Rethinking America’s Police

This past May, Darnella Frazier, a 17-year-old high school student in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was walking to the store to buy snacks when she saw four police officers wrestle a Black man to the ground. 

Similar situations had taken place before between the police and Black residents in her neighborhood, so Darnella pulled out her iPhone and started recording. But nothing could have prepared her for what she captured. 

The man in custody was 46-year-old George Floyd. As he was facedown on the pavement with his arms handcuffed behind his back, one of the police officers, a white man, pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck. The officer held that position for more than eight minutes, even as Floyd pleaded that he couldn’t breathe—and even after Floyd became unresponsive. The officer removed his knee only after paramedics arrived. Floyd was pronounced dead at the hospital.

This past May, Darnella Frazier, 17, was a high school student in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Walking to the store to buy snacks one day, she saw four police officers wrestle a Black man to the ground.

Similar things had happened before between the police and Black residents in her neighborhood. So Darnella pulled out her iPhone. She started recording. But nothing could have prepared her for what she captured.

The man in custody was 46-year-old George Floyd. He was facedown on the pavement. His arms were handcuffed behind his back. One of the police officers, a white man, pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck. The officer held that position for more than eight minutes. He held it even as Floyd pleaded that he could not breathe. He held it even after Floyd became unresponsive. The officer removed his knee only after paramedics arrived. Floyd was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Distraught over what she had witnessed, Darnella posted her video to Facebook. “The world needed to see what I was seeing,” the teen later told reporters. “Stuff like this happens in silence too many times.” 

Within hours, Darnella’s video had been viewed by hundreds of thousands of people. Demonstrators took to the streets of Minneapolis immediately, demanding justice for Floyd. (All four officers were fired the next day and now face charges ranging from second-degree murder to aiding and abetting murder.) In the weeks that followed, Black Lives Matter protests swept across the U.S.

Tens of millions of Americans of all races joined in what quickly became the largest protest movement in U.S. history, demanding an end to systemic racism against Black people. But at the heart of the demonstrations were also impassioned calls to overhaul the U.S. police system.

Darnella was extremely upset by what she had witnessed. She posted her video to Facebook. “The world needed to see what I was seeing,” the teen later told reporters. “Stuff like this happens in silence too many times.”

Within hours, Darnella’s video had been viewed by hundreds of thousands of people. Protesters took to the streets of Minneapolis immediately. They demanded justice for Floyd. (All four officers were fired the next day. They now face charges ranging from second-degree murder to aiding and abetting murder.) In the weeks that followed, Black Lives Matter protests swept across the U.S.

Tens of millions of Americans of all races joined in what quickly became the largest protest movement in U.S. history. They demanded an end to systemic racism against Black people. But at the heart of the protests were also impassioned calls to overhaul the U.S. police system.

Experts say the vast majority of the 800,000 men and women employed as police officers in the U.S. today are committed to protecting all members of the communities they serve—regardless of race. The problem, these experts say, is the racist policies of many police departments. These policies include how officers are trained and how frequently they are tasked with jobs they haven’t been taught how to handle.

Still, many Black Americans say what happened to Floyd is reflective of the violence and racism they face every day at the hands of law enforcement. Studies show that for similar offenses, Black people are more likely than white people to be arrested—as well as found guilty and given longer prison sentences. And according to data compiled by The Washington Post, Black Americans are about 2.5 times as likely as white Americans to be killed by the police.

Floyd’s death has sparked renewed cries for justice for other Black Americans killed by police in recent years. In 2019, Elijah McClain, a massage therapist, died after police restrained him in a chokehold while he was walking home from a convenience store in Aurora, Colorado. And in March of this year, Breonna Taylor, an emergency room technician, was killed after police shot her eight times in her home in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Outrage over these and other deaths has millions of Americans demanding significant changes to eliminate racial bias and brutality in policing. 

Among other things, many people are calling for new law enforcement training methods and better systems to hold officers accountable for wrongdoing. Some people also want to reduce the estimated $100 billion in government funding that police departments receive each year—and give those savings to different programs that can help protect communities. Still others propose dismantling and rebuilding entire police departments from the ground up.

Such reforms are critical to creating new and better ways of policing, explains Tracie Keesee, a retired police captain. She is the co-founder of the Center for Policing Equity, an organization that works with police across the U.S. to help them improve their relationships with local communities.

“We are in a moment of change,” Keesee says. “Real change is going to be everyone’s responsibility going forward.”

About 800,000 men and women are employed as police officers in the U.S. today. Experts say the vast majority of those officers are committed to protecting all members of the communities they serve—regardless of race. The problem, these experts say, is the racist policies of many police departments. Such policies include how officers are trained and how often they are assigned jobs they have not been taught how to handle.

