Police use of force would be judged by what an officer knew at the time, not by hindsight
What it does
HB 1085 would require the person deciding whether a peace officer's force was reasonable to ask whether a reasonable officer in the same position would have used it at that moment, without relying on hindsight or the officer's underlying motive. The decision would consider all facts and circumstances known to the officer at the time, including the severity of the alleged offense, any immediate threat or flight, whether the person was armed or appeared to be, the person's size, strength, and demeanor, the number of people faced, the time available to decide, and the officer's training and experience. It would apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2027, with earlier offenses governed by the law in effect when they occurred.
What it means for your community
For residents and police officers in your city, the proposal would focus court cases on what an officer knew when force was used rather than what was learned later. It would not create a new rule for when force is allowed; it would change how a case is judged. Because this bill has only been introduced, it would not change current law unless lawmakers approve it.
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