Congressman Cohen Reintroduces Police Training and Independent Review Act

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today reintroduced the Police Training and Independent Review Act. The measure would require enrollees at law enforcement academies to receive sensitivity training on ethics and racial bias, cultural diversity, and police interaction with the people with disabilities, those in a mental health crisis, and new immigrants. It would also require independent investigations and prosecutions of law enforcement officers in cases where one or more of the alleged offenses involves an officer's use of deadly force in the course of carrying out his or her official duties.

A companion measure is being introduced in the Senate by Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"The recent killing of Sonya Massey inside her home near Springfield, Illinois, has brought renewed attention to how too many police encounters turn deadly. In my community, the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of the Memphis police prompted protests and prosecutions. The names of Sonya Massey and Tyre Nichols have been added to the infamous injustice perpetrated against Philando Castille, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice and Alton Sterling: all individuals who were killed during interactions with law enforcement. And those are just the cases that made national news. Further, we know a disproportionate number of those killed are African Americans. To regain the trust of the people, we must ensure that our law enforcement officers have the proper training and the justice system treats all equally."

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