A panel painted by protesters stating “Defund the Police” in Washington, United States (Reuters)
Washington:
Washington, DC District Council on Tuesday approved a series of police reforms after days of protests against police brutality and racism in the US capital and across the country over the deaths of African-American George Floyd in custody.
Emergency legislation, approved by unanimous vote, comes as a number of cities are rethinking police approaches, but failing to respond to calls by some civil rights activists to fund police services. the city.
It prohibits the use of neck restraints, such as the one used against Floyd, and requires the disclosure of the names and images of officers’ body cameras after “a death involving an officer or the serious use of force”.
It also prohibits the Metropolitan Police Department from hiring people with a documented history of police misconduct and places limits on non-lethal force and the acquisition of military weapons by the police department, among other measures .
“There is no question that we need to overhaul our police force considerably. The only question is whether we and our police leaders are ready to take on this challenge,” said District Council member Robert White.
In a statement read by council chair Phil Mendelson, Mayor Muriel Bowser said she supports the legislation but believes there should be public debate.
DC Police Chief Peter Newsham said at a press conference on Monday that the department has already made a number of reforms in the past two decades and would discuss his concerns with Charles Allen, the member of the council who presented the legislation.
Most Americans support the protests, which have been largely peaceful, and disapprove of U.S. President Donald Trump’s reaction to them.
In 2001, the United States Department of Justice found that the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department had a pattern or use of excessive force and other problems. The investigation led to federal oversight of the department, including the appointment of an independent monitor, until 2012.
