Higher Police Pay Does Not Guarantee Black Safety

police in swat gear against a protesting crowd
Via NCRC
Tremain Prioleau II
September 16, 2024

Increasing police funding has bipartisan support. President Biden and former president Donald Trump, have accused each other of wanting to give the police less money. But this argument points to something else.

A study conducted by Georgia State University shows that as officers’ pay rose in cities with police unions, so did the number of Black Americans killed in police interactions. The same couldn’t be said for white people. So why are authorities scaring people into believing police need higher pay when this is the result?

Despite continued talking points from politicians about the rise in violent crime, crime rates are dropping nationwide. Authorities believe police should get more funding to “increase public safety,” but this isn’t guaranteed to deter racist policing. And with Black Americans disproportionately at the receiving end of police violence, who would increased funding really help?

Police already cost cities millions of dollars each year. From police union contracts to giant misconduct settlements, police are draining cities with violence. Giving them more money won’t suddenly improve institutional behavior.

Throwing more money at systemic racism won’t end it. This funding should be used elsewhere to help strengthen communities and solve problems at the root.

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