Rounds Supports Police Reform Bill in Senate

WASHINGTON– U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today cosponsored the Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act, which was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.). The JUSTICE Act seeks to reform law enforcement practices by improving officer training and hiring, discouraging the use of certain tactics, and adding new reporting requirements when tactics such as Use of Force and No Knock Warrants are used, among other things.

“All Americans deserve to feel safe and protected in their communities and see their law enforcement officers as individuals they can trust,” said Rounds. “The JUSTICE Act seeks to address bad behavior within our law enforcement community through reasonable, commonsense reforms that improve training, transparency and accountability. The overwhelming majority of police officers are upstanding citizens who risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe.  We must stand with our law enforcement professionals, but also hold them accountable. We can do both and the JUSTICE Act helps us get there.” 

The JUSTICE Act:

• Establishes grant programs for body-worn cameras and creates penalties for failing to use the correctly.
• Calls for maintaining and appropriately sharing disciplinary records for officer hiring consideration.
• Makes lynching a federal crime.
• Calls on the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act to issue a wide-ranging report on conditions affecting black men and boys, including education, health care, financial status and the criminal justice system.
• Calls on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop and provide training on de-escalation, implementation and fulfilment of duty to intervene policies.
• Establishes the National Criminal Justice Commission Act to undertake a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system.
• Grants eligibility for recruiters and academy candidates; African American History Museum education program for law enforcement.
• Develops best practices for policing tactics, employment processes, community transparency and administration.
• Authorizes studies on community Use of Force review boards, law enforcement officer engagement on issues related to mental health, homelessness, and addiction;
• Includes proposals on improving accountability for DOJ grants.
• Makes it unlawful for a federal law enforcement officer to engage in a sexual act while acting under color of law or with an individual who is under arrest, in detention or in custody.

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