How do you feel about "Defund Police"?🤔

Honestly, what are your reactions when you see or hear the words, "defund police"?  Before you even read on, notice what comes up for you.  The first step to any productive conversation about this is in the awareness.  

Admittedly, this phrase, Defund Police, brings up many, varied, intense reactions.

You, like me, may be one of the first to say that "words matter."  Words have power.  They encourage and they hurt.  They lift up and they crush.  They bring together and divide apart.

In this case, however, what's most important lives behind the words.  Rather than debate whether this is the "best phrase", let's move the conversation toward the substance.

One central question: 

Do you believe the police and law enforcement, as agencies and organizations, are currently perfect? (Or, as near perfect as possible)? 

**This is also a question you can ask someone else to facilitate the conversation.  

If yes: 

• What do you admire and appreciate about it as it is now?

• What makes you confident that there is no way to improve it?

If no:

• What would you like to see changed?

• How do you believe it could best be improved?

There's actually important data out there on this, especially since it's not a new topic.  Looking at best practices and successful changes is a great place to start.  

For example, check out this article on how clear guidelines for when and how body cameras are used reduced use-of-force complaints in New Orleans by 60%!!!  (Yet, fewer than 50% of police departments surveyed use each of these 3 recommended policies). 

Hmmm, that certainly leaves room for improvement, right?!?  

Law enforcement agencies, themselves, can also have an investment in improvements.  They are losing their lives, jobs, and respect as well.  For those that are truly seeking to protect and serve, these are high stakes. 

Building trust, having clear, explicit, and reasonable expectations, consistent rewards and consequences, and effective training are certainly helpful in any job...not to mention the improvement of fewer deaths and unreasonable force experiences to account for, live with, and defend against.

Instead of getting drawn into a debate about the words "defund police", center the dialogue around what you each/all want law enforcement to look like. 

Do we really want them to be responsible for everything from a cat in a tree, to traffic tickets, to car accidents, to mental health and medical emergencies, to missing people cases, to addressing the unhoused, to...  Well, you know what I mean.  

Of course, the issue of bias needs to be addressed as well, at its core.  I'd assert that even this can be better accomplished with clear parameters around the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement redesigned.

And, if we can redesign the responsibilities, then we can redistribute funds to make sure we are paying law enforcement for the services we want them to provide, and paying other resources, services, and agencies for the services they are best suited to provide.  

These are important conversations.  And, to make a difference, the more people having them, the better.  

You matter.  You can make a difference.  I'm so thankful you're here.