Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/13/2023 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB71 | |
| SB119 | |
| SB32 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 71 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 32 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 32-CHOKEHOLD BAN
4:03:27 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 32 "An Act prohibiting the use
of chokeholds by peace officers; and relating to justification
of use of force by peace officers."
He asked the sponsor to provide a summary of the bill.
4:03:49 PM
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, District G, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 32, read the sponsor statement.
Police use numerous methods to restrain and limit the
movement and overall activity of someone who possess a
danger to themselves or to others (including the
police officer). One of the most common restraints are
carotid and a tracheal choke. Both restraints impede
breathing and circulation of blood. If these
restraints are used incorrectly, death through
asphyxiation may occur. Throughout the United States,
there are cases of the misuse of chokeholds. Senate
Bill (SB) 32 would assist in reducing the rate of
chokeholds used incorrectly. SB 32 would further seek
to improve police to community relationships by
addressing a long-standing issue around use of force.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON stated that while many police agencies
already prohibit the use of choke holds, the policy can change
when leadership changes. Placing the ban in statute will ensure
it will remain in perpetuity, which is the goal.
4:05:19 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 32.
4:05:45 PM
JULIE SMYTH, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 32. She stated her belief that police should be
well-trained and know the rules about how to engage with the
public. She opined that the public wouldn't necessarily be
notified if a police department changed policy and started
allowing the use of chokeholds so having them prohibited in law
would increase trust between law enforcement and the communities
they serve.
4:07:04 PM
LEONARD HICKS, Chief of Police, City of Bethel, Bethel, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 32. He described the use of
chokeholds by police officers as a tool that should only be used
in the same situations as those where deadly force would be
authorized. The bill will ensure that the policies and
procedures related to chokeholds will remain when leadership
changes.
4:09:00 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI closed public testimony on SB 32 and held the
bill in committee.