Assembly Bill 738 aims to enhance the standards and procedures surrounding the use of force by law enforcement officers and the decertification of various public safety professionals, including jail and juvenile detention officers. The bill stipulates that law enforcement officers must employ de-escalation tactics to minimize the necessity of force and mandates that they use the least amount of force necessary to address a threat. Additionally, it expands the grounds for decertification by the Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB) to include violations of the law governing the use of force and termination of employment while under investigation for official misconduct. The bill requires that decertification occurs within 30 days of the relevant event and establishes that individuals decertified under these new provisions cannot be recertified without a waiver from the appropriate governing body.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the development of a model use of force policy by the LESB, which must address interactions with vulnerable populations and incorporate best practices for law enforcement agencies. This policy is intended to ensure that law enforcement officers are better equipped to handle situations involving individuals with mental health issues, substance abuse problems, and other vulnerabilities. The bill also renumbers and amends existing statutes to reflect these changes, ensuring that the legal framework is updated to support the new requirements for use of force and decertification processes.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 165.85(3m)(c), 165.85, 165.85(4)(c)7, 175.44(2)(b)(intro.), 175.44