Editorial Introduction to the Special Issue on Policing

• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12515
• Date: 01 August 2020
• Author: Cynthia Lum,Christopher S. Koper
• Published date: 01 August 2020

DOI: ./- .

EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION

CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH IN POLICE POLICY AND PRACTICE

Editorial Introduction to the Special Issue on

Policing

Christopher S. Koper Cynthia Lum

Editors in Chief

When we put out a call for a special issue on policing last year, we scarcelycould have anticipated

the context in which the issue would be released. In recentmonths, police worldwide have adapted

to a pandemic disease, and police in America have faced massive social protestsagainst police vio-

lence and misconduct, particularly that directed at Black Americans. Outrage over the egregious

killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, exacerbated by unjustified police killings in

other cities, reignited the protests for police reform from – and amplified them tremen-

dously. Protests against police mistreatment of Black Americans, as well as against other social

injustices, have been taking place in thousands of communities across America and around the

world. Citizens and policymakers throughout the United States are calling for numerous reforms

in police agencies, especially to reduce use of force, strengthen disciplinary practices, and remove

unfit officers from the profession. There have also been calls to reduce funding for police agencies,

reduce the scope of police responsibilities for noncriminal matters, and even abolish and remake

some police agencies.

The months and years ahead are likely to bring many changes and reforms to the policing pro-

fession. Society will need policing scholars, perhaps now more than ever, to help inform these

debates and efforts. Recruitment and hiring, training, use-of-force policies, and disciplinary prac-

tices will certainly be at the center of police reform efforts, and much more research is needed to

understand the links between training, policies, and actual police behaviors. Communities con-

sidering reductions in police funding and responsibilities will require careful analysis of their

needs to determine the scope and volume of work that can be safely and effectively transferred

to other government and community entities. Crime prevention will remain critical to the police

function, but police will need to work harder at preventing crime in ways that strengthen rather

than harm their community relationships and that do not create or exacerbate criminal justice

disparities.

Rigorous and objective analysis will be needed to address a multitude of public safety issues,

making this a critical moment and opportunity for policing scholars. The chances may be

greater now to implement many reforms that policing scholars have advocated for years. Police

researchers will also need fortitude, as the news they bring will not always be welcomed in the

context of what could be difficult and sometimes emotional public debates. This special issue of

Criminology & Public Policy is one small but useful step as we move forward from the tumult of

these crises in policing. Topics addressed in this collection of articles—including de-escalation

Criminology & Public Policy. ;:–. ©  American Society of Criminology 691wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/capp