Governor Edwards says Louisiana should consider police reforms in next year’s legislative session.
Cities and states across the country are taking up changes to policing policy in the wake of George Floyd protests. Edwards says he spoke with Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields about what could be done in Louisiana.
“Whether it relates to the selection of officers, the recruitment of officers and their training, their supervision, their retraining, all of these sorts of things it all bears a close scrutiny,” says Edwards.
Edwards says reforms to the way police interact with their community are needed, and overdue. He pointed to what he says is a disturbing trend.
“I think anyone would have to acknowledge that the frequency of the unreasonable application of force is growing, and it is unacceptable,” says Edwards.
Proposals to redirect tax dollars away from law enforcement and into education, mental health, and other social services are being considered in some areas. Edwards says he doesn’t agree with that “Defund the Police” movement.
“When you invest in appropriate police work whether it is a sheriff’s office or a police department you are investing in the community but it does need to be appropriate,” says Edwards.
The Minneapolis City Council recently passed a resolution, on a veto-proof majority, to disband the MPD following the death of George Floyd.
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