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Police Deadly Force Law Advances In California Legislature

  •  Ben Bradford 
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
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Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

Demonstrators engage with police officers at a protest in downtown Sacramento over the death of Stephon Clark.

Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

A bill that would change when California police officers may use deadly force is moving forward in the state Senate, despite opposition from law enforcement.

The Senate public safety committee approved the measure on Tuesday.

Backed by civil liberties groups, it would change the standard for using force from when it is “objectively reasonable” to when it is “necessary” and there are “no reasonable alternatives.”

The New York Police Department and U.S. Department of Justice currently have similar standards.

Since the measure’s introduction, law enforcement groups have lined up in opposition, arguing it would put officers at risk and make them vulnerable to lawsuits.

“We think this bill discourages proactive policing by making officers fear the repercussions of split-second decisions,” said Cory Salzillo, a lobbyist representing the California State Sheriffs’ Association.

A representative for police chiefs suggested support for more training for officers about de-escalating encounters.

Democratic state Sen. Steven Bradford said more changes than just training are needed, citing statistics that show police kill black men at far higher rates than white men.

“I’m all for better training, but why isn’t it training needed when you encounter white folks? You only need better training when you encounter black and brown people.” Bradford said. “It’s racism. We don’t have a problem with law enforcement. We’ve got a problem with racism in this country.”

The measure’s introduction followed the death of Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man shot by police in Sacramento in March.


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    More about Stephon Clark

  • Family courtesy photo via AP

    The Latest: Shooting Of Stephon Clark

    On Sunday, March 18, 2018, Stephon Clark was shot and killed by two Sacramento police officers in the backyard of his grandparents' house in South Sacramento. Check back here for the latest updates, conversations and analysis.

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  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    California Plan To Limit Police Use Of Force Stalls, ‘Felony Murder’ Bill Ekes Forward

    Wednesday, August 29, 2018
    The bill sought to change the rules governing when police officers can use force. It emerged this spring after the fatal shooting of Stephon Clark by Sacramento police.
  • Vanessa S. Nelson / Capital Public Radio

    A New Approach To Racial Trauma: Black Residents Build Safe Spaces In Wake Of Stephon Clark’s Death

    Monday, June 11, 2018
    Black community leaders will soon fan out across the Sacramento area to lead emotional emancipation circles. They say the talk groups provide a much-needed space to process racism, violence and other trauma dating back generations.
  • Capital Public Radio / AP Photo / Sacramento Police Department

    A Timeline Of Key Events In The Shooting Of Stephon Clark

    Wednesday, April 18, 2018
    On March 18, two Sacramento police officers fatally shot Stephon Clark. Since then, the entire community has been affected by his death. Look back at the key moments from the past month.
  • Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

    California Lawmakers Look To Restrict Police Use Of Force After Sacramento Shooting

    Tuesday, April 3, 2018
    The latest police shooting of an unarmed black man — the death of Stephon Clark in Sacramento — has spurred the proposal of a new California law. It would change the almost 150-year-old definition of when an officer can apply deadly force.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    A Protest In Photos: Demonstrators Take To Streets Of Sacramento To Decry The Police Shooting Of Stephon Clark

    Friday, March 23, 2018
    Images from Thursday's Stephon Clark shooting protest: Hundreds of demonstrators marched through downtown Sacramento, briefly shutting down Interstate 5 and later blocking entrance to a Sacramento Kings game.

 Stephon Clarkpolice shooting

Ben Bradford

Former State Government Reporter

As the State Government Reporter, Ben covered California politics, policy and the interaction between the two. He previously reported on local and state politics, business, energy, and environment for WFAE in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Read Full Bio 

 @JBenBradford Email Ben Bradford

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