SB 731, which proposed a state-wide process to disqualify bad officers and prevent them from being hired by other agencies, resurfaced as SB2 last December. An updated version of the bill was passed by the Senate last week with 28-9 votes. Sent to the governor’s desk for signature or veto.
According to the State Sheriffs Association, SB2 can be an obstacle to hiring, hiring, and retaining employees.
Bradford, meanwhile, states that the law is timely and necessary.
Bradford told the Senate Judiciary Committee about SB2 last April. That’s what this bill does. It is intentional in what we are trying to achieve. This is a fair measure and far superior to what currently exists. “
Header photo: (CBM provided)
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