Law enforcement agencies across Colorado may see sweeping changes to how they operate if an accountability bill introduced yesterday in the state legislature passes.
The Democratic bill call for all officers to be equipped with body cameras and for recordings to be released to the public within 14 days.
It would repeal what’s commonly called the “fleeing felon” statute and allow officers to use deadly force only when a suspect is using a deadly weapon or presents an imminent danger to the officer or someone else.
Another area of controversy has been the use of choke holds by police, which the bill would ban.
The bill also would mandate that agencies fire any cops who plead guilty or are convicted of using inappropriate force, and would require the Peace Officers Standards and Training board to decertify them.
And if the bill passes, it would allow officers to be sued for civil rights violations in their individual capacities.
