President Trump weighed in on police reform yesterday (Tuesday) by issuing an executive order designed to reduce problems.
The order will designate funds for training in de-escalation techniques and to help police departments meet certification standards for use of force. It also will jump-start a national database for excessive-force complaints and encourage the involvement of mental-health professionals when cops encounter non-violent situations.
Trump appeared with the families of several recent victims of lethal police violence. He said, “I could never imagine your pain or the depth of your anguish, but I can promise to fight for justice for all of our people.”
The order does not address chokeholds or no-knock warrants, which the White House believes need to be dealt with through legislation. (NBC News, USA Today)
Hot Takes:
- He could have spared the country a lot of anguish by doing this two weeks ago.
- It’s a good first step. The White House believes that, too.
- Including the families of victims shows that he’s taking this seriously.
- Trump said, “Reducing crime and raising standards are not opposite goals.” This is all that Black Lives Matter has been trying to say for years.