A Minneapolis police officer lies on the ground after being struck by an object, Aug. 26, 2020 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)
(CN) — Minnesota police unions and groups filed a lawsuit Friday seeking to overturn a recent state law that altered the standard for justified use of deadly force.
The law was passed in 2020 after the death of George Floyd and enacted in March. The groups claim the law, which requires officers to “articulate with specificity” their justification for deadly force, forfeits their Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination.
The new standards restricted when deadly force can be used and can only be considered justified when used to prevent harm or death to a law enforcement officer or citizen. The police groups say officers haven’t been given enough time to be trained on the new rules.