Abolish the Police

A police car belonging to the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division patrols a street adjacent to the White House in Washington, DC.

Audiobook - have the policy read to you.

Introduction:

When a person makes any mistake, America’s focus is on punishing that person, rather than solving the problem that was caused. The American justice system is not broken; it is functioning exactly as intended, since its inception to catch runaway slaves. The U.S. police force has been intentionally and consistently oppressive within a system that has proven to be lethally corrupt. Cops have acted as judge, jury, and executioner when they should be de-escalating fraught situations and promoting the overall safety and well-being of the community they serve.

Excessive Force & Corruption:

The United States has the highest number of police shootings of any developed country with an average of approximately 1,000 people killed annually by police officers which disproportionately impacts BIPOC communities nationwide. Law enforcement and correctional officers are unable to protect and serve their respective communities. Attempts to phase out archaic ideologies within police academies and justice education have proven ineffective as the outdated mentality and protocols of these methods are deeply entrenched and interwoven within the judicial system across our nation stunting any potential for progress and reform.

With more protections for the corrupt system than the whistleblowing officer, confidence in our justice system continues to diminish, causing hesitation to call authorities for help. Nearly half of law enforcement officers believe that ‘always following the rules is not compatible with the need to get their job done’. Disturbing yet unsurprising, 84% of surveyed officers have witnessed excessive force by a fellow officer and over half admitted to not always reporting observed misconduct.

There are few plans to reconcile and reform the obvious issues ingrained within our justice system and virtually zero accountability for the misconduct of those working within the crumbling structure. There is loyal preservation of the law enforcement fraternity and they cannot be trusted to govern themselves.

Far too often, officers that report the misconduct face consequences instead of the perpetrators positioned within the organization. Internal investigations rarely result in charges being raised against offending officers. The officers that report complaints have been fired, have had to relocate to avoid harassment, and have been put into dangerous situations resulting in their death.

In recent years, the highlighting of police brutality merely scrapes the surface of the inadequacies that make up America’s injustice system. Problems throughout the criminal justice system can be reduced to three contributing factors; (1) inconsistency, (2) the lack of accountability and transparency, and (3) systemic racism.

Ineffectiveness:

According to the most recent Federal Justice Statistic report there were over 63,000 new incarcerations, of which only 3% were for violent offenses. This is an adequate indication of the misguided priorities of punishment, mass incarceration, and constitutional slave labor within our justice system. The simultaneous increase in funding and decrease in clearance rates suggests alternative solutions which reduce crime and increase public safety are more viable than previously believed.

Of course, there are exceptions and “heroes”, but when you look at the indisputable statistics alongside the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they’re supposed to serve, more harm than good is being done. When the justice system fails one of us, it fails all of us. We will no longer accept excuses and inaction, now is the time for a significant overhaul of how we view and implement justice.

Justice Should Never Be Revenge:

The United States’ justice system prioritizes punishment and revenge over restitution and rehabilitation. Of course, there needs to be consequences for immoral actions and behaviors within a society, but these consequences should ultimately encourage personal development, create a sense of community, and decrease the recidivism rates. Offenders are human and most crimes are an act of desperation or lack of resources.

The current justice system habitually violates our constitutional rights as Americans. Inconsistent sentencing for the same offense is varied by demographic, jurisdiction, and income or societal status. Legal appeals of a verdict are simultaneously considered an attack on those directly involved as well as on the entire justice system, and it is much more difficult to overturn a verdict once it’s issued.

The consequences of crime should be proportionate to and reflective of the criminal activity and behavior. Increasing public resources and ensuring access to opportunities will decrease the occurrence of criminal activity. There is more than one way to allocate justice. Solving crime at the source requires the elimination of social obstacles that lead to disenfranchisement.

Justice reform is criticized as being an unnecessary investment for individuals deemed unworthy of better treatment. Many citizens are misinformed or unaware of the immense financial burden the current justice system has on taxpayers nationwide. By defunding the police and allocating those funds into vital public resources, we will directly benefit the citizens who reside in each community.

