NEW STANDARDS FOR POLICE USE OF FORCE PROPOSED

Excessive use of force by police has probably been the dominant issue in criminal justice for about the last two year.A group of about 200 police leaders has released a new set of principles to deal with the horrendous problem of unlawful excessive use of force by police.  According to the NYT, these principles include focusing on de-escalating situations and avoiding escalation.  Police officers should aid anyone they hurt immediately.  Among the recommendations, police "should abandon a so-called 21-foot rule, which in some encounters with emotionally volatile people can result in fatal shootings. And they should follow standards higher than those set by the United States Supreme Court for using force."