Bill Bratton: The Profession | SALT Talks #224 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Commissioner Bill Bratton discusses the complexities of effective policing, the George Floyd incident, and the need for police reform.

Key Insights

• ❓ Effective policing requires a focus on preventing crime and disorder, as well as responding to incidents.
• 👮 The George Floyd incident has significantly impacted the trust between communities and the police, necessitating efforts to rebuild relationships.
• 👨‍⚖️ Criminal justice reform should be well-intended but carefully implemented to avoid unintended consequences.
• 👮 Defunding the police is not a viable solution; instead, the police need more resources, training, and expertise to address the complexities of modern policing.
• 👮 The future of policing depends on finding common ground, improving communication, and effectively addressing issues such as mental illness, drug addiction, and poverty.
• 🔄 Policing has evolved to encompass counter-terrorism efforts and addressing cybercrime, requiring specialized training and resources.

Transcript

hello everyone and welcome back to salt talks my name is john darcy i'm the managing director of salt which is a global thought leadership forum and networking platform at the intersection of finance technology and public policy salt talks are a digital interview series that we started in 2020 with leading investors creators and thinkers and our go... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How has policing evolved since Bratton joined in 1970?

Policing has progressed significantly, with a focus on community policing, improved training, and the use of technology to address crime and disorder. However, recent events have set back progress.

Q: What are the main causes of the recent increase in crime in New York City?

Bratton attributes the increase in crime to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, poorly implemented criminal justice reforms, and a lack of resources and support for the police to effectively deal with issues like mental illness and drug addiction.

Q: How does Bratton respond to the argument that leniency in policing is necessary due to institutional biases and racism?

Bratton acknowledges the existence of societal issues that contribute to crime and disorder but emphasizes the need for police to control behavior under the law. He believes that reforms should be focused on improving training and addressing root causes, rather than defunding the police.

Q: What is the future of policing in cities like New York?

Bratton acknowledges the challenges ahead and the need for police to regain trust and work in partnership with communities. He calls for greater investment in training, resources, and the development of common ground to address the complex issues surrounding race, crime, and disorder.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Commissioner Bill Bratton shares his background, growing up in Boston and his fascination with policing from a young age.

• He discusses the importance of Sir Robert Peel's principles of policing and the concept of broken windows in controlling crime and disorder.

• Bratton addresses the challenges facing policing today, including the impact of the George Floyd incident, criminal justice reform, and the defund the police movement.