Create a national use-of-force standard. Reiterate and reenforce that violence is only acceptable if it prevents death or serious bodily injury.
Very, very few police officers are bad actors. Eliminate the collective bargaining protections that shield the ones who are. < Collective bargaining is a formal process where a union, on behalf of its members, negotiates with an employer to establish a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). >
Urge states to make it easier to “decertify” officers who violate the officer’s code of conduct.
Encourage states to repeal laws that hide performance records of police officers and prison officers from the public.
Create a national registry of police misconduct. Track officer-involved deaths.
Challenge the U.S. Supreme Court to, at a minimum, greatly refine “qualified immunity” for law enforcement officials.
Provide federal grants for states to create independent ways to investigate wrongdoing.
Demand the Justice Department provide detailed public reporting on the reasons they don’t bring criminal charges against officers.
Don’t dismiss the effectiveness of consent decrees – agreements between the Justice Dept and cities that outline basic civil rights reforms – in extreme situations. 1787 believes in local control of law enforcement, but consent decrees can absolutely work – just ask Newark, New Jersey!
Demand the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division appropriately open “pattern or practice” investigations.
Increase the accountability of coroners and medical examiners.
Regulate and monitor police surveillance technologies, including facial recognition, surveillance cameras, and automated license plate readers.
