TL;DR

This petition demands police accountability through:

●Mandatory personal malpractice insurance for officers (paid by officers, not taxpayers)

●Independent investigations of all police shootings and in-custody deaths

●Unpaid suspension during serious misconduct investigations

●Creation of a federal Police Accountability Agency

●New state and local oversight systems

 

Hold Police Officers and Unions Accountable for Misconduct – Mandate Malpractice Insurance and Independent Investigations

 

We, the undersigned, call for immediate and systemic change to address police misconduct in America. For too long, police officers have committed crimes while on duty, with taxpayers footing the bill for their legal defense and settlement costs. The evidence of systemic problems is clear and compelling.

》In 2023, police officers killed 1,329 people—the highest number on record—averaging one death every 6.6 hours. This alarming trend persists even as violent crime rates decline nationwide, exposing deep systemic failures in policing. (CampaignZero)

Beyond loss of life, police misconduct has cost taxpayers $3.2 billion over the past decade, funding nearly 40,000 settlements in the 25 largest police and sheriff’s departments alone. These costs are overwhelmingly borne by the public—not the officers or departments responsible. (PolicingProject)

Police misconduct extends beyond lethal force and includes documented cases of:

●Physical abuse

●Intimidation tactics

●Verbal harassment

●Excessive use of force

●In some cases, torture

Our Demands

We demand the following actions be taken at local, state, and federal levels:

1. Require police officers to carry personal malpractice insurance, so they—not taxpayers—bear the financial responsibility for their misconduct.

2. Mandate that every police shooting and in-custody death be investigated by an independent, non-biased third-party entity, funded through a state or federal Police Accountability Fund supported by officer insurance premiums and department contributions.

3. Suspend officers accused of serious misconduct or crimes (such as murder) without pay during investigations. No other profession allows employees to collect a paycheck while under criminal investigation.

4. Implement legislation to enforce these reforms nationwide, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

How These Changes Will Improve Public Safety

1. Personal Malpractice Insurance

●Officers with histories of misconduct would face higher premium costs, discouraging repeat offenses.

●Insurance companies would require additional training and safety protocols, similar to medical professionals.

●Departments could redirect settlement funds toward community programs and preventive training.

●Officers would have a financial incentive to intervene when witnessing misconduct by colleagues.

2. Independent Investigations

●Increased transparency would build community trust and cooperation with law enforcement.

●Unbiased investigations would help identify systemic issues before they escalate.

●Swift and fair investigations would provide closure to victims' families and reduce community tension.

●Data from independent investigations would inform policy changes and training improvements.

3. Suspension Without Pay

●Removes potentially dangerous officers from active duty immediately.

●Protects both the public and other officers during investigation periods.

●Aligns police accountability with standard workplace practices.

●Increases public confidence in the investigative process.

4. Uniform National Standards

●Creates consistency in accountability across jurisdictions.

●Prevents problem officers from simply moving to different departments.

●Establishes clear expectations for both law enforcement and the public.

●Enables better tracking and prevention of misconduct patterns.

●Implementation and Oversight

To ensure these reforms are properly implemented and enforced, we call for a coordinated approach across all levels of government:

At the federal level, we demand the creation of a dedicated Police Accountability Agency that will:

●Set and enforce national standards.

●Monitor compliance across jurisdictions.

●Manage a national database of officer conduct.

●Oversee the malpractice insurance program.

State governments must:

●Establish implementation committees with both law enforcement and civilian representation.

●Create certification systems for officers that include insurance requirements.

●Monitor and enforce compliance through state Attorneys General.

●Coordinate with federal oversight bodies.

Local authorities will be responsible for:

●Direct implementation of all reforms.

●Regular reporting to state and federal oversight bodies.

●Creating civilian oversight boards.

●Managing day-to-day compliance.

 

These changes require cooperation at all levels of government, but with clear lines of authority and accountability, they are achievable and necessary.

📢Sign Now. Demand Justice. Reform Policing Today.📢

Police officers are entrusted with protecting and serving our communities, but they must be held accountable when they abuse their power. We can no longer allow the status quo to continue. We will not rest until justice is served.

Join us in demanding these essential reforms to create a safer, more accountable law enforcement system for all.

📢 Sign the petition today and help hold police and unions accountable!📢