APA provided expertise to the United Nation’s Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (PDF, 228KB) to inform the U.N.’s work on “Promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Africans and of people of African descent against excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officers through transformative change for racial justice and equality.”
APA expressed its commitment to addressing systemic racism, including to preventing law enforcement officers excessive use of force against people of African descent. Among the recommendations, APA encouraged the international community to bolster research and data collection as it pertains to improving police selection practices and interventions to address racial bias and use of excessive force. APA also encouraged a robust investment in Crisis Intervention Teams and Mental Health Response Teams as well as initiatives to support officers and their families experiencing trauma.
For more information, contact Ben Vonachen, senior director of congressional and federal relations.