Policy changes are being implemented to various degrees throughout law enforcement in accordance with the White House’s Executive Order to Advance Effective, Accountable Policing and Strengthen Public Safety. The implementation of this order is to build and sustain fairness and accountability throughout the criminal justice system and extends to state, tribal, local, and territorial law.
These changes are designed to develop law enforcement policies that advance transparent and accountable policing practices.
The Department of the Interior (DOI)
Federal agencies are taking the lead in this initiative. In October 2022, the DOI announced new policies that established clear guidelines on use of force standards, required law enforcement officers to wear body-worn cameras, and restricted the use of no-knock warrants.
The DOI recently published recommendations to assist law enforcement and communities to work together in collaboration. Each agency is tailoring their enforcement best practices to their mission.
The DOI’s Law Enforcement Task Force was led by Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau and provided administrative services, funds, facilities, staff, equipment, and other support services for the Task Force to carry out its mission.
Public Trust in Federal Law Enforcement
Public trust in law enforcement is divided into three areas: public perception, transparency and accountability, and the use of force.
The intent of the executive order mentioned above is to increase public trust and enhance public safety and security by encouraging equitable and community-oriented policing. The federal government is committed to new practices in law enforcement recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention, as well as training, oversight, and accountability.
The executive order states, “Many law enforcement agencies across the country — including at the Federal, State, Tribal, local, and territorial level — have already undertaken important efforts to modernize policing and make our broader criminal justice system more effective and more equitable.“
Taking the Lead
As directed by the President, the Attorney General is issuing guidance and developing training for State, Tribal, local, and territorial Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) regarding best practices covering the following areas:
- Sharing of Federal Best Practices with State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Law Enforcement Agencies to Enhance Accountability.
- Ensuring Timely and Consistent Discipline.
- Strengthening Officer Recruitment, Hiring, Promotion, and Retention Practices.
- Supporting Officer Wellness.
- Establishing a National Law Enforcement Accountability Database.
- Improving Use-of-Force Data Collection.
- Banning Chokeholds and Carotid Restraints.
- Providing Federal Law Enforcement Officers with Clear Guidance on Use-of-Force Standards.
- Providing Anti-Bias Training and Guidance.
- Restricting No-Knock Entries.
- Assessing and Addressing the Effect on Communities of Use of Force by Law Enforcement.
- Limiting the Transfer or Purchase of Certain Military Equipment by Law Enforcement.
- Ensuring Appropriate Use of Body-Worn Cameras and Advanced Law Enforcement Technologies.
- Promoting Comprehensive and Collaborative Responses to Persons in Behavioral or Mental Health Crisis.
- Supporting Alternatives to Arrest and Incarceration and Enhancing Reentry.
- Supporting Safe Conditions in Prisons and Jails.
- Advancing First Step Act Implementation.
- Collecting Comprehensive Criminal Justice Statistics.
- Establishing Accreditation Standards.
- Supporting Safe and Effective Policing Through Grantmaking.
Executive Order May 25, 2022 Intent
This order specified the intent is to take steps to strengthen our democracy and advance the principles of equality and dignity. The desired result is to make policing safer and more effective by strengthening trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. Criminal justice system reform is also included to protect and serves all people equally.
The implementation of this order is expected to build and sustain fairness and accountability throughout the criminal justice system.
Contradictions
This order effectively addresses training and ways to Improve law enforcement and community relations. However, there must also be respect and compliance of our laws by our citizens in general and training in that respect too.
Those who break our laws, resist arrest, create mayhem, riot and destroy property, regardless of the reason must also be held accountable for their actions.
Our law enforcement officers, that risk life and limb, must be shown the same respect that the executive order requires law enforcement to provide to those they serve. Law enforcement in general, and our local police departments work tirelessly 24/7 to protect their communities and keep residents safe and secure.
