Reimagine policing and police reform. Two terms we hear frequently these days, but what do they really mean? Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer to that question.

Reimagine policing and police reform have different meanings to people all over the globe, making it hard to find mutually agreed upon solutions, ideas, and evidence-based approaches.

Whatever it means to you, there needs to be an acknowledgement that policing is not broken. As a profession, we have made great strides. We continue to adapt and evolve in an ever-changing landscape of crime and challenges. And as more duties get laid at our feet, we embrace those pressures and expectations and work hard to make our communities safe and thriving places for all those who live, work, and play in them.

The men and women of law enforcement that I have been fortunate enough to know and work alongside during my career are dedicated, compassionate, and selfless people. It is often said that those who choose to wear the uniform do so because they are dedicated to public service and a higher calling, and that is absolutely true.

At the same time, we must also acknowledge that, far too often, the image of our noble profession has suffered from actions of bad actors or split-second decisions that ended in tragedy for all involved.

As we have witnessed, these events spark concern in our communities and have ignited loud and insistent calls to reform policy tactics and to reimagine the delivery of police services. And this is a goal that police leaders share. I can unequivocally state that the policing profession is committed to evolving and building trust within all segments of our communities. As a society, we must be willing to listen and discuss the realities of policing, identify meaningful solutions, and understand that the trust and support of our communities is the bedrock of successful policing.

Effective, lasting change will require resources, commitment, and well-thought-out approaches. Everyone will play a crucial role in moving constructive efforts forward, and no one has the luxury of sitting on the sidelines, as police are only one part of the criminal justice system and there are many elements—like education, mental health and addiction, and economic welfare—that intersect with it and greatly affect the way it functions.

“Effective, lasting change will require resources, commitment, and well-thought-out approaches.”

At the same time, we must avoid hasty, radical measures that do not get to the core of enhancing community-police engagement. Misguided and shortsighted actions, like slashing police budgets, ending qualified immunity, or limiting the use of much-needed law enforcement equipment, will likely have an adverse and negative impact for years to come.

To that end, the IACP Governing Body developed a Path Forward document that lays out several foundational principles that must drive these efforts.

While the full document has been printed in this magazine, I would like to highlight a few key areas.

First, as a profession, we must ensure that the fundamental principle of all police officers and agencies is to value and preserve life and to make that outwardly known to our communities and reaffirm that principle frequently to stress its importance. To this end, the IACP Governing Body recently revised the IACP Oath of Honor to punctuate the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect and ensuring the preservation of human life. This important document is available on the IACP website in five languages, and a removable copy in English is included in this issue.

Second, there is a critical need to establish shared expectations between the police, the community, and elected officials about police policies and operational practices. If communities want change to police operations, then police should work with the community to inform the public of potential costs, advantages, and disadvantages of that change so communities can make informed and appropriate decisions. Elected officials are responsible for facilitating this process, ensuring thoughtful changes are implemented, and owning the outcome.

At the same time, there needs to be a recognition by all that policing involves dynamic, unpredictable, and very dangerous situations. Police and community leaders should educate the public on policies and operational practices to further the understanding of policing dynamics, to advance transparency, and to enhance community-police engagement.

Finally, communities and police leaders must demand of their elected leadership improvements to social shortcomings such as poverty, education gaps, untreated substance abuse, and mental health issues that deteriorate lives and perpetuate cyclical involvement with the criminal justice system. To that end, there is a broader need to implement a system-wide approach to criminal justice policies and legislation that embraces proven, evidence-based programs that incorporate broader public health and social wellness into cohesive approaches to community wellness and public safety.

It is the IACP’s hope that these key principles will aid community members, police leaders, and elected officials as they chart a clear and constructive path forward together.

As dedicated police leaders, we will continue to embrace the challenge, instill strong values into our agencies at all ranks, hold ourselves accountable for our actions, and work through these turbulent times to build a more cohesive future for our communities.

We are bound by our duty to public service, our commitment to the preservation of life, and our responsibility for ensuring our communities are safe. We will not waver in our commitment to build a future with fairness, respect, dignity, security, and justice for all.🛡