GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) - "We can't have any more Baltimores in the country."
That's the word in Grand Rapids from U.S. Senator Gary Peters, moments after it was announced the Baltimore prosecutor would pursue criminal charges against six officers there in connection with the death of Freddie Gray.
Peters, a Democrat, and some Republicans co-sponsored legislation that he says would take a comprehensive look at the nation's criminal justice system, "so that every citizen, no matter who you are, no matter where you live, you know you can find justice, you have trust in the American system and that it works better."
Peters said the Baltimore situation is tragic. He says his legislation aims to restore trust between law enforcement and the people they serve.
In a press release, Peters proposed creating the bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2015, legislation that would create a National Criminal Justice Commission to review the criminal justice system from top to bottom and propose reforms to address the most pressing issues facing the nation's criminal justice system.
The legislation would create a 14-member, bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission made up of presidential and congressional appointees, including experts on law enforcement, criminal justice, victims' rights, civil liberties and social services.
The Commission would be charged with completing an 18-month, comprehensive review of the national criminal justice system, including federal, state, local, and tribal criminal justice systems, and issuing recommendations for changes in oversight, policies, practices and laws to reduce crime, increase public safety and promote confidence in the criminal justice system.
Sen. Peters was in Grand Rapids to talk about separate legislation designed to help medical professionals better spot signs of human trafficking. That legislation has been passed by the Senate.
