Police officers learning new policies from psychologists.
The year 2020 has been monumental, to say the least. Many Americans describe it as “unpredictable, unprecedented, exhausting, emotional” and full of unwelcomed changes such as quarantine and remote learning. From a global pandemic, the presidential election, and protests and riots – I think it is safe to say we want this chaos to be over. However, it is just the beginning of reform efforts in police departments across the United States.
The death of George Floyd earlier this year sparked social activism that resulted in black lives matter protests to demand justice, end the oppression, and raise awareness against police brutality and racial inequality. Some police officers rely on stereotypes, display racial bias, and abuse their power at the expense of those they have sworn to protect. It remains clear that we have not learned from past mistakes and history is repeating itself. The question is, how can we prevent this? Perhaps psychologists hold the answer to the problem.
New Policies
Psychologists have come up with different interventions and approaches that address police brutality and aim to prevent it.
- Reduction in use of force
- Hold officers accountable for misconduct.
- Peer intervention. Other officers need to be diligent in policing their own to ensure that those with bad tendencies are outed and removed from service.
- Limiting the amount of police discretion
- Improve officer training in procedural justice
- Recruit racially diverse officers
- Police selection process. To get hired and handed a badge, most police forces already require their recruits to attend the law enforcement training program at the police academy where they learn state laws, patrol procedures, physical training, and gain fieldwork experience. I would love to see that scope expanded to include criminal justice courses, as well as some psychology courses. It would be beneficial for officers to understand the behaviors of individuals and how to approach and react to them. Furthermore, some degree of sensitivity training should also be included. Other than being physically adept, they need to be mentally prepared for specific situations when they are out in the field.
The goal is to increase trust and develop a relationship between officers and the public. Citizens want to feel safe, protected, respected, equally treated, and be heard.
These cases are extremely exhausting and force us to face the realization that we need to find the right balance between enforcing the law and abusing your privileges. I do not envy the job that police officers have to do in serving and protecting citizens. It is a thankless and dangerous job without much reward. The men and women who put themselves on the line to keep us safe deserve our respect as well.