Photo: The Canadian Press
FILE – Minneapolis police are out of the department’s 3rd precinct on May 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. Nearly two years after the death of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights was established on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 to announce the findings of its investigation into whether the Minneapolis Police Department the city had a pattern or practice of racial discrimination. in the police. (Carlos Gonzalez / Star Tribune via AP)
With Congress blocked on how to tackle racism and excessive use of force, President Joe Biden is scheduled to sign an executive order on police on Wednesday, the second anniversary of George Floyd’s death, according to three people familiar with the matter. .
The decision reflects Biden’s struggle to use the limited powers of his office to advance his campaign promises, as well as his attempt to strike a balance between police and civil rights groups at a time when Crime concerns are overshadowing calls for reform.
The order would require federal law enforcement to review and review policies on the use of force, and would restrict the flow of surplus military equipment to local police.
In addition, it would encourage asphyxiation restrictions and non-detonation orders by chaining adherence to federal funding.
The people who described the order spoke on condition of anonymity before any public announcement, which is scheduled for the first day after Biden’s return from his first trip to Asia as president.
He is expected to appear alongside relatives of Floyd, whose murder by Minneapolis police sparked protests across the country.
It was the largest series of demonstrations in U.S. history, amid coronavirus blockades and President Donald Trump’s divisive re-election campaign.
However, transforming the initial outcry into political change has proved difficult.
When four officers were convicted last year of killing Floyd, Biden urged Congress to pass legislation to reform the police before the anniversary of his death.
The verdict of guilt “was not enough,” he said, and “we can’t stop here.”
However, no legislation was passed and bipartisan talks dragged on and then broke down.
The White House finally decided to move forward with executive action instead of waiting in Congress.
In September, the Justice Department restricted the use of non-detonation orders by federal agents, which allow law enforcement officers to enter a home without announcing their presence, and updated its policy to prohibit agents used strangers in most circumstances.
But extending these rules to local police is more difficult, and White House officials have spent months in negotiations with civil rights groups and police organizations.
The resulting set of policies is less extensive than originally intended, not to mention one-year delays.
“We know full well that an executive order cannot address the U.S. police crisis in the same way that Congress has the capacity to do, but we must do our best,” said NAACP President Derrick Johnson. .