Analyzing American Policing: Reform, Accountability, and Structural Racism

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Part1) Lawrence Sherman has been one of the most well regarded policing scholars for over half a century. Read his article: Rogue Cops or Rogue Cultures and respond to the following questions.
1) What is the Framing problem of American policing?
2) What is the best venue for change, what level of government should activists target at if they want to change their local police?
3) What specific strategies could be effective in changing local police? List and explain several of the reforms he suggests, select a favorite and explain why you think this is the best option.
Part 2) What is Vitale’s central argument in “The End of Policing”. What areas of policing does he criticize? What is the basis of his argument?
What does he argue could replace police?
Do you agree or disagree with his argument? Have your thoughts changed given the events of the past months? Part 3) Read Samuel Walker ” A new World of Police Accountability” Chapters 1 and 2 and answer the following questions.
1) What does Walker believe are the greatest issues in ensuring police accountability? What types of reforms have been tried, and why have they been unsuccessful. 2) What specific reforms does Walker argue for? What is his take on criminal prosecution of individual officers? What specific practices and institutions does he believe are the most effective in holding police accountable?
3) Is Walker an Optimist, or are his proposals too limited to address the problems of police accountability? Compare and Contrast Walker’s vision of police accountability with Vitale’s. Which of the two authors’ proposals do you think would produce a better outcome? Part 4) Watch “Netflix “Time: A Khalief Browder Story 1-4”. What did you learn from this documentary? What happened to Khalief Browder and what impact has this had on the criminal justice system since? What parts of the system failed Khalief and how can this be changed? How did this documentary impact you?
Part 5) Read Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow” and Watch the Documentary “The 13th”. Both Michelle Alexander in her book “The New Jim Crow” and the Netflix Documentary “The 13th”, argue that law enforcement is fundamentally based on structural racism.Michelle Alexander- do you agree that structural racism is at the core of our criminal justice system? If so, how can we address this? More importantly, what three factors does Alexander and the Netflix Documentary focus on for increasing mass incarceration? What progress has been made to date in this area?
Part 6) Please read the first chapter of Angela Davis: Arbitrary Justice. What is the role of the prosecutor in the United States? What does it mean to do justice? What roll do elections play in prosecutorial decision making? Are elections harmful because they make prosecutors focused on voters and not on justice, or are they important because they allow us to hold prosecutors accountable. Do prosecutors have too much discretion? If so, how can this be limited or made accountable?

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide for Completing the Assignment

This assignment covers multiple parts, each focusing on different aspects of policing, criminal justice reform, and systemic issues. Don’t worry – I’m here to break down each section for you so you can approach it confidently. Let’s dive in!

Part 1: Lawrence Sherman – “Rogue Cops or Rogue Cultures”

Read the Article
Read the article by Lawrence Sherman titled Rogue Cops or Rogue Cultures to understand his perspective on American policing.
Answer the Questions
After reading the article, answer the following questions:

a) What is the Framing problem of American policing?
- Reflect on how Sherman describes the issue of framing within the police culture. The framing problem refers to how police issues are understood or misrepresented in public discourse, which can affect how problems are addressed and resolved.
b) What is the best venue for change? What level of government should activists target if they want to change their local police?
- Think about the levels of government that Sherman identifies as key to making meaningful changes in policing, whether it’s local, state, or federal governments. Consider how activists can create the most significant impact at these levels.
c) What specific strategies could be effective in changing local police?
- Sherman offers specific reforms in his article. List and explain a few of these strategies. Select the one you think is the most effective and explain why it stands out to you as the best option for creating real change in policing.

Part 2: Vitale’s “The End of Policing”

Read Vitale’s Argument
Vitale’s central argument in The End of Policing critiques the role and scope of police in society. Read the work carefully to understand his perspective.
Answer the Questions
After reading, respond to the following questions:

a) What is Vitale’s central argument in “The End of Policing”?
- Summarize Vitale’s argument about the role of police and why he believes we need to reconsider the concept of policing altogether.
b) What areas of policing does he criticize? What is the basis of his argument?
- Identify the specific areas of policing Vitale critiques, such as over-policing, militarization, or systemic issues. Reflect on the evidence or reasoning he provides to back his argument.
c) What does he argue could replace police?
- Vitale suggests alternative solutions to the problems of policing. What does he believe could replace or reform the police to achieve a safer, more just society?
d) Do you agree or disagree with his argument?
- Reflect on Vitale’s argument. Do you agree with his vision? How have recent events or your understanding of the criminal justice system influenced your view?

