California Police Promote Measure to Limit Fatal Shootings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Round two is underway in California’s fight over how best to limit fatal shootings by police through nation-leading reforms.

State legislators on Tuesday are debating a measure that proponents say would set a national precedent by creating statewide guidelines on when officers can use lethal force and requiring that every officer be trained in ways to avoid opening fire.

But opponents say the law-enforcement-backed bill doesn’t go far enough because it doesn’t change the legal standard. It would enshrine current rules that allow police to kill if they reasonably believe that they or others are in imminent danger.

Last year’s shooting of unarmed vandalism suspect Stephon Clark sparked competing legislation that would allow police to kill only if they have exhausted non-lethal methods of resolution or de-escalation.