The death of George Floyd resulting from an applied chokehold by a Minneapolis police officer has prompted Texans to take action to protect their citizens from police brutality as protestors rallied at the Texas Capitol last week to advocate for the passing of the Texas George Floyd Act.
“We're working together on these issues and the Texas House is coming together to get our work done,” said Republican House Chairman Jeff Leach (R-Allen). "We're trying to bring folks around the table, including a lot of really great brave law enforcement, who can and should be respected and who are working with us to weed out the bad so that we can focus on the good."
A hearing on the legislation lasted several hours last week with many, many witnesses on both sides, according to Leach.
“We actually are coming together around the table to have productive conversations about the use of force and a number of other police reform issues," Leach told the Lone Star Standard. "Don't give up on our brave men and women in law enforcement."
Although law enforcement lobbyists are concerned that reform could withdraw qualified immunity, according to media reports, Leach said change is a bipartisan effort.
Qualified immunity is a judicial doctrine implemented by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1960s, which shields public officials, like police officers, from liability when they break the law, according to the Cato Institute.
“When we talk about criminal justice reform, we're not only talking about crime and justice,” Leach said in an interview. “We're talking about life, liberty and freedom and a lot of what we’re seeing nationwide, which was sparked in Texas over the years, is this being one of the really cool, fresh areas where there seems to be bipartisan agreement. We disagree on a lot but both sides can, in many cases, agree on second chances for folks and on a criminal justice system that is transparent and fair and a situation where we could be hard and smart on crime but also respect life and liberty.”
A recent attorney general opinion for Corrections, Homeland Security and Public Safety Chairman Rep. James White (R-Woodville) states that Texas law does not currently require an officer to intervene to save a life when another officer has gone too far. The Center for Justice Research (CJR) recommends banning chokeholds and similar restraints, emphasizing training in de-escalation and appropriate restraint techniques on the use-of-force spectrum while working collaboratively with communities most impacted to develop and implement culturally responsive policy solutions.
“Some of the folks we're working with on the law enforcement side have some really good ideas about training, reporting, and heightening the standards for use of lethal force but those conversations are ongoing," Leach said.
As previously reported, 72% of Texans support the George Floyd Act, and 91% believe officers should be required to intervene if they observe another officer using excessive force. A ban on the use of lethal force is supported by 84% of the public.
"The vast majority of our police officers are good smart men and women of integrity who are bravely keeping us safe and secure in our homes, in our streets, in our schools and communities,” Leach said. “I look forward to continuing the conversation as we approach the homestretch of the session."
