Delaware Gov. John Carney announced Thursday his intention to sign an executive order next week banning state and Capitol police from using chokeholds.

Carney's statement also indicated that order would end the posting of juvenile mugshots, require participation in a national use-of-force database, and provide additional deescalation and crisis intervention training for law enforcement, as well as increased access to mental health services.

"Over the last several weeks, we have seen largely peaceful protests demanding racial justice and equality across our state," Carney stated. "I have spent much of this time listening and trying to chart a productive path forward. We can make meaningful change, and I believe we will."

Carney's announcement was made as part of a statement about ways of promoting racial justice across Delaware, which includes closing state offices Friday in recognition of Juneteenth, the day commemorating the remainder of African American slaves being told in 1865 that the Civil War had ended and they were free.

The Delaware Judiciary also announced Thursday  it would close in observance of Juneteenth.

Mike Brickner, executive director for the ACLU of Delaware, said Carney's actions are important first steps toward addressing policing issues in Delaware, but that what would be significant in terms of increasing law enforcement transparency and accountability is the state following through on those plans and incorporating systemic reform.

Brickner said the state should focus on decreasing the prevalence of police in Delaware, rather than only increasing training or regulation. For instance, he said, the state could use other professional services to respond to people having mental health crises or addiction-related medical issues, as well as to address low-level offenses.

"We can look at reducing the presence of police officers and providing services that are actually going to help the underlying issues that are causing problems in those areas of our communities," Brickner said Thursday.

The state is also planning to work with the Delaware Heritage Commission to create a program educating people about racial issues in Delaware and across the country.

"If we don't educate ourselves and acknowledge our ugly history around race, we can't begin to understand the anger and frustration that I've heard from so many Delawareans in the last several weeks," Carney said.

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings said Thursday she applauds Carney's decisions and wants to make those policing changes codified and effected statewide.

"We need to continue to advance the cause by reforming Delaware's use of force standards; funding and deploying body cameras across the state; establishing civilian review boards with subpoena power; and making sensible changes to the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights to ensure accountability and transparency," Jennings said.