Hoyer Statement on President Obama's Executive Order Creating the Task Force on 21st Century Policing

Statement

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after President Obama signed an executive order creating the Task Force on 21st Century Policing:

"Today's executive order is an important step forward in responding to the recent tragedies in Ferguson, New York, and other cities with careful and thoughtful steps to enhance police training and strengthen trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. I applaud the President for establishing a Task Force that will work closely with the Justice Department's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office. Community policing has helped build trust and increased cooperation in municipalities across the country, and I hope that the Task Force being launched today will draw on best practices in this area as it prepares its recommendations in the months ahead.

"Justice must always be blind -- to color, creed, economic status, and every other factor. We must come together as a nation to ensure that our citizens need not fear those charged with keeping them safe. It is also necessary that those who enforce our laws do so in a way that is both effective and respectful of due process. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus to find ways to build greater trust between law enforcement and communities so that tragedies like those we saw in Ferguson and New York do not happen again."

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