Systemic racism in policing persists: Data reveals racial disparities in use-of-force across 17 cities
Original framing: “An unfinished reckoning with police violence: Community data shows ongoing systemic racism” — The Conversation - Global
The roots of modern policing in the U.S. trace back to slave patrols and night watches designed to control Black populations. This history of racialized surveillance continues to shape contemporary policing practices, reinforcing patterns of over-policing in Black and Brown neighborhoods.
To address systemic racism in policing, we must move beyond surface-level reforms and confront the deep historical and structural roots of racialized violence.
Indigenous and Black-led movements offer alternative models of safety rooted in community care and restorative justice. Scientific data must be paired with qualitative insights and cross-cultural wisdom to build a more holistic understanding of public safety. Future modeling suggests that reallocating resources to mental health, housing, and education can reduce reliance on policing. A systemic solution requires dismantling the power structures that benefit from the current system and centering the voices of those most impacted. This is not just a matter of policy change but of reimagining the very purpose of public safety in a just and equitable society.