Recently we’ve seen even more instances of police-related deaths of people in the news, making racism be in the news yet again. Throughout history in this country, racial minorities and the police have had a relationship that can only be described as strained. With the events recently in the news, that relationship seems to be getting more complicated than ever. Let’s take a look at some things that could possibly be helpful in bringing people closer together instead of dividing them.
Social Media and Tech
Using tools such as Nextdoor can build legitimacy and trust in the community. With the plain language of the Nextdoor racial profiling prevention policies, it’s a safe place for people of all races to come together for the good of the community. Police can utilize social media and technology to educate and engage communities, while also opening dialogues regarding transparency, accountability, and privacy. However, the implementation will need to be built on a policy framework that’s clearly defined, and both its goals and purposes need to be delineated clearly.
Oversight and Policy
While the Asian population is currently under attack in places like Brentwood, other races are under attack all over the country. When it comes to the police specifically, they need to be able to carry out each of their responsibilities according to the established policies that reflect the values of their communities – be they in California or anywhere else, and need to be held accountable whenever and wherever they fail to do so.
Build Legitimacy and Trust
The overall culture when it comes to law enforcement should be one of a guardian. These days, it seems that more people see them as a warrior and enemy. If there’s to be any sort of legitimacy and trust created, that needs to change.
Education and Training
Over the years, the scope of responsibilities held by law enforcement has widened, and it seems as if the inherent bias has remained the same. Southern California, and the rest of the country, need more effective and expanded training for our society that’s steadily become more pluralistic.
Safety and Wellness
The safety and wellness of all of our law enforcement officers are crucial, and not only for them. It’s also a dire necessity for our communities, as well as the law enforcement agencies and everyone who lives in the areas they serve.
Crime Reduction and Community Policing
While most of this has talked about the law enforcement agencies and officers, it isn’t just them that needs work and help. They also need to work with residents in the neighborhoods they serve in order to effectively co-produce public safety. They can also help to get communities involved in a culture of policing that reflects the best values of both promoting and protecting everyone’s dignity and rights.
What makes things like racial profiling so controversial is that the practice is one that’s harmful. It presents a variety of singular issues that make it more than a bit challenging to address when constrained to the standard accountability measures we’ve had until now. Our law enforcement officers, as well as ordinary citizens – all of them, not just one or two races, need to be trusted by society. Law enforcement in particular are typically given quite a bit of discretion when they’re out performing their given duties. When they’re performing those duties, if they’re not checked, it’s more than possible for them to utilize this discretion in order to abuse the power they have while claiming they’re efficiently and effectively enforcing the letter of the law.
Day by day, the call for a reformation of law enforcement in order to put an end to racial profiling is becoming stronger. However, with what you’ve read here today, perhaps it’s possible that a good start can be made if we all take a few steps toward one another instead of walking in the opposite direction.
