This bill requires each law enforcement agency to ensure that its publicly available policy on the use of force incorporates the following principles: that the primary duty of all law enforcement is to preserve the life of all individuals,that deadly force is to be used only as the last resort,that officers should use skills and tactics that minimize the likelihood that force will become necessary,that, if officers must use physical force, it should be the least amount of force necessary to safely address the threat,and that law enforcement officers must take reasonable action to stop or prevent any unreasonable use of force by their colleagues. This bill also prohibits disciplining a law enforcement officer for reporting a violation of a law enforcement agency’s policy regarding the use of force.
This bill also requires the Law Enforcement Standards Board to develop a model use of force policy for law enforcement agencies. The model policy must address interactions with individuals with mental disorders, alcohol or drug problems, dementia disorders, and developmental disabilities,limit the use of force against vulnerable populations,and include other best practices that LESB