Letter
Letter from Archbishop Coakley, Bishop Dorsonville, and Bishop Fabre to U.S. House of Representatives on Police Reform (2020)
Letter from Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Migration, and Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, Chairman, USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism to the U.S. House of Representatives on Police Reform, June 24, 2020
Across our country, indeed across the entire world, people are examining yet once more the evil of racism, both historic and present, and its devastating effects on individuals and society. In the wake of the terrible and unjust killing of George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, and so many more, we the undersigned committee chairmen of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, write to you as you consider proposals around policing and criminal justice. Law enforcement officers perform a great and needed service; they serve to promote justice and the common good in society. But it is clear that there have been too many failures in serving everyone, with tragic consequences. There must be better practices for formation and accountability for police, certainly in the use of lethal force, but also in patterns of discrimination and prejudice, so that real accountability can happen before more lives are lost.
Several policy proposals currently before you appear to take steps in the right direction. These include collection of data on use-of-force, training towards de-escalation, work to end racial profiling, doing away with chokeholds, using body cameras, greater accountability and means of redress regarding those who exercise public authority, and a commission to study the issue further and make additional recommendations. It is clear that long term commitment is needed to prevent further tragedies, especially greater accountability in bad uses of force as well as greater emphasis on promoting the common good of all.