Defunding the Police vs Police Reform
By: Ela
In the past month across the nation, we have seen an increase in conversation regarding Black Lives Matter and how to combat injustice. The large protests were fueled by the death of George Floyd at the hands of four police officers. The death of George Floyd is not unique in that Black Americans make up about 13% of the U.S population but are killed by Police Officers at more than double the rate of White Americans. These protests represent the built up anger of many in this country. Anger because police are not held accountable and seldomly face consequences for the murders they commit. The momentum of these protests and the support of Black Lives Matter is not dying down. People are demanding that police be held accountable for killing and terrorizing black people, but are also demanding systemic change. Some are calling for police reform and others are calling for defunding the police. These terms can be confusing, so what’s the difference?
Police reform involves beginning transparency in how police departments function (for example: making data on use of force available to the public), it involves banning many types of uses of force (for example: chokeholds), it includes de-escalation/anti-bias training for police officers and it gives more ability to hold police accountable and investigate misconduct. Police reform is creating changes within the current policing system. Recently, in the U.S House of Representatives, House Democrats introduced the Justice in Policing Act which proposes police reform. Many politicians are calling for police reform, meanwhile many protesters are chanting, “NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE, DEFUND THE POLICE!”
Many are frightened by the idea of defunding the police because it’s assumed that it means living in a country with no law enforcement, or Policemen doing their jobs to protect citizens. Defunding the police not only means lowering police budgets drastically, but also means to put back money into communities of color. Putting money into affordable housing, mental health services, school resources/programs, and more. Defunding the police doesn’t mean not upholding law enforcement, but it means limiting traditional law enforcement.
When we look at the history of Police Officers, we can understand what traditional law enforcement is. Police originated mainly as slave patrols who controlled slaves and served to keep the power in the hands of white people. Post-abolition, they enforced segregation and responded to the civil rights movement with violence. Limiting traditional law enforcement is to say that we must move beyond the inherently racist institution of the police. Police have not only suppressed minorities in history but continue to today in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. Those calling to defund the police believe that the police can’t be changed with reforms in the system because the whole system is corrupt and was not designed to protect minorities. Those calling to defund the police believe we must decriminalize non-violent crimes (like marijuana use), begin unarmed mediation in conflicts, and implement restorative justice (like community courts). We need people more qualified to deal with crises in our communities. Are armed police officers the right people to handle a mental health crisis? Those calling to defund the police say not at all. Overall, many believe that defunding the police is the first step to justice for all.
Based on these facts, police reform has good intentions but will not lead to necessary changes. Reforms do not address the root causes of police violence. Reforms, in some cases, don’t even work. An example is in Minneapolis. Minneapolis implemented anti-bias training and other police reform. The police department received more money for training but continued to have complaints about excessive use of force. If we want safer communities, Police Officers are not the answer. Investing in the needs of a community will be more beneficial than policing a community, and we can finally get justice and see a change.