I want to clarify that it was not my intention to dismiss the dangers in police work. My point is that greater care in police use of force and a focus on de-escalation skills as well as better understanding of racial bias would make that work safer for everyone from law enforcement to the public. Seth Stoughton, a scholar with experience as a police officer, addresses this topic well in a Dec. 12, 2014, article in The Atlantic, “How Police Training Contributes to Avoidable Deaths.”

For these reasons, the ACLU of Colorado supports House Bill 1287 for Police Officer Training Improvements as part of a package of bills in the current legislature to rebuild trust in law enforcement.

After so many tragic deaths at the hands of police around the nation, passing this legislation is a necessary step for civil liberties as well as for the safety of both law enforcement and our communities.

Nathan Woodliff-Stanley, Executive director, ACLU of Colorado

Denver