To tackle injustices

Black people are 2.5 times more likely than whites to be killed by police. Only Native Americans die at a higher rate. Young black men age 15 to 19 are 21 times more likely to die from police actions than their white counterparts. Police brutality doesn’t stop with the black and brown people most at risk, but also affects mentally ill people, homeless, LGBT, peaceful protesters, and members of the press.

It looks like Americans are finally determined to tackle long-standing injustices. The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 was introduced in House and Senate on June 8. Some reforms: Ban dangerous techniques such as chokeholds. End no-knock warrants and military-style raids. Require a warning before shooting. Tear gas can permanently injure the lungs and definitely should not be used during a pandemic. Provide body cameras for all police.

Train to de-escalate tense encounters. End virtual immunity for police misconduct. Don’t let powerful police unions write restrictions on oversight into their contracts.

The 18,000 separate police agencies need national databases on use of force. End militarization of police, stop DOD sending excess military equipment to police departments. Cops don’t need full “battle rattle” to confront peaceful demonstrators. State and local police send trainees to Israel to learn “crowd control,” but the methods of occupying armies are dangerous in a democratic nation.

Community policing emphasizes crime prevention and problem-solving. In contrast, problem departments rely on racial profiling, police quotas for stops and arrests, and aggressive enforcement of minor offenses. Defunding would shrink police responsibilities to invest more in mental-health care, conditions that contribute to crime, and community mediation (restorative justice). It’s not just police. Racial and class bias also exist in the prosecution, judging, and framing of laws that define crimes and their penalties. CORALIE KOONCE

Fayetteville