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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSanders rejects dismantling police departments
Sen. Bernie Sanders, the runner-up in this year's Democratic presidential nomination, rejected dismantling police departments, as Minneapolis seems poised to do, in an interview with The New Yorker published on Tuesday.
"Theres no city in the world that does not have police departments. What you need are I didnt call for more money for police departments. I called for police departments that have well-educated, well-trained, well-paid professionals," Sanders told The New Yorker.
"Anyone who thinks that we should abolish all police departments in America, I dont agree."
Sanders, an independent from Vermont, wants to "redefine" police departments because officers often deal with people struggling with issues like mental illness or addiction that "should be dealt with by mental-health professionals."
At: https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/bernie-sanders-defund-police-reform
Sen Bernie Sanders: "What you need are police departments that have well-educated, well-trained, well-paid professionals."
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,512 posts)is utterly unsurprising.
sandensea
(21,713 posts)You wouldn't want to visit a city with even a severe shortage of police - much less live in one.
But we do need reforms to enhance community-oriented policing, curb the power of police unions, end qualified immunity (basically a white card), etc.
Even that, as you know, will be a very steep climb as it is.
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,512 posts)Autumn
(45,120 posts)reformed.
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,512 posts)sandensea
(21,713 posts)Societies, unfortunately, still need policing in some form - or eventually you'd get a Mad Max situation.
Of course though, police need oversight and accountability just as much. That's what's lacking in many places (and not just the U.S.).
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,512 posts)I do not believe we'd have a Mad Max situation if it weren't for the police.
sandensea
(21,713 posts)I agree that humanity's goal should be, among many other things, to be able to function safely without police or armed forces - but that's a goal for the long term, most likely for well after all of us have passed on.
It's a very long-term goal because, for now, it's a rough world out there. We need police - and they need accountability and oversight.
Phoenix61
(17,025 posts)So much for being a progressive. I swear, I like him a little less every day.
Autumn
(45,120 posts)the police.
I was just making the same point to WhiskeyGrinder.
As they say, mend it but (for Heaven's sake) don't end it.