Analysis 

The Protect Act would encourage State and local demilitarization by incentivizing the return of purchases made through the LESO program, and for other purposes. It is effectively a ‘carrot’, whereas bills like S.Amdt.2522 are a ‘stick’. 

In other words, the bill would incentivize state and local police departments to return military equipment which has become the subject of demilitarization efforts. It would do this through requiring the Department of Justice to create a “Gear for Grants program”, a program which would apportion funds toward those state and local government who participate in an exchange program through which police departments would return military-grade weapons in exchange for de-escalation and anti-racist trainings, stopping the transfer of small arms and ammunition, while limiting any transfer to only counter-terrorism initiatives

Analysis 

S.Amdt.2252 would strengthen oversight, transparency, and accountability of DoD’s 1033 surplus military equipment transfer program, while continuing to ensure that state and local law enforcement agencies can acquire appropriate equipment necessary for public safety. 

Builds on Executive Order 13688, prohibiting the transfer of specific military-grade weapons that have no business with law enforcement agencies (bayonets, grenade launchers, tracked combat vehicles), and adding a few others (e.g. .50 caliber firearms, armor piercing ammunition, and weaponized drones). 

Also prohibits use of equipment against protestors. Mandates law enforcement agencies who use equipment against protestors to return equipment and renders them ineligible to participate in the 1033 program for 5 years. In addition, the amendment pauses the transfer of equipment to law enforcement agencies that are under active investigations for widespread civil rights abuses and requires that property be returned if there is a finding of responsibility for widespread abuses.

Which human? Whose security?

Would protect all Americans, since all are policed by departments who would have access to military equipment.

Analysis 

H.R. 125 would mandate sensitivity training for police officers and incentivize state governments to pass laws requiring the independent investigation and prosecution of police officers suspected of using deadly force. 

Which human? Whose security?

All citizens, and especially the primarily poor people who suffer the brunt of police violence.

Analysis 

H.R. 7100 would “encourage greater community accountability of law enforcement agencies,” through the development of standards and procedures for: use of police force, civilian review, data collection and transparency, early warning and related intervention programs, etc; the establishment of grant programs for “effective community and problem solving strategies”, the study law enforcement organization management, as well as the training, recruitment, and oversight of police officers. It would also create protocols for performance evaluation for tasks delimited by the bill and discipline for transgressions. It would also commit funds toward the streamlining of communication over claims made against law enforcement officers and to addressing police misconduct through the DOJ’s Community Relations Service. 

Which human? Whose security?

This bill would build trust and structures of accountability between community and law enforcement while also bolstering the procedural standards by which police must abide.