Black Lives Matter: Can Law Enforcement Be Reconciled?

The Black Lives Matter movement has sparked protests against racialized police violence and the systemic racism that enables it. The movement's demands for racial justice have brought attention to the historical mistreatment of Black people by law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and American political and social institutions. While the protests have been met with repression and criticism, they have also led to a decrease in police homicides and increased use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement. The conversation around police brutality and the role of police in society has entered the mainstream, with calls to divert funding from police departments to community-led initiatives and invest in services like healthcare and education to protect Black lives.

Police brutality and violence

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s was a pivotal moment in highlighting police brutality, particularly during the Birmingham campaign (1963-1964) and the Selma to Montgomery marches (1965). Media coverage of police brutality during these events sparked national outrage and increased public support for the Civil Rights Movement. The Black Panther Party, formed in 1966, directly challenged police brutality against African Americans by predominantly white police departments.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and police brutality remains a pressing issue. Between 1980 and 2018, more than 30,000 people died due to police violence in the United States, with a disproportionate number of people of color being killed. The Black Lives Matter protests that gained momentum in 2020 were a response to the killings of Black Americans by police officers. These protests were met with further violence from state authorities and right-wing groups, with police frequently using chemical irritants and projectiles against protestors.

The issue of police brutality is not limited to the United States. Countries like India, Brazil, South Africa, and England have also experienced incidents of police violence and have taken steps to address them. For instance, England and Wales have established the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to investigate reports of police misconduct.

To address police brutality, there have been calls for increased oversight, accountability, and independent investigations of police actions. This includes the use of body cameras, although their effectiveness has been questioned due to a lack of transparency in withholding footage from the public. Additionally, there is a need for better training and policies to improve police interactions with communities and diffuse tense situations. Reducing the role of police in non-violent situations and diverting funding to community-led initiatives, healthcare, and education have also been proposed as ways to address systemic issues contributing to police brutality.

Mistrust between citizens and law enforcement

The Black Lives Matter movement has brought to light the systemic issues of police brutality and racial injustice. The movement, sparked by the killing of Black Americans by law enforcement, has led to widespread protests and a long-overdue reckoning with the historical legacy of the mistreatment of Black individuals by the police and the criminal justice system. This has resulted in a deep mistrust of law enforcement in many communities, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups.

Research consistently shows that members of racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to view law enforcement with suspicion and distrust. They often report feeling singled out due to their race or ethnicity and believe that they are disproportionately targeted by the police. This perception of police conduct is based on personal experiences and documented evidence of racial disparities in the use of force and lethal force by law enforcement agencies. The failure of police departments to meet basic international human rights standards regarding the use of lethal force has further exacerbated this mistrust.

The issue of mistrust between citizens and law enforcement is not merely a matter of public relations, as some may argue. Instead, it stems from decades of unaddressed misconduct, constitutional violations, and a lack of accountability for past racial indignities. The denial of the role of law enforcement in perpetuating racial injustice further erodes trust and makes it challenging to rebuild community relationships. Trust is a critical component of effective policing, as it encourages cooperation from residents and enhances the safety of both officers and community members.

To address this mistrust, there have been calls for improved training for police officers, including de-escalation techniques and implicit bias recognition. While these are positive steps, there is a lack of evaluation and proven methods for their effectiveness. Additionally, policy changes, such as the reclassification of certain non-moving equipment violations as secondary violations, aim to reduce unnecessary interactions between law enforcement and communities, particularly in the context of traffic stops.

Furthermore, there is a growing recognition that certain issues, such as mental health crises, domestic violence, addiction, and homelessness, can be better handled by social workers, doctors, and other professionals instead of law enforcement. By deprioritizing the police and investing in community-led initiatives, healthcare, and education, the role of police in society can be reduced, and trust can be rebuilt over time.

The role of technology in capturing incidents

Technology has played a crucial role in capturing incidents of police brutality and racial bias within law enforcement, bringing these issues to the forefront of public attention and sparking conversations about the historical context of police brutality and racial inequality. The widespread adoption of smartphones and social media has empowered citizens to document and share incidents of police misconduct in real-time, serving as a catalyst for police reform and social change.

One notable example is the case of George Floyd, whose final moments were captured in a viral video by Darnella Frazier. This footage sparked protests worldwide and inspired a nationwide call for systemic change, demonstrating the impact of citizen journalism in shedding light on police brutality. Similarly, the death of Eric Garner in 2014 gained widespread attention due to video footage of the incident being leaked online and viewed over 3 million times on YouTube.

