An executive order created to raise police departments’ standards of practice was signed by President Donald Trump on Tuesday, although many remain unhappy and skeptical.
Spending More on Law Enforcement
The new executive order, signed by President Trump on Tuesday, addresses recent policing issues and is aimed at providing incentives for police departments across the country to adopt new standards for using force. It also calls for the creation of a national database that would ease tracking records of abuse and would make mental health professionals’ response alongside officers quicker.
Despite the announcement, many are skeptical as the order does not mention systematic racism or some of the sweeping changes that activists and Democrats have been proposing. The order does not include a ban on tactics like choke-holds as thousands have demanded, although it is now to be used only if lives are in danger.
“To all of the hurting families, I want you to know that all Americans mourn by your side. Your loved ones will not have died in vain,” Trump said, with an administration official adding that the goal is to invest more into the police and “incentivize best practices,” rather than defunding it.
The Trump administration also added that the order was put together with advice taken from both law enforcement leaders in the country, as well as representatives of victims’ families, who were not, however, “co-partners in the fashioning of that executive order.”
It is so far unknown how precisely the executive order will be enforced, although officials have hinted that it would be up to mayors and local leaders to hold their police departments responsible.
The order comes as both Democrats and Republicans in the house are looking to pass their own police reform bills, with Democrats aiming at banning tactics like choke-holds, mandating body cameras and removing “qualified immunity.” The Republican side is yet to unveil their planned reform, although Sen. Tim Scott said that putting an end to qualified immunity is a no-go.
Talks regarding police reform were reignited in a big way after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, which sparked nationwide protests against racism and police brutality.
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