Police Reform Proposals Leave Americans Worried about Public Safety

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The debate surrounding police reform has intensified in the last two weeks, following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin.

Proposals to “defund the police” and re-allocateDepartment funding are in their preliminary stages, leaving Americans with  uncertainty and skepticism about ensuring public safety and enforcing laws.

Rasmussen Reports polled 1,000 Americans, to ask them two questions:

  1. Is being a police officer one of the most important jobs in our country today?
  2. How concerned are you that the growing criticism of America’s police will lead to a shortage of police officers and reduce public safety in the community where you live? Very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned, or not at all concerned.

The survey found that 63% of American Adults still regard being a police officer as one of the most important jobs in our country today, down 5% from 68% three years ago. 26% of Americans disagree that being a police officer is one of the most important jobs in our country, while 11% are not sure.

39% of Americans reported they were Very Concerned that the growing criticism of America’s police will lead to a shortage of police officers, ultimately reducing public safety in their communities. Only 25% of Americans are Somewhat Concerned, while 33% are Not Very Concerned, and 14% are Not At All Concerned about the risk to public safety.

More specifically, Blacks are the most concerned about public safety where they live, totaling 67% for Very Concerned and Somewhat Concerned, as compared to 64% of whites and 65% of other minority Americans.

Despite these concerns, calls to defund and even dismantle local police departments have echoed across the US. Minneapolis was the first to respond. On Sunday, June 7th, Nine members of the Minneapolis City Council pledged to dismantle the Police Department, promising to create a new system of public safety.

The details are vague, and the idea clearly met with skepticism by the American populace. For better or worse, Minneapolis will be the first to drastically reform their police system, and could foreshadow a new future of law enforcement.