Pinellas Sheriff On Hand For Signing Of Presidential Order

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri was on hand at the White House Rose Garden Tuesday when President Donald Trump signed an executive order, "Safe Policing for Safer Communities."

The executive order establishes a database of complaints against law enforcement officers with a history of excessive use of force. It also bans chokeholds unless an officer's life is at risk.
Gualtieri is president of the Florida Sheriffs Association and serves on the executive board of directors of the Major County Sheriffs of America.

He hailed the president's executive order, noting that "misconduct can erode the trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”

At a news conference Tuesday, Trump stressed the need for law enforcement officers to be held to a higher standard.

“Reducing crime and raising standards are not opposite goals,” he said before signing the order
The database will track law enforcement officers with excessive use of force complaints and outlines best practices for law enforcement including working with social workers on calls involving people with mental health, addiction and homeless issues.

Trump also banned the use of chokeholds “except if an officer’s life is at risk.”

See related stories:

• How Tampa Bay Law Enforcement Agencies Rate For 8 Can't Wait
• Tampa Bay Chiefs 'Outraged' Over Actions Of Minneapolis Officer