U.S. Reps. Doug Collins (R-GA) and Ron Estes (R-KS) applauded the June 16 Safe Policing for Safe Communities executive order signed by the president.
“The executive order President Trump signed today lays a strong foundation for strengthening policing standards while prioritizing public safety,” Rep. Collins said on Tuesday. “As the president said, increasing accountability and transparency in policing is not mutually exclusive with keeping our communities safe. Together, we can achieve both objectives.”
The executive order promotes best practices for law enforcement across the country, with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) certifying independent organizations to provide accreditation to police departments on de-escalation, use of force, and community engagement.
Rep. Estes called the executive order “a bold step forward in promoting best practices in law enforcement, increasing transparency and accountability, and ensuring that we are keeping all communities in the United States safe.”
Under the order, accredited organizations will analyze law enforcement agencies’ policies on use of force, including where policies should include a prohibition on the use of chokeholds, except in situations where deadly force is allowed by law.
Additionally, a system will be created to allow police departments to share information about incidents of excessive force, and will make certain discretionary DOJ grants contingent on police departments sharing such information.
“In this divided political climate, it’s important to remember that supporting communities of color and standing for good law enforcement officers is not a binary choice,” said Rep. Estes. “The best way for our country to move forward and unite is to work together – just like we’ve done here in Kansas.”
Rep. Collins noted that recent tragedies, including the killing by a white police officer of a black man named George Floyd in Minneapolis, highlight the necessity to bring communities and law enforcement officers together.
“Last Congress, we were able to achieve historic criminal justice reform by doing just that,” added Rep. Collins. “It is my hope that Congress can implement similar strategies to achieve real, bipartisan solutions.”