The case for hiring more police officers


Much of the backlash against the police is based on assumptions that more police means more incarceration and more police violence, but evidence actually points to the opposite outcomes. When more police are put on the streets, and when they’re doing the right preventive tasks, that can deter crime from happening in the first place; hence, fewer arrests and less incarceration. Plus, inadequate staffing levels can lead to tired, stressed officers committing wrongdoing. Of course, if more police do more of the wrong tactics, then that can cause a deeper breach of community trust, which means more crime.

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