Simultaneously, investing in resources for the imprisoned population will decrease the reliance of criminal activity and behaviors and increase the overall wellbeing of society. The current justice system trivializes the needs of offenders; defining them by their crime and negating their personhood. The United States has some of the highest recidivism rates in the world and the current system has proved incapable of resolving the problems proactively.

A variety of factors contribute to recidivism rates including individual circumstances prior to incarceration, events during incarceration, and available resources upon release. Nearly half return to prison within five years of release. Recidivism rates vary amongst types of crime and it is not a mystery as to what causes reoffending nor how we can prevent offending altogether.

Not all released inmates reoffend. Many intend to abide by the law and manage to do so despite the disadvantages. The existence of successful reintegration does not indicate an effective rehabilitation system and should not be used to thwart justice reform. A study revealed that serving prison time correlates to greater illegal earnings making prisons a sort of finishing school for certain crimes, enabling former inmates to make $11,000 more on average than before. An important part of rehabilitation is reintegration.

We cannot limit their humanity and expect them to change their ways. Restricting their opportunities and providing conditional stability following release only encourages a reliance on crime to survive. Meanwhile, they’re eligible for promotion as a criminal. The correctional facilities do more than punish and train inmates to be better criminals; it abuses them and exploits their labor.

“While many agree now that the enslavement and bondage of human beings is immoral, unethical and against American democratic values, many are unaware of the forms slavery takes in today’s society and the institutions and practices that are its direct descendants." Clapp, A., Towlers, K. & Ritter, R. (September 17, 2020)

The 13th Amendment did more than abolish slavery, it created the loopholes that make modern day slavery constitutionally achievable. This exception allowed states & localities to pass Black Codes [and eventually Jim Crow Laws] to target black communities. Yet it inadvertently burdens all Americans. Forced labor was made profitable through convict leasing to private businesses. With no obligation to protect their workforce as a business asset people were at a greater risk of death than those enslaved.

Whilst convict leasing has become unfavorable over time, ‘the enslavement of incarcerated people and the racial subjugation that accompanied it never did’. The ruling of Ruffin v. Commonwealth defined those incarcerated as “slaves of the state” ultimately legitimizing the notion that incarceration is a socially accepted form of slavery. As a nation, we collectively recognize this systemic immorality.

American voters in five states will determine their state’s subsequent enforcement of constitutional slavery in November 2022. Yet, roughly 20 state constitutions have exception clauses allowing slavery or involuntary servitude. Despite proposals by congress members, constitutional amendments are rare and require approval by two-thirds of the House and Senate, and three-quarters of state legislatures. Abolition activists have expressed the harmful ramifications of language within the nation’s constitution that contradicts and inhibits potential reform.

No longer should we begrudgingly accept performative gestures in place of legitimate cumulative policies and effective reform. No longer should we wait for legislators to pass necessary policies to undo the injustices of those before them. No longer shall we ask nicely, nor have our demands dismissed. We have already undertaken the work that has been long overdue and we will continue the work to change the inexcusable systems and policies that abuse the masses.

Our modernized Community Safety Task Forces are devoted to the safety and collective wellbeing of the people. These community-based task force units work to de-escalate dangerous situations with proper training and resources whilst promoting safety, stability, and community. In all cases, non-military community service will be more beneficial than police. We are investing in obligatory public resources and enabling citizens to govern themselves. As we change the way we implement justice and support our communities, we change society’s relationship with crime entirely. Those who are struggling now, will finally feel relief and ultimately find success.

If multiple communities are involved, such as someone committing a crime in another district, task forces from both districts will work together.

Types of Task Forces:

Medical (EMS)
Traffic Access Safety Knights (T.A.S.K.)
Forensic
Forensic Psychology (when children or abuse is involved)
Data analysis
IRS (wage theft & white collar crime)
Evacuation Teams
Community Task Force
Civilian Oversight Board (COB)
Judiciary Assistance Navigation Team
Dispatch

Respond With Every Call

Social Work
Investigatory

Mandated Training

Basic Education
De-escalation
Safety
Apprenticeship following education (Training for the above items)

Resources/Tools Available

Language Translator (electronic device or bilingual personnel)
Judiciary Guidance / Legal Representation before, during and after mediations

Traffic Access Safety Knights (T.A.S.K.)

