Unconscious Bias Training to Reduce Use of Force

Police Brutality and Use of Force

Abstract

This paper provides an examination of the problem of police brutality and use of force and ways the issue can be addressed in a positive manner. Among those ways it discusses using body cams to enhance accountability, unconscious bias training, community policing, and citizen review boards. The paper concludes by making recommendations based on these discussions, which include analyzing the pros and cons of all and evaluating how the cons might best be overcome. Ultimately, the paper shows that police brutality and use of force are issues that can be addressed effectively with the right implementation of positive steps forward, including the wearing of body cams, additional training, and assistance from the community.

Keywords: police brutality, use of force, body cams, civilian review boards, unconscious bias police training

Introduction

Police use of force and police brutality are complex and multifaceted issues that have garnered significant attention in recent years. There are many factors that contribute to these issues, including the way in which police are trained, the policies and procedures that govern their behavior, and the cultural and societal context in which they operate.

One of the key issues related to police use of force is the lack of clear and consistent guidelines for when and how much force is appropriate (Engel et al., 2020). Different police departments and jurisdictions may have different policies in place, and officers may also have discretion in determining the appropriate level of force in a given situation. This lack of clarity can lead to confusion and misunderstandings, and can also make it difficult for officers to effectively de-escalate situations.

Another key issue is the lack of transparency and accountability in cases where police use excessive force or engage in brutality (Morton, 2018). In many cases, there are insufficient systems in place to ensure that officers are held accountable for their actions, which can contribute to a culture of impunity and further undermine trust in the police. This paper will look at the issues and solutions to this problem and discuss ways in which the problem of police brutality may be positively addressed.

Problem Statement

The problem statement for the issue of police brutality and use of force is: Police brutality and excessive use of force have long been a problem in the United States, with devastating consequences for individuals, communities, and the reputation and credibility of the police (Bennell et al., 2021). Despite efforts to address these issues, they persist, and there is a need for more effective solutions that can help to reduce the frequency and severity of incidents of police violence.

It is the aim of this paper to show that implementing body-worn cameras and providing unconscious bias training for police officers are evidence-based solutions that have the potential to significantly reduce incidents of police brutality and excessive use of force, but they must be implemented and used effectively in order to be successful.

This paper will also touch upon other potential solutions that will be included in this analysis such as:

· Improved training and education for police officers, including training in de-escalation, conflict resolution, and cultural competency.

· More effective policies and procedures governing the use of force, including clear guidelines for when and how much force is appropriate;

· Greater transparency and accountability in cases where police use excessive force or engage in brutality, including the establishment of independent oversight bodies such as civilian review boards or independent investigators

· Community policing approaches that focus on building trust and partnerships between police and the communities they serve.

· Civilian oversight to help ensure a proper review of police actions.

It is important to note that addressing police brutality and excessive use of force will likely require a combination of these and other solutions, and that these solutions must be implemented and supported at all levels of the criminal justice system, including local, state, and federal agencies.

Different Perspectives and Statistics

It is difficult to accurately quantify the prevalence of police brutality and excessive use of force, as these incidents are often underreported and may not be accurately recorded. However, some studies and reports have attempted to shed light on the extent of these problems.

According to data from the Washington Post (2022), as of December 2021, police in the United States have killed over 6,800 people since 2015, and average killing approximately one thousand people every year. This includes individuals who were unarmed, as well as those who were armed but did not pose a serious threat to the officers or others.

A report from the Lancet found that Black Americans are significantly more likely to be killed by police than white Americans. A study conducted over a 40-year-period from 1980 to 2019 found that Black Americans were 3.5 times more likely to be killed by police than white Americans (IHME, 2021).

A study by the National Institute of Justice found that about half of police officers surveyed had witnessed colleagues using excessive force on suspects, and about a third had personally used more force than they believed was necessary, while police integrity as a whole was questioned (Stinson et al., 2016).

