What does "defund the police" truly signify?

The goal of "defund the police" is to reduce police presence while investing in the health and welfare of communities. Individuals from BIPOC backgrounds face more frequent stops, harassment, and violence from police, making up a disproportionate number of the prison population. Many can recount instances where police interactions left them feeling uneasy or terrified.

After George Floyd’s public murder, some argued that the issues stemmed from a few rogue officers. However, this perspective disregards the training and mindset that law enforcement officers receive. Trained as enforcers rather than community protectors, they often view Black and brown individuals as adversaries. These citizens deserve freedom, yet young Black boys playing with toy guns are perceived as threats simply because of their race.

> “Tamir Rice and John Crawford were both fatally shot in Ohio because an officer's instinct was to shoot first” (Vitale, 2018).

Instead of solely blaming officers for their ethical lapses, the nation must scrutinize the training and culture within police departments. Unfortunately, those acting in bad faith disrupt essential discussions on police reform, accusing advocates of seeking chaos. In truth, their aim is to foster safer environments for all. Police unions continue to resist necessary transparency and reform, hindering efforts to confront systemic racism in policing.

Police respond to incidents rather than prevent them, contrary to the portrayal in films like Minority Report. The public often wants to believe that police ensure safety. In reality, police enforce consequences rather than offer preventative measures. Instead of serving the community, they can act as oppressors. Historically, many police departments in Southern states originated as Slave Patrols, which shapes the legacy of American policing.

> “The American South relied on slave labor, and white Southerners were perpetually fearful of slave revolts disrupting their economic stability. As a result, these patrols emerged as a primary method of early policing, tasked with controlling enslaved populations” (Hansen, 2020).

From the inception of policing in America, the focus has been on surveilling Black individuals. The policing system operates like a well-oiled machine, with unions and officers seeking to justify their actions outside of the courtroom. They expect the benefit of the doubt, armed with qualified immunity that allows them to treat lives as disposable. Disturbingly, the preservation of law enforcement often takes precedence over the sanctity of life. Consider the case of Rodney King, who was brutally beaten for a traffic violation. Officers should not have the authority to act as judge and jury without accountability.

In incidents where police harm community members, investigations are conducted by the same departments involved. Take the tragic case of Elijah McClain, who was killed on August 24, 2019, when officers employed a chokehold despite his desperate pleas. The officers faced no charges, reflecting a painful truth: in America, Black lives are often undervalued. His case languished until public outrage reignited attention.

> “Body-cam footage exists, but the ADP did not make it public until late November, months after McClain's death. In the footage, an officer admits that McClain had committed no crime prior to his arrest” (Lampen, 2020).

The officers, after being placed on administrative leave, returned to duty without facing consequences for their actions. The lack of transparency from police departments has denied justice to McClain's family, who deserve answers about their son's fate. Police unions protect officers from accountability, raising questions about the integrity of their actions.

Officers make choices based on their training and life experiences, or at least that's what many white Americans hope marginalized communities will believe. However, the reality is that policing, steeped in a history of racism, upholds the status quo by oppressing people of color. Police do not safeguard community members; they enforce laws as they interpret them. This unchecked power is alarming, especially given that officers often lack legal expertise. Anonymized officers in Portland have used their authority to detain and intimidate protesters. Police reform must transcend mere racial sensitivity training; it requires a fundamental reevaluation of how policing affects communities.

> “Police primarily serve as a mechanism for managing and even creating inequality by suppressing social movements and closely regulating the behaviors of poor and nonwhite individuals: those marginalized by economic and political systems” (Vitale, 2018).

Building trust with marginalized communities is challenging when accountability is an afterthought. The District Attorney's office collaborates with police, often prioritizing a united front over community protection. How can they shield the public from police misconduct when they are complicit?

> “We lack comprehensive information about the number and nature of fatalities caused by police” (Vitale, 2018).

Most Americans recognize the necessity for reform in policing, yet the debate persists on the form these changes should take. Minor reforms fail to tackle the entrenched racism within law enforcement. Although "defund the police" evokes fear in some, such fears are not supported by evidence. Cities should have the flexibility to reassess their relationships with law enforcement.

