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.”
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