The nationwide database tracking misconduct by federal officers has been shut down by President Donald Trump, the Justice Department confirmed. The database, launched in December 2023 under President Joe Biden’s executive order, aimed to prevent officers with histories of misconduct from moving between agencies undetected. Trump revoked Biden’s order last month as part of broader efforts to reduce the federal government’s size and cost.
Covering nearly 150,000 officers across 90 federal agencies, the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database had already compiled thousands of disciplinary records dating back to 2017. Its removal has sparked concern among experts and advocates. “We have lost countless records of disciplinary actions, terminations, complaints, and settlements,” said Trevor Hugh Davis, a researcher tracking disappearing government websites. He noted that officers with misconduct histories often move between departments, and the database addressed “a real problem” in preventing such rehiring.
The White House and the Justice Department declined to explain the decision to “decommission” the database. Trump’s executive order, effective January 20, revoked numerous Biden-era policies, calling them “radical” and “illegal.” Some police organizations had objected to the database, arguing officers weren’t given due process to challenge records.
William J. Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, voiced concerns that minor infractions were included. “Our comments and recommendations… have been largely disregarded,” he wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Police accountability advocates criticized the shutdown. “Everyone, cops and communities alike, has an interest in keeping officers with histories of serious misconduct from rejoining the profession,” said Thomas Abt of the Violence Reduction Center. Lauren Bonds, executive director of the National Police Accountability Project, added, “Even though databases are the bare minimum of tracking, it’s a low bar, but it’s still a bar we should have in place.”
Despite its limitations, the database saw increasing use, with searches rising from 400 in January 2024 to over 3,000 by August. Chuck Wexler of the Police Executive Research Forum emphasized its value: “Problem officers tend to move from agency to agency… chiefs and sheriffs want access to any information that can help them avoid hiring a problem officer.”
Link: Washington Post
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