policing

Initial Discussion:
- Exploring what contributes to individual happiness.
- Discussion on the necessity of resources (e.g., money) for well-being.
Key Police Functions Identified:
1. Being Present (Visibility in communities)
2. Serving and Protecting (Community service)
3. Enforcing the Law (Upholding legal standards)
4. Providing Safety (Ensuring public security)
5. Maintaining Order (Preventing chaos and disruption)
Ranking Functions:
- Participants engaged in ranking these functions based on importance.
- Justifications for choices were expressed, leading to debates about:
- The effectiveness of enforcing the law in maintaining order.
- Instances where enforcement might lead to disorder rather than order.
Discussion on Police Presence:
- Noted that police often fill gaps where no alternative help is present, especially during mental health crises.
- Limitations acknowledged regarding police training for handling such crises.

Instructor's Personal Stories:
- Shared experiences to illustrate the complex nature of police discretion.
- Evolution of policy, particularly in domestic violence cases:
- Historical shift from requiring a victim's report for action to making arrests based on probable cause.
Mandatory Arrest Policies:
- Concern raised about the effectiveness of mandatory arrests in improving outcomes.
- Emphasis on pursuing the "best possible outcome" rather than always opting for arrest.
- Suggestion that officers often choose the path of least resistance when making decisions.
Cautions on Policy Implementation:
- Warning against frameworks that may yield unintended negative outcomes, such as pushing issues underground instead of addressing them openly.

Exploration of Controversial Practices:
- Examination of the effectiveness of stop, question, and frisk policies.
Facilitator's Pushback on Systemic Racism Claims:
- Questioned the basis of systemic racism conclusions drawn strictly from disparate impact statistics.
- Noted differences in offending rates by race and emphasized the necessity of nuanced policy considerations.
New Jersey Turnpike Study:
- Cited empirical data showing variations in sneeding rates by race.
- Mentioned reluctance among authorities to publish sensitive findings relating to these statistics.
Legislative Changes in Washington DC:
- Discussed recent changes resulting in more aggressive policing tactics.
- Observed a decline in crime rates, suggesting that deterrence could be effective.

Video Analysis:
- Watch and analyze a police shooting scenario.
- Encourage students to discuss when the use of deadly force may be deemed justified.
Clarification of Legal Standards:
- Police are allowed to use deadly force when they reasonably perceive a threat of death or serious bodily harm.
Contagious Shooting Phenomena:
- Discussion on how high-stress environments may affect decision-making among officers during critical incidents.
Legal vs. Moral Judgment:
- Discussion on the dichotomy between legally justifiable actions and those perceived as moral or appropriate.
- Reference to Jonathan Haidt's work highlighting the role of intuition in moral reasoning.

Encouragement for Critical Thinking:
- Participants urged to focus on evidence-based reasoning and context instead of relying on emotional or overly simplistic narratives.
Complexity of Causal Relationships:
- Challenges discussed regarding drawing direct causal links from arrest or incarceration data without comprehensive context.
Preparation for Next Session:
- Prompt for participants to undertake further reading to prepare for a deeper discussion on the role of police next session.