The Black Lives Matter movement has made clear that many elements of policing are in dire need of reform, especially in situations where police employ excessive or lethal force. There are a number of common-sense proposals, from community policing to diversity training and psychological testing. I have attached a document (13-Point Program for Police Reform) that enumerates these proposals.

In discussion with a candidate for the Albany County District Attorney's office, it was expressed that many of these reforms are being adopted in different jurisdictions, with varying levels of success. Perhaps the most important of these ideas, however, is obvious, but as yet has occasioned no discussion in the press or among the public. Despite widespread coverage of police shootings of black citizens (and occasional investigations into those shootings), the police involved are never tested for drug and alcohol use immediately following these incidents. Frequently, the use of excessive force is written off as a consequence of an adrenaline “high.” While this may be a factor, in many instances, there are powerful reasons to believe that police involved in incidents of excessive or lethal force were under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

In order to implement the proposed reforms, I am taking a multi-pronged approach.

1. To support the advancement of the 13-point program, I will need a team of students to perform literature research into each of the proposed reforms. This team will be researching legislation that supports the proposed reforms; looking at communities that have implemented any of these reforms and searching for follow-up studies done in those communities to assess their relative success.
2. One team of students will be tasked with outreach to stakeholders. This would entail developing contact information for representatives of activist groups and other organizations seeking police reform. We will also need contact information for elected representatives; in particular, those who have supported police reform bills in their own districts. We are also seeking contact information for police unions, police officers, and community groups that interact with police. Ideally, this group would set up meetings between elected officials and police officials with the reforming group, for discussion on passing the reform legislation.
3. One team will be tasked with outreach to law enforcement personnel themselves. We wish to avoid the impression of imposing these reforms on police officers, without taking into account their own training and experience. As the body most impacted by the proposed reforms, their own input will be invaluable, and will perhaps allow modification of the language of the reforms to be more acceptable to the police themselves.
4. One team of students will be tasked with grassroots activism. This group will be doing outreach to fellow students (as many as possible), collecting signatures from students and other constituents in support of the reforms. I propose that signers to these petitions also commit to calling their elected representatives on a once or twice daily basis, for 30 to 90 days, to express their desire to see the reforms adopted.

I am looking for politically aware and motivated student interns (or a team), to help with advocating for these reforms. I am overjoyed to have this project accepted by the student coordinators at UAlbany. It is hoped that if this proposal passes at a local or state level, then it might be expanded and possibly adopted at the Federal level.

I will expect student teams to meet on a once weekly or twice monthly basis. If coordinating meetings becomes problematical, I will have each team assign a team leader, and I will at least meet with the team leader, who will be expected to communicate subject material covered during the meetings to their team.

I will be available within a 24-to 48-hour time window if any student needs any questions answered or needs to discuss elements of the project. I will also make my phone number available to teams, in case anything comes up requiring immediate attention.