Senate Republicans move to unveil draft of police reform plan

Sen. Tim Scott, of South Carolina, unveiled a draft of the proposal, which includes greater accountability for no-knock warrants and use of force.

News 12 Staff

Jun 10, 2020, 11:58 AM

Updated 1,580 days ago

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There's been tension in much of the United States since George Floyd was killed two weeks ago in police custody. Since then, there have been demonstrations across the country, calling for change, and now change could be happening in the Senate.
After two weeks of widespread protests, Republican senators are preparing a proposal for police reform.
"What we've been talking about here in the Senate Republican Conference is what we think is the appropriate response to the events of the last few weeks," said Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Majority Leader.
Sen. Tim Scott, of South Carolina, unveiled a draft of the proposal which includes greater accountability for no-knock warrants and use of force, a system for sharing records of law enforcement officers and a plan to recruit officers who reflect the community.
That plan release coincided with Floyd's funeral in Houston.
"It is very unfortunate that his death was the catalyst for talks that needed to happen a very long time ago," said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.
Since Floyd's killing while in custody of Minneapolis Police, some protesters are calling for police departments to be de-funded and dissolved, with their funding redistributed to community programs.
While there is a general agreement that action is needed, some say a dismantling of law enforcement groups could be dangerous, especially with domestic disturbances.
"You think that you're going to send somebody there without the required equipment to protect themselves and the innocent person they are supposed to help? That's folly," said James Gagliano, a former FBI supervisory special agent.
Sen. Scott is part of the five-person task force that will work on turning in the draft into legislation.
Democrats in Congress unveiled their own proposal to combat police brutality a few days ago.
One of the changes they're calling for is a ban on chokeholds.