During the International Association of Chiefs Police Conference in Chicago today, Monday, October 28th, 2019, President Trump signed an Executive Order creating the Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice.
The Commission – In Brief
The Commission shall undertake, as directed by the Attorney General, a review of relevant research and expertise and make recommendations regarding important current issues facing law enforcement and the criminal justice system such as:
• challenges to law enforcement associated with mental illness, homelessness, substance abuse, and other social factors that influence crime and strain criminal justice resources;
• the recruitment, hiring, training, and retention of law enforcement officers, including in rural and tribal communities;
• the potential for public and private initiatives, including in “qualified opportunity zones” as defined in section 13823(a) of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, to reduce crime and improve police-community relations;
• refusals by State and local prosecutors to enforce laws or prosecute categories of crimes;
• the physical safety, health, and wellness of law enforcement officers;
• the need to promote public respect for the law and law enforcement officers;
• better integration of education, employment, social services, and public health services into efforts to reduce crime and ease the burden on law enforcement, courts, and corrections systems;
• the use of targeted deterrence approaches to reduce violent crime;
• new and developing methodologies, technologies, and best practices for combatting criminal activity, delinquency, and public disorder;
• the effects of technological innovations on law enforcement and the criminal justice system, including the challenges and opportunities presented by such innovations;
• the effectiveness of contemporary law enforcement training methods around critical topics, the direction of next generation training methods, and an understanding of critical training needs;
• the effectiveness of Federal grant programs in establishing best practices for law enforcement and supporting the administration of justice in State, local, and tribal jurisdictions; and
• other topics related to law enforcement and the control of crime as the Attorney General deems appropriate.