Connecting the Silos: Reforming the Police from the Inside, Out Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

This thesis explores the topic of police reform by weaving the voices of reformists with the voice of a Delaware State Trooper. Their voices are given context through an exploration of Delaware history and the history of police. Topics that are covered in this thesis include interactions between police and the community, police discretion, racial bias in police, the political definition of police, Delaware history, housing history, wealth-inequity, unconscious bias, social work, and defund the police. By exploring all of these topics, the magnitude of the issue is revealed, and some solutions are posed. Given the evidence it is clear that There are small changes police can make in the meantime to help address the bias within their institution, but the change is dependent on society as a whole. There is a system of unconscious bias working within all institutions of the United States, and it is not until American society can address its history and change how it teaches, talks about, and frames conversations around racism that there will be a meaningful and long overdue change for entire communities in the United States.

Table of Contents

Introduction............................1

Part I............................5

Wilmington, Delaware: Reforming Policing in High-Crime, Urban Landscapes............................6

Addressing Discretion............................11

Possible Solutions Police Can Implement............................19

Part II............................34

Whose Job is it?............................35

Defining the Police: 1950-2000............................40

Delaware: A Reflection of American Society............................44

Figure 1............................50

Figure 2............................52

A Theoretical Explanation............................54

Where do we go from here: Defund, Redefine, Reimagine............................59

Summary and Final Suggestions............................70

References............................73

Non-Printed References............................76

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	American Studies
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Political Science, General Sociology, Criminology and Penology
Keyword	Police Reform
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Risjord, Mark, Emory University
Committee Members	Suddler, Carl, Emory University LaChance, Daniel, Emory University

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