Two Arizona House Republicans have introduced legislation they say will protect law enforcement and hold Attorney General Kris Mayes accountable in the wake of her public remarks suggesting circumstances under which members of the public could use deadly force against police officers.
House Speaker Steve Montenegro and State Representative Joseph Chaplik introduced legislation in direct response to Mayes’ comments on Arizona’s stand your ground law. In her public comments, Mayes discussed scenarios involving the use of deadly force against federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, including immigration officers. Lawmakers, law enforcement leaders, and the governor have all condemned the remarks as dangerous, irresponsible, and misleading.
Montenegro introduced House Bill 2993 to protect officers and reestablish accountability. The bill allows the Department of Public Safety to hire outside legal counsel instead of being forced to rely on the Attorney General’s Office. It also directs $5 million from the Consumer Protection-Consumer Fraud Revolving Fund to the Peace Officers’ Training Fund to strengthen training and preparedness statewide.
“When the Attorney General muddies the law on deadly force, especially when it involves police officers, people can get hurt or killed,” Speaker Montenegro said. “This bill ensures DPS has legal representation they confidently believe has their back. Additionally, the bill diverts Attorney General Mayes’ funding away from an office that adds danger to the streets through her words, to the officers who actually keep communities safer through their actions.”
Chaplik introduced House Resolution 2004 calling for Mayes’ resignation and censuring her for her statements. The resolution affirms that Arizona law favors compliance with lawful authority and resolving disputes in court, not in the street. It also calls on Mayes to resign and retract her disturbing statements.
“I’ve heard from sheriffs and other law enforcement officials with concerns for the safety of their officers,” Chaplik said. “This kind of violent rhetoric is dangerous in our communities, and it never should have come from the Attorney General or any elected official. She refused to correct the record, and that cannot be ignored. Our officers deserve leaders who back them, not ones who put them in danger.”
The lawmakers say that the House bill and resolution together “send a clear warning. Arizona lawmakers will defend law enforcement, protect public safety agencies from political interference, and reject reckless statements that undermine the rule of law.”
She always looks drugged.
Pass the bill. Let the Governor veto it. Then let her try to explain it to the voters in her bid for re-election.
Hey Tucson, you all know, all of you, that nothing will come of this. Mayes is as protected as a turtle in it’s shell. She as with others of her ilk never face consequences. Republicans are dragged thru the streets as are conservatives but democrats bathe in rose water. You can stamp your feet and scream but to no avail.
Believe me I am not holding my breath!!
Voters are to blame!
1st stop referring to these pols as ‘leaders’
they are not! 2d this is what is expected when
pols are questionably put int office like current
regime. People have a kalif complex and
we can plainly see how that is working in that
Place. More basi education i needed so that
indoctrination efforts are offset. People here
vote for the ‘d’ behind the name as names
mean nothing. Just as the hobbit has been
compromised with her actions that affect
the state and worthless pols who only think
of staying in office rather than the state
and people.
Nice pic. What a smug sourpuss pos.
Get her out of office! Does the house have the authority to impeach Mayes? If so, they need to do it. Otherwise, they’ll only keep blocking her actions as much as they can with legislation like this, but it won’t stop her.
I appreciate their efforts, mayes is reckless and out of control. I’d like them to also recognize that there are other state agencies besides DPS that have state peace officers, they should be included in legislation like this as well.
Another useless bill that is dead as soon as it hits veto Katie’s desk unless they have a veto proof majority which they don’t.