Race and Policing

In this section we will explore the intersection of race and policing in the near future. Readers may find some of the commentaries contentious, others agreeable. But it is only through the candid acknowledgement and discussion of how all of us perceive this issue – sometimes quite differently - that we will better understand each other and the police will be able to serve their communities better.

Race and policing have always been closely tied together, with racial biases shaping policing strategies and leading to disparities such as profiling and excessive force against certain ethnic groups. Historic policies like the War on Drugs had a devastating effect on Black and Latino communities disproportionately. Even though we endeavor at the Institute to look forward to the future of policing, we cannot forget past policing practices and the impact they had on communities of color. This past affects current public sentiment about the police and will be tied to future outlooks on the purpose and impact of policing.

Thoughtful police leaders understand the importance of simultaneously thinking about the past, present and future. They are capable of acknowledging the past harm policing may have caused - even when it was well-intended. They strive to understand differing perspectives about policing held by their various constituencies. And, they work hard to “hard code” this ability to “naively listen” to these perspectives into the DNA of their organizations so those who follow them will build on this foundation and strengthen the police-community relationship in the future.

Addressing these challenges effectively requires hard work, intentional actions and comprehensive reforms such as regular implicit bias and de-escalation training sessions, evolving community policing models, increased transparency, regular policy reviews, as well as, recruitment initiatives that increase diversity and foster understanding between police forces and those they serve.

As our country continues to diversify, race and policing will become an increasingly important focus of future police leaders. The more successful leaders will not shy away from this topic, they will embrace it with the full knowledge that all real learning and advances come outside our comfort zones – both personal and organizational. The richness of our countries diversity is foundational to its strength. In the near future, policing’s increasing understanding of racial dynamics will inevitably contribute to advancing policing in America that is effective, empathetic and just for all.