What we should expect of the police: Experts weigh in on recent police violence

June 02 2020

In the past several weeks, the United States has witnessed a spate of high-profile incidences of police violence against Black Americans, including the tragic killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade. Just five years ago, policing reform was a top national priority in the wake of similar protests following the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri; Eric Garner in New York City; and Tamir Rice in Cleveland. Activists and police departments alike pressed for reforms. But after a week where thousands held protests against police brutality, Americans may be wondering whether those reforms have any value or efficacy.

A more fundamental question has to do with the role of the police in our communities. Instead of focusing on how to reform current policing practices, Americans must consider the role that the police have as well as the role they should have in our communities. In 2019, the Center for American Progress gathered together a group of experts on policing and asked them this very basic question: What should we expect of the police? The following are excerpts from that conversation, which have been edited lightly for clarity and readability.

Read the full article by Ed Chung and Betsy Pearl for Center for American Progress