Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone talks concerns, solutions to deadly force
MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. - Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone held a press conference on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 10 regarding his concerns and possible solutions to the use of deadly force in law enforcement.
According to a statement released prior to the news conference, officials say Penzone intends to talk about his "concerns, prospective and potential solutions for the challenges related to law enforcement deadly force incidents, and subsequent investigations."
The news release explicitly mentions HB 2765, a bill introduced by State Rep. Reginald Bolding and co-sponsored by State Reps. Jennifer Longdon and Diego Rodriguez, and deals with investigations into use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer.
"That step, in itself, does not address the greater challenge that we face," Penzone said.
The bill, if approved by the legislature and signed into law, will require an investigator or law enforcement officer who is not from the same law enforcement agency as the officer being investigated, as well as the Attorney General or the County Attorney from another county, to conduct an investigation into the officer's use of deadly force.
After an investigation is complete, the bill stipulates that findings from the investigation will be provided to the county attorney of the county in which the use of deadly force took place.
"Anytime there is an officer-involved shooting or deadly incident, it would require a third-party investigation," said State Rep. Bolding. "We know that the bill has bipartisan support. Republican Attorney General, Republicans in the legislature and Democrats support this bill."
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone holds news conference
During the news conference, Sheriff Penzone addressed a state bill on deadly use of force investigations, as well as his concerns, prospective and potential solutions for the challenges related to law enforcement deadly force incidents and subsequent investigations.