By Oluwaseun Sonde
The United States Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi has hailed President Joe Biden signing of executive order to improve effectiveness and accountability of Policing.
In a statement issued by the Speaker on Wednesday after the signing of order to mark two years since the murder of George Floyd who was pinned down on his neck by a Police officer that led to his death in 2020.
According to her, "On this day two years ago, our nation watched in horror as George Floyd gasped his last words, ‘I can't breathe.’
"In the wake of this brutal murder, courageous activists took to the streets to shine a bright light on the scourge of systemic racism and police brutality that has long plagued our nation.
"Inspired by these calls for justice, Democrats’ work to honor George Floyd’s life with deeply needed change continues to this day", Speaker of the House of Representatives said.
Pelosi who hailed the signing of the order, said President Biden’s executive order is another concrete step in Democrats’ fight to move the nation closer to its founding promise of equal justice under law.
"The President’s strong and historic action will save lives: raising standards, promoting accountability, and improving trust in law enforcement.
"In doing so, the Biden Administration is establishing a model to encourage healthier relationships between police departments and the communities they serve, while honoring the service of our men and women in blue".
The Speaker noted that Democratic House has twice passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act: bold legislation to help reduce police brutality, curb systemic injustice and save lives. "We will not stop until this legislation is the law of the land.”
Meanwhile, two years ago, the murder of George Floyd exposed for many what Black and Brown communities have long known and experienced that Government must do more to ensure that America lives up to its founding promise of fair and impartial justice for all.
The incident sparked one of the largest social movements this country has ever seen, with calls from all corners to acknowledge the legacy of systemic racism in America criminal justice system and in its institutions more broadly.
Which is why President Biden signed a historic executive order (EO) to advance effective, accountable policing and criminal justice practices that will build public trust and strengthen public safety.
Police cannot fulfill their role to keep communities safe without public trust and confidence in law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
Yet, there are places in America today where the bonds of trust are frayed or broken. To heal as a nation, we must acknowledge that fatal encounters with law enforcement have disproportionately involved Black and Brown people.
President Biden’s EO will enhance public trust by promoting accountability, transparency, and the principles of equality and dignity in policing and the larger criminal justice system.
Increased trust makes policing more effective and thereby strengthens public safety. Without that trust, victims do not call for help. Witnesses do not step forward. Crimes go unsolved. Justice is not served.
The EO mandates measures for all Federal law enforcement agencies, leveraging the President’s direct authority over the executive branch.
Also, it requires the use of federal tools such as guidance on best practices, training and technical assistance, and grantmaking to support reforms at State, Tribal, local, and territorial law enforcement agencies that will strengthen public trust and improve public safety across the nation.
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