Safe Policing EO (E.O. 13929)

Summary

Aims to improve policing by setting standards, sharing data on bad behavior, and giving better training to officers to build trust with communities.

What problem does this solve?

Some police officers have misused their power, breaking the trust of the American people, especially in African-American communities. This order creates new standards for police, tracks bad behavior, and improves training to rebuild trust and make communities safer.

What does this order do?

Ties police funding to new standards

Makes Department of Justice grant money available only to police departments that get certified by an approved group. This certification requires departments to have clear rules on the use of force.

Creates a national database for police misconduct

Directs the Attorney General to create a database to track officers who have been fired, convicted of a crime on duty, or had civil judgments against them for using too much force.

Bans chokeholds in most situations

Requires police departments seeking certification to have policies that ban chokeholds, except in situations where an officer is allowed by law to use deadly force.

Improves response to mental health crises

Promotes training for police on how to handle situations with people who have mental health problems, are homeless, or suffer from addiction. It also supports programs where social workers join police on calls.

Proposes new laws for police reform

Tells the Attorney General to work on new laws to give police better tools and resources, improve their practices, and help them build better relationships with their communities.

Who does this affect?

State and local law enforcement agencies
Communities with high police presence, particularly African-American communities
Individuals with mental illness, homelessness, or addiction

What is the real world impact?

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Improves police accountability and community trust

Builds better relationships between police and the public by creating clear standards for use of force, tracking officer misconduct, and improving training for difficult situations.

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Uses funding to encourage police reform

Encourages police departments to adopt new standards by tying their access to federal grant money to their compliance. Departments that do not seek certification or share misconduct data may lose funding.

When does this start?

This order takes effect on June 16, 2020, and includes a specific deadline for a report on community support models.

Report on community-support models

Within 90 days of June 16, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must provide a report on successful community models for addressing mental health, homelessness, and addiction.