Massachusetts Governor Signs Police Accountability Bill

BOSTON (AP) – Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has signed a new police accountability bill into law.

The bill creates a civilian-led commission to standardize the certification, training and decertification of police officers. The law signed Thursday by the Republican governor also bans chokeholds.  Additionally, it bars officers from shooting into a fleeing vehicle unless it’s necessary to prevent imminent harm. And it strictly limits the use of rubber pellets, chemical weapons or dogs against a crowd.

The legislation is in part a response to statewide demonstrations following the May killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.