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Congressman Cohen Introduces the Deadly Force Independent Review Act

September 20, 2019

Establishes protocol for investigating use of deadly force by federal law enforcement

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today introduced the Deadly Force Independent Review Act that would require federal law enforcement agencies to establish a protocol for investigating their use of deadly force by federal officers and require the inspector general for the investigating agency to review and report on the adequacy or flaws in the review.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"The Deadly Force Independent Review Act addresses the issue of transparency when federal law enforcement officers are investigated for their use of deadly force. The object of this legislation, like the aim of the Police Training and Independent Review Act (H.R. 125) that I introduced in January, is to improve public confidence in these investigations at a time when that trust is lacking."

Congressman Cohen has also sponsored two other bills in this area: