Colorado Gov signs sweeping police reform bill ending qualified immunity, banning chokeholds

[RandySF]

Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed a sweeping police reform bill into law on Friday that includes the end of qualified immunity for officers.

The bill ends the legal doctrine that protects police officers from civil lawsuits, and which some have argued gives cover for cops who use excessive force. The issue has gained national attention in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer held him in a chokehold for nearly nine minutes.

“By facing the cold hard truth about the unequal treatment of Black Americans and communities of color, we can and we will create real change that will materially improve the lives of countless Americans of this generation and future generations,” Polis said before signing the bill. “And we can bend the moral arc of the universe toward justice.”

The sweeping Colorado bill also requires all state and local police wear body cameras by 2023, with footage being made public, a ban on chokeholds, a ban on shooting fleeing suspects and a ban on deadly force unless a life is in immediate danger. It also requires officers to report every time they stop someone they suspect of a crime and record that person's ethnicity, race and gender.





https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/503681-colorado-gov-signs-sweeping-police-reform-bill-ending-qualified-immunity

[roamer65]

1. Wow...CO is getting really progressive.

[Cha]

4. My home state.. it's heartwarming!

[Blue_true]

8. Progress happens when democrats have a strong hold on government. nt

[soothsayer]

2. Wow that's awesome

2023 is a long way off for body cams but perhaps it’s realistic.

[ibegurpard]

3. The qualified immunity part

Is the really important part. It will allow oversight that ensures accountability.

[smirkymonkey]

5. Bravo Colorado!

Well done!

[Nevilledog]

6. See? That wasn't so hard.

Good for Colorado!

[ArcticE]

7. That's not all we did. Colorado makes me happy.

This was in my local paper this morning. My apologies for "hijacking" the thread. I still need to make a few more comments before I can start a diary.

We repealed the death penalty
We banned civil immigration arrests in courthouses.
We improved air and water quality protections.
We allowed collective bargaining for state employees.
We approved means for financial compensation for college athletes.
We repealed Columbus day and replaced it with Frances Xavier Cabrini day.

There's even more.


https://www.greeleytribune.com/colorado-legislature-2020-recap

[Blue_true]

9. What is the makeup of Democrats to republicans in your

Legistlative chamber(s)? I can't see republicans going for those changes if they had the power to stop or slow them.

[ArcticE]

11. You are right Blue_true

Currently, "The 2018 Colorado elections resulted in Democrats extending their control in the House (41 Democrats; 24 Republicans) and capturing the Senate majority. The current Senate makeup is 19 Democrats and 16 Republicans".

One more thing I forgot to mention, that we did.

Governor Jared Polis will also now be able to mass-pardon marijuana convictions for possession of 2 ounces or less if he signs a bill that gives him that authority. He has indicated he will do so.

We, the people of Colorado can not take any of this for granted. But in the meantime, we will revel in the victories.

[Blue_true]

12. Thanks. nt

[crickets]

10. Good job, Colorado. K&R for visibility.