Families of people shot and killed by police officers are applauding the signing of Assembly Bill 392 Monday by Governor Gavin Newsom. It aims to further restrict when officers can use deadly force.
Supporters say California’s new use of force law will be one of the toughest in the country. It states law enforcement can only use deadly force when “necessary,” rather than just “reasonable.”
Democratic Assemblywoman Shirley Weber authored the measure. She said the families of victims were passionate about strengthening the law.
“It has been an eye-opener for me,” she said. “Because I understood, somewhat, their pain. But I never knew how deep and how permanent that pain was because they lack justice.”
Weber has worked on the issue for several years. She revived an earlier version of her bill following the 2018 Sacramento police shooting death of Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man who was standing in his grandparents’ backyard.
Law enforcement had fiercely opposed the bill, but moved to a neutral position after several amendments were made giving officers more leeway. For instance a section requiring officers to use other tactics before employing deadly force was removed.
