Bill Overview
Title: PEACE Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides statutory standards for the use of lethal and less lethal force by federal law enforcement officers.
Sponsors: Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
Target Audience
Population: People interacting with federal law enforcement officers
Estimated Size: 6000000
- The bill outlines standards for the use of force by federal law enforcement, directly affecting federal law enforcement officers and individuals they may engage with.
- Federal law enforcement officers number in the tens of thousands in the U.S.
- People who may interact with federal law enforcement include anyone residing or traveling in the U.S., tourists, detained individuals, and within the jurisdiction of federal law enforcement agencies.
- The bill's impacts would extend indirectly to communities as a whole due to broader trust and safety implications.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects federal law enforcement officers and people in their jurisdiction, estimated at around 6 million individuals.
- The budget constraints imply careful prioritization in training law enforcement and broader community engagement to maximize impact.
- Most interactions with federal law enforcement should ideally occur without any need for force, but the policy ensures that when force is used, it aligns with rigorous standards—important for high-risk or contentious areas.
- Perceptions of police accountability and improved community trust are expected to translate into higher self-reported wellbeing, especially among communities with more frequent or intensive federal law enforcement interaction.
Simulated Interviews
Federal Agent (Washington D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that this bill will help clarify and guide our actions, ensuring situations are handled as peacefully as possible.
- It might get challenging adjusting to new protocols, but ultimately, it should aid in building public trust.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Community Organizer (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems like a step in the right direction for ensuring law enforcement can be both effective and respectful.
- There’s a lot more that needs to be done, but increased accountability and clear guidelines are a good start.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Border Patrol Officer (El Paso, TX)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- New standards for the use of force are welcome, especially since they align with my belief in non-violent methods when possible.
- Adapting to the changes might initially slow things down for us on the ground, but it’s worth it for the outcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could mean safer streets and a better relationship between my community and law enforcement.
- We’ve needed a clearer framework for interactions like this, especially for businesses like mine in high-traffic areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired (Houston, TX)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Solid policing standards are essential for maintaining public faith—the PEACE Act seems tailored for that.
- I travel often, and knowing there’s a focus on care makes me feel more secure.
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 |
Tourist Guide (Miami, FL)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Tourists and visitors need to feel safe, and this act reassures them that force is used responsibly.
- It's important for our livelihood that interactions with law enforcement feel trustworthy and safe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
School Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having better guidelines can significantly reduce student anxiety regarding law enforcement presence.
- Our priority is always safety, so awareness and thoughtful implementation of this act go a long way.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Freelance Journalist (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A uniform force policy is critical when reporting on interactions; it ensures that stories have consistent legal backing.
- The way this policy emphasizes care could even change the narrative on law enforcement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Tech Startup Founder (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act represents progress toward a sensible approach to force by federal officers.
- It's easier to design technology that promotes safety when policies are clear and transparent.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Civil rights lawyer (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly impact both the frequency and outcomes of cases related to force use.
- Clear, statutory standards improve our ability to hold individuals accountable, which is a substantial change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 3: $90000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $110000000)
Year 5: $70000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $80000000)
Year 10: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $40000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring adequate training and resources for federal law enforcement agencies to comply with the new standards is critical for success.
- Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are essential to measure compliance and effectiveness of the policy.
- Maintaining public communication and transparency regarding the changes and their benefits would aid in building community trust.
- Coordinating implementation with all federal agencies and ensuring consistent application of standards across jurisdictions are important for the policy's intended effects.