Ferguson prompts proposed legislation on use of deadly force

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Intro:	Legislation intended to address the aftermath of Ferguson would change police protocol regarding deadly force.
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Wrap: Democratic Representative Tommie Pierson of St. Louis City is the sponsor of a bill that would suspend a police officer after deadly force is used on an unarmed person more than twenty feet away.

Pierson says he thinks it's time to do something to make police officers think before they shoot.

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Description: "I think that too many African American teenagers and males in particular, are getting shot down by police officers unarmed and they're not, they don't seem to be violating any law."

The bill would mandate the officer be suspended until a full investigation is complete.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Michael Lindquist.

Intro:	Proposed legislation in the Missouri House would impact police protocol regarding deadly force.
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Wrap: A bill sponsored by Democratic Representative Tommie Pierson intended to address the aftermath of Ferguson would change police protocol regarding deadly force.

It would suspend a police officer after deadly force is used on an unarmed person more than twenty feet away.

Republican Representative Shawn Rhoads is the chairman of the House Public Safety committee. He says the bill will have a lot of support.

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Description: "I think it needs a little bit of work and we're going to do that to it. We're really needing to kind of help out our laws in Missouri as far as use of force."

The bill would require the officer to be suspended until a full investigation is complete.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Michael Lindquist.

Intro:	Legislation addressing the aftermath of Ferguson would alter police protocol and the use of deadly force.
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Wrap: St. Louis City Democratic Representative Tommie Pierson is the sponsor of a bill that would require the unpaid suspension of a police officer after deadly force is used on an unarmed person more than twenty feet away.

Pierson says the bill will make police officers think twice before drawing their gun.

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Description: "You know, every time we can cause a police officer to think before he shoots, it saves somebody's life, you know. Police officers have to understand that they're not judge, jurors and executioners. Their job is to arrest people, not kill them."

The bill would require the officer to be suspended until a full investigation is complete.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Michael Lindquist.