Kuster discusses police training and standards with N.H. Department of Safety Commissioner Quinn
U.S. Rep Annie Kuster
HOPKINTON – U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) spoke with NH Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn to discuss recommendations from the state’s Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community and Transparency (LEACT) on police training and standards. LEACT was established in June by Governor Sununu after the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. The Commission completed its work last week and cited 48 recommendations that could be accomplished by executive order, including asking public entities to develop strategies to recruit diverse law enforcement candidates, use of body and/or dash cameras by law enforcement agencies, increasing training on implicit bias and de-escalation, and requiring implicit bias/racial profiling training for all prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys. The Commission also suggested reforms that would require additional legislation, such as making the Exculpatory Evidence Schedule (also known as the Laurie List) public, establishing a Public Integrity Unit within the Attorney General’s Office, and requiring agencies to gather, analyze and make public data on demographics, including gender and race, for arrests, citations and motor vehicle and subject stops. The Commission’s report is available here.
“As a nation, we must acknowledge the reality of systemic racism and inequality that is pervasive in our society – including law enforcement – and continue working to end these injustices,” said Kuster. “Requiring our nation’s police officers to meet the highest standard of conduct is in the best interest of every American. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to speak with Commissioner Quinn today, and I applaud him and the LEACT Commission for their dedication to shepherding critical police reforms in our state. This was accomplished the New Hampshire way, identifying common sense solutions through collaboration on the Commission from many community partners including civil liberties, non-profit, community, legal and law enforcement leaders. I look forward to our continued work together to increase transparency and justice in law enforcement and ensure the police are held accountable to the communities they serve.”
Kuster unveiled her “Opportunity and Justice for All” Agenda in June, which includes bills that have been introduced in Congress to help address police brutality. Kuster is an original cosponsor and voted in favor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act – legislation the House passed in June to hold police accountable, combat systemic racism, and save lives.