Bill Summary:

Beginning July 1, 2023, the bill requires all local law enforcement agencies and the Colorado state patrol to issue body-worn cameras to their officers and requires all recordings of an incident be released to the public after the incident. The bill requires sanctions for failing to activate the body-worn camera. Each state and local agency and the Colorado state patrol that employs peace officers shall report to the attorney general division : All use of force by its peace officers that results in death or serious bodily injury; All instances when an a peace officer resigned while under investigation for violating department policy; All data relating to stops contacts conducted by its peace officers; and All data related to the use of an unannounced entry by a peace officer. If any peace officer is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to any inappropriate use of physical force or a crime involving the unlawful use or threatened use of physical force, or for failing to intervene to prevent inappropriate use of physical force , the peace officer's employing agency shall immediately terminate the peace officer's employment and the P.O.S.T. board shall permanently revoke the peace officer's certification. The bill states that in response to a protest or demonstration, a law enforcement agency and any person acting on behalf of the law enforcement agency shall not: Discharge kinetic impact projectiles and all other non- or less-lethal projectiles in a manner that targets the head, pelvis, or back; Discharge kinetic impact projectiles indiscriminately into a crowd; or Use chemical agents or irritants, including pepper spray and tear gas, prior to issuing an order to disperse in a sufficient manner to ensure the order is heard and repeated if necessary. The bill repeals a peace officer's authority to use a chokehold. The bill creates a new use of force standard by limiting the use of physical force and limiting the use of deadly force when force is authorized. The bill requires a peace officer to have an objective justification a legal basis for making a stop contact.

CEA Position Rationale: CEA supports racial and social equity and justice, ending school to prison pipeline, equal protection for all students and their families, and appropriate over site of the law enforcement officers.

Legislative Priorities: Prioritize Working Families and Union Values, Dismantle Inequitable and Racist Structures

Tier: 3