How California’s New Use of Force Law Impacts Local Law Enforcement

Eureka, Ca. (KIEM) — California has a handful of new laws in effect in 2020, and one of them is impacting how law enforcement officers do their jobs.

Assembly Bill 392 was signed by Governor Newsom last year, but officially went into effect on January 1st. The new law modifies the conditions under which a police officer can legally use deadly force. Now, law enforcement can only use lethal force when necessary. It also prohibits police from firing on fleeing felons who don’t pose an immediate threat.

Experts say this will direct the courts to consider the actions of both the officer and victim leading up to the encounter when determining if the officer acted within the scope of law.

Here’s how it affects us here locally. According to Sheriff William Honsal, HCSO’s current use of force policy aligns with the new changes and the law is a chance for other departments in the state to catch up.