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Major law enforcement organizations across the United States are pondering President Biden’s new executive order on police reform, with some saying it is a step in the right direction and others expressing concern that it is just ” political theater “that will demoralize and endanger police officers.
Biden signed the “Executive Order to Advance Effective and Responsible Criminal Justice and Police Practices to Improve Public Confidence and Public Safety” on Wednesday afternoon on the two-year anniversary of the assassination of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
The executive order “is a measure of what we can do to heal the soul of this nation,” Biden said.
The executive order comes as crime rates are soaring across the country and a record number of police officers have been shot in the line of duty. Agents say morale is low among their departments and they have trouble hiring. It also arrives a few months later legislation to reform the police stalled in the Senate by disagreements between Republican lawmakers and Democrats.
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Senior government officials told Fox News that the action would be aimed at a wide range of reforms, such as: directing the attorney general to establish a database of national accountability for law enforcement, ban the use of asphyxiation and carotid restrictions unless lethal force is allowed, restricting the use of uncalled tickets, strengthening pattern and practice investigations, and limiting the transfer of military vehicles and equipment to police departments.
President Joe Biden speaks at the White House Roser Garden in Washington on Friday, May 13, 2022, during an event to highlight state and local leaders who are investing funds in the U.S. Rescue Plan. Attorney General Merrick Garland, on the left, and Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department Police Chief Joe Mabin listen. (Photo by AP / Susan Walsh)
The National Association of Sheriffs (NSA) told Fox News Digital that the Biden administration did not consult the organization to work out the action.
NSA President Sheriff Vernon Stanforth said: “There are potentially elements of this order that make sense and can be beneficial to all law enforcement. However, Sheriffs are disappointed that President opted for opacity above transparency in the drafting of this order. “
“By choosing not to listen to the elected law enforcement, the president lost the hearing of the rest of the country. [he] he chose by hand with whom he and his staff would share the true word and with whom they would collect the contributions. Law enforcement operates in every county in the Americas, not just the cities on the east and west coasts. “
“This process leads us to believe that the president had preconceived notions about our views and perspectives. It is important to note that elected sheriffs represent and protect 300,000,000 citizens, operate 90% of the nation’s prisons, protect 90 “% + of the courts and 90% of the courts operate. 911 in the nation. This effort can only be perceived as biased against the nation’s 3,086 sheriffs,” Stanforth continued.
In addition, the National Police Association (NPA) called Biden’s action a “political theater” that could endanger the lives of police officers and the public.
Spokesman Sgt. Betsy Branter Smith told Fox News Digital that restrictions on military equipment transfers are “an area where, in the name of making the public safer, they can endanger the lives of police and the public.” “.
“If the president is going to inhibit the ability of law enforcement agencies to get these life-saving vehicles, it is up to him personally to provide a substitute that is equally effective in protecting the police and the public,” Smith said.
Smith told Fox News Digital: “George Floyd’s death was tragic, our justice system has dealt harshly with those involved, and now is not the time to tell the public that US law enforcement It is “systematically racist” and must be bigger, limited in our methods to stop the criminal activity that continues to affect our nation. President does not have a back. “
Jason Johnson, president of the Law Enforcement Defense Fund (LELDF), told Fox News Digital: “This executive order is a political response to activist demands. If the administration really wants to help the forces, “But this requires working with the leadership of law enforcement and the various labor organizations that represent law enforcement.”
“I sincerely hope that the administration recognizes that, despite being politically appropriate, unjustified restrictions on law enforcement have had and will have a detrimental effect on public safety.”
However, other law enforcement groups that were more involved behind the scenes in drafting the executive order are optimistic that it will be a step in the right direction.
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The International Association of Police Chiefs (IACP) and the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) told Fox News Digital that they had engaged in “extensive discussions” with the Biden administration to develop the executive order, saying that “It marks an important step in our ongoing efforts to strengthen public confidence in the police and the criminal justice system.”
Police cars in line. (Frankysze via Getty Images)
“During our discussions, the IACP and the FOP focused on communicating the challenges facing the police profession and making it clear that our profession is made up of dedicated people who are committed to preserving human life. “Maintaining the highest ethical standards and treating all people with dignity and respect, while holding themselves and others accountable for their actions,” the groups said.
Organizations see the order as a “plan” for further action by Congress and said they remain “firm in our commitment to work with all stakeholders who are willing to take an evidence-based approach to enacting a “Effective and lasting change to build a safer future for our communities and the peacekeepers who serve them.”
“A broader approach to global systemic issues must be a priority for all elected officials and, as our organizations have done from the beginning, be prepared to work together to make our entire criminal justice system be fairer and more equitable for all, “IACP and the FOP said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks at the Justice Department on January 5, 2022 in Washington, DC. Garland tackled the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol. (Carolyn Kaster-Pool / Getty Images)
The Association of Chiefs of Senior Citizens (MCCA) also said the administration “consulted extensively” with MCCA while developing the executive order, but warned that executive action “instead” of congressional action it is “not a sustainable means” of instituting change.
“Establishing effective and meaningful reform without jeopardizing law enforcement capacity to maintain the security of our communities is exceptionally complex. Therefore, as this Executive Order moves into the implementation phase, the The administration must continue to work with law enforcement agencies such as the MCCA. “the group said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“The MCCA has consistently held that executive action rather than congressional action is not a sustainable means of achieving and instituting change. Therefore, while today’s Executive Order is an important first step, “MCCA encourages Congress to come together to develop and pass bipartisan legislation that promotes transparency and accountability while supporting the courageous officers who protect and serve our communities.”
Federal Law Enforcement Association President Larry Cosme said the action “will usher in a new era for federal law enforcement.”
The organization, which played an “integral” role in the development of the executive order, says the order “strikes the right balance between understanding the public need for accountability and understanding the needs of law enforcement to ensure that all communities are safe and secure. “
Attorney General Merrick Garland sent a note to law enforcement agencies on Friday notifying them that the federal government has updated its policies on the use of force for the first time in nearly two decades.
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“It is the policy of the Department of Justice to value and preserve human life. Officers can only use objectively reasonable force to achieve effective control of an incident, while protecting the safety of the officer and others,” he said. . says the noteciting a 1989 Supreme Court ruling that set the standards for the use of police force.
Fox News’s David Spunt, Lucas Tomlinson and Paul Best contributed to this report.