Part 3: Samuel Walker – “A New World of Police Accountability”

Read Chapters 1 and 2 of Walker’s Book
Samuel Walker’s book A New World of Police Accountability will provide insight into the issues and reforms regarding police accountability.
Answer the Questions
After reading the chapters, answer the following:

a) What does Walker believe are the greatest issues in ensuring police accountability?
- Walker discusses challenges such as lack of transparency, resistance to change, and entrenched police cultures. Summarize these and think about why they make accountability difficult.
b) What types of reforms have been tried, and why have they been unsuccessful?
- Identify reforms Walker discusses and why he believes they have not succeeded in improving police accountability.
c) What specific reforms does Walker argue for?
- Walker proposes specific strategies to hold police accountable, such as civilian oversight, use-of-force policies, and increased transparency. Explain each reform briefly.
d) What is his take on criminal prosecution of individual officers?
- Walker weighs in on whether criminal prosecution of police officers is an effective means of accountability. Do you agree or disagree with his viewpoint?
e) Is Walker an Optimist, or are his proposals too limited to address the problems of police accountability?
- Evaluate whether Walker is hopeful about the future of police accountability or if his proposals are insufficient.
f) Compare and Contrast Walker’s vision of police accountability with Vitale’s.
- Both authors have differing views on police reform. How do their visions differ, and which do you think would be more effective?

Part 4: “Time: A Khalief Browder Story”

Watch the Documentary
Watch the series Time: A Khalief Browder Story 1-4 on Netflix to understand the story of Khalief Browder.
Answer the Questions
After watching, reflect on the following questions:

a) What did you learn from this documentary?
- Summarize key takeaways about Khalief Browder’s tragic experience and its impact on the criminal justice system.
b) What happened to Khalief Browder and what impact has this had on the criminal justice system?
- Explain the circumstances of Browder’s case and how it has sparked conversations about systemic issues like wrongful imprisonment, bail reform, and police misconduct.
c) What parts of the system failed Khalief, and how can this be changed?
- Identify flaws in the justice system that led to Khalief’s wrongful detention and consider potential reforms.
d) How did this documentary impact you?
- Reflect on how the story affected you personally. Did it change your perception of the criminal justice system?

Part 5: Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow” and “The 13th” Documentary

Read the Book and Watch the Documentary
Read Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow and watch the documentary The 13th. Both address systemic racism and mass incarceration.
Answer the Questions
After reading and watching, answer the following:

a) Do you agree that structural racism is at the core of our criminal justice system?
- Reflect on the arguments made in The New Jim Crow and The 13th. Do you believe structural racism is a foundational issue in the criminal justice system?
b) What three factors do Alexander and the documentary focus on for increasing mass incarceration?
- Identify the factors highlighted by Alexander and in The 13th that contribute to mass incarceration.
c) What progress has been made to date in this area?
- Discuss any progress made in addressing the issues of structural racism and mass incarceration, including reforms or movements that have emerged in recent years.

Part 6: Angela Davis – “Arbitrary Justice”

Read Chapter 1 of Arbitrary Justice
Angela Davis explores the role of the prosecutor in the criminal justice system.
Answer the Questions
After reading the chapter, answer the following questions:

a) What is the role of the prosecutor in the United States?
- Summarize the key responsibilities of the prosecutor and their influence on the criminal justice process.
b) What does it mean to do justice?
- Reflect on what Davis believes constitutes “doing justice” in the context of prosecutorial discretion.
c) What role do elections play in prosecutorial decision-making?
- Consider the impact of elections on prosecutors. Do they influence prosecutorial decisions based on political motivations or are they essential for accountability?
d) Are elections harmful because they make prosecutors focused on voters and not on justice?
- Weigh the pros and cons of elected prosecutors. Are they more focused on re-election rather than making fair, just decisions?
e) Do prosecutors have too much discretion?
- Discuss whether prosecutors have excessive discretion in the criminal justice system and how this might be addressed or balanced.

General Tips for Completing the Assignment

Be Reflective and Analytical: For each part, think critically about the arguments presented. Try to connect the readings and videos to the broader context of policing, criminal justice reform, and systemic issues.
Use Specific Examples: Where applicable, provide examples from the materials to back up your responses.
Stay Organized: Ensure your answers are clear and structured. You can use bullet points or headings for clarity.
Check Your Citations: Ensure that all sources are properly cited in APA format, especially for readings and documentaries.
Proofread: Before submitting, review your work for clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Make sure your answers address the questions fully.

You’re Ready to Go!

By following these steps, you will be able to craft a well-thought-out response to each part of the assignment. Good luck with your work!

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