When I lived in San Diego, I served as a member of the community on the San Diego Citizens Review Board on Police Practices. (It’s now called the Community Review Board on Police Practices due to a change in their charter). The culture in law enforcement rests squarely in a white frame of reference – a warrior ethos which values hierarchical authority which “others” alternate or opposing perspectives. I believe we need to unhinge the culture of policing from its toxic, hegemonic cultural biases and shift to more inclusive models of partnerships like community-oriented policing. Moreover, I believe the only way to shift the culture of policing is more than hiring more black and brown people – which is also important – but prioritizing more robust psychological profiles which value critical thinking and people-oriented skills rather than military oriented skills. Finally, I assert a need for increased civilian oversight within senior management of police departments with intent to balance the incredibly siloed perspectives that exist within senior management.
