The US Senate’s lone African American GOP member, Tim Scott of South Carolina, is set to unveil police reform legislation Wednesday in response to the George Floyd protests.
The legislation limits use of chokeholds, requires officers to intervene if they see excessive use of force, and provides for more cameras. Senator Bill Cassidy says Scott’s bill will start a necessary conversation.
“People need to know that they are heard and that which can be done to address on a federal level can be done and hopefully on state and local levels,” says Cassidy
Tuesday the President signed his own executive order blocking federal funds from heading to police departments that do not limit the use of chokeholds. The guidelines allow for officers to use lethal force if they feel their life is threatened, a stipulation that anti-police brutality advocates say is too vague.
Cassidy says he looks forward to the coming debate over police reforms and wants other states to take a look at New Orleans Police’s use of force policy for guidance.
“If Minneapolis would have had the training of the NOPD George Floyd would not have died,” says Cassidy.
Outside of one notable incident near the Crescent City Connection Bridge, there has been limited conflict between protesters and the NOPD since Floyd’s death.
Chokeholds feature prominently in both today’s Senate legislation and the President’s order, but Cassidy says a total ban warrants further study.
“If the officer is a female and she is 140 pounds and she is trying to control someone who is 220 a male, aggressive or inebriated then there has to be something about that,” says Cassidy.
Democrats have attacked the GOP proposal calling it too narrow, instead touting a more expansive House bill.
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