As the summer heat in Washington rises, the police reform debate has gone cold as congressional negotiations over reform legislation have reached an impasse. While the Democratic House has passed a version of police reform, H.R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, that bill ends qualified immunity, something that the Senate Republican leader on police reform, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), has repeatedly described as a nonstarter. Meanwhile in the Senate, Democratic lawmakers led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have blocked Senator Scott’s own proposal, S. 3985, the JUSTICE Act, from moving forward. It is now likely that any legislation aimed solely at police reform will be pushed to 2021. Read More
Capitol Beat – Legislative Push for Police Reform
We are living in extraordinary times. As families, communities and businesses work together to manage the emotional, physical and very real fiscal impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, our country is also joining together to promote justice and take action toward eliminating racial inequality. While there is a level of uncertainty for the future, there is clear movement happening, and PORAC is committed to being part of the discussion. Read More
PORAC Director Profile: William Etue – Standing Up for School Police
For the past 15 years, PORAC Director-at-Large William Etue has served as an officer with the Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) — one of the largest independent school police departments in the nation. He is among the more than 450 sworn police officers, 126 non-sworn school safety officers and 34 civilian support staff who protect 1,300-plus Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) campuses. Read More
Just As Important As Your Bulletproof Vest?
Imagine a future in which you’ve become the chief of police of a midsize department following a series of highly scrutinized use-of-force incidents involving your officers. Just as you’ve become accustomed to answering difficult questions from the community, media and city leadership, you receive a visit from Department of Justice investigators who tell you they have initiated an independent investigation. Read More
United for Positive Reform: New PORAC-led coalition focuses on collaborative approach to change
The fatal killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black citizens at the hands of law enforcement has ignited a reckoning over police violence in America. Their widely publicized deaths have prompted mass protests as well as a renewed push from lawmakers and social justice advocates for nationwide police reform addressing use of force, brutality and systemic racism. Read More