Editorial

Justice for all

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

When there is a need for a major reform in our country, listening is the starting point for sound change. Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss proposed federal policy changes to address police use of force at a Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing. The input of those who have worked closely on this issue is instrumental as we work to enact legislation to rebuild the lost confidence in many institutions designed for the purposes of keeping communities safe.

The vast majority of law enforcement officers are hard-working Americans who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. Unfortunately, we have seen several instances of horrific and inexcusable conduct by some very bad actors under the guise of law enforcement. Reforms are needed, as well as greater accountability and transparency, to help eliminate racial inequality and rebuild the trust all Americans deserve to have in these important institutions.

During the hearing, I heard recommendations of how to approach this issue on the federal level. The discussion I had with Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff, Co-Founder and CEO of the Center for Policing Equity; Melvin Carter, Mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Vanita Gupta, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: