Connecticut House Bill HB05249

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/23
• Refer: 1/12/23

Caption

An Act Concerning Use Of Deadly Force.

Impact

This legislative change is significant as it alters the legal framework for assessing when law enforcement can justifiably use deadly force. Currently, the requirement stipulates that force must be objectively reasonable under the circumstances. By changing this to a standard assessing what a reasonable officer would do in the situation, the bill could potentially provide greater leeway for officers involved in deadly encounters, thereby raising crucial discussions about accountability and public safety.

Summary

House Bill 05249 aims to amend subsection (c) of section 53a-22 of the Connecticut general statutes concerning the justification of deadly force used by peace officers and authorized officials within the Department of Correction or the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The proposed changes would shift the standard for evaluating the justification of deadly force from an 'objectively reasonable' standard to one that considers whether a reasonable officer would use such force based on the facts and circumstances known to them at the time.

Contention

The bill raises important points of contention regarding the appropriateness of its proposed standard. Critics may argue that this could lead to increased instances of misuse of force by law enforcement and undermine public trust. Proponents of the bill believe that it provides necessary protections for officers acting in high-stress situations, thus balancing the need for effective law enforcement with considerations of officer safety and decision-making in critical moments. The debate around this bill reflects broader societal concerns regarding police practices and community safety.