CA Legislation to Change Lethal Force Justification Passes Committee Hearing

The bill’s main author, Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, said AB 392 prevents “unnecessary deaths” by “clarifying law enforcement’s obligations.” Weber’s team said the legislation would push officers to rely on de-escalation techniques like verbal persuasion and crisis intervention methods instead of lethal force.

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April 10, 2019

California's Assembly Bill 392, which would change the justification for police to use deadly force from the U.S. Supreme Court's "reasonable" to "necessary" was the subject of a committee hearing Tuesday in Sacramento.

The Committee heard testimony from family members of suspects who have been shot and killed by California officers as well as from officers and law enforcement association representatives.

After the Committee on Public Safety hearing, AB 392 cleared its first hurdle in a 5-2 vote, the Sacramento Bee reports.

The bill’s main author, Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, said AB 392, titled "The California Act to Save Lives," prevents “unnecessary deaths” by “clarifying law enforcement’s obligations.” Weber’s team said the legislation would push officers to rely on de-escalation techniques like verbal persuasion and crisis intervention methods instead of lethal force.

Shane LaVigne, a lobbyist for the California Fraternal Order of Police, said AB 392 creates an “impossible standard” and that officers often face “tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving” life and death situations.