The summer of 2020 saw the streets of cities and towns across the United States swell with demonstrators rallying for racial justice and against police violence. The Black-led revolt in the U.S. catalyzed global movements against policing with millions marching across the world. The protests demanded the abolition of the police. Since that summer the public has turned a more critical eye toward policing, and elected officials began to discuss reforms.
There is a great deal of discretion involved with the practice of policing a fact that has been made more painfully clear than ever over these past few years, which continue to be filled with controversial shootings by members of law enforcement. Yet, despite historic protests, a more educated public, some local police reforms, and a push for better officer training, the shootings continue.
Following the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, along with a flood of other disturbing fatal shootings, justice advocates and legislators have focused with renewed intensity on the need for law enforcement agencies to rethink their use of force policies.