It would be an understatement to say that serious concerns, issues, and bad news about policing seem to be constantly pressing on people in the United States over the last couple of decades. Most recently, many were deeply affected by the killing of George Floyd in the summer of 2020 and the subsequent protests and calls for reform that ensued. But even before that, one can recall the not-so-distant deaths of Trayvon Martin, Freddy Gray, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and others, and the calls then for reform, embodied by U.S. President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Story after story, the cycle of negative news and calls for reform in U.S. policing continues. This relentless cycle has been a particularly acute source of continued stress, frustration, and anger for many, particularly people of color who have long borne the scars of police activity in the United States.

In addition to these events, the profession has taken some big hits in the 21st century. The insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, showcased not only the dangerousness of policing but also the possibility of extremists among its ranks. Other trends have exposed law enforcement vulnerabilities— the rise in mass shootings in the 2000s, the ambushes and killings of officers during this period, and the evolving nature of crimes facilitated by the internet, which local police haven’t been well-positioned to tackle. In addition, the society-altering and ever-persistent COVID pandemic has made policing even more challenged and arguably less community-oriented despite increased calls for improving relationships between people and police. The current rise in gun violence in some jurisdictions has added to these vulnerabilities. To compound the situation, there are fewer people interested in tackling these challenges. There is a downward trend in police recruitment and retention, with more people retiring early, leaving the profession prematurely, or simply choosing other professions altogether.