Still, many Black Americans say what happened to Floyd reflects the violence and racism they face every day at the hands of law enforcement. Studies show that for similar offenses, Black people are more likely than white people to be arrested. They also are more likely to be found guilty and to be given longer prison sentences. And according to data compiled by The Washington Post, Black Americans are about 2.5 times as likely as white Americans to be killed by the police.

Floyd’s death has sparked renewed cries for justice for other Black Americans killed by police in recent years. In 2019, Elijah McClain died after police restrained him in a chokehold. It happened while McClain, a massage therapist, was walking home from a convenience store in Aurora, Colorado. And in March of this year, Breonna Taylor, an emergency room technician, was killed. Police shot her eight times in her home in Louisville, Kentucky.

Outrage over these and other deaths has millions of Americans demanding major changes to get rid of racial bias and brutality in policing.

Among other things, many people are calling for new ways of training law enforcement. And they are calling for better systems to hold officers accountable for wrongdoing. Some people also want to reduce the estimated $100 billion in government funding that police departments receive each year. They want to give those savings to different programs that can help protect communities. Still other people propose breaking apart entire police departments and rebuilding them from the ground up.

Such reforms are critical to creating new and better ways of policing, explains Tracie Keesee. She is a retired police captain, and the co-founder of the Center for Policing Equity. That organization works with police across the U.S. to help them improve their relationships with local communities.

“We are in a moment of change,” Keesee says. “Real change is going to be everyone’s responsibility going forward.”

Racism has long been an issue in U.S. law enforcement. In fact, some of this country’s earliest forms of policing were developed specifically to enforce the brutal system of slavery, which forced millions of Black people to labor in the fields and homes of their white enslavers. 

From the 1600s to the mid-1800s, “the most dominant presence of law enforcement was . . . slave patrols. That’s what made up policing,” Khalil Gibran Muhammad told National Public Radio earlier this year. He is a historian at Harvard University in Massachusetts. Slave patrols were organized groups of white men who used violence and intimidation to prevent enslaved Black people from escaping or revolting. 

Slavery was outlawed in 1865 with the passage of the 13th Amendment. But in the years that followed, many states enacted racist policies to continue to control newly freed Black Americans. These policies included Black Codes, which restricted Black people’s freedom in a number of ways (see “What You Need to Know,” below).

Racism has long been an issue in U.S. law enforcement. In fact, some of this country’s earliest forms of policing were developed specifically to enforce the brutal system of slavery. Slavery forced millions of Black people to labor in the fields and homes of their white enslavers.

From the 1600s to the mid-1800s, “the most dominant presence of law enforcement was . . . slave patrols. That’s what made up policing,” Khalil Gibran Muhammad told National Public Radio earlier this year. He is a historian at Harvard University in Massachusetts. Slave patrols were organized groups of white men. They used violence and intimidation to keep enslaved Black people from escaping or revolting.

In 1865, slavery was outlawed with the passage of the 13th Amendment. But in the years that followed, many states enacted racist policies to continue to control newly freed Black Americans. These policies included Black Codes, which restricted Black people’s freedom in a number of ways (see “What You Need to Know,” below).

At the same time, publicly funded police forces were becoming more common. By the 1880s, every major city in the U.S. had one. Police officers often enforced Black Codes and other racist laws through violence. Some officers ignored or even allowed lynchings of Black people, thousands of which occurred between 1865 and 1950. Others were members of the Ku Klux Klan, a group of white supremacists that formed after the Civil War (1861-65).

“Police forces during this time ultimately functioned to keep Black people in line,” says Keisha Blain, a history professor at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. “That’s why white supremacist groups knew they could attack Black people and not worry about facing repercussions from the police.”

At the same time, publicly funded police forces were becoming more common. By the 1880s, every major city in the U.S. had one. Police officers often used violence to enforce Black Codes and other racist laws. Some officers ignored or even allowed lynchings of Black people. Thousands of lynchings occurred between 1865 and 1950. Other officers were members of the Ku Klux Klan, a group of white supremacists that formed after the Civil War (1861-65).

“Police forces during this time ultimately functioned to keep Black people in line,” says Keisha Blain. She is a history professor at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. “That’s why white supremacist groups knew they could attack Black people and not worry about facing repercussions from the police.”

In the decades after the Civil War, Black Americans were often discriminated against. Black people were denied the right to vote and hold certain jobs, and in many places were forced to use separate—and inferior—public facilities, including schools and hospitals. 

As Black Americans united in protest against such injustices, they often were met with more police violence. Some of the most infamous images of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and ’60s include photos of white officers using dogs and high-pressure water hoses to attack peaceful Black activists, including young children and teens.

In the decades after the Civil War, Black Americans were often discriminated against. Black people were denied the right to vote and hold certain jobs. And in many places, they were forced to use separate public facilities that were inferior. That included schools and hospitals.

