Ask Mitch why the Senate-Trump-GOP-QANON oppose the George Floyd Act ...
Also ask Mitch why he sucks at doing the right thing - 116th Congress 300+ laws died in his legislative graveyard. Yet Kentuckians still re-elected him.
06/25/2020Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 236 - 181 (Roll no. 119).(text: CR H2440-2453) and the Congressional Record - June 25, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 117 — Daily Edition — again the 116th Congress, the House voted to pass this yet it went to Mitch McConnell’s legislative grave yard.
This isn’t an anti-police Bill - the mantra that “not all cops are bad” -well not all brown or black people are criminals. Yet since the Derick Chauvin verdict - police need to reconcile the recent deaths of; Daunte Wright, Andrew Brown Jr.
One has to wonder before the deployment of police body cameras (most municipalities obtain these cameras via the Byrne Grant and other DOJ Law Enforcement Grants) just how many more unnecessary deaths of African Americans does Congress need before they finally pass meaningful legislation? Before the prevalence of smartphones I can’t help but wonder, just how many African Americans died at the hands of police?
Local Police & Body Worn Cameras
Then in the recent law enforcement killing of Andrew Brown Jr. On March, 6, 2021 the DPJ via Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance12
FY 2020 funding caps for individual agencies are determined by the total number of BWCs propose, to be acquired by the agency (including those purchased through federal funds or matching funds)
In order to ensure broad and equitable distribution of funds, no agency may request more than $2,000 per BWC purchased as part of the submitted grant application. This is referenced as the $2,000 per BWC funding cap
Elizabeth City NC
Under North Carolina G.S. 132-1.4A Page 1 § 132-1.4A. Law enforcement agency recordings. (a) Definitions. Any footage from body worn cameras and dash boards cameras are “not considered public record in the state.” Both the Police and sheriff’s departments lack the statutory authority to release any recordings absent a Court Order. Alternatively that same law with specificity that family members or the public must petition the court for video. This BJL link will take you to the three most recent grants, one of which specific to body worn cameras
With the recent Associated Press publication of the forty plus minutes of body camera footage. One thing is clear - the Louisiana Police engage in what can only be called a systematic cover up regarding the death of Ronald Greene. What police training allows an officer drag a person by their ankles while still in the prone position. NONE. The incident report and initial statements by the Louisiana State Troopers not square with the nearly two year old body cam footage the AP successfully obtained…
Louisiana officials have rebuffed repeated calls to release footage and details about what caused the 49-year-old’s death. Troopers initially told Greene’s family he died on impact after crashing into a tree during the chase. Later, State Police released a one-page statement acknowledging only that Greene struggled with troopers and died on his way to the hospital.
H.R.1280 - George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021
This bill addresses a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It increases accountability for law enforcement misconduct, restricts the use of certain policing practices, enhances transparency and data collection, and establishes best practices and training requirements. Section 102 —Directly takes on qualified immunity;
The bill enhances existing enforcement mechanisms to remedy violations by law enforcement. Among other things, it does the following:
lowers the criminal intent standard—from willful to knowing or reckless—to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution,
limits qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer, and
grants administrative subpoena power to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in pattern-or-practice investigations.
It establishes a framework to prevent and remedy racial profiling by law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels. It also limits the unnecessary use of force and restricts the use of no-knock warrants, chokeholds, and carotid holds.
The creation of a national registry—the National Police Misconduct Registry—which will compile data on complaints and records of police misconduct. Furthermore this Bill also establishes new reporting requirements, including
on the use of force, officer misconduct, and routine policing practices (e.g., stops and searches).
Presently a bad cop can leave their current department and apply to a new police department and their records are not attached.
Lastly this Bill also directs the Department of Justice to;
”create uniform accreditation standards for law enforcement agencies and requires law enforcement officers to complete training on racial profiling, implicit bias, and the duty to intervene when another officer uses excessive force”
Actions: 03/03/2021Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 212 Roll no. 60 and text via the Congressional Record H1039-1054
This bill addresses a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It increases accountability for law enforcement misconduct, restricts the use of certain policing practices, enhances transparency and data collection, and establishes best practices and training requirements.
H.R. 1280 also enhances existing enforcement mechanisms to remedy violations by law enforcement. Among other things, it does the following:
lowers the criminal intent standard—from willful to knowing or reckless—to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution,
limits qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer, and
grants administrative subpoena power to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in pattern-or-practice investigations.
It establishes a framework to prevent and remedy racial profiling by law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels. It also limits the unnecessary use of force and restricts the use of no-knock warrants, chokeholds, and carotid holds.
The bill creates a national registry—the National Police Misconduct Registry—to compile data on complaints and records of police misconduct. It also establishes new reporting requirements, including on the use of force, officer misconduct, and routine policing practices (e.g., stops and searches).
Finally, it directs DOJ to create uniform accreditation standards for law enforcement agencies and requires law enforcement officers to complete training on racial profiling, implicit bias, and the duty to intervene when another officer uses excessive force.
