Davids Announces Support for Justice in Policing Act, Slate of Police and Criminal Justice Reform Bills

June 11, 2020

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced her support for the Justice in Policing Act, as well as a slate of police and criminal justice reform bills to help increase accountability in policing, protect public safety, and build trust between law enforcement and communities.

"Too many Black lives have been lost to injustice and brutality in this country. Kansans and people across the country have taken to the streets to raise their voices and demand change, and that's exactly what this moment calls for. The Justice in Policing Act, as well as the numerous other bills I'm supporting, would enact comprehensive reforms to law enforcement that would increase transparency and accountability and combat this pattern of violence. While no single policy will undo centuries of systemic racism, and we have much more work to do to protect the health and safety of our communities, this is strong a step in the right direction," said Davids.

Among other measures, the Justice in Policing Act:

increases transparency into policing by collecting better and more accurate data of police misconduct and use-of-force through creating a National Police Misconduct Registry;
removes barriers to prosecuting police misconduct and recovering damages from officers who have violated civilians' rights, including by ending qualified immunity by law enforcement;
and improves police training and practices, including by requiring body and dashboard cameras, banning chokeholds, ending the use of no-knock warrants in drug cases and enacting steps to end racial profiling.

"In my conversations with local law enforcement officials, I've heard repeated support for efforts to improve police training and practices, as well as to increase transparency and accountability. These are necessary steps to build trust between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect and serve," said Davids.

Davids also signed onto numerous police and criminal justice reform bills, including:

Eric Garner Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act: modifies the criminal civil rights statute that prohibits the deprivation of rights under color of law, and specifies that the application of any pressure to a person's throat or windpipe which may prevent or hinder breathing or reduce intake of air (e.g., a chokehold) constitutes a punishment, pain, or penalty.
Law Enforcement Training for Mental Health Crisis Response Act: provides grant funding to conduct behavioral health crisis response training for law enforcement departments at state, local, and tribal levels.
Federal Police Camera and Accountability Act: establishes requirements for federal law enforcement officers in uniform to wear body cameras and for federal law enforcement agencies to install video cameras in patrol cars.
Police Training and Independent Review Act: provides federal funding as an incentive for states to require enrollees at law enforcement academies to receive sensitivity trainings, as well as adopt state laws requiring investigations into an officer's use of deadly force.
Closing the Law Enforcement Consent Loophole Act: makes it unlawful for a federal law enforcement officer to engage in a sexual act while acting under color of law or with an individual who is under arrest, in detention, or in custody.
Break the Cycle of Violence Act: authorizes new grant programs to support violence intervention initiatives.
Justice for Victims of Lynching Act: establishes a new criminal civil rights violation for lynching.
Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act: establishes a bipartisan 19-member commission to study social problems that plague Black males and recommend solutions.
H.Con.Res. 100: establishes a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation.