New Books in Critical Theory

Philip V. McHarris, "Beyond Policing" (Legacy Lit, 2024)

Apr 27, 2025

Philip V. McHarris, an assistant professor and author, reimagines a world without policing in his compelling insights. He explores the deep-rooted issues of American policing, arguing that safety can thrive through community support rather than law enforcement. McHarris discusses innovative models like community mediators and non-police crisis teams, emphasizing that responses to conflict should focus on care over control. He challenges us to envision a society free from inequality where justice is a collaborative effort.

46:19

Episode guests

Philip V. McHarris

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

McHarris highlights the historical links between policing and social control, demonstrating how early models served to oppress marginalized communities.

The podcast emphasizes reimagining safety through community-driven solutions and innovative non-police responses, advocating for transformative approaches to justice.

Deep dives

Historical Context of Policing

The origins of policing in the United States are deeply intertwined with historical events and social struggles, particularly relating to race and class control. Early policing models, such as slave patrols, laid the groundwork for modern law enforcement, illustrating how policing has often functioned as a means of social control over marginalized communities. Additionally, the policing strategies evolved as they adopted various methods from international contexts, reshaping their frameworks to suit local governance and power dynamics. This complex history showcases the necessity of understanding policing not just as a national phenomenon but as a part of broader transnational narratives.

Intro

2min

From Activism to Academia

15min

Understanding the Uniqueness of American Policing

3min

Policing and the Carceral State

15min

Rethinking Safety: Beyond Policing

7min

Exploring the Future of Public Housing and Policing

2min

What would happen if policing disappeared? Would we be safe? This book imagines a world without police.

It's evident that policing is a problem. But what is the best way forward? In Beyond Policing, distinguished scholar and writer Philip V. McHarris reimagines the world without police to find answers and reveal how we can make police departments obsolete.

Beyond Policing tackles thorny issues with evidence, including data and personal stories, to uncover the weight of policing on people and communities and the patterns that prove police reform only leads to more policing.

McHarris challenges us to envision a future where safety is not synonymous with policing but is built on the foundation of community support and preventive measures. He explores innovative community-based safety models (like community mediators and violence interrupters), the decriminalization of driving offenses, and the creation of nonpolice crisis response teams. McHarris also outlines strategies for responding to conflict and harm in ways that transform the conditions that give rise to the issues. He asks us to imagine a world where people thrive without the shadow of inequality, where our approach to safety is a collective achievement.

McHarris writes, "What if our response to crisis wasn't about control but about care? How can we create conditions where safety is a shared responsibility? How can we design justice so that no community is routinely oppressed? Envisioning such a world isn't just a daydream; it's the first step toward building a society where violence and fear no longer dictate our lives."

Transformative and forward thinking, Beyond Policing provides a blueprint for a brighter, safer world. McHarris's vision is clear: we must dare to move beyond policing and foster a society where everyone has the resources to thrive and feel safe.

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