Trump signs executive order on police reforms [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that aims to provide grants in helping police departments meet certification standards, create a national database to monitor misconducts and seek mental health professionals’ help in dealing with nonviolent cases.
• According to a White House official, the executive order was “starting point,” telling NBC News that it was “as far as we can go at the executive level.”
• The White House official also said that the proposals unveiled by Democrats earlier this month have gone too far that would “render police departments ineffective.”

Amid growing public pressure and mass protests nationwide over the killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks and many other African Americans at the hands of police custody, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on police reform Tuesday.

The executive order aims to use grants in aiding police departments meet certification standards regarding use of force, create a national database to track complaints, and encourage participation of mental health experts in dealing with nonviolent cases such as addiction, homelessness and mental illness.

The president also said that the grants to be given to the department include meeting certain standards like banning of chokeholds, except for situations when an officer’s life is in grave danger.

At the signing in the Rose Garden, Trump said that he had just met with the bereaved families of several recent victims of police brutality.

“All Americans mourn by your side. Your loved ones will not have died in vain… I could never imagine your pain or the depth of your anguish, but I can promise to fight for justice for all of our people,” Trump said.

According to a White House official, the objective of the executive order is to make necessary steps without limiting the police of their given mandate. The official added that the reform proposals from Democrats have gone too far that would “render police departments ineffective.”

The White House Official said that the executive order was a “starting point” effort by the administration. The official also told NBC News that it was “as far as we can go at the executive level” and expressing doubts over Congress’ capacity to aid legislation.

“I am committed to working with Congress on additional measures,” Trump said Tuesday. “Hopefully they will all get together and come up with a solution that goes even beyond what we’re signing today.”

Trump was joined by Attorney General William Bar, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and civil rights attorney S. Lee Merritt at the White House Rose Garden.

Earlier this month, Democrats unveiled an “overhauled” policing bill that includes nonuse of chokeholds like the ones used to Floyd and no-knock warrants, that happened in Taylor’s brutal killing.

The Senate GOP were also crafting their own propositions in which the president said it could blend with his executive order.

Amid growing calls for police reforms on racism issues, Trump has yet to respond.

Source: AOL.com