Police Groups Wield Strong Influence in Congress, Resisting the Strictest Reforms

For years, powerful police organizations have resisted calls for major changes in the way they do their jobs, even after the widespread protests of 2015 over the killing of black people by the police. They have been successful in doing so partly through their lobbying and campaign activity, and partly because members of both political parties feared alienating them and being portrayed as “soft on crime.”

Six of the larger police organizations have spent a combined $2.9 million since 2017 lobbying the federal government. The United Police Officers Association super PAC has spent more than $7 million in the past two years alone. And various law enforcement entities have contributed more than $100,000 to members of Congress this election cycle, roughly evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.

They are known for their annual lobbying trips to Washington in May, when unions send representatives to Washington to glad-hand with lawmakers, staying in four-star hotels near Capitol Hill, meeting with their aides and celebrating them with yearly awards luncheons.

Law enforcement groups have condemned the killing of George Floyd during an encounter with the police in Minneapolis as “morally bankrupt” and a “betrayal of the public trust.” In response, they have embraced some reform efforts, including restrictions on chokeholds, the creation of a database of officers fired for misconduct, and increased federal funding for training in de-escalation techniques and the widespread use of body-worn cameras.

But they have fiercely fought the most far-reaching changes advocated by civil rights groups and most Democrats. They argue that stripping officers of qualified immunity could bankrupt officers over accusations that end up being false. They oppose banning no-knock warrants, which they say could endanger officers entering the homes of people with guns. And they have pushed hard against building a database cataloging all accusations — proven or not — against the police, which they view as a privacy violation.

“We welcome change, but we welcome change with an open dialogue and a seat at the table,” Mr. Cosme said.

The House passed a bill on Thursday that contained several provisions the police groups opposed. The sweeping measure would effectively end qualified immunity for officers, make it easier to track and prosecute police misconduct, strictly limit the use of lethal force and aim to compel departments to ban chokeholds and other tactics that can cut off individuals’ airways. It contains no new funding for police departments.