What do you mean to defund the police?
Do we all have the same focus in mind?
WHY AND WHAT IS “DEFUND THE POLICE”
The demand to defund the police in the U.S has gained momentum more than ever before. In the recent past, we have witnessed passionate protests and movements across the major cities, all emphatically demanding the defunding of the police. Human rights activists, policymakers, mainstream media, as well as Americans in the social and digital media have joined the debate, with the majority supporting the call to defund the police. However, some are opposed to it due to the uncertainty of what “defunding” means and its implications on their security and safety.
Those who have not done their homework, think it means withdrawing, denying, or significantly reducing funds to the police department, thus adversely affecting the welfare of police officers in particular, and public safety, and security in general. Therefore, clarity on the meaning, necessity, and implications, of defunding the police is necessary. Creating awareness and a clear understanding of this trending subject will promote collaboration and support from all the stakeholders, including the policymakers and the police.
What it Mean to Defund the Police
According to Mirriam Webster’s Dictionary (2020), defund means “to withdraw funding from.” This meaning raises genuine concern that it implies denying the police necessary financial and technical resources that would have the undesirable effect of incapacitating them resulting in poor service delivery and escalation of insecurity. However, the call to defund the police is a proposal for better allocation and distribution of funds and resources in the police to enhance effectiveness and efficiency and therefore improve the welfare of police officers and service delivery to the public. For example, police operational costs such as salaries and benefits utilize close to 97% of the entire police budget (Andrew, 2020).
Although this quest for better distribution of funds is noble, it requires policy interventions, reforms, and a robust strategy for improved police performance and service delivery. For example, although the core responsibilities of police officers are enforcement of the law, protection of people and property, their actual duties are very extensive, some of which they are not in their training. Police duties involve patrolling assigned areas, responding to calls, making arrests, issuing citations, testifying in court cases, making traffic stops, responding to domestic disturbances, occasionally offering first aids to injured persons among others. These can be overwhelming, hence the need for policy review and reforms (Criminal Justice.com, 2020)
Changes for Effective Distribution of Funds and Service Delivery
Providing funds for recruitment and embedment of certain professionals such as psychologists and social workers to attend to some of the social issues would enable the police officers to focus on their core responsibilities of the law enforcement, protection of people and property. For example, social workers and psychologists can focus on social issues such as homeless people, domestic disputes, drug addictions, and children in need of care and protection. This would relieve police officers of a huge burden and offer appropriate service to the public. However, hiring and retaining these professionals would require reallocation funds.
Further, offering continuous training, improved equipment, and technology to the police officers will significantly improve their performance and service. For example, training will equip police officers with appropriate knowledge and skills to execute their duties effectively and relate better with the public. Improved equipment and technology including body cameras are essential in helping the police work more efficiently, and transparently. Improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability on policing is a desirable outcome for all the stakeholders in all levels of government and residents. Therefore, there is a need to appropriately allocate funding for hiring experts, police training, equipment, and technology (Andrew, 2020).
Although defunding the police or what I would prefer to say an appropriate distribution of funds, will require changes in policing and its formation. Effective and smart distribution of funds to include more training, professional development, and sensibilization of police officers. Adding a workforce of professionals with expertise in social work and psychology, investment in modern equipment and technology will provide greater benefits and more desirable results. In addition to better utilization of public resources and improved relations with society, smart public policy on policy budgeting will significantly improve police effectiveness, efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Therefore, we should seize this moment and implement the much-needed reforms without leaving our law enforcement officials without tools to serve and protect.
