10-point plan to address police reform and accountability
Today, the National Urban League released a 10-point plan to address police reform and accountability in the wake of recent cases of use of excessive force by law enforcement against unarmed citizens across the nation.
Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, stated:
“The phenomenon we have seen in America since the announcement of the non-indictments of officers in the killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner is new to a generation, but not to the nation. Young people have always helped to fuel historic social change. We must not forget – 50 years ago, it was young people on that bridge in Selma, Alabama; young people sitting-in in Greensboro, NC; young people riding Freedom buses all over this nation challenging conventional laws and the status quo; young people like Schwerner, Goodman and Chaney losing their lives in Philadelphia, Mississippi. A multicultural band of young people, united with historic civil rights organizations, legislators, clergy, and everyday Americans who decided that it was time for our country to do better and be better, have been the impetus for so many of the changes we’ve witnessed as a nation through the decades.
Millions of Americans have now taken to the streets and to social media not because the problems that have caused the outrage just began yesterday, but because sometimes difficult circumstances present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring about historic change. Now is that time. Now is our time.
This conversation and the subsequent action that will result from it will continue because we remain committed to the idea that these cases do not end where they are. In addition to the opportunity for the Justice Department to conduct independent investigations, we each have an opportunity to participate in our great democracy by helping to ensure that the America of tomorrow is better than who we are today.”
10-POINT JUSTICE PLAN:
National Urban League Police Reform and Accountability Recommendations
Widespread Use of Body Cameras and Dashboard Cameras
Broken Windows Reform and Implementation of 21st Century Community Policing Model
Review and Revision of Police Use of Deadly Force Policies
Comprehensive Retraining of All Police Officers
Comprehensive Review and Strengthening of Police Hiring Standards
Appointment of Special Prosecutors to Investigate Police Misconduct
Mandatory, Uniform FBI Reporting and Audit of Lethal Force Incidents Involving All Law Enforcement
Creation and Audit of National Database of Citizen Complaints against Police
Revision of National Police Accreditation System for Mandatory Use by Law Enforcement To Be Eligible for Federal Funds
National Comprehensive Anti-Racial Profiling Law
About the National Urban League
The National Urban League (http://www.nul.org) is a historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization dedicated to economic empowerment in historically underserved urban communities. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, the National Urban League has improved the lives of tens of millions of people nationwide through direct service programs that are implemented locally by its 95 Urban League affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The organization also conducts public policy research and advocacy activities from its D.C.-based Washington bureau. The National Urban League, a BBB-accredited organization, has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, placing it in the top 10 percent of all U.S. charities for adhering to good governance, fiscal responsibility and other best practices. Follow us at @NatUrbanLeague.