WHAT IS THE POLICE USE OF FORCE PROJECT?
Today, we launch The Police Use of Force Project, examining the ways in which police departments' use of force policies help to enable police violence. Visit the website at UseOfForceProject.org.
WHY ARE WE FOCUSING ON POLICE USE OF FORCE POLICIES?
The Police Use of Force Project expands upon our initial recommendations in the "Limit Use of Force" section of our comprehensive platform to end police violence, Campaign Zero.
Our analysis discovered that police department use of force policies often fail to include common sense limits on how and when police use force against civilians. Most police departments in our analysis did not have policies that require officers to de-escalate situations, when possible, or refrain from using life-threatening moves such as chokeholds. Fewer than half require officers to intervene when they witness another officer using excessive force. And several of the nation's largest police departments don't even make their use of force policies public.
Our analysis also shows that while many police departments have adopted value statements claiming to prioritize the preservation of life, their actual use of force policies do not reflect this commitment. For example, while Baltimore City Police Department's use of force policy claims protecting life is its "highest priority," their training manual explicitly instructs officers, when deemed appropriate, to shoot unarmed civilians, recommending that police shoot areas of the body where it is most likely to result in death.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Review the latest study of police use of force policies by visiting UseofForceProject.org and also become familiar with the police use of force policy in your respective city. We have created the first comprehensive public database of police use of force policies and it is important that you familiarize yourself with them.
Guests featured on our past shows, with links to audio (mp3) |
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"Strange Fruit"June 27, 2020; hour 1 |
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Reump and Barr: attack antifacists; blind to right extremistsJue 27, 2020; hour 2 |
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The New Yorker on Black LivesJune 20, 2020; hour 1 |
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Remembering the Race RiotsJune 20, 2020; hour 2 |
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Angela Davis: Black Lives MatterJune 13, 2020; hour 1 |
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Rayshard Brooks rests in peace; but no peace for the policeJune 12, 2020; hour 2 |
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R.I.P. George FloydJune 6, 2020; hour 1 |
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Black Lives Matter: Everywhere, EverytimeJune 6, 2020; hour 2 |
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Our Chickhens Come Home to Roost. Again.May 30, 2020; hour 1 |
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Corona Virus' devastng impact on Aftican-AmericansMay 30, 2020; hour 2 |
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Trump Death Clock: counting the unnecessary COVID-19 deathsMay 23, 2020; hour 1 |
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"Open Season" on Blacks in AmericaMay 23, 2020; hour 2 |