FOP calls for congressional commission to study policing

The Crime Report reports that the Fraternal Order of Police would like to slow down the pace of federal reforms of policing by having a congressional commission study the issues first and come back with recommendations.
Jim Pasco of the Fraternal Order of Police is betting he can leverage his carefully-built relationships to take the most drastic remedies, like opening a string of “pattern and practices” investigations, off the table, according to Politico. It’s an approach reminiscent of the National Rifle Association response to urgent calls for new gun control measures after the Newtown Ct. school shooting. The group commissioned a private task force led by Asa Hutchinson, now the governor of Arkansas, which came back with a recommendation that schools arm staff members.
Pasco says he doesn’t want to stand in the way of good ideas that are ready to go, but that the task at hand needs time. “As much as we’d like to see a result tomorrow,” he says. “Every law enforcement problem does not require a solution tomorrow that’s going to have ramifications for 20 or 30 years.” Reformers in Congress, led by the Congressional Black Caucus and libertarian Republicans, want results now. “There are many throughout the country who’ve run out of patience with conversations and commissions,” says Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). “The Congressional Black Caucus is committed in my view to get something done with the fierce urgency of now.” They reject Pasco’s suggestion that much of the reform should be referred to a congressional commission like one proposed by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and others.
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