It is important to note that these statistics likely underestimate the true prevalence of police brutality and excessive use of force, as many incidents go unreported or are not accurately recorded. However, they do provide a glimpse into the scale of these problems and highlight the need for effective solutions to address them.

One stance on this problem is that police use of force should only be exercised when necessary, and that law enforcement officers should receive extensive training in de-escalation practices and methods of responding to situations with minimal physical force. Another stance is that unconscious bias is a problem that needs to be addressed to curb excessive use of force scenarios (Morrow & Shjarback, 2019).

In addition, it has been argued that independent oversight agencies must be established to ensure that instances of excessive violence by officers will be properly investigated, and if necessary addressed through civilian legal processes (Holliday & Wagstaff, 2022). Furthermore, increased funding for community policing initiatives provides an opportunity for the development of positive relationships between citizens and law enforcement professionals (Jones, 2019). Ultimately, understanding the nuances of the current situation and exploring potential solutions requires ongoing dialogue at all levels in order to promote equity in our communities. That will in turn lead to solutions. So far, the research on this issue has already provided some evidence on which way to go.

Potential Solutions

There are a number of potential solutions that have been proposed to address these issues, including:

Improved training and education: Police officers should receive training on how to de-escalate situations and use force only as a last resort. This could include training in conflict resolution, communication skills, social interaction, and cultural competency (Wolfe et al., 2020).

More effective policies and procedures: Police departments should establish clear policies and procedures governing the use of force, and should ensure that officers are held to account when they violate these policies (Blumberg et al., 2019).

Greater transparency and accountability: Police departments should be more transparent about their use of force policies and procedures, and should make it easier for the public to access information about incidents of police brutality and excessive force (Wood et al., 2020).

Community policing: Community policing approaches that focus on building trust and partnerships between police and the communities they serve can help to reduce tension and improve relationships between police and the public (Doane & Cumberland, 2018).

Independent oversight: Independent oversight bodies, such as civilian review boards or independent investigators, can help to ensure that police are held accountable for their actions and that incidents of police brutality are thoroughly investigated (Headley, 2021).

Moving Forward

Acknowledging the Problem of Police Brutality as a Community

Police brutality and excessive use of force are serious problems that need to be addressed for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, police brutality and excessive use of force violate the rights of individuals and can cause serious physical harm, including injury and death. When police use excessive force, it can have a detrimental impact on the individuals who are subjected to it, as well as their families and communities.

Secondly, police brutality and excessive use of force can undermine trust in the police and erode the relationship between the police and the communities they serve. This is especially true in communities of color, which may have a long history of negative interactions with the police and may be more skeptical of law enforcement.

Finally, police brutality and excessive use of force can have negative impacts on the reputation and credibility of the police, which can make it more difficult for officers to do their jobs effectively and can also undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system more broadly.

In short, addressing police brutality and excessive use of force is important for the well-being and safety of individuals, for building trust and positive relationships between the police and the communities they serve, and for maintaining the credibility and integrity of the police and the criminal justice system.

Body Cams

Body-worn cameras (BWCs) are small, portable cameras that can be attached to an officer's uniform or other gear. They are designed to capture video and audio footage of police interactions with the public, with the goal of providing an objective record of what happened.

There is evidence to suggest that body-worn cameras can help to reduce police violence in several ways (Laming, 2019):

Pros

Increased accountability: BWCs provide an objective record of police interactions with the public, which can help to hold officers accountable for their actions. This can help to deter officers from using excessive force, as they know that their actions will be recorded.

De-escalation: The presence of a BWC can often help to de-escalate tense situations, as both the officer and the person they are interacting with may be more mindful of their behavior when they know they are being recorded.

Improved relationships with the community: BWCs can help to increase transparency and build trust between police and the communities they serve, as they provide a clear record of police interactions.

Evidence: BWC footage can be used as evidence in criminal cases or internal investigations, helping to establish what happened in a particular incident.

It is important to note, however, that BWCs are not a panacea for reducing police violence. They are just one tool among many that can help to address this complex issue. It is also important that they are implemented and used in a way that respects the privacy and rights of the people being recorded.

