California Democrats Move To Ban Uses Of Police K9s, Citing Racism

California Democrats and activists are attempting to ban multiple police K-9s being used in California. They cite historical and present racism.

Assembly Bill 742 was introduced by Democratic Assemblymembers Corey Jackson and Ash Kalra (San Jose) on February 13. It would ban the use of K-9 units to arrest, apprehension and crowd control. Other situations like explosives detection or search and rescue missions would still be allowed for police dogs.

“From the brutal attempts to quell the Civil Rights movement, Black Lives Matter protests, and their day-to-day use in law enforcement, police K-9s remain a gross misuse of force and victimize black and brown people, disproportionately,” Jackson Last week, during a press conference to announce the bill. “The need for AB 742 is apparent, not only through a historic perspective but also through the clear racial disparities we see every year.”

In a press release, the assemblyman cited research that said that black and Latino individuals are more likely to be involved in K-9 apprehensions. Jackson claims that 65% of the 2021 victims seriously injured by police dogs were black and Latino. “people of color.”

Jackson stated that the use of police dogs to arrest suspects is racist and goes back to slavery. He also noted that AB 742’s role was largely intended to correct past racial injustices.

“I’m always looking for ways to atone for the past,” The Democrat stated. “How do we get out systemic racism? How do we get out racism in our narratives? And how do we make sure that we erase practices that are currently being done today that were originated and perfected on our ancestors?”

Jackson even went so far as to quote Malcolm X (black nationalist) and say that “the white man has traded in white sheets for police badges and K9s.”

It’s not surprising that there has been so much Pushback against the billThis is especially true for law enforcement officers. Officials stress the crucial role K-9s play protecting suspects and law enforcement from deadly force. They consider the bill counterproductive. 

OAN heard last week from Sheriff Mark Lamb in Pinal County, Arizona that he isn’t. “absolutely seen cases where lethal force would have been justified, and was likely going to be used next had the [police] dog not been effective.”

“The dogs are extremely valuable,” Sheriff Lamb continued. “And the fact that they want to take this away seems to be contradicting what they want across this country, which is more and more reform. So, I can’t understand what they’re trying to do.”  

Tonight on Real America
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb speaks out on the proposed California law that would prohibit K9 units from arresting police dogs.https://twitter.com/DanNewsManBall?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@DanNewsManBall #RealAmerica #Conservative #TalkShow #OAN pic.twitter.com/B693dwZCmR

— One America News (@OANN) February 16, 2023

Both the ACLU- and the NAACP have factions Support AB 742. The measure could be presented to the committee as early next month.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases