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Committee backs resolution supporting AB 392 to change police use‑of‑force standard
Summary
After an extended public comment period featuring families of people killed by police and advocacy groups, the committee voted to forward a resolution endorsing AB 392 (the California Act to Save Lives), which would set an administrative standard that officers use deadly force only when 'necessary' to prevent imminent serious bodily injury or death and emphasize de‑escalation.
Supervisor Haney introduced a resolution supporting California Assembly Bill 392, a proposal to change the state's use‑of‑force standard from "reasonable" to "necessary" and require de‑escalation whenever possible. Haney said the bill would align state standards with best practices and strengthen accountability for unnecessary deaths.
James Birch, policy director of the Justice Teams Network and Anti Police Terror Project, and numerous family members of people killed during police encounters described the human toll of the current standard and urged the committee to support AB 392. Multiple community speakers cited state data on officer‑involved deaths and stressed racial disparities in police lethal force.
Supervisor Walton, Haney and others argued a statutory change is necessary to align training and accountability. Vice Chair Stephanie said she supported changing standards but urged that training, recruitment and implementation accompany any statutory change so officers would be prepared for a higher threshold.
The clerk called the roll on a motion to recommend the resolution; votes were recorded as Walton "aye" and Mandelmann "aye," and the motion passed in committee. Members indicated the measure will move to the full Board for consideration.
