ILACP Statement on President Biden’s Executive Order
Designed “to Advance Effective, Accountable Policing”

June 8, 2022 

President Biden signed an Executive Order on May 25, 2022, which the White House says is designed “to advance effective, accountable policing and criminal justice practices that will build public trust and strengthen public safety.”

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police has reviewed the document and has the following observations:

• It is encouraging that our colleagues at IACP (the International Association of Chiefs of Police) helped to negotiate the language in this document.
• The Biden document directly affects only federal agencies but expresses the hope that its concepts will be addressed at the state and local levels.
• Many of the topics addressed in the Executive Order have already been addressed in Illinois either in policies or statutes, such as banning chokeholds, suggesting co-responder models, tracking use of force data, and more.
• There are other issues that ILACP will continue to monitor and examine more carefully, such as restrictions on no-knock warrants and potential negative civil rights implications in using facial recognition and similar technology.
• IACP and the national Fraternal Order of Police issued a joint statement “applauding the Administration for listening to our constructive feedback and incorporating suggestions into the Executive Order.”
• The IACP-FOP statement provides this brief summary of the Executive Order:
  • Directs the U.S. Justice Department to consult with state and local law enforcement to develop guidance and leading practices on recruitment and retention to address the shortage of officers nationwide;
  • Supports officer wellness and takes affirmative steps to prevent suicides among law enforcement officers;
  • Urges the development of standards for law enforcement accrediting bodies and encourages state and local law enforcement agencies to become accredited;
  • Establishes a consistent Use of Force Policy for Federal Agencies that follows the National Consensus Use of Force Policy, the development of which was led by our organizations;
  • Promotes development of an accurate Officer Accountability database that preserves and protects the due process rights of officers;
  • Preserves state and local law enforcement access to needed equipment for mission-based public safety objectives from the 1033 and other surplus equipment programs and improves oversight and accountability;
  • Promotes broad data collection efforts to better improve policing practices at all levels of government; and
  • Directs federal departments and their components to use their grant-making authority to support and promote state and local law enforcement’s improved policing practices, to gain access to better equipment and technology, to enhance accountability and transparency, and to make communities safer.