Black Americans united in protest against such injustices. But  as they did, they often were met with more police violence. Some of the most infamous images of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and ’60s include photos of white officers using dogs and high-pressure water hoses to attack peaceful Black activists, including young children and teens.

In the 1970s and ’80s, crime began to increase in the U.S., in part because of growing drug use. Politicians responded by implementing tough-on-crime laws. Policing ramped up to enforce those laws, which disproportionately affected Black people. Some officers also engaged in increased acts of racial profiling—targeting people as criminal suspects based on their skin color.

Starting in the 1990s, crime rates began to fall to near-historic lows. Some experts say this was partly due to the aging of the U.S. population. (Studies show that older people tend to commit fewer crimes.) Despite declining crime rates, police have continued to kill about 1,000 people annually since 2013—both armed and unarmed individuals. A disproportionate number of those people killed are Black, according to the research organization Mapping Police Violence. Only 1 percent of police killings have resulted in the officers being charged with crimes.

In the 1970s and ’80s, crime began to increase in the U.S. That was in part because of growing drug use. Politicians responded by passing tough-on-crime laws. Policing increased to enforce those laws, which disproportionately affected Black people. Some officers also engaged in increased acts of racial profiling—targeting people as criminal suspects based on their skin color.

Starting in the 1990s, crime rates began to fall to near-historic lows. Some experts say this was partly due to the aging of the U.S. population. (Studies show that older people tend to commit fewer crimes.) Despite declining crime rates, police have continued to kill about 1,000 people annually since 2013. That includes both armed and unarmed individuals. A disproportionate number of those people killed are Black. That is according to the research organization Mapping Police Violence. Only 1 percent of police killings have resulted in the officers being charged with crimes.

There have been several reform attempts over the years to improve policing in the U.S. and eliminate police department policies that enable brutality (see “Key Moments,” below). But many Americans say these efforts aren’t enough. That’s why they’re calling for a number of specific changes to address racism and violence in policing head-on.

These demands include anti-bias training for police officers, a federal ban on police chokeholds, and national guidelines that regulate how police officers exercise other types of force—such as using batons or stun guns. (Statistics show that Black people are more likely than white people to be the victims of police force or the threat of police force.) 

Many Americans also want the government to increase its collection of data from police departments nationwide, including how often officers use force or kill people. That would help expose racist policing practices so they can be addressed.

There have been several reform attempts over the years to improve policing in the U.S. and get rid of police department policies that enable brutality (see “Key Moments,” below). But many Americans say these efforts are not enough. That is why they are calling for a number of specific changes to deal with racism and violence in policing head-on.

These demands include anti-bias training for police officers and a federal ban on police chokeholds. They also call for national guidelines that regulate how police officers use other types of force, such as batons or stun guns. (Statistics show that Black people are more likely than white people to be the victims of police force or the threat of police force.)

Many Americans also want the government to increase its collection of data from police departments nationwide, including how often officers use force or kill people. That would help expose racist policing practices so they can be dealt with.

At the same time, many people recognize that police are often forced to respond to situations they’re not trained for. 

“We’re asking cops to do too much in this country,” David Brown, a former police chief in Dallas, Texas, said in response to protests against police brutality when he led that department. “Not enough mental health funding, let the cops handle it. . . . Not enough drug addiction funding, give it to the cops. . . . That’s too much to ask. Policing was never meant to solve all those problems.” 

That’s why, many people say, some of officers’ duties should be shifted to other professionals. For example, police frequently respond to 9-1-1 calls involving noncriminal matters, such as mental health issues or homelessness, which experts say would be better addressed by social workers. Moreover, the presence of armed officers can sometimes escalate already tense situations, experts say. 

“Having police in these spaces means that we begin to criminalize behavior that shouldn’t be criminalized,” Keesee explains.

Reform advocates say this problem can be fixed by reinvesting some money from current police budgets into alternative emergency response programs (see “Understanding Defund the Police,” below). 

At the same time, many people recognize that police are often forced to respond to situations they’re not trained for.

“We’re asking cops to do too much in this country,” David Brown, a former police chief in Dallas, Texas, said in response to protests against police brutality when he led that department. “Not enough mental health funding, let the cops handle it. . . . Not enough drug addiction funding, give it to the cops. . . . That’s too much to ask. Policing was never meant to solve all those problems.” 

That is why, many people say, some duties of police officers should be shifted to other professionals. For example, police often respond to 9-1-1 calls that involve noncriminal matters, such as mental health issues or homelessness. Experts say such matters would be better handled by social workers. Moreover, the presence of armed officers can sometimes escalate already tense situations, experts say.

“Having police in these spaces means that we begin to criminalize behavior that shouldn’t be criminalized,” Keesee explains.

