Today, on the second anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer, President Biden signed an executive order containing a number of policing reforms. Nicholas Turner, president and director of the Vera Institute of Justice, issued the following statement:

“We commend President Biden and his administration for issuing this executive order that directs federal law enforcement to ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants, emphasizes de-escalation, institutes more robust limitations on use of force, and establishes a national database for police misconduct. This executive order accomplishes much of what Congress failed to do with the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and is an important step toward increasing police accountability.

Making these important policy changes a reality will require robust implementation and must be complemented with additional criminal justice reform that shifts from punishment to prevention. As this executive order is limited to federal law enforcement, Congress must now take steps to apply these policy reforms to state and local law enforcement. President Biden and Congress must recommit to fixing our broken criminal legal system and creating a system that delivers justice and public safety for all Americans—particularly Black people and other people of color, immigrants, and people living in poverty.”

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About the Vera Institute of Justice
The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and activists working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. Vera’s headquarters is in Brooklyn, New York, with offices in Washington, DC, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. For more information, visit vera.org.