A national database created to track police misconduct has been shut down under orders from President Donald Trump.
The database, managed by the Department of Justice (DOJ), held records of nearly 150,000 officers and federal agents. It was designed to prevent officers with histories of misconduct from switching departments without consequences.
The database was created in response to public concern over police accountability, especially after George Floyd’s death in 2020. His death led to nationwide protests calling for better oversight of law enforcement.
The goal of the database was to increase transparency and trust between the police and the public. Many officers accused of excessive force or other violations were often able to leave one agency and join another without their past being tracked.
Following Floyd’s death, calls for police reform grew. In 2022, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to officially create the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database.
The database required all federal agencies to track and share records of disciplinary actions against officers. It was considered an important step toward police accountability.
However, after returning to office, Trump revoked Biden’s order, dismantling the system. His administration argued that the database included “unpopular and unnecessary practices” that affected law enforcement agencies.
The database had only been fully running since December 2023. Reports show that 90 federal agencies had provided records dating back to 2017.
Experts say this decision weakens police accountability. Thomas Abt, director of the Violence Reduction Center, stated, “Everyone benefits from keeping officers with serious misconduct from rejoining law enforcement.”
Lauren Bonds, director of the National Police Accountability Project, also criticized the move. She said, “Trump’s actions show he does not believe police accountability improves public safety.”
The removal of the database has raised concerns among activists and legal experts. Many believe this will make it easier for officers with misconduct records to continue working in law enforcement without oversight.