Originally Posted by
Tami
I'm working out some general ideas for police reform and I'd like to share what I have so far. Feel free to comment or make suggestions. Once it is completed, I might do something with it. Publish it or send a copy to Senators or something like that.
One of several key factors I am working towards is taking police out of situations where they really aren't needed, where alternative options are available.
Police Reform Ideas - first draft
Police need a standardized training program with guidelines defined at the federal level.
Police need more training, better training. Especially in how to de-escalate situations and how to respond without the use of force, violence, or any other similar means.
Police equipment and weaponry should be standardized and limited to the minimum for what is needed at any one time. Military-style equipment or other weaponry in excess of what is needed to do their job should be disposed of.
An independent police review board should review all issues relating to police officer conduct, from the use of firearms and excessive use of force to violations of department policy to complaints by the public to possible violations of the law.
A Three Strike rule regarding reports of overuse of violence, complaints against them by the public, actions that go against police department rules, or other violations, should be applied to all police officers. Two strikes and they are placed immediately on desk duty until a review is conducted of their actions. Three strikes and they are subject to firing if the allegations against them are proven.
A national police database should be established by the DOJ and include all information/data on crime, violence, as well as information on police officers whose employment has been terminated due to misconduct or overuse of violence.
A national standard should be set for training police dispatchers.
Additional special phone numbers should be created nationally, each one clearly defined by its purpose. 411 for general information, 911 for police emergencies, 811 for Fire and other related emergencies, 711 for medical emergencies, 611 for mental health or domestic situations, and 511 for all other calls or when the caller is not sure who to call for help.
Programs need to be set up so that the police do not have to respond to every situation so that there are others ready to respond to non-violent, domestic, social, or other calls.
The culture of having minor laws on the books for the sole purpose of raising cash through fines should be ended. If there is a situation where a person is performing an act (like selling something on a street corner) in violation of local or state laws, the person should be identified and sent a letter stating that they need to appear in court to respond to the violation. A small court judge will then decide if the person should be fined for their actions.
Police should be trained to not stop every car that has a minor violation, that they can run license plates if there is a suspicion of a problem, then report the car if there isnt anything serious like the possibility of the car being stolen. All non-criminal and non-dangerous infractions, such as expire plates, broken headlights, speeding less than 5 MPH over the speed limit, and so on should be referred to a traffic violations division. Violations can be handled by sending out warnings or letters of violations to the owner of the car through the mail.
Police should only pull over cars if they run the plates and find that the car is stolen if the driver is driving at excessive and dangerous speeds, if there is a warrant for the arrest of the car owner, or if the driver is driving recklessly and endangering other drivers, or if the car has no plates visible anywhere on the car.
Police and community programs should be created to allow the police to get to know the members of their community, and for the community to get to know the police officers.
Gun control laws should be tightened so as to remove some of the inherent risks to police officers.
police officers should be trained to deal with the threat of violence uniformly regardless of the situation and to de-escalate it whenever possible.
When police are called on to perform crowd control roles, they should understand the possible threat and act only as needed. Police should not engage unless a situation turns violent, unless they are attacked, or unless the property is being destroyed or stolen. They should be authorized to only arrest those who carry weapons, commit crimes, or acts of violence. At no time should police engage in dispersal tactics. If there is an announced curfew, it should be announced to those present. If they remain peaceful, they should not be forced out. It is up to local leaders to press the attendees to retire for the night.
Children should always be treated differently than adults regardless of whatever potential crime they may be involved in. Police should never draw weapons, tasers, pepper spray, or other use of force against a minor.