The use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement officers has also been introduced as a means to increase transparency and accountability. The New York City Police Department was among the first to adopt body cameras in 2013, following evidence of unconstitutional targeting of minorities. While body cameras have the potential to build trust within communities by holding officers accountable, their effectiveness depends on consistent indictment and punishment for misconduct.

In addition to capturing incidents, technology plays a role in monitoring police behaviour and tracking the impact of social movements. For instance, a May 2021 study showed a 15-20% decrease in police homicides in areas with BLM protests between 2014 and 2019. However, it is important to address the challenges associated with data management and privacy concerns to ensure the effective utilisation of technology in capturing and addressing incidents of police misconduct.

While technology has played a pivotal role in exposing police brutality and racial bias, it is essential to recognise that these issues are deeply rooted in the historical legacy of the ill-treatment of Black individuals by law enforcement and criminal justice systems. The Black Lives Matter movement seeks to address these systemic issues and promote racial equality at every stage and facet of society.

The impact of protests on police lethal force

The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has been described as the most prolific mass social movement in modern times. It has brought to light the issue of police brutality, particularly against Black Americans, and has sparked protests around the world. These protests have been met with sustained and repressive violence by state authorities and right-wing groups, with police frequently using chemical irritants, projectiles, and other less-lethal weapons such as tear gas, stun grenades, and batons.

There is evidence to suggest that the BLM protests have impacted police lethal use of force. A study by Mazumder, Sawyer, and Gampa (2018) provides one of the most comprehensive evaluations of BLM's impact on lethal force. They found that early BLM protests, such as those in the "Mike Brown era" in 2014, reduced lethal force by around 13% over the next five years. Similarly, a May 2021 study by Chaudhary and Richardson Jr. found a 15-20% decrease in police homicides in census tracts with protests between 2014 and 2019.

However, the impact of the BLM protests on police lethal force is complex and ambiguous. Cunningham and Gillezeau (2018) found that African American uprisings in the 1960s, which were also a response to police violence, resulted in an increase in police homicides against non-white residents. This suggests that the impact of protests on police behavior may depend on various factors, including the historical context and the specific actions taken by police in response to the protests.

The use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement may also have played a role in reducing lethal force. However, randomized control trials examining the impact of body cameras have yielded mixed results. Additionally, the reduction in lethal force may be due to a decrease in policing in general, as suggested by the Cunningham and Gillezeau study. This could be a result of police executives prioritizing training and community engagement to improve interactions with people in the community and diffuse tense situations.

The impact of the BLM protests on police lethal force is still being studied and evaluated, and further research is needed to fully understand the complex dynamics at play. The trauma inflicted on protestors by police violence is a pressing public mental health concern that requires more investigation. Furthermore, the lack of data collection on state violence against civilians in the US makes it difficult to fully assess the impact of the protests.

Policy procedures and oversight in law enforcement

The Black Lives Matter movement has brought to light the issue of police brutality and the ill-treatment of black people by law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and American political and social institutions. This has sparked conversations about policy, research, and training measures that can be implemented to prevent future incidents of lethal violence involving law enforcement officials.

Policy, procedures, and oversight in law enforcement play a crucial role in addressing these issues and rebuilding trust between citizens and law enforcement. Policies and procedures provide the framework for law enforcement agencies to operate effectively and safely. They serve as guidelines that direct officers on how to respond to challenging situations that arise in the line of duty.

Developing effective policies and procedures can be a daunting task. It requires a thorough understanding of the difference between policies and procedures. Policies are the larger guidelines and rules, while procedures are detailed instructions on how to implement those policies. To create effective policies, it is essential to get organized, find reliable source material, create a structure, and distribute policies for feedback before finalizing them.

Additionally, oversight agencies play a vital role in improving law enforcement policies and procedures. They can help increase the public's understanding of law enforcement policies, improve department policies and procedures, and hold law enforcement agencies accountable for their actions. Oversight agencies can also assist in liability management and reducing costly litigation by identifying problems and proposing corrective measures before lawsuits are filed.

Furthermore, addressing implicit bias and improving training programs for law enforcement officers are crucial steps in improving police-community relations. By prioritizing de-escalation techniques, better interaction with community members, and recognizing implicit biases, law enforcement agencies can work towards rebuilding trust and improving outcomes in interactions with the public.

Frequently asked questions