De-fund or re-fund the police, small reforms are happening all over
Something quiet and unexpected happened over the weekend in Lawrence, Kansas, the town where I live: The city's new police chief announced a ban on no-knock warrants and chokeholds by the department's officers. The controversial tactics weren't used all that often — Lawrence isn't typically a hotbed of violent crime — so it's possible not that much will actually change, but the symbolism seemed a good way for the new guy to get off on the right foot in a Dem-voting college town. "This is just one way to help foster trust with the community," Chief Rich Lockhart told the local paper.
It's a tiny victory for police reformers. But it's a victory nonetheless.
Those victories seem to be in short supply these days. The surge of violent crime in America has blunted the surge of public support that reformers experienced in the #BlackLivesMatter summer of 2020, after the violent, wrongful deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of law enforcement. There was a moment when Republicans — led by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) — expressed interest in some sort of reform. It seemed possible the doctrine of "qualified immunity" that largely protects officers from lawsuits over civil rights violations might be weakened, and public safety reimagined in ways to de-emphasize armed policing in favor of less potentially violent methods
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The moment has passed, at least for now. Scott bailed on reform negotiations last year. The Supreme Court in October turned back a challenge to qualified immunity.
And on Monday, President Biden unveiled a budget proposal that asks Congress for $32 billion in new spending to put more cops on the street. American police were never actually defunded, but the "defund the police" slogan has become so toxic that Biden and other Democrats are doing everything they can to prove their tough-on-crime bona fides.
"We should all agree: The answer is not to defund the police," Biden said earlier this month at his State of the Union address. "The answer is to fund the police. Fund them with resources and training they need to protect our communities."
So, a question: Has the BLM-inspired police reform movement failed?
I don't think so. The opportunity for a sweeping national overhaul has passed, if it ever truly existed. But incremental, local progress is possible — and indeed, has been made. Lawrence isn't the only locale to take action: In the months after Floyd's death, half of America's 65 largest police departments banned chokeholds. The Justice Department did the same thing last year, after Biden took office. These small-scale examples are plentiful. And the public's awareness of police abuses is probably greater than it's ever been.
It's not enough, clearly. For reform advocates, Biden's budget feels like a setback — or maybe an example of misplaced priorities. For now, it seems, the tiny victories will have to suffice.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a freelance writer who has spent nine years as a syndicated columnist, co-writing the RedBlueAmerica column as the liberal half of a point-counterpoint duo. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic, The Kansas City Star and Heatmap News. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Why are Republicans trying to change Nebraska's Electoral College vote?
Today's Big Question It's a chance for Donald Trump to block Joe Biden's path to re-election
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
To win the election, Trump is changing how elections are run
Under The Radar While the former president campaigns for a second term in office, he and his team have quietly been working to tilt the nation's electoral rules in his favor.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Is it time to end arms sales to Israel?
Today's Big Question Democrats urge restrictions following World Kitchen convoy deaths
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'What a difference a judge makes'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'For employers and their workers, welcome to a minefield'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published