Abstract
The chapter describes some of the common reform measures being discussed by professional associations and groups focused on police reform. These include matters of procedural justice, redefining the role of police, improving transparency and accountability systems, modifying hiring practices, and changing aspects of the law. This is followed with insights derived from a series of interviews conducted with reform-minded police chiefs. The interviews illuminate visions police executives have for rethinking and reforming policing to make it a more responsive and equitable system. This includes consideration of community engagement, communication, culture, operational issues, and accountability, as well as how agencies can heal the current rifts with members of the public, especially members who are vulnerable and disenfranchised.
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Notes
- 1.
It should be noted that the chapter authors are both affiliated with, but hold no financial interests in, CALEA.
- 2.
For more about Chief Dekmar’s apology, see https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/27/512036362/in-apology-for-decades-old-lynching-police-chief-aims-to-interrupt-the-past.
Recommended Readings
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Deuchar, R., Crichlow, V., & Fallik, S. (2021). Police–community relations in times of crisis: Decay and reform in the post-Ferguson era. Bristol Press
Friedman, B., Garrett, B .L., Harmon, R., Lopez, C. E., Meares, T .L., Ponomarenko, M., Slobogin, C., & Tyler, T. R. (2020). Changing the law to change policing: First steps. The Justice Collaboratory.
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Katz, C. M., & Maguire, E. R. (Eds.). (2020). Transforming the police: Thirteen key reforms. Waveland.
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NOBLE. (2021). Report of the reimagining public safety task force. National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
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US Conference of Mayors. (2020). Report on police reform and racial justice. US Conference of Mayors.
Vermeer, M. J. D., Woods, D., & Jackson, B. A. (2020). Would law enforcement leaders support defunding the police? Probably—If communities ask police to solve fewer problems. RAND Corporation.
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Appendix A: Biographies of Interview Participants
Appendix A: Biographies of Interview Participants
Richard “Rick” Arroyo is the Colonel and CEO of the Delaware River & Bay Authority. He previously served in the New Jersey State Police (retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel). He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and is a CALEA Commissioner.
Carmen Best was the first black woman to serve as chief of the Seattle Police Department, an agency she served for over 25 years before retiring in 2020. She is currently a consultant and media contributor.
Kenton Buckner is Chief of the Syracuse (NY) Police Department. He previously served as Chief of the Little Rock (AR) Police Department and as an Assistant Chief of the Louisville (KY) Police Department. He is a CALEA Commissioner.
Lou Dekmar is Chief of the LaGrange (GA) Police Department and previously served as a police officer in Wyoming. He is past president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and past chair of CALEA.
Samuel “Sam” Dotson is the Chief of the Amtrak Police Department. He previously served 24 years with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, including over four years as that agency’s Chief of Police.
Michele Freeman served 28 years in the City of Las Vegas Department of Public Safety, retiring as that agency’s Chief. She holds a Ph.D. In Public Policy from the University of Nevada- Las Vegas.
Marlon Lynch is the Chief of the Michigan State University Police Department. He has extensive prior experience leading campus agencies across the country and internationally. He is past president of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators and is a CALEA Commissioner.
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Myers, R.W., Schafer, J.A. (2022). Reform from the Top Down: Views of Chief Executives and Professional Associations. In: Schafer, J.A., Myers, R.W. (eds) Rethinking and Reforming American Policing. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-88896-1_3
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