Demonizing Police Costs Black Lives

Newsweek, June 28, 2020

2 Pages Posted: 29 Jun 2020

See all articles by Paul H. Robinson

Paul H. Robinson

University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Date Written: June 28, 2020

Abstract

There is social value in widespread public condemnation of police misconduct like the killing of George Floyd. But converting that condemnation into demonizing police generally, rather than making examples of bad cops, is destined to undermine the clarity and effectiveness of strong public condemnation, creating instead divisiveness. Further, demonizing police generally has the effect of further eroding the criminal justice system’s moral credibility and legitimacy, which may be an attractive goal for devoted activists, but ultimately will increase crime and victimization rates, with a disproportionate increase in victimization falling upon the poor and minorities.

Keywords: Law enforcement, police-community relations, Black Lives Matter, abolish & defund police movements, moral credibility of criminal justice system

Suggested Citation

Robinson, Paul H., Demonizing Police Costs Black Lives (June 28, 2020). Newsweek, June 28, 2020, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3638553

Paul H. Robinson (Contact Author)

University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School ( email )

3501 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
United States

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