Police Reform-Whose Responsibility Is It?
“The policing profession is in crisis.” These are the words from Chiefs of Police who serve various agencies across the country at this year’s International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Dallas, TX. What’s even more disturbing is that the call for support is not consistently being answered.
I attended the IACP 2022 annual conference as a first-timer and as a civilian. I was apprehensive because I didn’t know what to expect. Being around law enforcement leaders is not unfamiliar territory, but being around leaders from all over the world whose job is to protect and serve was definitely unfamiliar, particularly after the last couple of years of not meeting in person.
My experience was nothing short of impactful, but I left reeling a bit – I am frustrated and concerned. I want to lift some observations and themes that I think are critical for civilians to hear and understand from a civilian’s perspective.
The topics in law enforcement that were presented at this year’s conference centered heavily around officer wellness, best practices, event/mass shooting debriefings, and leadership development. These are not new topics for law enforcement leaders. But what I observed as a first-timer is important, and - we have a responsibility to understand this profession a bit better with curiosity and empathy.
The officers and agencies in our country have a huge responsibility to understand their role, including power and authority. They spend lots of time learning how to drive their squad cars well, shoot their guns well and defend themselves well against violence towards communities, others, and their person. But how much time do they spend learning how to “people well?”
As an operations leader, when I consider the skills necessary to lead or communicate effectively, I think about how many opportunities there are to improve, learn and grow, let alone stay on top of cultural developments and current events. Society expects a lot of its law enforcement officers but are we also willing to invest our time, effort, energy, and money in them in return?
Law enforcement agencies exist because we, the people, allow them to. Legitimacy is an important part of law enforcement culture, and it exists because, without it, they won’t be successful. Do politics influence law enforcement? Of course. When policies and laws are created and modified, including executive orders, agencies are required to comply.
But there is nothing inside executive orders, policies, or compliance manuals that develops law enforcement officers in the “people” skill. Most of us did not have access to that skill either; we learned it somewhere, are still learning it, or lack the skill altogether.
Because I’m not in law enforcement, I don’t know exactly how that skill is measured internally or how well the people side of public service is going. But I do know this much, we can’t improve what we cannot define, nor can we change what we don’t acknowledge is an issue. And what I heard at this conference impacted me.
I heard and observed chiefs and command staff acknowledge skills gaps, behaviors that have caused harm, and support needed inside their agencies. I also observed themes, overheard conversations, and listened to presentations that were heavily focused on racial equity, use of force, bias, PTSD, and burnout during this conference. There were frequent questions from participants and practitioners that, in short, sounded like, “Where do we even start?” Presentations from experts all over the world discussed George Floyd’s murder and how the law enforcement profession can acknowledge that there are lessons to be learned and changes to be made.
But what does that look like? When we say we want change, what problem are we attempting to solve? In order to effectively change, improve or develop leaders, one thing is for certain. Start where you are by getting on common ground, with common language - not where you should be. More shame and blame doesn’t fix complex social problems or invite change – it stifles it.
This crisis is not just a legal, political or federal issue. This is a social issue. Asking for support requires vulnerability, and that is an utter act of courage. It’s in all of our best interests to support law enforcement officers and police reform - regardless of our political beliefs and values. The willingness from law enforcement leaders is there, but when they ask for support, it goes unanswered. The reasons for this are not fully known or understood, but I’m wondering if we just assume it’s all being handled.
Officers are a part of our communities – they are us. And they will need to have access to development opportunities just like any other organization. If you have a skillset or ability to access or deliver evidence-based training and development of law enforcement agencies that have proven outcomes rooted in research and data, this is an opportunity to show up and be brave. Make a phone call, ask for coffee, and meet face-to-face. Let’s turn toward each other versus away. It’s time for all of us to stand on the line and be willing to show up and serve. We can’t change or heal in a vacuum – we do it together.
