After the murder of George Floyd, President Trump proposed creating a national police misconduct database. It was a seemingly welcome initiative, which Biden actualized in 2022. The database, NLEAD, allowed employers to background-check federal cops. But it was short-lived.
Last year, Trump promised to give police “their power back.” But their badges already signify that their violence is part of a necessary social contract, branding them exempt from civilian questioning and legally protected by qualified immunity. Transparency and restrictions aren’t necessary when we’re meant to exchange our agency for the “safety” police provide. The silver lining?
NLEAD was only federal. The remaining National Decertification Index handles officers’ records in states. Since 2020, police departments have increased its use by 208%. More importantly, dedicated journalists, community organizers, and independent projects still track criminal legal violence.
Mapping Police Violence counts and analyzes police killings nationally. Chicago’s Invisible Institute currently showcases employment history data from 23 states. Court-watchers and cop-watchers nationwide observe, document, and analyze court and police activity.
The Trump administration doesn’t include transparency and violence prevention in its definition of law and order, and that’s fine. Police have functioned as “supercitizens” long before Trump proposed an idea that communities already had. Take this news as motivation to explore what alternatives are available near you.