The Future of Policing: 200 Recommendations to Enhance Policing and Community Safety

Policing does not happen in a vacuum. The mood, viewpoints, and stresses of society impact how policing occurs and how it is perceived. Starting in June and July 2020, the nation saw weeks of protests, civil disturbances, and riots that were specifically directed against the police. This most recent round of public unrest was sparked by the senseless, needless, and improper death of George Floyd. Having seen similar deaths of black males while involved with police officers, the nation had had enough and demands for something to be done, were far reaching and involved more than just the black community or a few protestors. An all-encompassing variety of people either joined the protests or supported them. People of all demographic backgrounds, economic levels, and professions resoundingly condemned the actions of the officers in the Floyd incident, even police officers and police leaders. Policing in America needs to change. Scott Cunningham offers advice on a wide variety of policing aspects, including but not limited to, leadership, training, equipment and weapons, government’s roles and responsibilities, citizen and community participation, investigation procedure, police culture and attitudes, the list goes on. Looking at policing from multiple angles, he provides implementable recommendations for up and down the chain of command that, individually and collectively, could enhance policing and improve the quality of life for everyone.

Table of Contents:
Introduction PART I: Global Policing Concepts Chapter 1: Role and History of Policing Brief discussion of history of policing worldwide Peelian principles of policing Relevant recommendations Chapter 2: Re-Defining the Tasks for Which the Police are Responsible What tasks should police handle Mental health issues Homelessness Options for shifting tasks to others Relevant recommendations Chapter 3: Role and Responsibility of the Federal Government Actions Federal Government should take Coordination between Federal and State Governments Setting nationwide standards & expectations Relevant recommendations Chapter 4: Core Foundational Beliefs Identification of critical beliefs to provide guidance and act as foundation for all actions, policies, and programs Key principles to establish appropriate culture Relevant recommendations Chapter 5: Agency Actions Major actions all agencies should take Accreditation President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing Relevant recommendations Chapter 6: Community Oriented and Problem Solving Policing Establishing Community Oriented Policing & problem Solving Policing as primary methods of delivering police services Building community relationships & interaction Relevant Recommendations PART II: Administration Chapter 7: Leadership Characteristics, qualities, & actions of the Chief Setting performance expectations & focus of agency Relevant recommendations Chapter 8: Personnel Personnel issues critical to service delivery Recruiting efforts focused on desired characteristics Background processes Hiring standards Testing methods (fitness, psychological, medical, etc.) Relevant recommendations Chapter 9: Training Increase training, especially recruit training Federal & state minimum requirements for consistency Recruit training In-service training Promotional training Specialized training General training processes Relevant recommendations Chapter 10: Discipline Need for & value of disciplinary processes General & specific disciplinary aspects Implementation of disciplinary Setting agency expectations Disciplinary info to state certification board & public Relevant recommendations Chapter 11: Complaints and Investigations Need for & value of internal investigations function Informing the complainant & public of outcomes & stats General issues regarding complaints Relevant recommendations Chapter 12 Officer Wellness and Health Benefits of wellness focus Need for an Early Warning System Mandatory fitness program Relevant recommendations PART III: Operations Chapter 13: Use of Force Critical issues such as: using only minimum needed, reporting all uses of force, supervisor response, uses of discipline and training, etc. Investigating uses of force, internally & externally De-escalation Relevant recommendations Chapter 14: Peaceful, Compliant Protests Right to protest & protecting rights of citizens Appropriate police attire, equipment, & tactics Recording of protests & police actions Coordination with organizers Relevant recommendations Chapter 15: Non-Compliant Protests, Civil Disorders, Rioting and Looting Use of force review Appropriate police attire, equipment, & tactics Recording of events & police activities General & specific actions for these events Providing direction & safe dispersal Relevant recommendations Chapter 16: Pursuits Need for policy, procedures, training, & supervision Dangers associated with pursuits Tactics Documentation & review of pursuits Relevant recommendations PART IV: Equipment Chapter 17: Military Surplus and Specialty Vehicles 1033 military surplus program Applicable issues, perceptions, benefits Relevant recommendations Chapter 18: Helicopters, Airplanes, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Issues, benefits, concerns Policy guided use & restrictions Public involvement Training & maintenance Relevant recommendations Chapter 19: Cameras Issues, benefits, concerns Legal concerns & different laws Use guidelines, requirements & discipline Public involvement & viewing Different types Understanding limitations Relevant recommendations Chapter 20: Uniforms Understanding impact of uniform choices Appropriateness for event, activity Officer identification Inappropriate/unauthorized attachments Relevant recommendations PART V: Weapons Chapter 21: Firearms Types used by police Training including accuracy, decision-making, legal issues De-escalation Rendering medical attention Documentation & investigation of use Relevant recommendations Chapter 22: Less Than Lethal Weapons Types used by police Appropriate use Training including effectiveness, proper use, legal issues, decision-making De-escalation Rendering medical aid Documentation & investigation of use Relevant recommendations PART VI: Role of Others Chapter 23: Elected and Appointed Officials Role regarding policing & community safety Getting facts Understanding policing issues Keeping police out of political realm Relevant recommendations Chapter 24: Unions Role regarding members, profession, & community Participation in improvement/enhancement efforts Issues regarding political involvement Relevant recommendations Chapter 25: Media Role of media in democratic society Accuracy in reporting police related issues Media-police coordination & cooperation Media involvement in active situations Relevant recommendations Chapter 26: Citizens Role of citizens in community safety & policing Need for & benefit of compliance with laws & directions Rights of citizens regarding police, etc. Citizen participation in policing overall Relevant recommendations PART VII: Conclusions Abbreviations List of Recommendations References Recommended resources

