Sen. Sherrod Brown Introduces Police Reform Bill That Would Ban Chokeholds

Courtesy of WOSU Public Radio
June 11, 2020

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) is sponsoring legislation to implement police reforms, including a ban on chokeholds and no-knock warrants.

The “Justice In Policing Act” would also create a national police misconduct registry so officers can be held accountable for their actions across jurisdictions.

“Reforming our justice system starts with holding police accountable,” Brown said. “No more chokeholds. No more unchecked police misconduct. No more immunity from prosecution.”

The bill would also mandate body cameras and dash cams for federal officers and limit the transfer of military-grade equipment to local law enforcement.

Brown said he does not see recent calls to defund police as a call to disband law enforcement.

“It means we start thinking more about training police, about discipline, about making sure mental health services are available in communities and some things aren’t police work that have kind of been defined that way,” Brown said.

Pointing to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Stephanie Hightower, head of the Columbus Urban League, says that federal action like Brown’s bill is needed now.

“Clearing policing reforms that protect the lives of all people won’t happen until federal leaders, federal leaders once again speak with a united voice,” Hightower said.

By Clare Roth

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