1: Fight against Racist culture

Underlying many police deaths is a systemic racism that is held and maintained by a system that disproportionately polices and scrutinises people of colour. Many in the country see people of colour as less than human, and police brutality isn’t going to end until this does too.

2: Stop Police militarisation

The training of police should not be that of the military, training them to spot threats that aren’t there promotes violence and an “us vs. them” attitude. Additionally, giving the police military equipment will simply lead to them finding excuses to use it.

3: Invest in psychological screening

There needs to be a much greater investment in the screening out those who’s personalities are power hungry, or too controlling from joining the police. These people should not be allowed to pose a threat to citizens.

4: Cull the “Machismo” culture

The intimidation culture of the police only serves to create a greater rift between them and the people. Intimidation isn’t helpful in good police-work. Especially not that which is rooted in deep insecure masculinity and “macho” displays of power.

5: Stop arrests for minor offences

The US needs to immediately stop arresting people for minor drug offences, sex work and other minor non-violent offences. Arrests should be limited to those who pose a real and present danger to the public, as they present needless opportunities for violence and abuses of power. As seems to always be the case, these arrests are disproportionately targeted at people of colour and other minorities.

6: Invest into preventing the root causes of crime

The causes of crime, often huge factors such as poverty and disenfranchised under-funded areas, as well as racial and cultural rifts in society need investment and real changes to solve. Punishing people for growing up in a certain environment is not only unethical, but inefficient.

7: End mass incarceration

In many ways, mass incarceration is the twin of police brutality. They feed off each other. The US needs to stop locking up so many of its (disproportionately PoC and minority) citizens under archaic drug laws, and other non-violent offences.

8: Re-think police protocol

Police protocols need a serious shake-up, many are being used disproportionately against people of colour and other minorities. They need rethinking with the eye always looking for potential abuse and eliminating the possibility for it before it happens. Good examples are the widespread misuse of the idea of “resisting arrest”.