About the Author :
Scott A. Cunningham is a retired Chief of Police with 38 years of on the job experience and holds a PhD in Adult Education. He teaches agencies, officers, and communities around the country, has taught in a university setting, and has served on numerous community, governmental, and professional boards, committees, and commissions.

Review :
This is a must-read book for anyone involved in policing. The topics covered provide truly valuable insight into what the present and future holds for policing. Having worked with Chief Cunningham I can attest to the fact that he lives by the concepts and ideas covered in the book, and this made a tremendous impact on our Police Department. Chief Cunningham provides excellent insight into the profession of policing but more importantly, provides solid, meaningful recommendations on where the profession needs to go from here. Chief Cunningham has captured the issues surrounding the police profession, as well as the essence of the global situation occurring in 2020 and 2021. His book provides a practical, reasonable perspective on the proper role of the police, as well as that of the citizen. He explains the history of the police service, stemming from the Peelian principles that are still applicable today, while identifying the issues that have been laid at the feet of the police to address, largely because of the inability of other societal systems to provide meaningful and lasting solutions. Chief Cunningham provides solid recommendations in all aspects of police leadership and ethics to guide the police executive, with a strong focus on policy development, determining the agency’s operational mission, and participating in national initiatives to improve the profession such as the National Use of Force Database and the National Consensus Policy on Use of Force. He offers a discussion of leading practices in professional police leadership and management, such as the Pillars of 21st Century Policing, officer safety, wellness and health, training, de-escalation, communication and interpersonal skills, emerging issues and implementation of technology such as drones and body-worn cameras. His recommendations provide a blueprint for effective management of a law enforcement agency, along with steps for the police executive to deal with current events like responding to and providing professional and balanced public safety services during peaceful protests. This book is comprehensive, and contains topics worthy of discussion to adapt and apply to each agency and community. While some may disagree with the author in particular topics, it should spark an open and honest dialog to better understand opposing viewpoints and lead to the development of relationships that will enhance openness, transparency and dialog. If I were to write a book on the future of policing, this would be it! It should be required reading for all new officers, supervisors, commanders and police leaders.