Booker on GOP Policing Bill: “Heavy on Gestures, Light on Real Reform”

Booker is co-author of sweeping police reform legislation, the Justice in Policing Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the below statement on the GOP policing bill released today:

“The Republican proposal is heavy on gestures and light on real reform. It does nothing to meaningfully hold law enforcement officers accountable in court for egregious misconduct; it does nothing to provide public access to records of police misconduct; it does nothing to actually mandate that law enforcement agencies ban dangerous and extreme tactics like chokeholds and ‘no-knock’ warrants; it does nothing to establish a national use of force standard; and it does nothing to provide for robust pattern and practice investigations or independent investigations of law enforcement misconduct. If we’re serious about ending police brutality and changing the culture of law enforcement, this bill is not the solution.

“This is not a time for half-steps and half-measures. It’s time for bold action that meets the moment we’re in. If someone’s knee is on your neck, they can’t take it halfway off and call that progress.”

Booker is the co-author of the Justice in Policing Act, introduced with Senator Kamala Harris in the Senate last Monday. The groundbreaking legislation, which has the support of 37 Senators and 227 House members, would end police brutality and change 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.