George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021

The Federal measure included a package of bills that aimed to increase accountability for law enforcement misconduct.

It would have banned chokeholds and “qualified immunity,” but it included money for training, education for officers regarding racial profiling, establishing a national database, and more.

Here is the text from the Bill.

H.R.1280 – George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021

“This bill addresses a wide range of many policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It increases responsibility for law enforcement misconduct, restricts the use of certain policing practices, enhances transparency and data collection, and establishes best practices and training requirements.

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 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 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. It requires law enforcement officers to complete training on racial profiling, implicit bias, and the duty to intervene when another officer uses excessive force.”

“I CAN’T BREATHE”

“I can’t breathe,” were the last words we would hear on the video that captured George Floyd’s brutal arrest. He died in police custody.

Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer in May 2020, setting off mass anti-racism protests that called for widespread police reform.

California Congresswoman Karen Bass introduced H.R 1280, The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021. 

It was passed by U.S. House of Representatives in March of 2021, along a straight party-line vote. Only one republican voted yes. However, he changed his mind and had his vote removed from the record.  

However, the Legislation failed in the United States Senate. 

Democrats worked with Republicans for months on a compromise.  But failed to get the bill to the Senate floor for a vote.

One key factor in its failure:

Qualified Immunity!

Following the death of Tyre Nichols, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell is saying there could be a compromise in the Senate to get the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passed.

But there are still two hurdles.

1. The bill includes banning the “choke hold” and ends “Qualified Immunity” for police.

Qualified Immunity is a legal doctrine that keeps police safe from Civil Lawsuits.

The second Hurdle.

2. The Republican-Controlled House of Representatives.

This is a continuing story. Stay Tuned.