SACRAMENTO — Hundreds of California peace officers, their families and supporters from throughout California rallied at the State Capitol today to show their unified support for the safety of officers and “the people we protect,” and to urge passage of SB 230 to improve
and expand use-of-force training.
“We’re united in our commitment to public safety and the safety of the men and women who wear a badge,” said Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove), a former Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff. “I’m here to ask legislators and the public to join me in thanking these heroes for risking their lives to protect ours.”
Speakers said passage of SB 230 (Caballero) would improve officer training and help improve decision-making in violent situations.
“In violent encounters, California cops have seconds to decide what level of force is needed to defend our lives and the lives of the people we’re sworn to protect,” said Ron Lawrence, President of the California Police Chiefs Association. “Clearly, we want to make the right decisions in life-and-death situations, so we welcome the additional training SB 230 provides.”
Under SB 230, use-of-force policies would be standardized throughout the state. The bill also provides additional training for officers, including violence de-escalation techniques, alternatives to force, interacting with vulnerable communities, and the need to report
excessive force.
“SB 230 clarifies use-of-force policies and creates a uniform training standard for officers to make them even better at their jobs when applying the appropriate force in every situation,” said Ron Hernandez, President of the Association for LA Deputy Sheriffs. “Instead
of subjecting officers to ‘20/20 hindsight,’ SB 230 helps us make the right decisions when we’re literally under fire.”
“SB 230 improves the work we do for the communities we protect,” said Kevin Mickelson, President of the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and Vice President of the California Fraternal Order of Police. “It provides important new uniform
guidelines for use-of-force without jeopardizing our lives or the safety of our communities.”
“We want to thank legislative leaders for hearing our concerns and working with us to improve police protection in California, without increasing the dangers we face or hurting our ability to protect public safety,” said Brian Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). “Thanks to their leadership, everyone will be safer.”
—Submitted by the California Public safety partnership Issues Committee
