08/02/2024 | Press release | Archived content
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2024 is the most comprehensive bill to reform law enforcement and strengthen police accountability in the country's history
As a pastor who has ministered to law enforcement and their families, Senator Reverend Warnock believes accountability is critical to building trust between law enforcement and communities
Senator Reverend Warnock: "This legislation, when paired with investments in education, anti-poverty, ending hunger, and creating good-paying jobs, will help ensure that all Georgians, regardless of their zip code, feel safe and secure"
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and seven Senate colleagues reintroduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2024, the most comprehensive bill to reform law enforcement and strengthen police accountability in the country's history. The sweeping legislation was first introduced in 2020 in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the first bill aimed at ending police brutality and changing the culture of law enforcement departments by holding police accountable in court for egregious misconduct, increasing transparency through better data collection, and improving police practices and training. The late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) reintroduced companion legislation in the House earlier this year.
"Our communities won't truly know safety until it's paired with accountability," said Senator Reverend Warnock. "The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act takes a comprehensive approach towards building trust and respect between communities and law enforcement. This legislation, when paired with investments in education, anti-poverty, ending hunger, and creating good-paying jobs, will help ensure that all Georgians, regardless of their zip code, feel safe and secure. As someone who ministers to law enforcement members and fully supports public safety, I understand the importance of setting aside politics, centering people, and getting this done."
Specifically, the Justice in Policing Act would:
Hold police accountable in our courts by:
Improve transparency into policing by collecting better and more accurate data of police misconduct and use-of-force by:
Improve police training and practices by:
Establishing practices and programs to reduce negative police interactions and better use police resources through grants to:
To read the full text of the bill, click HERE.