NEW YORK (April 28, 2015) -- As Baltimore and other cities grapple with civil unrest prompted by police violence against unarmed young men of color, the National Urban League today re-issued its recommendations for police reform and accountability.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the violence that has marred these largely peaceful protests,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “It’s imperative that we address the outrage that fuels the unrest and heal the rifts between police and the communities they serve.”
The National Urban League issued a 10-Point Justice Plan last year in the wake of the killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.
“Millions of Americans have now taken to the streets and to social media, not because the problems that have caused the outrage just began yesterday, but because sometimes difficult circumstances present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring about historic change,” Morial said at the time. “We remain committed to the idea that these cases do not end where they are. In addition to the opportunity for the Justice Department to conduct independent investigations, we each have an opportunity to participate in our great democracy by helping to ensure that the America of tomorrow is better than who we are today.”
Morial today offered condolences to the family of Freddie Gray, and support for non-violent demonstrations in protest of his tragic death.
“We have not just a right but a duty to speak out against injustice,” Morial said. “Failure to confront the underlying issues can only result in more tragedy.”
10-POINT JUSTICE PLAN: National Urban League Police Reform and Accountability Recommendations
- Widespread Use of Body Cameras and Dashboard Cameras
- Broken Windows Reform and Implementation of 21st Century Community Policing Model
- Review and Revision of Police Use of Deadly Force Policies
- Comprehensive Retraining of All Police Officers
- Comprehensive Review and Strengthening of Police Hiring Standards
- Appointment of Special Prosecutors to Investigate Police Misconduct
- Mandatory, Uniform FBI Reporting and Audit of Lethal Force Incidents Involving All Law Enforcement
- Creation and Audit of National Database of Citizen Complaints against Police
- Revision of National Police Accreditation System for Mandatory Use by Law Enforcement To Be Eligible for Federal Funds
- National Comprehensive Anti-Racial Profiling Law
