Statement from President Biden on Justice Department Findings on the Minneapolis Police Department

Statement

This afternoon, I was briefed by my team on the Department of Justice's independent findings of unconstitutional practices of the Minneapolis Police Department. The findings are disturbing and underscore the urgent need for Congress to pass common sense reforms that increase public trust, combat racial discrimination and thereby strengthen public safety.

Since I took office, the Department of Justice has also taken independent and aggressive action to ensure accountability for systemic misconduct and by police departments at the local level. The vast majority of Americans want the same thing: trust, safety, accountability. Any police officer will tell you that public trust is the foundation of public safety. At the same time, we must also ensure law enforcement have the funding, resources, training, and personnel they need for safe, effective, and accountable community policing in line with the standards of my Policing Executive Order.

One year ago, I stood alongside the family of George Floyd, civil rights leaders, and law enforcement to sign a historic Executive Order to advance effective, accountable policing and criminal justice practices that will limit racial profiling, build public trust and strengthen public safety. It's a positive step forward, but we know there is still more work to be done -- especially in communities of color, where the bonds of trust are frayed or broken. I have a simple message for Congress: send the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to my desk, and I will sign it. I will continue to do everything in my power to fight for police accountability in Congress, and I remain willing to work with Republicans and Democrats alike on genuine solutions.

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