SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California law enforcement has announced changes to its use of force bill (SB 230) for all 500 law enforcement agencies.
One amendment requires all use of force policies be made accessible to the public.
According to the California Police Chiefs Association, the new amendments to the bill have been in the works for some time and the bill’s author and supporters have been working with the Attorney General, legislators and community leaders throughout the state.
In a statement Senator Anna Caballero said:
California has an opportunity and an obligation to protect our families, officers and communities
The amendments to SB 230 currently:
- Establishes the first statewide guidelines to clearly define when officers are authorized to use force.
- Requires that every California law enforcement officer receive the most robust training in the nation strictly designed to minimize the use of force.
- Requires all use of force policies be made accessible to the public.
- Sets forth detailed, standardized requirements for reporting all instances when force is used in our communities.
- Allows use of force policies and training to be considered in legal proceedings.
- Strengthens the California Penal Code’s definition of justifiable homicide for peace officers.