Reform advocates say this problem can be fixed by reinvesting some money from current police budgets into alternative emergency response programs (see “Understanding Defund the Police,” below).

Several cities already have initiatives in place to have social workers respond to certain 9-1-1 calls instead of police. With more such programs, experts say, people in crisis will be more likely to get the specific help they need—while reducing the chance that a 9-1-1 call results in violence or death. That would benefit all Americans—and Black communities in particular. 

Other cities, meanwhile, want to abolish existing police departments—and rebuild them. Camden, New Jersey, did just that. Camden once had one of the highest crime rates in the nation. Then, in 2012, officials disbanded Camden’s police force and replaced it with a countywide force. The move actually put more police on the streets. But the new department also adopted one of the strictest use-of-force policies in the country. Among other rules, officers there can use force only if every other attempt to de-escalate a situation has failed. 

At the same time, Camden officials placed an emphasis on community policing, in which officers try to build positive relationships with the people they’re hired to protect. Things aren’t perfect, experts say, but the city has since had steep declines in crime.

Several cities already have plans in place to have social workers respond to certain 9-1-1 calls instead of police. Experts say that with more such programs, people in crisis will be more likely to get the specific help they need. It also would lower the chance of a 9-1-1 call resulting in violence or death. That would benefit all Americans, and Black communities in particular.

Meanwhile, other cities want to abolish existing police departments and rebuild them. Camden, New Jersey, did just that. Camden once had one of the highest crime rates in the nation. Then, in 2012, officials broke up Camden’s police force and replaced it with a countywide force. The move actually put more police on the streets. But the new department also adopted one of the strictest use-of-force policies in the country. Among other rules, officers there can use force only if every other attempt to de-escalate a situation has failed.

At the same time, Camden officials placed an emphasis on community policing. That is when officers try to build positive relationships with the people they are hired to protect. Experts say that things are not perfect, but Camden has since had steep declines in crime.

In response to calls for police reform, President Donald Trump issued an executive order in June encouraging police departments to change how they train officers and use force. But no major reforms have been implemented at the federal level so far. Although lawmakers in Congress put forth bills earlier this year, it’s unlikely any laws will be passed soon.

In the meantime, some cities are making changes to their police departments. The mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, recently announced tougher policies restricting how police officers are allowed to use force. In Denver, Colorado, officers must now notify a supervisor after every incident in which they point a weapon at someone. And in Berkeley, California, city leaders banned police from using tear gas on protesters.

In response to calls for police reform, President Donald Trump issued an executive order in June that encouraged police departments to change how they train officers and use force. But no major reforms have been put into effect at the federal level so far. Lawmakers in Congress put forth bills earlier this year. But it is unlikely any laws will be passed soon.

In the meantime, some cities are making changes to their police departments. The mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, recently announced tougher policies restricting how police officers are allowed to use force. In Denver, Colorado, officers must now notify a supervisor after every incident in which they point a weapon at someone. And in Berkeley, California, city leaders banned police from using tear gas on protesters.

But the most dramatic changes are coming from Minneapolis, where George Floyd was killed. The city has launched a civil rights investigation into its police department, banned chokeholds, and agreed to stop using police officers to provide security in schools to avoid confrontations between officers and students.

And following the lead of officials in Camden, the Minneapolis city council has vowed to dismantle its current police department and replace it with a new safety system. City leaders are not yet sure what the new system will include, but they’ll be asking residents for their input.

But the most dramatic changes are coming from Minneapolis, where George Floyd was killed. The city has launched a civil rights investigation into its police department. It has also banned chokeholds. And it has agreed to stop using police officers to provide security in schools to avoid confrontations between officers and students.

And following the lead of officials in Camden, the Minneapolis city council has vowed to break up its current police department and replace it with a new safety system. City leaders are not yet sure what the new system will include. But they will be asking residents for their input.

While these reforms are a start, experts say eliminating racism from police departments is going to take a great deal more effort—and will happen only if Americans continue to demand change. All individuals need to do their part to confront racism in society, they say.

In her work with police, Keesee helps officers identify and address their biases. Her advice for them is what she’d suggest to anyone.

“Learn about different cultures,” she says. “Understand what it means to have bias, then go learn about people that you don’t know about. That’s part of the reform process—everyone getting involved.”

These reforms are a start. But, experts say, getting racism out of police departments is going to take a great deal more effort. They say it will happen only if Americans continue to demand change. All individuals need to do their part to confront racism in society, experts say.

In her work with police, Keesee helps officers identify and address their biases. Her advice for them is what she would suggest to anyone.

“Learn about different cultures,” she says. “Understand what it means to have bias, then go learn about people that you don’t know about. That’s part of the reform process—everyone getting involved.”