8 Can't Wait: Explained

Introduction

• Officials nationwide seek swift actions in response to protests against police brutality.
• Campaign Zero offers solutions that require no funding and can be quickly implemented.
• The campaign, branded as #8CantWait, has gained endorsements from figures like Oprah and Ariana Grande.
• The initiative includes changes such as banning chokeholds and requiring officers to report use of force incidents.

Goals and Context

• The measures aim to reduce police violence and respond to public demands for reform without fully defunding the police.
• Previous reforms have shown a decrease in police killings, particularly in large cities.
• Police organizations often view restrictions as threats to safety, making rapid and feasible reforms appealing.

The Eight Reforms

• Ban Chokeholds and Strangleholds: Prevents potentially deadly restraint methods.
• Require De-escalation: Officers should use verbal and positional safety strategies before force.
• Require Warning Before Shooting: Officers should provide a verbal warning before using firearms.
• Exhaust All Alternatives Before Shooting: Use all non-violent means before firing a weapon.
• Duty to Intervene: Officers must stop colleagues from using excessive force.
• Ban Shooting at Moving Vehicles: Prohibits firing at vehicles to avoid potential dangers.
• Require Use of Force Continuum: Policies governing weapon use according to resistance levels.
• Require Comprehensive Reporting: Officers must report any use of or threat of force.

Evidence and Efficacy

• Supporting Studies:
  • Policy changes in cities like New York and Philadelphia have shown reductions in police shootings.
  • Supreme Court decision in Tennessee v. Gardner linked to decreased police shootings.
  • A correlational study indicates adopting policies is linked to lower police killings.
• Criticism:
  • Some experts, like Jennifer Doleac, argue the evidence lacks rigor and causation clarity.
  • Campaign Zero's approach considered a strong marketing strategy despite evidence limitations.

Conclusion

• The 8 Can't Wait agenda is designed for rapid implementation and is politically suitable for current times.
• There is skepticism about the magnitude of impact, but the reforms are seen as promising and evidence-backed.
• Offers a practical solution for political leaders seeking to address police violence without radical changes.