George Floyd's death anniversary: Biden signs policing order, Minneapolis renames intersection in memory

The intersection where George Floyd died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers was renamed in his honour on Wednesday, among a series of events to remember a man whose killing forced America to confront racial injustice.

With Congress deadlocked over how to address racism and excessive use of force, President Joe Biden signed an executive order on policing Wednesday, the second anniversary of George Floyd's death.

The decision reflects Biden's struggle to use the limited powers of his office to advance his campaign promises, as well as his attempt to strike a balance between police and civil rights groups at a time when rising concerns about crime are eclipsing calls for reform.

Most of the order is focused on federal law enforcement agencies — for example, requiring them to review and revise policies on use of force. It would also create a database to help track officer misconduct, according to the White House.

Although the administration cannot require local police departments to participate in the database, which is intended to prevent problem officers from hopping from job to job, officials are looking for ways to use federal funding to encourage their cooperation.

In addition, the order would restrict the flow of surplus military equipment to local police.

In September, the Justice Department curtailed federal agents' use of no-knock warrants — which allow law enforcement agents to enter a home without announcing their presence — and updated its policy to prohibit agents from using chokeholds in most circumstances.

But extending such rules to local police is more challenging, and White House officials have spent months in negotiations with civil rights groups and police organizations.

The resulting set of policies is less extensive than originally sought, not to mention delayed by a year.

(With AP inputs)