Biden’s executive order is a first step, but more reforms in federal policing are necessary

President Biden’s executive order to reform policing, signed on the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of law enforcement, is a step in the right direction.

The order directs all federal agencies to adopt or revise their use-of-force policies. It also creates a national registry of police misconduct; encourages state and local police to impose new restrictions on chokeholds and no-knock warrants; and prohibits the transfer of most military equipment to law enforcement agencies. 

Holding officers accountable for police violence by restricting chokeholds and no-knock warrants is a commonsense reform. Yet, deadly incidents and harmful threats to Black and Brown communities continue to happen since Mr. Floyd’s death. We know that training is insufficient to address the major issues in policing. There must be a new approach to public safety.

It is our hope that this executive order is a catalyst for legislative and procedural change at the federal, state and local level. 

Image above: A George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis, photographed by Andrew Morse / Alamy Stock Photo.