Policing in America needs to change. Trust me, I’m a cop: Renee Mitchell at TEDxOxbridge

Renee Mitchell emphasizes the vital role that evidence plays in effective policing and advocates for a shift from the traditional metrics of success. Established by Sir Robert Peel, the foundation of modern policing was centered on the notion of reducing crime based on the absence of criminal activity rather than simply measuring police presence through arrests and citations. Unfortunately, the current policing practices often prioritize quantitative metrics, such as the number of arrests or citations, as indicators of officer success. This approach has inadvertently led to a scenario where a "good day" for law enforcement is defined by the frequency of arrests, which can have detrimental impacts on communities, economies, and even fundamental human dignity.

A poignant illustration of these issues can be seen in a specific case involving a domestic violence call. When officers responded to a call involving Dwayne and Stephanie, evidence collected indicated that, despite the earlier conflict, there were deeper issues, including financial strains and overwhelming familial responsibilities. After speaking with both parties, the officers determined that there was no reasonable suspicion to warrant an arrest. However, due to departmental policies regarding domestic violence, Dwayne was taken into custody. This scenario highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by police officers, where career advancement pressures can sometimes take precedence over individual freedom and justice. Reflecting on this situation, Mitchell recalls Viktor Frankl’s insights on human choice, suggesting that officers, like Dwayne, also have choices that can have profound consequences.

In a broader context, Mitchell critiques the current trajectory of punitive justice systems, citing that the number of incarcerated individuals has escalated alarmingly from 350,000 in 1973 to over 2 million currently. This statistic reflects not only the increasing severity of sentencing laws, such as mandatory minimums and three strikes rules, but also underscores the significant financial burden on society, with expenditures for the prison system ballooning from $9 billion in 1982 to over $70 billion today. The adverse effects of these policies disproportionately impact economically disadvantaged communities and minorities, further entrenching cycles of poverty and marginalization.

To address these pressing issues, Mitchell advocates for the implementation of evidence-based practices in policing, drawing an analogy to the advancements in the medical field. Historically, medical practitioners relied heavily on intuition and tradition, often ignoring empirical evidence that could inform better practices. However, once data began to reveal the correlation between certain practices and adverse health outcomes—such as the back-to-sleep campaign that significantly reduced infant mortality—medicine dramatically shifted its approach to prioritizing evidence-based practices. In policing, there is a similar opportunity to adopt a more scientific, evidence-driven methodology. Research has demonstrated that ineffective strategies, such as random patrol or increased sanctions, are not effective in reducing crime rates. In contrast, proactive policing strategies that focus on high-crime geographic areas have shown promising results in reducing crime and recidivism.

Ultimately, Mitchell calls for a profound cultural shift within law enforcement, urging officers and decision-makers to base their actions on empirical evidence rather than intuition or tradition. By making informed decisions grounded in research, policing can evolve into a more compassionate and humane system, reflective of Sir Robert Peel’s original vision. The need for this change is underscored by her tragic anecdote regarding Dwayne, whose life was irrevocably impacted by the decisions made by law enforcement. It serves as a critical reminder of the far-reaching implications of policing decisions and the urgent need for a more humane and evidence-based approach to law enforcement practices.