Calls to defund the police fall flat

After the murder of George Floyd, the calls to defund the police grew loud. But while they were loud, they weren’t entirely clear what was meant by defund the police. There were vague notions of directing money intended for police to other government agencies which proponents said would more effectively deter crime and protect minority communities. But what is clear is that defund the police is a terrible slogan for what proponents of improved policing are hoping to achieve. Polling shows public support for restricting police funding has waned. A recent Pew Research survey finds 47% believe police funding in their communities should increase, not decrease, up from 31% in 2020. Clearly, calls to defund police are not resonating with voters and not leading to victories at the ballot box. That is not to say some changes aren’t needed. The George Floyd Policing Act before Congress would prohibit racial profiling, ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants and end the qualified immunity officers currently enjoy. But that is not the same as defunding the police. La Crosse County’s new police oversight board should read the tea leaves and realize that defunding police is not a popular idea as they consider changes to local police practices.