Reframing Police Education and Freedom in America

This book advocates for a community-based training model with significant civilian oversight in police education. It recognizes that the citizenry needs to be included in providing basic police education, and the police must be role models for society, demonstrating that freedom and rights come with obligations. The quality of police training and the public's safety depend on the leadership of police executives, educational institutions, and the building of a community's trust in its police. Reform of the police education system is urgent, and the proposed model emphasizes teaching a guardian style of policing at the local level.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 302 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The police must be role models for society, demonstrating that freedom and rights come with obligations, both to the community as a whole and to individuals in need within that community. Ultimately, the quality of police training and the public's safety depend not only on the leadership of police executives, the quality of educational institutions, and the quality of police candidates but also on the building of a community's trust in its police.

The issues of police recruitment, education, and retention have greater consequence in an era when protests and other signs of negativity surround law enforcement. Several incidents, including, most notably, George Floyd's murder by police, have sparked new training initiatives regarding police de-escalation and community engagement. At the same time, the proliferation of gun violence and a contentious political climate have led some officers to refrain from undertaking proactive types of policing. In this context, reform of the police education system is urgent.

This book examines police training at all levels of government—local, regional, state, and federal. In addition, citizen participation programs, including the role of the media and programs for furthering law-related education (LRE), are highlighted. The proposed police education model recognizes that ordinary members of the American public need to contribute to the provision of basic police education, for it is they who must both support and be served.

The book also emphasizes the importance of community-based training, which involves working with local communities to develop training programs that are tailored to the specific needs of the community. This approach recognizes that the citizenry needs to be included in the provision of basic police education, for it is they who must both support and be served by their police.

Furthermore, the book advocates for significant civilian oversight of police education, including the establishment of independent oversight boards and the involvement of community members in the development and implementation of training programs. This oversight is necessary to ensure that police education programs are effective, fair, and consistent with the values of the community.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive examination of police education and advocates for a robust community-based training model with significant civilian oversight. The recommended approach recognizes that the citizenry needs to be included in the provision of basic police education, that the police must be role models for society, and that the quality of police training and the public's safety depend not only on the leadership of police executives but also on the building of a community's trust in its police. By reforming the police education system and promoting community-based training, we can work towards creating a more just and equitable society.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 178 x 255 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032308739