Around and Around We Go: Addressing Systemic Issues in Police Reform

Round and around we go. How do we get off the Police Reform merry-go-round? How do we effect broad change and avoid spinning back to systemic issues when a critical use of force occurs or department personnel act unprofessional, both of which will inevitably ensue?

I've spoken with communities in large and small cities, urban and rural communities, and the stories of those most affected by unprofessional policing are resoundingly similar. Community members, particularly those representing marginalized communities, feel unheard, unseen, disregarded.

On the flip side, I've spoken to officers in large cities, small, urban communities, rural and their stories are also very similar. Officers often express feeling unheard, unseen, and undervalued by their leaders, department, city, and the community they serve.

Issues in policing and reform are so complex, so dynamic, and there aren't any easy answers. What works in one city and one community may not work in the neighboring city. Limited research on "best practices" in policing can hinder our understanding of the potential impact of promising initiatives on policing in general. Snap decisions to implement the latest "training" or "initiative" in response to a high-profile critical incident can lead to poor execution and temporary change.

Often police reform can feel like a merry-go-round. Update policy, initiate new training, start a new community engagement "project", appoint new leaders, purchase the latest software, equipment, technology... critical incident... back to square one. Round and around we go. How do we get of this merry-go-round? How do we effect broad change and avoid spinning back to systemic issues when acritical use of force occurs or department personnel act unprofessional, both of which will inevitably ensue?

Focusing on improving processes and accountability systems needs to take priority. Policies are the foundation to correcting course and establishing methods of accountability. Most of us agree changes to training and policy are necessary. Leaders play a big role in effecting change. First-line supervision is essential. Accountability systems must be strong. What's established in policy must be implemented in practice. Communities should have a say in how they are policed and seen as partners in change and public safety. And most importantly, officers, department personnel, have to be part of creating change and should have a seat at the table when recrafting processes.

Most of us also agree on the pitfalls to change. Egos, weak leaders, poor performance processes, unwillingness to be vulnerable and open to hear the perspectives of others, lack of accountability, and the history of policing and origins of the mistrust within communities of color, etc. all play a role in the sustainability of reform.

Jumping off the endless cycle requires culture change, and that takes time. Building positive equity within departments and the communities they serve relies on our ability to be consistent. Let's stop knee jerk reactions to the latest national high profile police critical incident, let's focus on building systems and processes that hold firm through time, leaders, and the next critical incident.