Establish a statewide use of force policy in Maryland

TAKE ACTION NOW

We need to end police violence and abuse that disproportionately impacts Black and Latinx Marylanders. Our legislators must protect our communities by passing the use of force bill (HB 139 and SB 262).

This legislation would change officers’ behavior so that they respond to situations in a way that protects human life and holds officers accountable when they use excessive force.

Maryland is one of the only states that does not have a use of force law. A statewide use of force policy would create a standard for all police officers. This law would make it clear that officers should only use lethal force as a last resort and must actually try to de-escalate situations before using any force. This law would help save many lives.

Black, Latinx, Indigenous people, and people exhibiting mental health episodes or substance abuse conditions should have their lives valued and protected, including having officers do everything in their power to save a person’s life.

Passing a use of force bill is one of five demands of the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability, a large, diverse statewide coalition of more than 90 organizations working to reimagine policing in Maryland.

Send a message to your legislators today to demand that they take action to pass a use of force bill in Maryland.

Please take action now.

Message Recipients:
Maryland State Delegates and Senators

Take Action: Pass a statewide police use of force law in Maryland (via Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability).

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Your Message

Subject Establish a statewide use of force policy

Dear Maryland Delegates and Senators,

I am a Maryland resident and think it is unacceptable that there is no statewide policy that dictates when and how much force officers can use. It is time to pass HB 139 and SB 626 to establish a statewide use of force policy to better protect our communities and hold officers accountable.

Message Body

The current policies that govern the use of force are not enough to protect our communities. We need a law with clear definitions and requires officers to only use lethal force as a last resort. Maryland is one of only nine states without a statewide use of force law. It is necessary for Maryland to have a law requiring officers to work to de-escalate situations before they use force and intervene when they see other officers using force is necessary. This law will also hold officers accountable when they do use force without reason.

I urge you to pass HB 139 and SB 626 to protect Black and Latinx lives and our communities. It is a key step on the path to reimagine policing.
This law will also hold officers accountable when they do use force without reason.

I urge you to Pass HB 139 and SB 626 to protect Black and Brown lives, and our communities.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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Establish a statewide use of force policy in Maryland

TAKE ACTION NOW

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