A sharecropper’s daughter who was born in Arkansas, Shirley Weber grew up to become a California lawmaker taking on one of the most divisive issues in a statehouse dominated by Democrats: a new law to limit when police can shoot. This episode is about Assemblywoman Weber and the lawmakers she must convince to help her pass a tougher standard for police to use deadly force. 

Additional music for this episode by Lee Rosevere.

A sharecropper’s daughter who was born in Arkansas, Shirley Weber grew up to become a California lawmaker taking on one of the most divisive issues in a statehouse dominated by Democrats: a new law to limit when police can shoot. This episode is about Assemblywoman Weber and the lawmakers she must convince to help her pass a tougher standard for police to use deadly force. Additional music for this episode by Lee Rosevere.

The Deciders

After police killed an unarmed black man in his grandparents' backyard, activists set out to change California law, hoping to make it easier to prosecute police who kill. That's sparked a heated debate in the state Capitol between families who have lost loved ones to police, and law enforcement officers who face split-second decisions while performing a dangerous job. Reporter Laurel Rosenhall explores California's attempt to curb police shootings as politicians consider the nation's toughest statewide standard for justifying deadly force. Questions? Call us at 916-209-0249 or email forceoflaw@calmatters.org.

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The Deciders

The Deciders