Cons

Cost: Implementing and maintaining a body-worn camera program can be expensive, especially if it involves purchasing and replacing cameras and storing large amounts of data.

Privacy concerns: Some people may be concerned about their privacy being violated if they are recorded by a body-worn camera, especially if they are in a sensitive or personal situation.

Limited impact: While BWCs can be an important tool in reducing police excessive use of force, they are not a panacea, and may not be effective in all situations.

Technical issues: Body-worn cameras can sometimes malfunction or fail to record, which can compromise their usefulness as an objective record of events.

Overall, while body-worn cameras can be a useful tool in reducing police excessive use of force, it is important to carefully consider the costs and benefits of implementing a BWC program, and to ensure that they are used in a way that respects the privacy and rights of the people being recorded.Top of Form

Addressing Unconscious Bias through Training

Unconscious bias refers to the attitudes and stereotypes that influence our perceptions and behaviors without our conscious awareness. Unconscious biases can have a significant impact on how police officers interact with the public, and can contribute to incidents of police brutality and excessive use of force (Morrow & Shjarback, 2018). Providing police officers with training on unconscious bias is one potential solution that has been proposed to address these issues.

To address unconscious bias in police training, it is important to create a learning environment that encourages open dialogue and critical thinking. Police officers should be trained to recognize their own biases and the potential impact they can have on their interactions with citizens. They should also be taught how to challenge their own biases and learn effective strategies to reduce their impact.

Police trainers should also be trained in the best practices for mitigating unconscious bias in policing. This includes providing resources on implicit bias, educating officers on the consequences of bias-based policing, and teaching them how to recognize and respond to bias.

In addition to training, police departments should also have a clear policy in place that outlines the consequences for bias-based behaviors. This policy should include a zero-tolerance stance for any form of discrimination, as well as a commitment to holding officers accountable for their actions.

Finally, it is important to create a culture of accountability and transparency within the police force. This includes having an effective system of oversight and an open dialogue between officers and citizens. This will help to ensure that police behavior is held to the highest standards and that officers are held accountable for any misconduct.

Some of the potential benefits of this approach include:

Pros

Improved understanding: Training on unconscious bias can help officers to better understand the ways in which their own biases may influence their behavior and decision-making.

Enhanced awareness: By bringing unconscious biases to the surface, training can help officers to become more aware of their own biases and how they may impact their interactions with the public.

Increased empathy: Training on unconscious bias can help officers to better understand and empathize with the perspectives and experiences of individuals from different backgrounds and communities.

Improved relationships: By reducing the influence of unconscious biases, training can help officers to build more positive and trusting relationships with the communities they serve.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to this approach:

Cons

Limited impact: Some research suggests that unconscious bias training may have limited impact in reducing bias, especially if it is not paired with other interventions or if it is not reinforced over time.

Resistance: Some officers may resist training on unconscious bias, viewing it as an attack on their character or as unnecessary.

Limited time and resources: Providing training on unconscious bias can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, and may require significant investment from police departments.

Overall, while training on unconscious bias may have some potential benefits in addressing police brutality and excessive use of force, it is important to recognize that it is just one of many potential solutions, and that it may be most effective when used in combination with other interventions.

Civilian Oversight

Civilian oversight refers to the involvement of non-law enforcement individuals or agencies in the oversight, review, or management of police activities. There are several different forms of civilian oversight that can be used to help address the problem of police brutality and excessive use of force, including:

1. Civilian review boards: Civilian review boards are independent bodies that are composed of community members who review complaints about police conduct and make recommendations for action.

2. Independent investigators: Independent investigators, such as special prosecutors or independent review agencies, can investigate incidents of police brutality and excessive use of force and bring charges against officers who have engaged in misconduct.

3. Community policing: Community policing approaches involve building partnerships and working collaboratively with community members to address crime and disorder. This can help to build trust and reduce tension between police and the communities they serve, which can in turn help to reduce incidents of police brutality and excessive use of force.

