Why do you think the initial wording that officers would have to “exhaust all other measure before using deadly force” was not included in the final bill

One of the most concerning issues facing law enforcement agencies and communities today is that of excessive police use of force. Many agencies across the country are rethinking the case circumstances before officers can use lethal force. Check out this article on how California changed the use of force requirements for officers. This article discusses how the policy for officers to use lethal force in California was changed from being able to use deadly force when it was deemed reasonable (“meaning a reasonable officer would have acted in a similar way”) to using deadly force when it is “‘necessary’ to protect against an imminent threat of death or serious injury.” There have been several criticisms of this change from multiple sides, including:

1.) The use of the word “necessary” as the requirement for determining when use of force can be used is still very subjective and difficult to define.

2.) The bill was changed from requiring officers to “exhaust all other measures before using deadly force” to the current wording that they could only use deadly force when it was deemed “necessary.”

One case that was highly influential in making this change was that of Stephon Clark in Sacramento. Following a 911 call that someone had broken car windows, officers located Clark in the driveway of his grandmother’s home and instructed him to stop and show his hands. Clark then ran into the backyard of the home where he was shot and killed by an officer who believed Clark was pointing a gun at him. Clark was found to be unarmed and holding his phone.

I have several questions for the class to consider about this issue.

1.) Do you agree or disagree with the revised language of this bill?

2.) Who do you think will benefit from this change in the language of deadly force usage?

3.) What impacts do you think this change will have upon officers?

4.) Why do you think the initial wording that officers would have to “exhaust all other measure before using deadly force” was not included in the final bill

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