Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro is releasing the statement below ahead of the expected announcement this afternoon by the White House on executive orders being issued to address police reform in the United States.
“Today marks two years since the murder of George Floyd under the knee of a now-convicted former police officer in the streets of Minneapolis. I am encouraged by the Administration’s steps to further the national effort on police reforms, as law enforcement and community leaders did hand-in-hand here in Pennsylvania in the wake of Mr. Floyd’s murder. The bipartisan Pennsylvania police misconduct database was signed into law two years ago, after I worked to bring community advocates, labor leaders, and law enforcement together to support this  initiative. Our Pennsylvania effort was a clear building block that showed a path for this national effort.  Additionally, my office has implemented similar reforms to our use of force policies including chokeholds and no knock warrants. Now we need to redouble our efforts to ensure our local police departments are fully staffed with those dedicated to this noble profession. And as I have said before, officers who engage in misconduct or use excessive force erode trust in law enforcement and make it harder for our communities to be and feel safe.”
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