Washington, D.C. has approved police reforms following protests against racism and police brutality.
On Tuesday, the district council for Washington, D.C., approved several police reforms after days of protests over the killing of #GeorgeFloyd, police brutality, and the plethora of murdered Black people. The unanimous vote came after numerous videos and images showed police brutally injuring and beating civilians during peaceful protests. There have been reports of citizens across the country enduring severe bodily injuries, including the loss of an eye. Since then, people around the world have begun calling for the defunding of police.
The new laws would ban the use of chokeholds and neck restraints, and require police names and badge numbers along with officers’ body-cam footage after “an officer-involved death or the serious use of force.” In addition, the new legislation will not allow the Metropolitan Police Department to hire individuals with histories of police misconduct. Non-deadly force and the military weapons police often use will be limited if the laws are passed.
“There’s no question whatsoever about whether we have to significantly reform our policing. The only question is whether we and our policing leadership are ready to step up to that challenge,” said district council member Robert White. D.C. police chief Peter Newsham said during a news conference on Monday that several police reforms have already been made over the last 20 years. After an investigation, the U.S. Justice Department found that the Washington D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department had a history of harassing and assaulting citizens, among other issues. The probe resulted in an independent monitor having to be assigned to the department until 2012.