What is it?

Responsive team to manage traffic-related disputes, collisions, and obstacles

Who?

Must live in area which the incident has occurred
Must have proper traffic safety certifications/training
Basic CPR & first aid knowledge

Functions:

Respond to traffic incidents
Maintain a safe driving experience for all drivers & passengers

Operations:

Coordinate with Social worker & investigator
Arrive at the scene

Teams of 3+ (determined by emergency response operator)

Assess the situation upon arrival

Determine if any additional services are required

Contact them immediately

Incident report

Identify conditions of the situation

relevant details
Record damage
Cause, concerns & risks

Determine best course of action

Use safety equipment

Ensure safety of commuting traffic
Efficient removal of obstructing/damaged vehicles

EMS on “speed-dial”
Monitor & maintain control until risks are eliminated
Resolution

What caused this?
Was this preventable?

What could prevent this?

Victim support
Victim & offender connected with services

Dispatch

What is it?

The community service contacted for emergency and non-emergency incidents

Who?

Trained personnel, efficient in gathering vital, relevant information to determine the best suitable responders for each individual situation

Functions:

Gather relevant information
Determine best response team
Dispatch appropriate response team(s)

Operations:

Answer call
Gather relevant information

Name of caller
Location of incident
Description of events
Inquire the caller's safety & safety of all stakeholders

Determine best response team
Dispatch response team (including Social Worker and Investigator to all scenes)
Keep caller on the line until responders arrive

Ensure the security of stakeholders before ending the call

Community Task Force

What is it?

Paid citizens from the community

Who is on the task force:

Must live in mailing ZIP code and mailing district code. (Eg. 12345-0034)
Must have successfully completed neighborhood watch training.

CPR, first aid, de-escalation
Self-defense & disarm training

Needs to be able to be a first responder

Functions:

Anything you might call 911 for
De-escalating conflict
Non-emergency complaints

Operations

Contact social worker every time an event happens, before going to scene
Do not approach scene without social worker
Triage with social worker- consult and engage
Identify and prioritize - Investigation of situation (find the why)

Social worker helps create preventative measures

Monitor (follow up)

With people on House arrest
Check-ins with task force

Resolution

Victim support
Victim and offender connected with services
Community mediation
Offender reintegration services
Enforcing of offense repercussions

Civilian Oversight Board

What is it? A collaboration of community members who reviews, investigates & holds their CTFs accountable for a strict adherence to community standards of ethical conduct.
Who is on the task force:

Volunteer based
Determined by community population & jurisdiction of the task force

Community must approve each individual appointment

Minimum: 5 members
Maximum: 15 members

No minimum residency requirement
Minimum age requirement 16 years old

Must live in the same mailing ZIP code & mailing district code. (Eg. 12345-0034) as the task force under review
Shan't be affiliated with any members of the Task Forces to avoid bias &/or nepotism

Relationships/connections will be identified & acknowledged as public record
Self disclosure form submission for relatives or close personal relationship(s). This will be reviewed for accuracy by the community for approval. This will need to be updated when any information changes that would require disclosure. Not doing this could result in termination/release from position.
Questionable relations (potential for bias) require that member to recuse vote or input during specified review

Functions:

Compile data/statistics about Community Task Force work:

Both success & failures
Evaluate areas needing improvement

Review handling of incidents to

determine efficacy of Task Forces
Gather & document data
Compile information for review & future use

Survey all participants & stakeholders preceding an incident

Gain an understanding of the overall community perception of task force’s work/duty within the community
Monitor mental & physical health of victims
Monitor mental & physical health of offenders
Monitor mental & physical health of task force members

Operations:

Meet weekly/bi-weekly

Discuss imperative matters & community concerns
Meetings open to public

Implement remote/open to the public meetings

Recorded sessions to ensure transparency & accountability
Enables unaffiliated community members the ability to ensure the morality & honorable functions of the board

Neighborhood platform app
Community members can raise concerns about functionality & operations of the board
Determine & report on areas of concern for the community

Collaborate with all members within the community on how to best handle these concerns and how to eliminate them going forward

Works with community & task forces to promote wellbeing and safety

Judiciary Assistance Navigation Team

What is it?

