On November 23, PERF disseminated a survey in which we asked our members to share their views about priorities for the incoming Presidential Administration. Yesterday’s Daily Critical Issues Report provided a summary of the responses to the survey’s first four questions, which focused on general priorities for 2021 and beyond, key areas for federal funding, and training and technology needs. Today’s Report provides a summary of the final five questions, in which we asked PERF members to describe their most effective strategies for reducing crime and building community trust. We also asked our members to tell us what they hope to see in the Biden Administration, and to share their priorities for 2021 and beyond.
Question 5: CRIME REDUCTION What strategies do you consider most effective or promising in crime reduction? What role can the federal government play in implementing those strategies? Frequently-mentioned priorities include the following: Community collaboration: Many respondents emphasized that collaborating with the communities they serve is essential to crime reduction. To help with this, they said that the federal government could make grant opportunities available for agencies committed to community policing programs, initiatives that increase trust and legitimacy in police, and community dialogue. Gun violence reduction strategies: Survey respondents reported that strategies aimed at reducing gun violence help to decrease crime in their jurisdictions.
Federal partnerships: Many respondents asked for more joint investigations with federal and state partners. They want to be able to assign more task force officers to federal law enforcement units. Respondents said they want the federal government to increase the use of regional fusions centers, so information can be shared more easily between participating federal, state, and local agencies. Respondents also said that federally prosecuting firearms and other repeat violent offenders is an effective tool they rely on in their jurisdictions. Policing standards: Some respondents said that the federal government needs to play a role in standardizing law enforcement practices. Examples include use-of-force training, use-of-force reporting, hiring standards, use of technology, and evidence-based enforcement and investigative strategies. Diversion programs: Respondents called for more programs that emphasize deflection and diversion, community-based crime reduction, and initiatives to keep people out of the criminal justice system. Community-based crime reduction: Respondents called for greater use of community policing initiatives that:
Non-law enforcement solutions: Many respondents said that, in addition to law enforcement, the federal government needs to focus more on underlying issues that contribute to crime. Suggestions include:
Question 6: POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS What strategies do you consider most effective or promising in improving relationships between police and the community? What role can the federal government play in implementing those strategies? EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES Increasing face-to-face contacts between police and community members: Overwhelmingly, respondents recommended that police at all levels have more routine, face-to-face contacts with the public. They specifically mentioned “getting out of vehicles,” “taking time to build relationships,” “learning names,” and “taking time to interact instead of racing from call to call.” (Of course, such contacts have been limited since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.) Educating the public about policing and the police perspective on issues: Many respondents said that police must educate the public about the realities of policing, acknowledge that officers sometimes make mistakes while doing a difficult job, teach the public how to interact with police, and expand Citizen Academy-type training (and even allowing the public to use firearm/decision-making simulators). Transparency/Accountability/Legitimacy: Many respondents said they are implementing strategies that increase transparency about their work, including successes as well as failures. Respondents said that sharing information demonstrates accountability and increases perceptions of legitimacy of their departments. Facilitating discussions and listening sessions on difficult issues: Many respondents said police should hold facilitated dialogue sessions with the public and address issues that arise in their community.
FEDERAL ROLE Funding: The most frequent responses about the federal role were about federal funding for police. Funding was suggested for a wide range of strategies, including hiring more officers, which would allow officers to spend more time interacting with the public instead of rushing from one 911 call to the next. Other suggestions for federal funding included Police Athletic Leagues, diversion programs, training, research on effective policing strategies, hiring bonuses for officer candidates from underrepresented groups, and volunteer programs. “Leaving it to the locals”: Many respondents said that the federal government should avoid dictating too many changes at the local level. Many said that issues that need attention are often unique to individual localities, and that meaningful change will come about only when it is championed at the local level.
