How should police think about the use of force in interactions with the public? Our state’s current Use of Force policy for law enforcement affirms principles including the sanctity of human life, officers’ duty to de-escalate, to use only necessary force, and to only use deadly force as a last resort. While these principles have been disregarded during incidents including the killing of Victoria Lee, Najee Seabrooks, and too many others, it is vital that our state hold and advance these principles in any future administration. The Use of Force bill (A4175/S2348) would codify these principles, require public hearings, and help ensure that New Jersey will only keep moving forward on police accountability and public safety. In honor of what should have been Victoria Lee’s 27th birthday, please join us on October 7 for a briefing on the bill, after which we’ll look up and call our state senators to request their support.