I think that most of America would agree, 18 - 23 questions is really not to much to ask from someone who has just shot someone else at work. If you shot and killed a person at work or even just witnessed someones death, you would probably need to do some paperwork. I digress...
The burden that a 23 question report - recently reduced to 18 questions - places on Law Enforcement Agencies and Medical Examiners is up for discussion at the Department of Justice. The report is meant to help the DOJ collect data on individuals who die during arrest, no matter the cause. And the discussion is one that we can all weigh in on via an open comment period at the DOJ. After a 1 year pilot study the Bureau of Justice Statistics (a division of the DOJ) has released a revised data collection method proposal, one change being the shorter form, and are asking for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), Medical Examiners (MEs) and the public to submit comments.
The data they are collecting covers all persons who die during arrest but would be particularly important data as we as a country address the death of black men, women and children at the hands of the state. It would be useful for many reasons. It would help shed light on systematic racism in our justice system. It would demonstrate clearly that white Americans are being shot without repercussions as well, just at statistically lower levels than non-whites. Clear and expansive data could spark a larger, more widespread, call for accountability when deaths occur at the hands of the state. And it would help legislators draft and pass legislation to protect American citizens and police officers and help to mend or transform relations between the two groups.
The specific comment period focuses on the Arrest Related Death (ARD) Act which is one component of the Death In Custody Reporting Act or DICRA. A law that has existed since 2000 but has not been enforced to date. Enforcing the law would mean that reporting would not be voluntary or suggested as it has been for 16 years, it would be required for over 18,000 LEAs around the country in order for them to receive their full federal grant funding for the year. Even as a suggestion though many LEA's and ME's have complied and, as I covered in an earlier blog on DIRCA, it has, as just a suggestion, caused the death rate for individuals interacting with the criminal justice system to go down. Which is why during this open comment period it would be wonderful for the DOJ to hear from the public that we want this law to be truly enforced.
The news cycle has many of us shaking our heads and wiping our eyes. But here is a law that could collect the data that could lead to legislation to protect citizens and hold criminal police officers accountable. Take a moment and comment. The more personalized your comment is the better, so although there will be a pre written message when you click here, please take a moment to personalize it with your own thoughts on the following:
Campaign Action
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The data collection process is important to protect citizens lives.
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The reporting program has been helpful in reducing deaths while in police custody.
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These reports are not a burden and should not be seen as such.
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The funding penalties outlined in the ARD Act should be enforced.
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The questionnaire should address… (examples: mental health issues, veteran status)
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The data should be collected via… (electronic form submittal, third party sources such as news outlets, twitter, the deceased family and witnesses)
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The plan to collect information using third party sources such as news reporting and social media is…
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Personal experiences that relate to the Arrest Related Death Act or the data it aims to collect.
