Democratic lawmakers in Arizona have asked Republic Gov. Doug Ducey to call a special session to address police reform in the state following the death of George Floyd, according to a letter.
“The disparate treatment of people of color by law enforcement is a serious issue that will require hard work by all of us to overcome,” the letter signed by Senate and House lawmakers said.
The Democrats’ letter came after demonstrations erupted across the country over the death of Floyd, a black man who died after the officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.
Hundreds of people in Phoenix have been arrested during protests denouncing Floyd’s death and police shootings.
Ducey is expected to call a special session to discuss issues related to the coronavirus, which has led to more than 900 deaths, 21,000 cases of COVID-19 and mass unemployment.
Lawmakers also want to enact genuine police reform, The Arizona Republic reported.
One of the requests in the letter suggests all police officers in the state should be required to wear body cameras.
“Body cameras provide an objective alternative viewpoint for the protection and safety for the public and officers,” the letter said. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Mesa and Flagstaff police departments currently equip officers with body cameras.
In January, Ducey called for lawmakers to allocate funds to the state Department of Public Safety so it could buy on-body cameras. The proposal passed the House but did not get a vote in the Senate in the session that was shortened by the pandemic.
Other requests in the letter include providing training on de-escalation and sensitivity by the state board that certifies officers and limiting officers’ qualified immunity against lawsuits.
Ducey spokesman Patrick Ptak has said the governor has talked to community leaders and lawmakers with both parties on the issue and he appreciates the Democrats’ thoughtfulness.
Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
