Abstract
Purpose of the Book
Police-Related Deaths in the United States by David Baker is a qualitative approach to understand what led to the title's topic of Police-Related Deaths (PRD), how these individuals died, the person their loved ones remember, and the truth, justice, and accountability of officers those family members attempted to get. Baker asks, “Who counts?” This is dually defined, meaning who records the number of deaths caused by law enforcement, as well as whether the people who die at the hand of a police officer matter. He surmises, “‘No one’ and ‘apparently not.’” He also seeks to discover why a country with resources like America does not keep up with these data, what this says about American society, the criminal justice system, and how the government views its citizens. He questions the role of democracy and rights in the United States but claims this is not a book bashing law enforcement. It serves to tell the story of those who lost their lives at the hands of police in America in an attempt to understand how this happens and how it can be improved.
Summary and Structure
The first three chapters focus on minorities and why these groups are more likely to be killed by police than other groups of people. Chapter four focuses on the failed systems in place to hold police accountable. Chapter five discusses attempts to improve police practice and why they have been ineffective. Chapter six is his research on the families of those killed. Chapter seven finishes the book by giving advice on what can be done from this point forward.
Analysis of Content
The introduction serves as a basis for definitions and arguments to establish a foundation for the rest of the book. Baker delivers his thesis of “who counts?” Statistics, problems understanding the issue of PRD, and a short history of the role of police are beneficial, showing the direction of the book. Next, Baker argues that what police are perceived to do and what police do are two separate things. Police are thought to focus mainly on crime, but the real role of the police is to maintain order. Finally, he asks whether police are warriors or guardians and the implications of the distinction.
Chapter one discusses Native Americans as disproportionality suffering from PRD. The chapter centers around why police use force, including the legitimate role of force, as well as factors leading to excessive force. The goal for law enforcement is voluntary compliance no matter what. Chapter two deals with the myth of a post-racial America and how police interact disproportionately with People of Color, specifically Black men. This is done through a historical, political, legal, economic, and cultural approach, ending with effects on police-Black community relationships. Chapter three opens with the mentally ill and LGBTQ+, and Baker believes that discrimination is compounded when a Black person is also categorized in one of these areas. He argues that society looks down upon these individuals and labels them as police property, creating less concern for these individuals.
Chapter four looks at what happens once a PRD occurs. It covers what is supposed to happen during investigations and how the truth should be revealed, holding officers accountable. Baker concludes approaches are all so poorly orchestrated and implemented that it leaves one to question if Americans really want to know. Chapter five discusses potential policy changes that could be utilized to effect change and obstacles to that change, which is ingrained in police culture. While Baker states that the book does not serve to “bash” the policing profession, it is difficult to read this chapter with that goal being met.
Chapter six deals with the aftermath of the death of a loved one due to a police-related incident. It discusses the different grieving processes and the changing of worldview about justice and police legitimacy in some cases. This is a powerful chapter, focusing on ramifications of real-life individuals interviewed, and might have been better utilized preceding chapter three instead of chapter five. Finally, chapter seven finishes the book, devoted to changes Baker hopes to see in policing in America in years to come. While some of his hopeful changes are beneficial, others are not as realistic or likely to occur.
Policy Implications
Baker dislikes the use of firearms and believes policies giving rise to the para-militarization of police are largely to blame for some PRDs. He discusses the role of police and offers that they are primarily to be concerned with the maintenance of order. While Baker points out the changing roles over the years since police were first utilized, he fails to account for the evolution of police throughout the past fifty years as the focus has shifted within departmental policies and goals. He gives recommendations of regulations on body-worn cameras and the use of force, lamenting that police culture is a barrier that usually prevents any legitimate change in behavior through policy. “Just policing” is suggested as a fair way to begin change. By this, Baker means policing with integrity and respect for citizens, showing trustworthiness by genuinely caring and being concerned for the welfare of the people officers serve. He further suggests training all officers in crisis intervention for mental health purposes and citizen review boards to oversee and view officer-related incidents within each jurisdiction. All these suggestions warrant readers’ and potential policy makers’ attention.
Conclusion
When working with a topic with so little qualitative data, this is the next best approach. The bottom line here is that the American government needs to keep better data, especially on such an important topic. Further, if there is malpractice from law enforcement, there should be consequences to bring the families of the deceased justice. As Baker points out, these lives should count.
