Signed by Governor John Carney, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trusts responsibility to review deadly use of force incidents by law enforcement by adding review of cases involving serious physical injury.

Highlights:

• The Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust shall do all of the following (Sec. 1)

• Investigate and prosecute hate crimes; 

• Investigate and prosecute civil or criminal misconduct committed under color of Delaware law or in the course of a public official’s or state employee’s duties; and

• Investigate all use of deadly force incidents by law enforcement and use of force incidents by law enforcement that result in serious physical injury to determine whether such use of force was justified as a matter of law.

• For informational purposes and to facilitate data-tracking, if a public report is issued by the Division on law enforcement’s use of deadly force or use of force that results in serious physical injury, the public report must include (Sec. 1.b):

• The race of the law enforcement officer who used force; 

• The race of the individual on whom force was used; and

• Whether race was found to be a relevant or motivating factor in the use of force; and

• Enforce pattern and practice violations.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trusts responsibility to review deadly use of force incidents by law enforcement by adding review of cases involving serious physical injury.

Highlights:

• The Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust shall do all of the following (Sec. 1)

• Investigate and prosecute hate crimes; 

• Investigate and prosecute civil or criminal misconduct committed under color of Delaware law or in the course of a public official’s or state employee’s duties; and

• Investigate all use of deadly force incidents by law enforcement and use of force incidents by law enforcement that result in serious physical injury to determine whether such use of force was justified as a matter of law.

• For informational purposes and to facilitate data-tracking, if a public report is issued by the Division on law enforcement’s use of deadly force or use of force that results in serious physical injury, the public report must include (Sec. 1.b):

• The race of the law enforcement officer who used force; 

• The race of the individual on whom force was used; and

• Whether race was found to be a relevant or motivating factor in the use of force; and

• Enforce pattern and practice violations.

Full Bill Text