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Final push to gather I-940 signatures for use of force

There is a final push for an initiative that proponents say will give police officers more tools to handle dangerous situations.

But those who oppose I-940 say it is meant to make officers villains.

The fiercest critics of Initiative 940 have been members of the law enforcement community. But the rally at Cal Anderson Park attracted family members of victims of police shootings and a couple of law enforcement veterans, too.

"If I could just have some of the family members up with me right now because it's really about you guys," said Andre Taylor, whose brother, Che', was killed by Seattle police.

The relatives of those killed during confrontations with police officers, sheriff's deputies and state troopers came together in this final push to get the signatures needed for Initiative 940 to go on the ballot.

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"This injustice that is going on in this state," said Monika Williams, "it has to stop now."

Williams's sister, Charleena Lyles, was killed by two Seattle police officers on Father's Day.  Williams believes I-940 is a start to righting that wrong.

"But we will fight to continue to change these laws until we see justice that is fair," Williams said.

Initiative 940 would require de-escalation training for all law enforcement officers. It would also mandate that they provide first aid if they end up shooting someone.

The most controversial provision would remove proving malice as a condition to prosecute officers who misuse deadly force.

"I'm part of the African-American community, part of communities of color," said Cynthia Softli, a state corrections officer and president of the Black Law Enforcement Association of Washington. "But I'm also part of the law enforcement community."

Softli acknowledged that her law enforcement colleagues vigorously oppose Initiative 940. They see it as a ploy to throw officers in jail.

"What do you say to them?" she was asked.

"This is not about police bashing," Softli said. "This is not about not recognizing the job that law enforcement professionals do every single day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is about training."

Supporters of I-940 say 36 people have been killed by law enforcement officers in this state this year. That's up from 29 just a year ago.

People have until December 29th to collect the signatures needed to get this measure on the ballot.