There are a lot of ideas out there regarding police reform. I am no policy expert nor do I hold myself out to be one. But you don’t need to be an expert to know that the way we are being policed now doesn’t work and it is in desperate need of reform. Here are a few ideas that I have researched and a few ideas of my own. First and foremost, I think the whole idea of policing needs to be reimagined and reframed. We don’t need to send a man with a gun for every single social infraction. We need to limit contact with the police except for the most serious and dangerous of crimes. Most things the police handle now can be handled by a social worker. Speeders on the freeway can be handled by technology. Every time a cop pulls someone over for a broken tail light a life-threatening situation is engendered. This is completely needless. So, less contact with the public.
My friend Jenny Bean made the following contribution on a FB thread in a discussion of these matters: Instead of police responding to instances of intoxication/substance abuse or mental health crises where a weapon is not being wielded, we could have counselors and medical personnel trained in de-escalation techniques as well as the proper resources to offer on-going help after the fact. Another point to consider, nurses subdue unruly patients on a regular basis, and they do it without killing anyone.
In Eugene, Oregon, an organization called CAHOOTS was started in 1989. Twenty years later, they handle almost 20% of the area’s public safety calls, including those for mental health crises and public intoxication. They also respond to de-escalate personal disputes.
Some have called for defunding the police. What does this mean? It means different things to different people. It is pretty much just a slogan. But basically, what it means is we want to demilitarize the police and divert money to much needed social programs. It could mean the reduction of officers. As previously stated, a lot of the work they do could be handled by social workers.
Some police departments are so bad they may need to be dismantled and started over from scratch. The Minneapolis City Council has just voted to dismantle their Police Department and reconstitute it. They will spend the next year talking about what that will look like. Camden, New Jersey, a city I am most familiar with, shut down its police department and started over again seven years ago. Before the shutdown it was considered one of the most dangerous cities in America. After it was rebuilt crime rate dropped 50% and complaints against the police dropped 95%.
The mindset of police officers must be changed from a Warrior mindset to a Guardian mindset. Focus should be on a community-based serve and protect model. The cops have to stop looking at civilians as enemies.
Hiring practices. Cops should be licensed and have a four-year degree in criminal justice. They should not be hired if they have previous disciplinary action on their records for brutality against citizens. Psychological profiles should be performed to make each candidate is suitable for the type of work required of a police officer. Candidates should be screened for innate bias against people of color. There should be standardized, intensive, and expanded training. Choke holds must be banned. There should be civilians on review boards.
Cops must be held accountable for wrong doing and misconduct. End qualified immunity. As it stands now it is practically impossible to prosecute and convict cops of wrong doing because of qualified immunity, police unions, collective bargaining agreements, and legal immunity. This must change.
There should be stronger protection under the 4th amendment: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” Citizens should be secure in their homes, their property and in their cars.
Other ideas
- Duty of police officers to intervene and to report
- Body cams for all police officers
- National Registry for police misconduct
- Screen for innate bias against people of color.
- End “no knock warrants”
Kamal Harris just introduced a Justice in Policing Act which covers the following points
- Set a national standard for use of force
- Expand independent investigation into police misconduct.
- Establish a national police misconduct registry
- Require states to report use of force incidents
- Ban “no-knock” warrants in drug cases.
Police must be held accountable for use of excessive force, brutality, and extra judicial killings.
We don’t want a militarized police force, nor do we want to live in a police state.
Ghost Dog 
Thoughtful and practical essay, Benn. The only thing I would add is MORE FEMALES at every level of the law enforcement hierarchy. Whether uniformed officers or social workers, we need more females involved.
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Good idea! I like it!
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All great ideas! Investing more in social programs and education will reduce crime and free up money in police and jail budgets not to mention creating a more productive and humane society.
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I hate to be the burr under your saddle, but do you really believe we need four levels of law enforcement (federal, state, county, and city), in addition to the military and 16 “intelligence agencies” to ride herd on every citizen? Who is in charge here? Is anyone or any agency mature enough to take responsibility for other adults?
My view is that we should go in the other direction, toward less control, and allow adults to assume more responsibility for their own lives and those of their nearest others. Abuse of delegated authority occurs at all levels of society, and it crosses all disciplines.
Not for me to make rules others must follow. I have a hard enough time following the rules I set for myself. The Golden Rule is the only one I need.
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Hi Katharine. No, I don’t believe we nee four levels of law enforcement, I believe in less law enforcement not more, as a careful reading of my piece will show. We are in agreement.
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Benn,
Call me thick, but I did need clarification. I’m a big believer in self-determination. I figure mature adults don’t need much policing, and will solve their own problems without damaging themselves, property, or anyone else.
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Very interesting to read this as an English person. The first time I ever saw a police officer with a gun was age 22 when I moved to London and even then I only saw this a couple of times.
Only certain licensed police officers have taser guns and they have lots of rules around these. There are lots of complaints about the use of stop and search.
We have PCSOs who are like the social type policing officers that work and get to know local communities, work in schools etc. and speeding notices do come in the post mostly.
I am more aware of gun and knife crimes now that I live in London, it wasn’t such a big issue in Cheshire or even a big city like Glasgow. I spoke to my Mum at lunch time today and she told me a guy she works with had his 90 year old grandfather burgled this weekend, two men with screwdrivers they pushed into his body whilst he was lay in bed at night to ask him where the money was in the house, they turned downstairs over trashing everything and left with nothing because he didn’t keep cash in the house, they had done three other houses in the same street.
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Wow! That is quite a story. It is unfortunate that the older gentleman was burgled, but perhaps better with a screw driver than a gun. We have too many guns in America. And the police are out of control. I like the British model better with fewer guns and a more community based approach. Makes more sense to me. Anyway, thanks for reading, Charlotte and your comments are most welcome!
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I like your concepts, ghost dog. There are those in our courts that are privileged when they commit crimes. The courtrooms are infested with lies and scandal. The entire legal system must be restructured because there are no real checks and balance. Let us be thankful for cellular phone cameras. They have been so helpful at capturing many acts of violence. I hope soon that each citizen can be witnessed by cameras in every courtroom. Our legal system is corrupt and broken inside out, from top to bottom. Excellent share ghost dog!😞🙏
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Thanks for reading and for your thoughtful comments.
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You are most welcome ghost dog! Keep safe and well!
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Your want to quit enforcing any criminal laws except murder and armed robbery. That would certainly cut down on complaints against policy.
And repeal the second amendment.
Interesting concepts.
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A very interesting post.
On the subject of mental health specifically, I was earlier (interestingly enough) talking with another blogger about policing and mental health. Namely, the fact that police often don’t have the training in mental health matters, and that because of that, many police are ill-equipped to deal with people who are struggling with their mental health. It’s definitely something to keep in mind within the broader scope of police reform.
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Absolutely! Thanks for commenting.
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