NEW ORLEANS — President Biden addressed the nation during his State of the Union, and one of those talking points was police reform.
Tyre Nichols, who died after police beat him last month in Memphis was part of the President’s speech.
“I would like the President to be very clear, this is an issue that should not be Republican or Democratic issue, this is an American issue,” Congressman Troy Carter told Eyewitness News. “Until all communities are safe, no communities are safe.”
In Louisiana, Ronald Greene died in Louisiana State Police custody in May of 2019, after troopers beat him to death during a traffic stop. His mother Mona Hardin joined Congressman Carter at Tuesday’s address.
“A mother that has had to endure the most horrific thing any parent has had to go through a parent burying her child is not the proper order of things,” Congressman Carter said.
Congressman Carter is calling for the President to hold police officers accountable.
“We take this opportunity to highlight these horrific acts and keep the attention on the need for reform,” Congressman Cater said.
Meanwhile, Congressman Garrett Graves says reform should include more educational opportunities for law enforcement.
"I think there’s an education effort. And that many of these cases will start with the fact people are not complying." Congressman Graves said. “Making investments in law enforcement helping to bring honor back to the profession and not attacking these folks who are trying to draw the line and maintain the line between peace and absolute chaos.”
He says more funding needs to be allocated to training.
“We’ve actually funded a less than lethal training center at Louisiana state police,” Congressman Graves said.
Congressman Carter agrees.
“Making sure we have adequate training, have adequate medical and mental testing, make sure these police officers are fit to carry a gun,” Congressman Graves said.
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