Rush Introduces Police Licensing Legislation

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) introduced the Providing Officer Licensing to Increase Confidence for Everyone (POLICE) Act, which directs the U.S. Attorney General to issue licensing standards for law enforcement officers based on best practices for law enforcement, and requires such standards to be reviewed and, if necessary, modified every 5 years.

“In the wake of the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others, States across the nation have proposed measures to hold officers accountable including the implementation of licensing programs,” said Rep. Rush.  “However, no such standards exist at the federal level, leaving millions of Americans vulnerable to the rogue actions of lawless police officers who continue to evade justice.

“That’s why today I am introducing the POLICE Act, which will finally create federally mandated policing standards by requiring officers to be licensed in order to serve and protect and their communities.  Moreover, this critical legislation will require that officers receive annual continuing education on best practices. 

“This legislation may not bring back those who have fallen victim to police violence, but I am hopeful that it will prevent more Americans from suffering the same fate.”

The POLICE Act also requires each State to institute similar licensing provisions and continuing education programs for officers.  States that fail to comply with this requirement are subject to a 50 percent reduction in funding provided under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, with said funds being reallocated to States that have complied with the requirement.