3
Social Service Programs are Funded by the Federal and State Governments , not the Locals .
The delivery of police services in the United States uses a decentralized approach . It is provided and funded by local governments , not a strong centralized government . This service delivery strategy ensures each community provides the services at the level required by local citizens . With exception of the nation ’ s largest cities , the social services advocated to be improved by defunding the police are provided and funded by the State and Federal governments . Nationally , about 4 % of state and local funds are spent on local law enforcement . This equates “ to about $ 30 per month per capita .” The amount spent for police services is less than one-tenth of the funding for ‘ public welfare benefits ’ and re-distributional social services including mental health , education , and other social programs . Perhaps calls for change should be focused on these organizations providing more streamlined , recipient-focused strategies .
4
Poor , Disadvantaged , and Marginalized Communities Will be Impacted the Most
If police agencies are defunded , the impact will be most evident in poor and disadvantaged communities . There will be fewer officers available for services and less resources to investigate serious offenses . There will be increases in actual incidents and fear of crime . Meanwhile , wealthier citizens , neighborhoods , and communities have more resources to provide security systems , technology , and private personnel to ensure they have safe environments to live , work , and play .
5
The Majority of Americans Oppose Defunding Efforts
While the media and activists seeking radical change would lead some to believe there is massive support to defund and abolish the police , the facts demonstrate otherwise . Surveys repeatedly find the public support the police and oppose reducing funding of their operations . While a GALLUP poll found that 67 % of persons survey reported they wanted the “ police presence to remain the same ” and “ a majority ( 61 %) of black Americans voiced support for the police .” This same poll reported that 81 % of blacks who did not feel they had not been treated respectfully by an officer wanted the police in their neighborhood “ as much or more often ”. True , some police officers have acted criminally and failed to uphold their constitutional responsibilities . Police leaders and associations across the United States have publicly denounced these individuals ’ and their behavior . Police organizations are not opposed to continuous self-improvement . This is a critical component for any professional organization . But the effort to improve should not be confused with the efforts to reform that some advocates are pushing . The professional standards for police agencies are well-established and exceed the demands protestors advocate . However , police leaders can only achieve the progress their communities and its leaders are willing to support . It is incumbent on local leaders to provide their police departments with the resources to meet these standards . This includes the finances and other means of support to recruit and retain the quality of staff needed to perform to these standards . As part of this , it is also critical local leaders provide a safe environment for officers to work and the confidence to know that if they act appropriately , they will be supported . Conversely , those who do not perform as expected should be held accountable . Failure of leaders to provide these resources and support will inevitably lead to agencies not performing in a manner the public expects .
1 International Association of Chiefs of Police , Police Use of Force in America ,
https :// www . theiacp . org / sites / default / files / 2018-08 / 2001useofforce . pdf , Accessed 12 / 2 / 2020 . 2 Girard Miller , The Misunderstood Math of Defunding the Police , Governing Magazine , October 27 , 2020 ,
https :// www . governing . com / finance / The-Misunderstood-Math-of-Defunding-the-Police . html , Accessed November 28 , 2020 . 3 Jacqueline B . Helfgott , The Movement to Defund the Police is Wrong , and Here ’ s Why , Seattle Times , June 9 , 2020 ,
https :// www . seattletimes . com / opinion / the-movement-to-defund-the-police-is-wrong-and-heres-why / , Accessed : November 28 , 2020 . 4 Pew Research Center , Majority of Public Favors Giving Civilians the Power to Sue Police Officers for Misconduct , July 9 , 2020 ,
https :// www . pewresearch . org / politics / 2020 / 07 / 09 / majority-of-public-favors-giving-civilians-the-power-to-sue-police-officers-for-misconduct / Accessed : December 2 , 2020 . 5 ABC News / Ipsos Poll , June 10 – 11 , 2020 ,
https :// www . ipsos . com / en-us / news-polls / abc-coronavirus-poll-wave-12 Accessed : December 12 , 2020 . 6 Lydia Saad , “ Black Americans Want Police to Retain Presence ”, Gallup , August 5 , 2020 ,
https :// news . gallup . com / poll / 316571 / black-americans-police-retain-local-presence . aspx
Accessed : 12 / 2 / 2020
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