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Deadly Force : Police Use of Lethal Force in the United States
7. RECOMMENDATIONS To the president of the United States v The president of the United States should establish a “National Crime and Justice Task Force” as recommended by the Presidential Task Force on 21st Century Policing to review and evaluate all components of the criminal justice system, including the use of lethal force by law enforcement officers. v The “National Crime and Justice Task Force” should examine all state statutes, local law enforcement policies and trainings on the use of lethal force and require that they be brought in line with international standards on the use of lethal force, including the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms. To the Department of Justice v Ensure the collection and publication of nationwide statistics on police use of lethal force in accordance with the Violent Crime Control and Enforcement Act (1994) and the Death in Custody Act (2014). The data collected should be disaggregated on the basis of race, gender, age, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and indigenous status. v Support the creation of a national commission as recommended by the Presidential Task Force on 21st Century Policing (National Crime and Justice Task Force) to examine and produce recommendations on policing issues, including use of excessive and lethal force, and adherence of all law enforcement agencies to human rights standards for law enforcement. v Review and revise all federal policies on the use of lethal force, including the Department of Justice’s Guidance on the Use of Deadly Force by law enforcement officials to ensure compliance with international law and standards, including the U.N. Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms. v Review and revise the Department of Justice’s Guidance on the Use of Race by law enforcement officials to include a comprehensive ban on racial profiling by federal and state law enforcement agencies. v The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice should pursue “pattern and practice” investigations against police agencies nationwide that commit widespread abuses, including use of lethal force, particularly against communities of color and, where applicable, bring civil rights charges against officers who violate US civil rights law. To the US Congress v Support and provide funding for the creation of a commission (the “National Crime and Justice Task Force”) and ensure that it reviews and makes recommendations on the use of lethal force by law enforcement. v Take legislative action to ensure that all federal, state and local law enforcement officials restrict their use of lethal force in compliance with international law and standards. This should include enacting legislation that requires all federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to review and amend their policies on the use of lethal force and law enforcement to ensure that they are in line with international law and standards by limiting the use of lethal force by law enforcement officials to those instances in which it is necessary to protect against the threat of death or serious injury and to oblige law enforcement officials in any case to attempt non-violent and less harmful means first. The policies should contain specific provisions requiring a system of reporting when-
Amnesty International - June 2015
