Police Reform: Use of Force, Qualified Immunity, and Federal Standards

This report examines federal legislative proposals for police reform, including provisions addressing use-of-force standards, qualified immunity, no-knock warrants, chokeholds, and mandatory reporting of police misconduct. It discusses the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and alternative proposals.

The report describes existing federal programs that support state and local law enforcement, including the COPS Office, Byrne JAG grants, and DOJ pattern-or-practice investigations. It analyzes the legal doctrine of qualified immunity and proposals to modify or eliminate it.

Policy considerations include the balance between officer safety and accountability, the use of body-worn cameras, police training requirements, the creation of national misconduct registries, and debates over the appropriate scope of federal involvement in regulating state and local policing practices.