1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support legislation ending qualified immunity for armed law enforcement officers and establishing a requirement that they carry personal liability insurance, similar to the professional malpractice insurance required of medical doctors. The current system shields officers from accountability when they violate constitutional rights, creating a double standard that undermines public trust and allows misconduct to continue unchecked. Both doctors and police officers make split-second decisions with life-or-death consequences, yet only physicians face meaningful financial liability for negligence. Doctors invest years in education and training, often incurring substantial debt, yet still must carry insurance to protect the public and ensure victims have recourse. Law enforcement officers, especially in cities like San Francisco where police salaries and overtime earnings are substantial, have the financial means to afford such insurance. The absence of this requirement creates a system where taxpayers bear the full cost of police misconduct through municipal settlements, while individual officers face no personal financial consequences for constitutional violations. Ending qualified immunity and requiring personal liability insurance would fundamentally transform policing by introducing market-based accountability. Officers with patterns of excessive force or constitutional violations would face higher premiums or become uninsurable, effectively removing them from law enforcement–a natural consequence our current system fails to provide. Insurance companies, motivated by profit, would identify and price risk accurately, creating external pressure for departments to maintain higher standards. This reform would not prevent officers from defending themselves in court or performing their duties; it would simply ensure that when they violate rights, they bear appropriate responsibility. The overwhelming public demand for police accountability–reflected in protests, polling, and community outcry–makes clear that the status quo is unacceptable. I urge you to champion this essential reform that prioritizes accountability, protects constitutional rights, and restores public confidence in law enforcement.