The Disciplining of Black Police Officers

WHEREAS, The presence of Black police officers is crucial to our communities and police services; and

WHEREAS, Disproportionate discipline leads to fewer Black law enforcement officers in public, in the police agencies, and leadership positions; and

WHEREAS, Studies have concluded when the demographics of a law enforcement agency reflects the community, crime is reduced, which impacts the level of negative interactions between the public and the police; and

WHEREAS, A 2020 study concluded that Black police officers in the Oakland Police Department are disciplined disproportionately; and

WHEREAS, A recent study provides that the United States employs over 3,895 Police Chiefs, with less than 10 percent being Black; and

WHEREAS, A recent study provides that the United States elects 3,066 Sheriffs, with 5% being Black; and

WHEREAS, Police Chiefs and Sheriffs are responsible for hiring, discipline, training, and the overall culture of municipal policing; and

WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of Black Americans and the country that we investigate the internal biases against our Black police officers; and

WHEREAS, Our organizational presence on this matter profoundly impacts the internal police culture, which has long-lasting effects on the Black community at large.

WHEREAS, the NAACP will recuse support to any Black officer that commits undue harm to the Black community.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the NAACP demands that the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Statistics conduct investigations and collect data regarding these patterns and practices.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NAACP demands that local, state, and federal government track and be completely transparent with the data of the complaints from Black officers and the outcome of their complaints.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NAACP demands that local, state, and federal government track and be transparent with the data of Black officers claiming to be victims of retaliation.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the NAACP urges its units to implement a plan of action to address the internal police culture of intentional and implicit bias against Black officers.