CHANGE TRAINING

Change policing practices by advocating for more or better training. This is often the first response to a policing problem.

Pros:

  • Training is an effective way to reeducate officers on department policies and practices.
  • Chiefs of police can mandate training.

Cons:

  • Training can be expensive and cost money that could be invested in other services.
  • Not all trainings are equal, and outdated curricula or low-quality instructors do not improve officer performance.
  • Training alone cannot shift systemic policing practices; policies, accountability, and culture change are needed to ensure they take hold.

CHANGE OVERSIGHT

Change policing practices by advocating for the creation or expansion of police department oversight.

Pros:

    • Oversight agencies give complainants a place to voice their concerns outside of law enforcement agencies.
    • Oversight agencies strengthen community relations by fostering trust between the community and police department.
    • Oversight agencies can improve the quality of internal investigations.

Cons:

    • Oversight agencies can be difficult to implement, particularly when police unions lobby against them.
    • Some oversight agencies lack the authority to change policies and hold officers accountable.

CHANGE POLICY

Change policing practices by advocating for changes to departmental policies.

Pros:

    • Changing policy is easier than passing new laws. The sheriff or police chief can change a department policy with a written or verbal statement.

Cons:

    • Policies can be changed or repealed.
    • Individuals, organizations, and communities generally cannot directly enforce policies or hold police officers accountable for violating policies, though they can pressure department leaders to impose discipline and ensure accountability.

CHANGE THE LAW

Change policing practices by passing, repealing, or changing a law. States and cities have passed laws banning <span aria-describedby="tt" class="glossaryLink " data-cmtooltip="
Profiling
The act of generalizing a person or group of people based on personal attributes. In the policing context, profiling refers to the act of presumingthat a person or group of people are involved in criminal activity. Profiling can be based on intentional discrimination or widely held biases and beliefs that certain types of people are more likely to break the law or do harm than others.
">profiling, regulating the use of <span aria-describedby="tt" class="glossaryLink " data-cmtooltip="
Force
The application of physical strength for coercive purposes. Police use of force can range from the use of hands, legs, batons, or other equipment, including vehicles, handcuffs, restraints, pepper spray, tear gas, water cannons, canines, Tasers, and firearms.
">force, banning consent searches, regulating the purchase of military equipment, and mandating transparent police department records.

Pros:

    • Once passed, laws cannot be easily changed; another law must be passed to change or repeal it.
    • Laws create opportunities for enforcement by community members through a <span aria-describedby="tt" class="glossaryLink " data-cmtooltip="
      Private Right of Action
      An individual’s right to sue a police officer or department.
      ">private right of action.
    • Laws can establish oversight through task forces, annual audits, or data reporting requirements.

Cons:

    • Enacting laws is harder than changing a policy. You need to:
      1. Draft a bill
      2. Find a legislator willing to introduce it
      3. Persuade enough legislators to vote it out of committee
      4. Persuade a majority of legislators to vote for it
      5. Persuade the president, governor, or mayor to sign it
    • Legislation about policing issues can be controversial and hard to build support around, particularly when police unions lobby against it.