U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes introduces bipartisan bill to improve police-community relations

U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, introduced a bill in Congress Thursday that aims to improve relationships between law enforcement members and the communities they serve.

The bipartisan Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-escalation Act is co-sponsored by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania; Don Bacon, R-Nebraska; and Glenn Ivey, D-Maryland. It was introduced on the two-year anniversary of the death of Jayland Walker, who was struck by more than 46 bullets as he ran from Akron police.

If passed, the bill would require the U.S. Department of Justice, specifically through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), to create real-life, scenario-based training curriculum for law enforcement personnel based on the wide range of issues they encounter while serving communities.

The bill would create a grant program to support public and private entities that train law enforcement officers using an immersive curriculum that meets the same standards. This would allow all law enforcement officers—in departments large and small, rural and urban— to access the training.

Sykes says Akron, Canton cases illustrate need for change

In a news release, Sykes mentioned the Walker case and Frank Tyson, a 53-year old Canton resident who died in police custody in April shortly after telling officers he could not breathe.

“Every person deserves to feel safe and secure in their communities," Sykes said, adding that the legislation "brings together a variety of stakeholders to put people and safety first."

Last year, a group of activists traveled to Washington D.C. to demand the Department of Justice open a pattern and practice investigation into the shooting of Walker by the Akron Police Department.

At that time, Sykes wrote to the Department of Justice , "The call for this investigation is in no way an attempt at retribution, but rather, an opportunity to implement more community-focused policing that serves the needs of every segment of this community."

Among those who went to D.C. was Judi Hill, president of the Akron NAACP.

Hill called the introduction of the bill Thursday "a step in the right direction" and thanked Sykes for sponsoring legislation that "provides an opportunity to ensure the safety of law officers and protect citizens."

"At the end of the day, we want our citizens and law enforcement officers to go home safely to their families," Sykes said in the release. "This legislation is an important step towards doing that and rebuilding mutual trust between law enforcement and the communities they have sworn to protect and serve.”

A bipartisan effort

Fitzpatrick, the Republican co-sponsor and a former federal law enforcement agent, said he understands the importance of outfitting officers with tools enabling them to do their jobs safely and effectively.

"I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join us in supporting our hero first responders and championing this commonsense legislation," Fitzpatrick said.

“ Arming our law enforcement with de-escalation skills is necessary for when they encounter those who may be suffering from mental illness or suicidal tendencies,”Bacon said. “With nearly six in ten police encounters involving people with serious mental illness, this bill will provide the training on alternatives to use of force and de-escalation that law enforcement wants and needs to better address mental and behavioral health and suicidal crises.”

According to the release, a variety of local and federal stakeholders support this legislation including the national Fraternal Order of Police, the Akron NAACP, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes introduces bipartisan bill to improve police-community relations