A group of Republican senators introduced a police reform bill that focuses on accountability and transparency while promoting efforts to find solutions to systemic issues affecting people of color.
The Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act is sponsored by Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Cornyn (R-TX), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), James Lankford (R-OK) and Ben Sasse (R-NE).
“Now is the time for reform,” Scott said. “The murder of George Floyd and its aftermath made clear from sea to shining sea that action must be taken to rebuild lost trust between communities of color and law enforcement. The JUSTICE Act takes smart, commonsense steps to address these issues, from ending the use of chokeholds and increasing the use of body worn cameras, to providing more resources for police departments to better train officers and make stronger hiring decisions. I want to thank Leader McConnell and the entire task force not just for their hard work on putting this bill together, but for their commitment to finding real solutions.”
The legislation seeks to strengthen the training methods and tactics used throughout law enforcement jurisdictions, especially regarding the de-escalation of force and the duty to intervene. Further, it seeks to end the practice of utilizing chokeholds.
In addition, the bill will reform hiring practices to ensure the makeup of police departments more closely matches the communities they serve. Also, police departments will have access to candidates’ prior disciplinary records. Additionally, the act will put more body cameras on the streets, as studies show that body cameras can decrease the number of violent encounters.
Also, the bill requires police officers to report to the FBI after an incident where an officer has discharged his or her weapon or used force. The JUSTICE Act also requires reporting of no-knock warrants. Finally, the bill makes lynching a federal crime and creates two commissions to find solutions to the challenges facing black men and boys in the criminal justice system.
“I am honored to join my colleagues today to introduce the JUSTICE Act, which offers solutions to help bridge the gap between law enforcement and communities by increasing training, transparency, and accountability,” Lankford said. “Hundreds of thousands of state, local, and federal law enforcement officers in Oklahoma and around the nation continue to do the right thing, the right way, daily. However, the service of great officers gets overshadowed by the actions of a few that abuse their position. Transparency, accountability, and training will allow the thousands of good officers to shine and will expose the motives of those who are not providing equal justice. Legislative action is required to end the use of chokeholds and to bring more consistency under the law. Justice should not be a partisan issue.”