Biden to sign police reform executive order on anniversary of George Floyd’s death

President Joe Biden will sign an executive order on police reforms on the second anniversary of George Floyd’s death at the hands of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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Floyd died when former officer Derek Chauvin pushed his knee on Floyd’s neck during an arrest on May 25, 2020, pinning him to the ground, The Washington Post reported.

Chauvin was convicted of murder and is now serving a 22 1/2 year sentence. Three other officers who were at the scene were convicted in February on federal civil rights charges, the Post reported.

Biden campaigned on a promise to reform policing in the county, and while Congress has been deadlocked over changes, Biden will use the power of the presidency to push his plan forward, The Associated Press reported.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) did not comment on the executive order when asked prior to the signing, CBS News reported. But Scott was part of the bipartisan group of lawmakers who tried to push for police reforms last year.

The president is expected to require federal law enforcement agencies to review and revise use-of-force policies.

The Justice Department already did away with the use of no-knock warrants, which allowed law enforcement to enter a home without announcing their presence. It also prohibited the use of chokeholds in most situations, the AP reported.

Biden also wants a database created that will track officer misconduct, to prevent them from changing police departments, the White House said.

Biden cannot force local departments to use the database but will encourage participation through federal funding.

Biden is also trying to stop the use of surplus military equipment by local police.

Fox News reported earlier this year that the president will also include new resources for mental health services for officers who respond to traumatic events while on the job.

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