Arizona’s Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes’ public advice that people in Arizona could use the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law to justify shooting federal officers - especially masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents - has been roundly condemned by the Arizona Police Association (APA).
“Law enforcement is inherently dangerous work. Recent public comments by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes have the potential to make it even more dangerous,” APA explained Thursday in a statement denouncing Mayes’ comments in a local television news interview:
“The interview quickly shifted to a discussion of Arizona’s self-defense and ‘stand your ground’ laws.
“In that context, Attorney General Mayes went on to describe scenarios under which a person could claim legal justification for shooting a law enforcement officer, specifically citing the possibility that ICE agents might not be easily identifiable due to masks or nontraditional uniforms.”
“Even the interviewer expressed concern and attempted to redirect the conversation,” APA Executive Director Joe Clure notes:
“Despite this, the Attorney General continued to outline how deadly force could be justified against law enforcement officers under those circumstances.”
“Officers across Arizona, including members of the Attorney General’s own investigative teams, routinely operate in plain clothes or wear protective face coverings when circumstances require it,” the police officers remind Mayes. “This does not diminish their legal authority or status as law enforcement.”
“Publicly speculating about how someone might legally justify shooting an ICE agent sends a dangerous and irresponsible message, particularly in an already tense and polarized environment,” APA warns.
“Words from elected officials matter. It only takes one unstable individual to interpret such commentary as permission or encouragement to use deadly force against police officers,” the statement says, noting that the Attorney General has a responsibility to de-escalate, not inflame:
“We find these remarks reckless, irresponsible, and dangerous to the safety of all law enforcement professionals in this state.”
The Arizona Police Association’s statement concludes by calling on all elected officials in the country to stop demonizing enforcement of the nation’s laws for political gain, since they’re putting officers’ lives at risk.
