SACRAMENTO – Today, Senate Bill 230, by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. SB 230 is a comprehensive measure that would require every law enforcement officer to be trained in techniques to reduce the need for deadly force. The bill will ensure California leads the nation in regards to departmental use of force policies, ensures robust officer training, and reaffirms a commitment to protecting the sanctity of life.

“In authoring SB 230, Senator Caballero has established a national precedent by requiring consistent policies and mandatory training standards for nearly 500 California law enforcement agencies,” said Ron Lawrence, President of the California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA). “An officer’s use of force impacts Californians throughout the state and Americans throughout the country, and SB 230 provides a model that other states can follow when updating their own use of force policies.”

SB 230 will build on California’s rigorous officer training requirements by establishing a minimum standard for the use of force for all 500-law enforcement agencies throughout the state. This bill requires new evidence-based policies and procedures for utilizing de-escalation techniques, interacting with vulnerable populations, implicit and explicit bias and cultural competency training, reasonable alternatives to deadly force, a duty to render medical assistance, and a new duty for officers to intercede and report if they witness the use of excessive force by a fellow officer.

“SB 230 makes fundamental changes to how law enforcement officers interact with the public and the tactics that they use to get cooperation. This culture shift will pave the way to restoring the public trust and mutual respect that is so desperately needed,” stated Caballero. “I would like to thank Assemblymember Weber, Pro Tem Atkins, Speaker Rendon, and Governor Newsom for their help and assistance in crafting solutions.”

Senator Anna M. Caballero represents the 12^th Senate District, composed of Merced and San Benito Counties, the Salinas Valley, and portions of Fresno, Madera, and Stanislaus Counties.

###