Bill would mandate use-of-force policy audit
Proposal after officers killed Fort Lee woman
By: Kyle Morel
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
.... A Korean American rights group is supporting proposed legislation that would require reviews of law enforcement sue-of-force policies, a topic that gained greater attention after a Fort Lee woman was shot and killed by police this summer. [2024]
.....
The Korean American Association of Greater New York announced its support for the bill, A-4175, in a statement issued Wednesday [10/23/2024] by Terence Park, chairman of the association's Human rights Committee. The statement applauded the efforts of lawmakers to advance the measure and expressed hope "that this bill will be an opportunity to save many lives."
.....
The bill calls for the state attorney general to review use-of-force policies at least once every two years, or more frequently if it is deemed appropriate, and revise the rules "as need may require." The legislation, sponsored by Democratic Assemblywoman Ellen J. Park of Bergen County's 37th district, was introduced in April [2024] and referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Monday. [11/28/2024]
...... The latest step comes less than three months after Victoria Lee, a 25-year-old Korean American woman was fatally shot by police officers responding to her Fort Lee apartment July 28. [2024] Lee's brother told police in a pair of 911 calls that his sister was having a mental health crisis and was holding a knife.
..... Audio released from the 911 calls shows that Lee's brother requested "just an ambulance" with no police to the scene, but the dispatcher informed him that officers must be sent for the safety of ambulance personnel. He later called back to try to cancel the response but was told that mental health calls cannot be canceled.
..... The legislation calls for the attorney general to "give due consideration to" four core principles when reviewing and revising the use-of-force policies. these include respecting human life, prioritizing other measures before using force, using "only objectively reasonable, necessary and proportional force," and articulating duties such as rendering medial assistance when force is sued.
..... The Korean American Association statement called for all officers involved in Lee's death to be placed on administrative leave pending an attorney general investigation. The group also asked for local, state and federal lawmakers to stand in support of the bill.
..... The "Human Rights Committee hopes that Victoria Lee's sacrifice will serve as an opportunity to save many lives," the statement read, adding that the organization "will do its utmost to ensure that her death was not in vain."