SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (KMOX) - The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police have accepted the duty of certifying all law enforcement agencies in the state that they're complying with new federal use-of-force standards. U.S. Justice Department is tying a lot of funding to compliance. "It's a common thing for local departments to rely on the federal government for equipment and services." Says IACP Executive Director Ed Wojcicki. "Departments may be funding to do extra traffic patrols. Or things as common as bullet-proof vests."
Wojcicki expects to meet the deadline, even though there are a lot of law enforcement agencies to work with. "We're making sure police departments are in compliance with federal, state and local ordinances, and make sure they ban choke holds."
Departments across the nation have until January 31, 2021 to be certified to continue receiving the discretionary funding. Tying adherence to the policies to federal funding came in the wake of the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis. While the U.S. House passed a reform package, the Senate failed to act. President Trump decided to take action himself, signing an executive order in June requiring reforms to qualify for Department of Justice discretionary funds. While the President has been widely denounced by those demanding reforms, his executive order has been the only significant national effort at reform to date.
There is a list of use-of-force policies departments must adhere to, so-called "Safe Policing Principals."
•Termination of Use of Force policies; that is, when to terminate force
•Duty to intervene policies
•Training Protocols on Use of Force and De-Escalation
•Appropriate Medical Care Policies
•Warn Before Shooting Policies
•Shooting at or from a Moving Vehicle Policies
•Warning Shots Policies•No-Knock Warrant Policies
•Early Intervention Systems policies, procedures, and training protocols
•Hiring of Personnel policies, procedures, and training protocols
•Community engagement plans that address the particular needs of the community
•Adherence to constitutional standards
A link to the President's Executive Order can be found here:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-safe-policing-safe-communities/