Question 7: If you had a private meeting with the President on his first day in office, what would you say to him? As a law enforcement executive, what are your greatest hopes for a Biden Presidency? Following are summaries of respondents’ comments, with the most frequent responses at the top: Support for law enforcement: Overwhelmingly, respondents to the survey want President-Elect Biden to publicly support the police and highlight positive steps taken by the profession in recent years towards reform. They would like to hear an acknowledgment that most officers do a good job, and they believe that such a statement of support would provide a boost to police morale. Respondents also said that public support from the President would help correct the current negative narrative regarding police, particularly the view that police officers are biased or racist. Reform measures: Many respondents also discussed the current push for reforms in policing and acknowledged that reform is needed. Respondents called for evidence-based, meaningful, realistic, fair reforms to be implemented, and many called for a Presidential task force to develop reforms, with some pointing to President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing as an example. Several respondents said they want the President-Elect to take a moderate approach to police reforms and to listen to all sides before taking action. Healing the divide: Respondents also expressed hope that President-Elect Biden will take a leading role in healing the current divide in society. Respondents felt that over the past several years there has been a growing divide not only between Republicans and Democrats, but between police and the communities they serve. Learning about what police do: Another common theme was the desire for President-elect Biden and other policymakers to learn more about the daily work of policing. They called on the President-elect to consult with practitioners, including officers in all ranks from a diverse range of agencies. Accountability: Respondents noted that officers who engage in misconduct are a small minority, but said that police should be held accountable when they are in the wrong. Respondents would like greater authority to take action when these officers are identified. Respondents mentioned giving police leaders the authority to fire officers, and limiting the ability of unions and arbitrators to reverse these decisions.
Question 8: What do you believe will be the greatest challenges facing a Biden Presidency regarding law enforcement? Following are summaries of respondents’ comments, with the most frequent responses at the top: Competing priorities: Survey respondents noted that President-elect Biden faces a major challenge in trying to balance a range of competing interests: showing support for law enforcement, addressing community concerns about policing, implementing meaningful reform, and fighting crime. Respondents generally stressed the need for police and communities to find common ground on needed reforms. In the words of one respondent, the President-elect needs to “bridge the gap between police and communities in a way that does not vilify the police or minimize the concerns of the community.” Lack of trust among officers: Many respondents said that President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris come into office lacking support from many in law enforcement, particularly rank-and-file officers. Several respondents expressed concern that the Administration would adopt a “defund the police” agenda. Lack of public trust in policing and the criminal justice system: Several respondents said that President-elect Biden comes into office a time of great division within the country, with polarizing agendas from the right and the left. This division has translated into a lack of public trust in policing and the criminal justice system. Again, respondents felt the President-elect needed to publicly take steps to restore public confidence in policing. Resource issues: Some respondents expressed concern about a lack of resources to adequately fund the basic needs of police agencies and to implement needed reforms. They said that the economic fallout from the COVID pandemic has strained local budgets, with no federal relief in sight. Some said this problem is exacerbated by social issues such as homelessness and mental illness, which directly impact the work of police in many communities. Other themes: Respondents cited other issues for the new Administration, including the following:
Question 9: Please share other comments about your priorities for 2021 and the long-term future. Following are summaries of respondents’ comments, with the most frequent responses at the top: Restoring public support and trust: Many survey respondents said that restoring the public’s trust in the police is a priority that must be addressed before other goals can be achieved. Restoring trust is especially important in minority communities, where support has eroded and in many cases crime has increased. Respondents recommended community engagement strategies, including listening sessions and other mechanisms for soliciting community members’ views, enhanced community policing, and doing a better job of telling the story of good police work. Reducing crime: Many respondents said that reducing crime, especially violent crime, is a priority. Many spoke of the need to address gun violence, including through a stronger response to .50 caliber rifles, other assault weapons, and “ghost guns,” and improvements in the background check process. Other approaches included holding offenders accountable, especially repeat, violent offenders; using evidence-based crime reduction strategies; and community policing strategies that enlist residents and businesses in crime prevention. Recruitment and retention of officers: Respondents expressed concern about recruiting enough officers to keep pace with retirements and resignations. Recruiting has become more difficult in recent years. Respondents also said they are trying to recruit officers with the skills and temperament to operate effectively in today’s complex policing environment. Many said that negative characterizations of the police are creating a stigma against law enforcement careers. Respondents suggested strategies such as public information campaigns, signing bonuses, and other incentives, and some said the federal government should support these efforts. Investing in training and education: Respondents said that providing their personnel with better training and educational opportunities is a priority. The two training areas mentioned most frequently were de-escalation (using scenario-based exercises) and bias-free policing. Leadership skills were also identified as a priority. Some respondents recommended the creation of a national police college to improve and standardize recruit training, which would require federal support. Addressing budget challenges: Many agencies are facing budget challenges brought on by the COVID-19 recession and the increased costs associated with managing demonstrations. Some agencies are being forced to lay off personnel, delay hiring new employees, cancel or postpone training, or forego equipment purchases. Other themes: Several additional themes were identified as priorities for 2021, including the following:
The PERF Critical Issues Report is part of the Critical Issues in Policing project, supported by the Motorola Solutions Foundation.
PERF also is grateful to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation for supporting this work.
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