Weekly Poll - Ferguson

Statewide survey conducted by Remington Research December 3 – December 5, 2014. 817 likely voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match turnout demographics of the last four General Elections. Margin of Error is +/-3.6%. Totals do not always equal 100% due to rounding.

Several new pieces of legislation have been proposed following the situation in Ferguson, Missouri. I am going to read you core components of proposed legislation. Please indicate if you support the legislation becoming law in Missouri.

Q1: This act provides that, whenever a law enforcement officer uses deadly force or shoots and injures a person, the Attorney General must appoint a special prosecutor to investigate. Do you support or oppose this new legislation becoming law in Missouri?

Support………40%

Oppose……….49%

No Opinion….11%

Q2: This act requires law enforcement officers to wear video cameras on their uniforms while on duty. The camera must be capable of recording the audio and video of interactions between the officers and the public. Law enforcement agencies must preserve recordings from the cameras for at least 30 days. Do you support or oppose this new legislation becoming law in Missouri?

Support………70%

Oppose……….25%

No Opinion……5%

Q3: Under current law, a law enforcement officer may use deadly force when he or she reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to effect an arrest and the suspect has committed or attempted to commit a felony, is attempting to escape by use of a deadly weapon, or may otherwise endanger life or seriously injure another person.

This act provides that a law enforcement officer may use deadly force only when all other means of apprehension have been exhausted or are unavailable, the officer has warned the suspect, and the officer reasonably believes the suspect is attempting to escape and possesses a deadly weapon.

In addition, this act provides that a law enforcement officer who uses deadly force against an unarmed person, who is 20 feet or farther away from the officer, must be immediately suspended from duty without pay until the incident has been fully investigated. Do you support or oppose this new legislation becoming law in Missouri?

Support………36%

Oppose……….54%

No Opinion……9%

Q4: Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Jay Nixon’s handling of the situation in Ferguson, Missouri?

Approve………..23%

Disapprove…….61%

No Opinion…….15%

Q5: Do you believe it is important for the Missouri State Legislature to enact new laws that address concerns from the situation in Ferguson, Missouri?

Yes, it is important for the State Legislature to enact new laws……………42%

No, it is not important for the State Legislature to enact new laws………49%

No Opinion……………………………………………………………..9%