Bill would limit peace officers’ use of force

A bill that would create guidelines for when and if a peace officer can exercise the use of force is scheduled for a public hearing at 10 a.m. Friday during the House Public Safety Committee hearing.

The legislation would also remove and replace criminal liability protections for peace officers. The protections include the good faith standard, as well as situations during which it was necessary to use deadly force.

House Bill 1310 would establish a standard for peace officers in regard to the use of force, according to the bill’s text. State law currently does not have separate standards regarding the use of force.

Under the legislation, a peace officer could use physical force when necessary, as when arresting an individual or prohibiting a person from escaping. An officer could also use physical force if there were an “imminent threat” to an individual or another officer.

However, a peace officer could use deadly force as a last resort only, according to the bill’s text. An officer should use “reasonable care” when deciding if physical force should be used.

A peace officer should consider using de-escalation tactics before exercising physical force, according to the bill’s text. An officer should also use less-lethal alternatives before using deadly force.