Committee Approves Bill to Limit Use of Prone Restraint

HB24-1372 would require law enforcement agencies to adopt a policy on the use of prone restraint and train officers on that policy
DENVER, CO
– Today the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation to limit law enforcement’s use of prone restraint.
Prone restraint is a tactic used by law enforcement that involves placing a person face down to restrain them, and often includes law enforcement officers applying pressure to the person’s back or neck.
Sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver,
HB24-1372
would require that law enforcement agencies adopt, and publish on their website, a written policy regarding the use of prone restraint. The policy must include when medical aid must be requested or rendered after the use of prone restraint.
“Due to its high risk of injury and even death, law enforcement officers must do everything possible to avoid the use of prone restraint,”
Fields said.
“Going against best practices, over the past few years we have seen troubling examples of harmful uses of prone restraint. This long overdue bill will reinforce best practices, help prevent injury and avoid future deaths.”
“In many circumstances, prone restraint is a tactic used safely by law enforcement and does not lead to harmful outcomes. However, when misused, it can lead to serious injury and even death, and one death is too many,"
said Gonzales.
"Officers are already trained on the appropriate use of the tactic, but outliers unfortunately occur. This bill codifies best practices for the use of prone restraint, promoting safety for community members who are placed in it, and the law enforcement officers who deploy it, while extending currently existing liability to officers who misuse it."
Under the bill, law enforcement agencies would be required to adopt a policy on the use of prone restraint by July 1, 2025 and the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board would be required to make a training on the use of the prone position available to law enforcement agencies. By July 1, 2026, law enforcement agencies would be required to implement and train peace officers on the provisions of their adopted policies and procedures.
HB24-1372 will now move to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress
HERE
.