Bill Overview
Title: Special Inspector General for Law Enforcement Act
Description: This bill establishes the Office of the Special Inspector General for Law Enforcement. The bill sets forth the duties of the office, including investigating racial profiling, officer misconduct, use of force, use of deadly force, or pattern or practice of unconstitutional misconduct involving federal law enforcement agencies or officers; and use-of-deadly-force cases referred by state and local law enforcement agencies. The bill requires a state or local government that receives funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program or the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program to have in effect a law establishing a process by which use-of-deadly-force cases can be referred to the office for investigation.
Sponsors: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Target Audience
Population: People subject to law enforcement activities
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The bill affects federal law enforcement agencies and officers, who are responsible for about 100,000 individuals in various federal departments.
- State and local enforcement agencies will also be impacted, which include about 800,000 officers in the United States.
- The legislation will also impact communities that have interactions with law enforcement, including minority groups that might be subject to racial profiling.
- Given the bill's focus on deadly force investigations, it will also affect families and communities of individuals involved in use-of-force incidents.
Reasoning
- This policy affects a wide range of stakeholders, including federal and state law enforcement officers, minority communities, and particularly those who have previously been subjected to use-of-force incidents by law enforcement.
- The budgetary constraint necessitates a focus on the most significant impact areas, primarily evaluating changes in wellbeing for those directly affected by racial profiling or police misconduct.
- Not everyone in the general population will be impacted directly; some, like those not interfacing frequently with law enforcement, may remain largely unaffected by the policy.
- Individuals from minority communities may experience varying levels of impact, with those previously affected by use-of-force incidents feeling the higher effects, potentially improving trust and perceived safety.
- The policy is designed as an oversight mechanism, which may indirectly create systemic changes in law enforcement practices, impacting societal trust over the longer term.
Simulated Interviews
Civil Rights Lawyer (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is crucial in holding law enforcement accountable.
- It will likely improve transparency and trust between law enforcement and communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Police Officer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The increased oversight might create more paperwork and pressure on officers.
- It might also improve the image and trustworthiness of the police over time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Community Organizer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Special Inspector General could shine a light on abuses that have gone unchecked.
- Communities will feel heard and more secure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Business Owner (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Police reform is necessary, but I don't feel directly affected.
- It's good for society if it improves fairness and justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
University Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a positive move towards law enforcement accountability.
- As someone who studies these issues, the data collected could be very useful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Federal Agent (Denver, CO)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could increase accountability within federal agencies, which is a positive.
- There may be concerns about morale if oversight isn't handled sensitively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Freelance Journalist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will likely uncover patterns of misconduct.
- It is likely to lead to reforms that are needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Tech Worker (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Doesn't impact me directly, but could change things if more cases are exposed.
- I'm glad there will be more scrutiny on policing practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Feels like there's a need for transparency and accountability.
- Even if it doesn't affect me directly, it's important for society.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Community Volunteer (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This office can be a significant aid in shedding light on problem areas.
- Communities will feel supported and perhaps less fearful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $35000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $40000000)
Year 2: $36000000 (Low: $31000000, High: $41000000)
Year 3: $37000000 (Low: $32000000, High: $42000000)
Year 5: $38000000 (Low: $33000000, High: $43000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Ensure a budget balance by considering reductions in some other federal expenditures to fund this office.
- Consider collaboration with existing federal offices to maximize impact and minimize overlapping duties.