Jason Crow Introduces the Use of Force Accountability Act

On Friday, May 7, Congressman Jason Crow introduced the Use of Force Accountability Act, a major landmark in national, equity-inclusive legislation. This act was a direct response to the independent report of the death of Elijah McClain, which took place in Colorado. The new legislation would require states to conduct an independent investigation of any and all uses of excessive force that has lead to death or injury.  After the investigation is completed, the findings must be reported to the internal affairs department of the particular law enforcement agency for review. This act would also create a grant program which would assist state attorney generals in implementing these independent investigation statutes.

Crow states that many other professions are subjected to independent review boards and other agencies, and that the police force should be no different. Often times when there is an incident involving a police officer or police misconduct, there is an internal investigation. As a result, these investigations are inherently biased and do not result in proper justice. Crow wishes to do right by Elijah McClain and his family, and was in contact with his mother while creating the legislation.

Twenty three-year-old Elijah was walking home when he was stopped and frisked by three Aurora Police Department officers. A struggle ensued and McClain was restrained and given a dose of ketamine that was much too large for his size. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced brain dead three days later following the event. This incident, which occurred in August of 2019, sparked protests around the country and demand for serious police reform alongside the protest for the murder of George Floyd last summer. Congressman Crow is beginning to push for police reform that will hopefully ensure that incidents such as what happened to Elijah McClain does not happen again.