What Has America Learned from the George Floyd Uprisings on Police Reform?

How Community Reporting Can Transform Police Violence Narratives and Promote Accountability

Update Understanding the Landscape of Police Violence Reporting The Community Voices report serves as a much-needed resource in the realm of law enforcement narratives, addressing a crucial issue: how police violence is reported. This publication critically evaluates existing media narratives and highlights the need for more nuanced reporting that prioritizes community voices. The goal is clear: to drive home the point that while police violence—defined here very broadly—can elicit strong emotional reactions, understanding the facts is imperative for creating a constructive discourse. The Misconceptions Around Police Use of Force One of the key insights from the report is the common misunderstanding surrounding police use of force. While media headlines often present police actions in a sensational light, the reality is that the statistics tell a different story: police force is utilized in less than 5% of encounters with civilians, and deadly force is even less common, occurring in under 0.1% of such instances. This stark contrast between perception and reality underlines the urgency for journalists to provide context in their narratives—and for readers to seek out and consider this context. Breaking Down Cultural Narratives: A Call for Empathy Empathy in storytelling can transform how communities perceive police interactions. By sharing stories from those directly affected by police violence, as gathered by co-lead Emily R. Blyth during her doctoral research, the report emphasizes the necessity of humanizing these statistics. An effective narrative should encompass the real-life impacts of police actions on community members, thus fostering a nuanced understanding that breaks the culture of distrust that often exists between law enforcement and the public. Why Policymakers Should Embrace This Report This report is not just a resource for journalists; it also extends valuable insights to policymakers. It outlines recommended standards for reporting that could guide legislative bodies toward more informed decisions regarding police reform. By understanding how narratives shape public perception, lawmakers can better engage with communities and develop policies that truly reflect citizen concerns and experiences. Integrating Practical Strategies for Reporting Practical insights from the report provide actionable strategies for journalists to adopt. These include using body camera footage responsibly, implementing crisis intervention strategies, and ensuring police accountability by illustrating procedural justice in their narratives. This holistic approach doesn’t merely aim to change how stories are told; it strives to create a framework for ongoing dialogue about public safety and governance. An Invitation for Community Engagement Engagement is at the heart of this report. It invites police departments and the communities they serve to come together, share experiences, and work towards a harmonious relationship based on transparency and trust. As the lens through which police activities are viewed continues to evolve, so too must the strategies employed by law enforcement to engage transparently with the public. Conclusion: Embracing a New Era of Reporting The insights from Community Voices serve as a critical reminder that reporting on police violence is not merely a matter of documenting events. It is about shaping narratives that reflect community experiences and contribute to a greater understanding of what effective law enforcement should look like. Policymakers and community leaders are encouraged to utilize this report as a cornerstone document as they strive for public safety innovation and reform in policing practices. As we continue to dissect and discuss police violence, let us adopt a storytelling approach that highlights the voices of those affected, inspires actionable change, and fundamentally builds trust across communities and law enforcement.