California attorney urges reforms to curb police brutality

Photo:
Thibeaux Hirsh / Courtesy

Following the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police, and the wave of mass protests across the country against police brutality, California Attorney Xavier Becerra called to reform the use of force in state police departments to prevent unnecessary loss of life.

Among his most important proposals stands out, remove the certification police officers with misconduct.

But he also urged the police throughout the state to use these recommendations to help rebuild public trust; and actively work with community leaders to achieve comprehensive and lasting reform.

“With courage, communities across the country have called for change. We cannot afford to ignore the realities facing African Americans and minorities in the nation"Said Attorney General Becerra.

He noted that police brutality must be addressed, and the systematic failures that cause and allow police misconduct to continue.

Becerra pledged to meet with legislators, community members, police and others involved to reexamine public safety, and bring the necessary change.

Proposed reforms

• All agencies must have a current policy that forces officers to intervene and detain any of their peers who are using excessive and unnecessary force.
• Use of the Sleeping Key, a strangulation technique for the carotid artery used to kill George Floyd, is prohibited., and other similar procedures that can result in blocking blood or oxygen to another person.
• All agencies should require officers to reduce the intensity of their actions when possible before using force.
• Provide express guidance to ensure officers understand the relationship that must exist between the force they use and the threat posed in a particular situation.
• Officers should be required to give verbal warnings when possible, before using either lethal or less lethal force.
• They must prohibit officers from shooting the operator or occupant of a moving vehicle, unless they pose an imminent threat of death or serious physical harm to the public or officer.
• The use of deadly force should be used as a last resort when reasonable alternatives have been exhausted or are not available to protect the safety of the public and officials.
• All agencies must create a general order dedicated to reporting the use of force as well as investigations.
• As for the use of dogs, agencies must train them to alert by barking, rather than biting a suspect as a first response, and then circling and barking until the officer takes control.

Legislative proposal

Becerra also proposed legislation to reform the criminal justice system. Among the most outstanding points are:

Latinos the most affected

Juan José Gutiérrez, coordinator of the Coalition of Full Rights for Immigrants, said that between July 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016, the police murdered 56 people in Southern California, 35 were Hispanic; and 11 African-American and white people. "For every African American, three Latinos are murdered, and even more," he says.

He added that Since 1980, on average 1,000 people have been murdered nationwide by police or sheriffs every year.

From 2000 to 2020 in Los Angeles County, police executed more than 800 people, 45.7% were at the hands of sheriffs; and 40% by the Los Angeles police. The most deadly police force – says Gutiérrez, is that of South Gate, since they executed 8.6% like about 80 people.

Of the total of 800 murders, more than half are of Hispanic origin, accurate.

"What has to change is the culture of the police to execute and then investigate. And because they have police immunity, and are easily justified in saying that they killed because they had to protect their lives, they continue to do so. You can have all the evidence against it, but the agents will be released and acquitted. Everything that has happened recently should lead to giving priority to preserving the life of the detainee. ”