The age-old advice to "take control of your destiny before others do it for you" holds great relevance for police unions in light of the police reform initiatives that have been at the forefront of policing for many years. When faced with police reform pressures, union leaders really have two choices: fight them or try and insert the police perspective to make them more reflective of the realities and challenges of modern policing. We argue that working collaboratively with those furthering reform goals is a much more productive stance and contributes to the control of policing’s destiny.

Police unions that take a proactive stance toward reform can help shape its future according to their expertise and experience, rather than having legislators, activists or others shape reforms for them without sufficient operational insight - potentially leading to less practical or effective outcomes.

Leaders can begin by using the term “advancing policing” rather than “reforming policing.” By doing so, union leadership can help make inevitable change more palatable to their members and to community supporters of the police.

There are several reasons that this approach helps police unions control their own destiny. Just some of these are:

The potential for influencing policy: By actively engaging in the reform process, police unions can ensure their voices are heard and policies implemented are realistic for officers. Unions provide insight into challenges officers are experiencing while offering solutions that protect both the public and ensure officers receive fair treatment.

Enhancing the public’s trust and confidence in the police: In an environment in which public scrutiny of police actions is growing increasingly intense, unions leading reform efforts can bolster both their legitimacy and public trust in them, which in turn improve community relations as well as overall effectiveness of police work.

Anticipating Changes: The landscape of policing is rapidly evolving due to technological innovations, evolving social norms, and legal precedents. Unions that anticipate these changes and plan accordingly can better control their destiny by shaping how these factors shape policing rather than being caught unawares by unanticipated developments.

Mitigating Negative Outcomes: When others dictate the terms of policing reform, its outcomes may not always align with officers or the profession as a whole. By taking control of their futures and taking an active part in shaping reform efforts, unions can mitigate any negative outcomes and ensure reform is fair and balanced.

Member Empowerment: Union members tend to feel more engaged when their leadership takes an active role in shaping the future of their profession, leading to stronger unions with more engaged members who remain committed and motivated. This empowerment can contribute to building stronger unions.

Solely by actively engaging in police reform efforts, police unions can steer the conversation in a manner which protects members' rights and needs while also meeting community concerns with regards to justice and accountability. Confidence levels for this effort tend to range between moderate to high as it aligns with strategic management principles as well as historical experiences of institutions dealing with change.

Conclusion

Police unions can make great strides toward controlling their destiny – while at the same time responding to widespread calls for reform – by proactively engaging reform advocates and demonstrating leadership during the reform process. By shifting their narrative about reform to one of advancing policing, unions can preserve the dignity of their profession while adapting to inevitable changes. Active participation not only facilitates practical and equitable policy formulation, but it also strengthens public trust, anticipates changes to policing landscape, and empowers members.

In the future, it will become increasingly necessary for the police to demonstrate an innovative and forward-looking approach – especially from unions. Instead of acting solely as gatekeepers of the status quo, unions should serve as trailblazers of progress by driving reforms through and shaping them according to what their members and society require. Union collaboration with reform advocates is not only strategic; it is also a powerful statement of taking control and commitment to members and communities they serve. Unions that adopt this stance will be better positioned to survive an increasingly unpredictable future of reform while continuing to advance their role in shaping policing for years to come.