4 November 2020, Spotswood, New Jersey, USA
News regarding the growth in public fear regarding police bias and questionable use of force is not a current concern. The need to address inconsistencies in policing practices and policies has been on the rise for years. Addressing the issue of police reform needs to move beyond wishful thinking and needs to become an actionable plan.
Although every community served is different based on population, socioeconomics, crime rate, poverty, homelessness, and employment rate, action can start with an evidence-based philosophy. This philosophy can be derived from best practices and practices that have proven effective. In January of 2020, researchers Engel, McManus, and Isaza reported that each police force should begin reformation by examining evidence regarding routinely recommended police restructurings, including (1) deployment of body-worn cameras; (2) changes to the use-of-force policies and training that emphasize de-escalation; (3) implicit bias training for officers; (4) early intervention (warning) systems; and (5) citizen oversight (review) boards.
Having visible accountability measures can help officers become more aware of their decisions and actions. Deployment of body-worn cameras is one form of accountability. Body cameras have moved beyond a piloting trend and should be considered common policing practices. Research has concluded that both citizens and police departments like the use of body-worn cameras.
Although some may challenge the privacy issues with body cameras, the footage captured becomes evidence, a source of protection for both officers and citizens, and a resource for accurate reporting. If implemented nationally as an expectation in police reform, body-worn cameras further the goal of police efficiency and accountability.
Next, police reformation should include training that emphasizes de-escalation. Ourconstitutional rights include justice, domestic tranquility, common defense, and promotion of general welfare. Millions of Americans depend on their police force to protect and serve the community. De-escalation training was endorsed from The President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing in 2015 and was the only item explicitly listed related to police use of force.
Reform should also include implicit bias training for officers. Millions of Americans, especially
people of color, are among the most vulnerable populations in the United States who fall victim to its broken criminal justice system. Many police forces, especially among lower socio-economic communities, fail the communities they serve and betray the public trust. Required bias training would help officers overcome careless decisions or actions based bias when interacting with people of color.
Early intervention systems could help many communities that struggle with police-citizen relationships. There is no room for corrupt policing, bribery, political misconduct, or betrayal in today's society. Citizens should trust their local police force will have integrity, respect and hold themselves accountable. Training in early interventions may prove helpful in a community with stressful policing relationships. Early intervention training may include learning positive verbal and non-verbal interactions and communication styles. Early intervention may include planning a range of appropriate responses for potentially violent or intense encounters. These plans could also include considerations of the appropriate use of physical intervention techniques such as breakaway skills training, control and restraint techniques, and possible protections. Having early discussions on appropriate actions will better inform police officers on effective and appropriate procedures to follow.
Finally, a citizen oversight board could help local police forces with accountability measures. By having a board that is composed of local citizens, local police forces can build police-communitycollaboration, which promotes visibility and accountability. One Midwest city reported that having a citizen oversight board to evaluate group violence interventions supported a collaborative effort between police and community members. Heartland police used the information from their community members to reduce the number of adverse police-citizen encounters. Involving the community shows support for community activism and demonstrates a caring police force.
To avoid future policing disasters, national policing reform is needed. Using the recommendations of researchers Engel, McManus, and Isaza, evidence-based practices should be considered by each police force. Reformation should begin by including (1) required body-worn cameras; (2) introducing more training that emphasizes de-escalation; (3) offering implicit bias training for officers; (4) creating early intervention (warning) systems; and (5) considering the creation of a citizen oversight board. Our police officers need to be held accountable, and the first step to ensuring this occurs is through a nationwide reform of policing policies and procedures.