|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to law enforcement policies regarding de-escalation and |
|
proportionate response. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended by adding Article 2.33 to read as follows: |
|
Art. 2.33. LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY ON DE-ESCALATION AND |
|
PROPORTIONATE RESPONSE. (a) In this article, "law enforcement |
|
agency" means an agency of the state or an agency of a political |
|
subdivision of the state authorized by law to employ peace |
|
officers. |
|
(b) Each law enforcement agency in this state shall adopt a |
|
detailed written policy regarding the use of force by peace |
|
officers employed by the agency. The policy must: |
|
(1) emphasize the use of conflict de-escalation |
|
techniques; and |
|
(2) authorize force to be used by officers only after |
|
attempts to de-escalate a situation have failed. |
|
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2022, each law |
|
enforcement agency in this state shall adopt the policy required by |
|
Article 2.33, Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act. |
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |