Republican Lawmakers Blast Bill for Mandatory Police Sensitivity Training

GOP representatives, including former law enforcement officers, criticize Democratic-backed legislation that would require cultural and bias training for police recruits, claiming it is an overreach of federal authority and an attempt to "defund the police."

A progressive-backed bill aiming to mandate cultural and sensitivity training for police recruits has drawn strong criticism from Republican lawmakers, who argue that it is an overreach of federal authority and a veiled attempt to "defund the police."

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), would require individuals enrolled at police-training academies to receive training on ethics, racial bias, cultural diversity, and interactions with individuals with disabilities, mental health issues, and recent immigrants. It would also mandate independent investigations and prosecutions of officers accused of using deadly force.

Republican Lawmakers Blast Bill for Mandatory Police Sensitivity Training

However, former sheriffs and current GOP Reps. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) and Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) have vehemently opposed the measure. They assert that it is not the role of Congress to dictate training for local agencies, which should tailor their programs to the specific needs of their communities.

"It is imperative that law enforcement officers are well-trained on agency policy and procedures and held to the highest standards that keep both officers and the public safe," said Rutherford, a former sheriff and veteran of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. "However, it is not the role of Congress, nor should it be, to tell local agencies what that training should look like."

Republican Lawmakers Blast Bill for Mandatory Police Sensitivity Training

Stauber accused Democrats of advancing a "defund the police" agenda rather than seeking meaningful reform. He argued that proposals like Cohen's bill incite violence against law enforcement officers.

"Even after the failures of their extreme ‘Defund the Police’ movement, radical Democrats continue to demonize the brave men and women who protect and serve their communities. These anti-cop politicians don’t want real reform, they want to eradicate law enforcement altogether, and proposals like this continue to incite violence against them," Stauber said.

Republican Lawmakers Blast Bill for Mandatory Police Sensitivity Training

Another former sheriff, Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), dismissed the bill as "another dangerously ridiculous bad idea from the woke left."

Rutherford emphasized the importance of local control in law enforcement, stating that a diverse network of state and local agencies is crucial for public safety. He argued that Cohen's bill would hinder local agencies by imposing national standards overseen by federal authorities.

Republican Lawmakers Blast Bill for Mandatory Police Sensitivity Training

"Public safety depends on a diverse network of law enforcement agencies at the state and local levels. This bill would tie the hands of local and state police agencies and require them to meet national standards overseen by presidential appointees and bureaucrats in Washington," Rutherford said.

Cohen's office has not responded to requests for comment.