4. Police oversight committees: Some cities and jurisdictions have established police oversight committees, which are typically composed of elected officials and community representatives who have the authority to review and make recommendations on police policies and practices.

Overall, civilian oversight can be an effective tool in helping to address the problem of police brutality and excessive use of force, as it provides an independent and unbiased perspective on police conduct and can help to hold officers accountable for their actions. It is important, however, that civilian oversight bodies are given the necessary resources, authority, and independence to be effective in their role.

There are several potential benefits to using civilian oversight to help address the problem of police brutality and excessive use of force, including:

Pros

Independence: Civilian oversight bodies are typically independent of the police department and are composed of community members, which can help to ensure objectivity and impartiality in reviewing complaints and making recommendations.

Accountability: Civilian oversight bodies can help to hold officers accountable for their actions and can provide a mechanism for addressing incidents of police brutality and excessive use of force.

Trust: Involving community members in the oversight of police activities can help to build trust and improve relationships between police and the communities they serve.

Transparency: Civilian oversight bodies can help to increase transparency in the way that police conduct is reviewed and addressed, which can in turn help to build trust and confidence in the police.

Cons

Limited authority: Some civilian oversight bodies may have limited authority to investigate or take action in response to incidents of police brutality and excessive use of force.

Resistance: Some police officers may resist civilian oversight and may be resistant to changes or recommendations made by oversight bodies.

Limited resources: Civilian oversight bodies may have limited resources and may not have the necessary funding or staffing to effectively carry out their oversight role.

Political interference: In some cases, civilian oversight bodies may be subject to political interference or pressure, which can compromise their independence and objectivity.

Addressing the Cons

To address the cons of using body-worn cameras, unconscious bias training, and civilian oversight to reduce police brutality and excessive use of force, it may be necessary to take a number of steps, including:

1. Secure funding: One way to address the cost-related cons of these interventions is to secure adequate funding and resources to implement and maintain them. This may involve seeking financial support from federal, state, or local sources, or finding creative ways to fund these initiatives.

2. Address concerns about privacy and civil liberties: To address concerns about privacy and civil liberties, it may be necessary to establish clear policies and procedures governing the use of body-worn cameras and other technologies, and to ensure that these technologies are used in a way that respects the rights and privacy of the people being recorded.

3. Address resistance: To address resistance to these interventions, it may be necessary to engage in outreach and education efforts to inform officers and the public about the benefits of these interventions and to address any concerns or misperceptions about them.

4. Address limitations in impact: To address limitations in the impact of these interventions, it may be necessary to pair them with other interventions, such as improved policies and procedures, increased transparency and accountability, and community policing approaches. It may also be necessary to reinforce these interventions over time through ongoing training and education.

Recommendations for Positive Ways to Address the Issue

Police use of force and police brutality are issues that have been widely debated in recent years. While police officers must have the ability to protect themselves and the public, there is a need for more oversight and stricter policies in order to ensure that police use of force is only used in a reasonable and necessary manner.

The first step in addressing police use of force is to introduce greater transparency and accountability measures. Police officers should be required to wear body cameras at all times, and all incidents of force should be recorded and reviewed. Citizens should also be able to file complaints against police officers and have those complaints investigated by an independent body.

Another key part of the solution is strengthening the relationship between police and the communities they serve. This means increasing communication and collaboration between police departments and citizens, so that residents can provide feedback and voice any concerns they may have. Additionally, police departments should be providing more training and education to officers on the proper use of force and the legal requirements for using it.

Additionally, unconscious biases can have a significant impact on how police officers interact with the public, and can contribute to incidents of police brutality and excessive use of force.

To reduce incidents of police brutality, it is important that police officers receive training on unconscious bias and how it can impact their interactions with the public. This training should be mandatory and should be provided as part of initial and ongoing training for all officers.

There are several key components that should be included in unconscious bias training for police:

1. Education: Training should provide officers with a basic understanding of what unconscious bias is, how it can influence behavior, and the ways in which it can impact police interactions with the public.