Critics of criminal justice reform often focus on the so-called issue of "black-on-black crime," employing a disingenuous narrative reminiscent of broken windows policing. Due to the wealth gap between Black and white families, Black individuals are more likely to reside in marginalized communities. To suggest that poverty itself is criminal is fundamentally un-American. Poverty and crime are interconnected, and as long as critics can frame the impoverished as inferior, they can strip empathy from the justice system.

Those committed to reducing crime should advocate for anti-poverty initiatives. Promoting economic opportunities leads to lower crime rates. Modern urban planning must carefully consider how to allocate resources effectively. Programs focused on environmental, educational, and healthcare improvements benefit communities. However, these initiatives, which faced cuts after the recession, have struggled to secure proper funding, with public education suffering particularly.

> “The future of our nation heavily relies on the quality of its educational institutions. Enhanced financial support can enable schools to implement effective reforms, such as hiring skilled teachers, reducing class sizes, and expanding access to high-quality early education. It is concerning that some states have moved in the opposite direction over the past decade, risking the ability of schools to cultivate the intelligence and creativity of future generations” (Leachman, Masterson, & Figueroa, 2018).

Children deserve quality education regardless of their neighborhood or ethnicity. Policing, which fails to prevent crime, should not take precedence over public education. Ultimately, citizens should have a say in these matters. Disingenuous arguments hinder collaboration among community leaders and advocates striving for change.

While the federal government may not explicitly endorse reallocating funds from police departments, it does propose addressing crime in low-income areas through reinvestment in community resources. A majority of Americans agree on the importance of reducing crime, and solutions should be informed by scientific evidence.

> “Research indicates several strategies for enhancing neighborhood safety and health. Investing in communities trapped in cycles of crime and disinvestment can significantly lower crime rates. Studies suggest that strong community organizations and leadership can effect change. Investments that promote inclusion and provide access to education and jobs are essential to tackling the deep-seated disadvantages fueling violence in neighborhoods. Housing programs can prevent the re-concentration of poverty in struggling areas, which is linked to increased crime. Policies aimed at reducing economic, racial, and ethnic segregation can enhance communities' access to resources crucial for preventing violent crime and fostering healthy development. Moreover, comprehensive national crime data at the neighborhood level can improve our understanding of trends” (Neighborhoods and Violent Crime, 2020).

The government has recognized the link between poverty and crime through research. Those opposing social programs for low-income families, funding for public education, and restorative justice are, in effect, soft on crime. By neglecting to confront systemic racism and poverty, they perpetuate a cycle of chaos. High-crime, low-income neighborhoods struggle to maintain adequately funded schools, discouraging investment and limiting economic mobility.

Do not lose hope. America is a representative democracy that requires active participation. Creating safe communities is essential. In a secure environment, every individual deserves respect from law enforcement. Black Lives Matter when we collectively affirm their value. Only then can we tackle the disparities within marginalized communities and advance meaningful reforms.

In conclusion, policing operates based on consent. When communities lose their ability to negotiate with law enforcement, officers breach the trust that BIPOC communities rightfully expect. Reforming policing in America cannot end with defunding. Citizens anticipate that officers will protect and serve, not instill fear in innocent individuals.

Additional Resources

Stop Defending the Confederacy A call to end the romanticization of white supremacist ideology www.medium.com

Non-Violent or Revolutionary: A False Choice for Social Activists An Analysis of Civil Rights Contributors: Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Malcolm X, and Huey P. Newton www.medium.com

My First Five Curated Articles Published in July 2020: Race, Equality, Health Care, and History www.medium.com

References: Hansen, I. (2020, June 03). Slave Patrols: An Early Form of American Policing. Retrieved July 24, 2020, from https://lawenforcementmuseum.org/2019/07/10/slave-patrols-an-early-form-of-american-policing/

Lampen, C. (2020, July 05). What We Know About the Killing of Elijah McClain. Retrieved July 24, 2020, from https://www.thecut.com/2020/07/the-killing-of-elijah-mcclain-everything-we-know.html

Leachman, M., Masterson, K., & Figueroa, E. (2018, February 28). A Punishing Decade for School Funding. Retrieved July 24, 2020, from https://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/a-punishing-decade-for-school-funding

Neighborhoods and Violent Crime: HUD USER. (n.d.). Retrieved July 24, 2020, from https://www.huduser.gov/portal/periodicals/em/summer16/highlight2.html

Vitale, A. S. (2018). The End of Policing. London, UK: Verso.