A team that educates, prepares, and aids in the navigation of and available resources in the justice system to enable clients, victims, and communities to get the most out of their experience & reach a successful resolution.

Who is on the task force:

Social workers, legal experts, & law students
Must live in the town, city, or county

Functions

Educates clients on their options & resources
Prepares them for the processes going forward
Connects them with resources & support systems

Operations

Intake
Consultation
Assisted
Follow up

Problem

Response Team (s)

Accidental Death

Deescalation Management Team, EMS, Investigation, Social Work, forensic psychologist, Medical Examiner, COB

Arson

Fire dept*, EMS*, Investigation*, COB

Assault

Investigation*, Social work*, forensic psychologist, COB

Battery

Investigation*, Social work*, forensic psychologist, EMS, COB

Burglary

Investigation, Social Work, COB

Cyber Crime

Investigation*, digital-forensics, COB

Domestic Conflict

Deescalation Management Team*, EMS, Investigation*, Social Work*, forensic psychologist*, COB

Medical Emergency

EMS*, Investigation*, COB

Mental Health Crisis

Deescalation Management Team*, EMS, Investigation*, Social Work*, forensic psychologist, COB

Public Verbal Conflict

Deescalation Management Team*, Investigation*, COB

Public Physical Conflict

Deescalation Management Team*, EMS, Investigation*, COB

Shooting

Deescalation Management Team, EMS, Investigation, Social Work, National Guard, forensics, forensic psychologist, COB

Terrorism (Domestic/Foreign)

Deescalation Management Team, EMS, Investigation, Social Work, National Guard, forensics, forensic psychologist, COB

Theft

Community Task Force, Investigation*, COB

Traffic Complications/Collision

T.A.S.K*, EMS, Fire dept, Investigation*, COB

Vandalism

Community Task Force, Investigation*, COB

-how does it work -

Order of Operations:

Call Center receives notice of situation & dispatches proper task forces to incident
Social Worker arrives with relevant Task Force
Assess the situation, gathering relevant information to determine best course of action
Efficiently take the best course of action
Problem Solved.

Restorative justice - community oriented

Community Conferences & Peace Circles

Victim & Offender Mediation: (prioritizing the safety of those involved) to identify a solution that benefits each party & the affected community.

In-person/remotely
As a group/separately
Limited &/or expanded community involvement determined
Able to submit video, audio, or written statements at individual discretion
Resolution suggestions & testimony may be submitted by impacted community members within a specified timeframe - must identify relationship to crime

[Separate mediations may require more than 1+ mediation meetings or a 2 mediators to relay information to ensure best resolution]

Punishments cannot be motivated by revenge and punishment.

Stakeholder Priorities:

Victim

Emotional & physical support/recovery
Pre-sentence Preparation
Participation in court proceedings (in a manner that preserves individual wellbeing)
Determine acceptable forms of communication from offender
Provides input on acceptable forms of amends
Victim support circles
Judicial Experience Survey

Offender

Emotional & physical support/recovery
Pre-sentence preparation
AMENDS:

Sincere admissions of regret
Court imposed restitution
Related Community Service
Return, Replacement, or Repair of property
Victim Awareness Programs
Performing direct services to victim
Confinement: in-home or designated facility

Family Support Services
Judicial Experience Survey

Impacted Community Members

Emotional & Physical support/recovery
Explore methods to prevent future offenses
Family-Centered Social Work
Victim Support Circles
Offender Family Support Services
Judicial Experience Survey

Extended Community &/or Gov’t Representatives

Community Review of potential legislative needs
Public Opinion of Judicial Process

- sentencing -

Crime

1st offense repercussion

2nd offense repercussion

3rd offense repercussion

4th offense repercussion

Property crime

White collar crime

Organized crime

Consensual or victimless crime

Suggestion:

Restitution through monetary compensation and/or labor directly benefiting the victim.