WASHINGTON – The President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing was established by an Executive Order signed by the President on Dec. 18, 2014. The Task Force – which includes law enforcement representatives, community leaders, young adults and notable scholars – examined, among other issues, how to strengthen public trust and foster strong relationships between local law enforcement and the communities that they protect, while also promoting effective crime reduction.
Report Overview
Members of the Task Force engaged Federal, state, local and tribal officials, subject matter experts, young leaders, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations through public hearings, stakeholder meetings, written communications and 21st century technology. Over the last three months, the Task Force held seven public listening sessions, heard from over 100 witnesses, and has developed 59 recommendations and dozens of specific action items. Members of the Task Force are confident that these recommendations for action and further study will bring long-term improvements to the ways in which law enforcement agencies interact with and bring positive change to their communities.
Each recommendation fits into one of the pillars and has a number of associated “action steps” to help drive implementation. The report’s structure corresponds to the subjects of the public listening sessions that the Task Force has held in cities throughout the country:
Pillar One: Building Trust and Legitimacy
Pillar Two: Policy and Oversight
Pillar Three: Technology and Social Media
Pillar Four: Community Policing and Crime Reduction
Pillar Five: Training and Education Pillar Six: Officer Wellness and Safety
The premise of the report is that trust depends on all components of a community treating one another fairly and justly and being invested in maintaining public safety in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The Task Force calls upon law enforcement to embrace the mindset that they are a part of the community and must protect it from within — and stresses the importance of both transparency and accountability to building and maintaining public trust. The Task Force also endorses a series of new measures to promote officer wellness and safety, including equipping all officers with individual tactical first-aid kits and anti-ballistic vests, and advocates for creation of a “Blue Alert” warning system to enlist the public’s help in locating suspects who have killed a law enforcement officer in the line of duty. Other recommendations call for law enforcement agencies to put in place programs designed to promote positive interactions between police and communities; to adopt and use new technologies to enhance public trust and public safety; to provide opportunities for additional training on a range of topics, including leadership, for police at all levels; and to have in place policies that prioritize de-escalation and avoid provocative tactics.
The report also includes a suggested plan for implementation that includes having federal law enforcement agencies review the report and implement the recommendations to the extent practicable; working with private foundations and non-profits to help state and local law enforcement implement; and have the Department of Justice, through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), assist state and local law enforcement with current and future challenges. The President’s FY 2016 Budget seeks $304 million for the COPS Office, an increase of 46% over FY 2015, in support of its mission to advance public safety through a focus on community policing, including promoting community partnerships, problem-solving and organizational transformation.
