The 5 Years from Defund the Police to the Demise of DEI
Feb 8, 2025
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Maya Wiley, a civil rights expert and former counsel to NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, dives into the evolution of police accountability in the wake of George Floyd's death. She discusses the challenges and significance of the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board, emphasizing the need for transparency and community engagement in reform efforts. The conversation also touches on the contentious debate around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies, highlighting how political dynamics shape societal attitudes and accountability in law enforcement.
The podcast highlights the importance of the Civilian Complaint Review Board in ensuring transparency and accountability in policing independent of police influences.
The discussion critiques current DEI policies as excessive while advocating for balanced discourse to navigate complex societal issues without ideological extremes.
Deep dives
Discontent with DEI Policies
The speaker expresses frustration with the current state of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, viewing them as excessive and counterproductive. They draw parallels between their critique of the Trump administration's approach and the larger conversation about the pendulum swing between left and right ideologies. The speaker reflects on past comments made during the height of the protests following George Floyd's death, showcasing their evolving perspective on controversial subjects like defunding the police. Rather than taking a definitive stance on DEI, the speaker underscores the need for balanced discourse, acknowledging the complexities involved.
Understanding Civilian Oversight
The podcast discusses the role and history of the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) in New York City, emphasizing the necessity of civilian oversight in policing. The CCRB was established as a response to public demand for accountability in law enforcement, particularly addressing police misconduct. While its investigators can collect complaints from various sources, the CCRB operates independently from the police department, ensuring that its decisions are made transparently and are wholly civilian-led. Despite the limitations in enforcing disciplinary actions, the expanded powers of the CCRB signify an important step in striving for greater accountability within the policing system.
Challenges in Policing and Community Trust
The conversation highlights the ongoing struggle for trust between police forces and the communities they serve, particularly in low-income areas. Residents often feel hesitant to file complaints against officers due to fears of retaliation, emphasizing a significant disconnect between law enforcement and community members. The podcast suggests that fostering transparency regarding police conduct and publicizing complaint outcomes could enhance accountability and diminish distrust. Engaging community feedback and offering insight into police training effectiveness were identified as crucial measures to improve relations and mitigate the issues surrounding police practices.
Reimagining Policing for Community Solutions
The speaker advocates for a transformative approach to policing that prioritizes community needs rather than punitive measures for low-level infractions. By proposing a model of problem-oriented policing, they suggest the need to reframe police responses to community issues, like Eric Garner’s tragic case regarding loose cigarettes. This approach would encourage collaboration between multiple agencies to address the root causes of community problems, rather than resorting to arrests. Emphasizing transparency from law enforcement and a genuine commitment to community engagement, the discussion argues for a systemic change that promotes public trust and effective policing.
Today on the Gist we go back to 2020 where Mike talked to New School Professor and MSNBC contributor, Maya Wiley. She is also the former chair of the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board - an independent oversight agency of the NYPD. She and Mike talk about how civilians and police officers hold the force accountable, how they’ve failed and the level of complaints they take seriously. Finally, we play a spiel from earlier in the week.