Related Bills: H.R.1280 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)
H.R.1163Federal Police Camera and Accountability Act. Related bill - 02/18/2021 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
H.R.1347 Eric Garner Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act of 2021 Related bill 02/25/2021 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
H.Res.179 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1) to expand Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, strengthen ethics rules for public servants, and implement other anti-corruption measures for the purpose of fortifying our democracy, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1280) to hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct in court, improve transparency through data collection, and reform police training and policies; and for other purposes. Procedurally-related: H.Res.179 is a House rule related to H.R.1280House 03/01/2021 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
S.353 End Police Use of Chokeholds Act of 2021 - 02/22/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
S.597ERRPA -03/04/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Senator Kyrsten Sinema
“…as Arizona's senior Senator, Kyrsten works every day to deliver for Arizona families – helping veterans get the benefits they’ve earned, creating good–paying jobs for Arizonans, and keeping Americans safe at home and abroad.
Kyrsten feels a duty to serve and give back to the communities and country that gave her so much.
ask her about the April 2020 killing of an unarmed Muslim Man, Phoenix Police repeatedly mockedMuhammad Muhaymin Jr. - going as far as saying to him: “Allah? He’s not going to help you right now,” ask the same officer had,his knee on Mr Muhaymin’s neck.
also ask her about the May 2020 shooting of Dion Johnson (also in Phoenix AZ) In September 2020 prosecutors said the officer would not be charged
In the case of the death at the hands of police of R.J. Williams, it all started with a domestic disturbance call by Williams’ girlfriend. Arriving first on the scene, Mader came upon Williams, who had his hands behind his back. The officer quickly asked Williams to show him his hands. Williams complied, revealing a gun. Immediately, Mader ordered Williams to drop his weapon. But Williams refused, repeatedly for Mader to “just shoot me.”
In that moment, Mader did not see a man with a gun. He saw a human being in crisis. Mader deduced that Williams was not what he might appear — a danger to others and to a responding officer alike. Mader saw that Williams was trying to commit “suicide by cop.”
Rather than shoot, Mader returned to his military training and attempted to de-escalate the situation. He softened his voice, looked Williams in the eye, and said, “I’m not going to shoot you, brother. I’m not going to shoot you.” With those words, Officer Mader connected to the humanity of Williams, a man in deep distress.
Here’s the thing, policing is hard. Police often show up on the worst day of a person’s life. Community Policing is even harder. If you do it right, the Community repairs/rebuilds the prerequisites trust between law enforcement and the community they serve.. Not all police officers are bad. Similarly not all black or brown Americans are criminals. Again this isn’t about anti-police or defunding the police. What this is about is how many more African Americans must die before Congress acts?
The brutal facts are, we expect our police officers act in numerous roles and often simultaneously . Simply put we expect police officers to handle individuals who are in mental crisis, intervene during domestic violence…social worker, catching the bas guys and essentially running towards danger.
If you want to know that Community Policing done right looks and acts like I’ve long followed (and donated) to Officer Tommy Norman. He is genuinely what all local police departments should model their community policing endeavors (and yes I may have sent my thoughts to the Biden White House, CBC and the Speaker) because I’ve followed Officer Norman for at least six years. It’s been amazing to see how he builds the relationships with the parents but most importantly the next generation…
The Community that Officer Norman swore an oath to protect and serve…well he loves them and they love him back. That’s how you do effective community policing. It means rebuilding trust, earning respect and it is a two way street.
Again this isn’t about anti-police it’s about having a discussion about better policing, more community involvement and in turn this builds a safer community. But hashtags impugning all Police as bad and defunded police. That’s not constructive and it sets forth an unintentional bias against police. But you should contact your Senator - Senators Telephone List
One year anniversary -still stuck in the Senate
And perhaps it’s just too much to ask that Congress (once again looking at you Mitch) finally blows through the partisan gridlock and agree to meaningful legislation. Today marks the one year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. These witnesses not only lived through watching Mr Floyd being murdered in front of them but some of the witnesses had the presence of mind to use their smartphone to record what they saw. And then these same witnesses took the stand and recounted what they bore witness to.
The bravery of what these witnesses did - this ensured that a jury of Derrick Chauvin’s peers found him guilty of murder. The fact that the George Floyd Police Reform Act is still stuck in a partisan loggerhead largely in the Senate is absolutely inconceivable and unacceptable. And yet here we are and having to repeat for the umpteenth time;
LOOKING AT YOU MITCH…yet again…
Good grief TL:DR but as you can see this took a bunch of research. I believe my readers/followers should have unabridged access to the various public documents. Mainly because everyone is entitled to an opinion but facts are just facts.
Yes Gianna - your “daddy changed the world”
I am going to be super slammed with my J-O-B, as you know shoving rogs/bonbons in my calorie hole often requires my uninterrupted attention. I also have a follow up interview for an ongoing matter. And clearly “reports of my demise have been grossly exaggerated” … I am disappointed by Mitch McConnell and his GOP-QANON acolytes. Not even watching the nine +minutes of Chauvin literally torturing George Floyd to death is enough to convince him to put the House Bill on the Senate Floor for an up/down vote. So yes Kentucky thanks for re-electing him…said no sane person ever…
What are your thoughts on providing deputized social workers for community policing to be on the ground with officers? I’ve seen this brought up a couple times and I think it would make a lot of sense to have that kind of intervention option available. Thanks Filey!
What are your thoughts on providing deputized social workers for community policing to be on the ground with officers? I’ve seen this brought up a couple times and I think it would make a lot of sense to have that kind of intervention option available. Thanks Filey!