Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Biden Faces Competing Pressures on Police Reform

Chris Simkins

   WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden, in his first weeks in office, is
   facing growing calls from civil rights groups to turn campaign pledges
   for police and criminal justice reform into action.

   "We want Biden to deliver on the racial justice agenda," Melanie
   Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic
   Participation, told VOA.
   Groups representing law enforcement, meanwhile, say they want a seat at
   the table and urge consultation before any sweeping mandates are issued
   from Washington.
   As a six-term U.S. senator, Biden had strong backing from police
   organizations. Now, as president, he is expected to sign an executive
   order that sets up a national commission on the use of excessive force
   by law enforcement officers. More broadly, Biden has pledged to
   confront and address racial inequality in America.
   "I believe President Biden will take steps in the first 100 days of his
   administration to address criminal justice reform," said Marc Moriel,
   president and CEO of the National Urban League.
   Moriel was among a group of civil rights leaders who met with Biden in
   December to discuss policy priorities, including a bill to make police
   more accountable to the communities they serve, set uniform policing
   standards and create a national database of officer misconduct.
   "We expect the administration to push for passage of the Justice and
   Policing Act in Congress," Moriel told VOA. He said the only way to
   change policing is with "a strong federal law."

.