- Apr 5, 2010
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Towns and cities have shut down police departments in the past. Usually for economic reasons. However it has been done. More than once. And not just to small one horse towns.
Camden NJ disbanded their police department. They created a larger more community oriented force and retrained the officers and the entire county was involved.
The result has been a sharp decrease in crime. They stopped judging cops on tickets and arrests. They wanted the cops walking around talking to people. Getting the people to know them and they would know the people.
Camden showed it can work. It merely requires a different perspective on the part of the leaders and cops. Focus on being a part of the community and focus on serving and being a guardian.
A reduction of the boots or knees on necks and a reduction in crime.
That isn't "defunding" the police. They moved the local police force from city supervision to county supervision.
They removed the existing police union, and made everyone apply to get their job back.