Bill To Restrict Usage Of Police K-9s Returns To Assembly For Vote

A bill to end the use of police K-9 units in many criminal policing situations is set to return to the Assembly this month, with many hoping it will pass the Assembly by the end of January, despite a large lack of support of the bill seen last year.

Assembly Bill 742, authored by Assemblyman Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), would specifically end the use of K-9 units for arrest, apprehension, and crowd control. AB 742 would not ban K-9 units entirely, as they would still be allowed for search and rescue, explosive detection, and narcotic detection that does not include the use of biting.

In addition, amendments made since the bill was introduced in February of 2023 opened the door for many exceptions. This has included changing language from, “It is the intent of the Legislature to prevent the use of police canines for the purpose of arrest, apprehension, or any form of crowd control” to, “It is the intent of the Legislature to prevent the use of police canines for any form of crowd control, or to arrest or apprehend a person except to avoid the use of deadly force or to defend against a lethal threat by the person.”

It also radically changed not using dogs to apprehend anyone under any circumstances to allowing multiple exceptions, such as tracking down those with felonies who hurt or killed others. And the bill replaced a total ban on allowing the dog to bite to granting numerous exceptions.

While AB 742 did make it past two Assembly committees last year, those changes ultimately failed to dissuade a growing number of lawmakers from dropping support of AB 742. For weeks, more and more lawmakers turned away from the bill due to a large outcry from law enforcement leaders and groups across the state. While Jackson said he authored AB 742 in response to the high number of injuries reported with police dogs, as well as the claimed historical use of K-9 units disproportionately against African-Americans and other people of color, police departments across the state expressed the need to have dogs as a way to apprehend suspects, to protect officers lives, and to protect others. They also warned that there would be an overall increase in crime if the bill was passed.

AB 742 back for a floor vote

With support from both parties waning significantly, Assemblyman Jackson pulled the bill and placed it into the inactive file last May before it could be killed off in the Assembly. Despite a lack of support, Jackson vowed to bring the bill back in 2024. Jackson is preparing to bring the bill back to the Assembly and hopes that there is now enough support to make it past the Assembly this time. As the bill has only until the end of the month to pass the Assembly and be up for full passage later this year, Jackson is moving the bill to an Assembly floor vote, joining dozens of other bills from last year that lawmakers feel deserve a second chance.

While some medical and social groups have continued to oppose the use of police dogs due to the injuries dogs can give and the perceived targeting of dogs on certain criminals, law enforcement groups continue their opposition to the bill due to the dogs effectiveness in having suspects surrender peacefully and dogs being used as a protection against injuries or deaths of officers.

“Our canine units are only deployed after extensive verbal warnings and announcements are given to the suspect, bystanders, and surrounding residents,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna in a statement. “Often, the mere presence of a canine is enough to dissuade criminal acts or compel a suspect in hiding to surrender without incident.”

Experts told the Globe on Friday that, despite optimism from supporters, passage of the bill this year will be an uphill battle.

“We have been nothing but puzzled by the people still trying to get this passed,” added former police officer and K-9 unit member Ronald Davis. “Our dogs are there for very good reasons, because they help protect and defend. Yes, they do bite people. But what the people trying to get this bill passed don’t tell you is how often they stop suspects with weapons who would have otherwise harmed an officer. People expect only other people, not the quick burst of speed, the size, and the force a dog can bring. They are officers too.”

“I don’t see how this can be passed still. So many people came out against it last year, and unless they make big changes, it is not going to entice anyone else. People know how important police dogs are.”

AB 742 is expected to be voted on in the Assembly later this month.