Perlmutter Supports George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter voted to pass H.R. 1280, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, sweeping legislation which will address systemic racial discrimination by law enforcement by holding police accountable, improving transparency of police misconduct and use-of-force, and improving police training and practices.

"Every incident of excessive police force against an unarmed African American or person of color -- anywhere -- is wrong. Every person in this country, regardless of the color of their skin, should be able to live without fear of discrimination or violence. Sadly, for decades there has been a tinder box of racial and social injustice in our country," said Perlmutter. "Without justice, there can be no order. This transformative legislation is the first of many steps forward as we work together to address the inequality and injustice that exists."

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act will take numerous key steps to achieve transformative, structural change to combat the pattern of police brutality and racial injustice, including:
* Banning all chokeholds;
* Banning no-knock warrants in drug cases;
* Ending racial, religious and discriminatory profiling;
* Eliminating the qualified immunity doctrine that is a barrier to holding police officers accountable for wrongful conduct;
* Establishing a National Police Misconduct Registry to improve transparency and prevent problematic officers who are fired or leave one agency, from moving to another jurisdiction without any accountability;
* Requiring data collection, including mandatory body cameras and dashboard cameras;
* Establishing new standards for policing and the Public Safety Innovation grants for community-based organizations to help reimagine policing in their communities; and more.

"We need to need to prioritize community-oriented policing policies and ensure our local police departments have access to the tools, training, and mental health resources they need to support officers and root out bad actors," continued Perlmutter. "I remain committed to working with the Biden-Harris Administration and my colleagues in Congress as we work to honor George Floyd's life and the lives of all killed by police brutality."

Perlmutter has long-supported measures included in H.R. 1280 such as making lynching a federal hate crime, limiting the transfer of military-grade equipment to state and local law enforcement, encouraging racial bias training, and supporting the recommendations of the 21st Century Policing Task Force. Perlmutter has also supported a resolution condemning all acts of police brutality, racial profiling, and the use of excessive and militarized force throughout the country.

Source