Statement on Police Reform and Racial Justice Legislation

The following is a joint statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka, Senator Sonia Chang- Díaz, and Senator William Brownsberger:

“With the release of the House bill on police reform, we are pleased that the House is embracing many similar priorities of the Senate, including acknowledging the need to limit qualified immunity, curbing the use of excessive force—including banning chokeholds and requiring a duty to intervene—preventing the use of facial surveillance technology, limiting no-knock warrants, setting up a process to independently investigate misconduct and to certify and decertify police officers, and establishing a Commission on the Status of African Americans. Massachusetts has a historic opportunity to lead on this issue, and we must keep pushing to meet this moment. We look forward to working towards a final, stronger version of this bill that combines the best of both to put more power in the hands of civilians, shift resources to the communities most impacted by over-policing, and build a more equitable and just future.”