'AB 392 will save lives.' Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg cheers change in California's use-of-force standard
The fatal shooting of Stephon Clark by Sacramento police officers in March 2018 prompted Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg to call for a change in the use-of-force standard that governs when officers can legally shoot suspects. On Monday, Aug. 19, he joined Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders as the governor signed AB 392, a bill authored by Assemblymember Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, that raises the state’s antiquated use-of-force standard to allow officers to shoot only when “necessary” rather than “reasonable.” The bill was co-authored by Sacramento’s Assemblymember Kevin McCarty.
“No one law will fix all the challenges facing our law enforcement communities and our communities of color,” Mayor Steinberg said at the signing ceremony. “But I am confident, that by definition, AB 392 will save lives.”
Members of the Clark family and other families who have lost loved ones to officer-involved shootings also were on hand to celebrate the bill becoming law. Clark’s brother, Stevante, stood next to the governor at the signing.
AB 392 also makes it clear that officers must use non-lethal resources and techniques whenever safe and feasible, changes that will be reflected in officer training statewide.
