[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 1 (Thursday, January 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E4]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF NATIONAL STATISTICS ON DEADLY FORCE TRANSPARENCY ACT

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 3, 2019

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, the fact that after the Michael Brown 
shooting in Ferguson, the Eric Garner killing in Staten Island, and so 
many other, similar tragic events around the country, we still don't 
have reliable statistics about when, where and against whom law 
enforcement uses deadly force is shameful.
  Even former FBI Director James Comey has said it is ``ridiculous that 
[he] can't tell you how many people were shot by the police last week, 
last month, last year.''
  If we are serious about addressing excessive force, we need to know 
the full scope of the problem. For example, how often is deadly force 
used? Are minorities disproportionately the victims? Could other, non-
lethal measures have been taken?
  That is why today I am introducing the National Statistics on Deadly 
Force Transparency Act. It would require collection of this type of 
information. Although a provision of the 1994 Crime Bill requires the 
Attorney General to collect statistics on the use of excessive force, 
there is no enforcement mechanism and the federal government has been 
unable to gather data from many local police departments. Since 
excessive force can be difficult to define, this bill would be limited 
to just instances where deadly force is used.
  Specifically, this legislation would require any law enforcement 
agency receiving federal funds to provide data to the Department of 
Justice on when each instance of deadly force occurred, including the 
race and gender of both the victim and the officer involved. It would 
also require an explanation as to why law enforcement felt deadly force 
was justified and any non-lethal efforts that were taken before deadly 
force was used.
  The Department of Justice would make this data publicly available but 
would not disclose any personally identifying information.
  This is information the public should already have. The fact we don't 
is absurd. I urge my colleagues to fix this problem and pass the 
National Statistics on Deadly Force Transparency Act without delay.

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