PHIL 347 Week 7 Course Project: Argumentative Paper
Student Name
Chamberlain University
PHIL-347: Critical Reasoning
Prof. Name
Date
Should the Police Be Defunded?
In recent years, societies around the world have increasingly questioned traditional structures, from gender norms to political institutions. Citizens are more engaged, informed, and vocal about their rights than ever before. A key event that intensified this shift was the killing of George Floyd, an African American man, in May 2020. Allegedly suspected of a minor offense, Floyd was detained by police officers, placed in handcuffs, and restrained on the ground. One officer infamously knelt on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes, even after Floyd repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe.” His death became a catalyst for renewed Black Lives Matter protests and reignited debates on police reform, racial injustice, and systemic inequality.
The incident was not an isolated case—there is a long-standing history of disproportionate violence and discrimination against people of color in the U.S. criminal justice system. In response, some activists proposed a radical measure: defunding the police. This concept involves reducing police budgets and redirecting funds toward social services, education, housing, and mental health programs. Advocates argue that such a shift could address systemic problems more effectively than traditional policing. However, critics contend that defunding the police could jeopardize public safety and fail to address the root causes of racial injustice.
PHIL 347 Week 7 Course Project: Argumentative Paper
This paper evaluates both the advantages and disadvantages of defunding the police. While the author ultimately argues against fully defunding law enforcement, it is important to consider the full range of implications before reaching a conclusion.
Advantages of Defunding the Police
1. Reducing Abuses of Power
Defunding the police could limit the extent to which officers misuse their authority, particularly against marginalized communities. Research indicates that African Americans are disproportionately targeted within the criminal justice system. For example, one in three Black men born today can expect to be incarcerated during their lifetime, compared to one in six Latino men and one in seventeen white men (Hinton et al., 2018). Similarly, Black women face higher incarceration rates—one in eighteen compared to one in 111 white women (Hinton et al., 2018).
DeAngelis (2021) highlights that U.S. policing practices exhibit systemic racial bias and lack diversity, leading to discriminatory enforcement of laws. Data from the Mapping Police Violence database reveals that Black individuals are 17% less likely to be armed than white individuals in fatal police encounters, yet they are more frequently shot (DeAngelis, 2021). By reducing police budgets, some argue that the structural power enabling these inequities would also diminish.
2. Redirecting Resources to Community Needs
Another argument for defunding the police is the potential to reallocate financial resources to underserved areas. For instance, a survey in Washington, D.C., found that nearly 90 residents opposed a 3.3% increase in the police budget, preferring that the money go toward public safety initiatives, education, housing, and mental health services (The Economist Newspaper, 2020).
Communities with high poverty and crime rates often receive heightened police presence, yet little investment in long-term solutions. Redirecting funds toward social infrastructure could address root causes of crime, such as lack of opportunity, mental health crises, and housing instability, reducing the need for aggressive policing in the first place.
Table 1
Potential Areas for Reallocation of Police Funding
| Sector | Potential Benefits |
|---|---|
| Education | Improved graduation rates, increased career opportunities |
| Mental Health | Reduced crisis-related incidents, fewer incarcerations |
| Affordable Housing | Decreased homelessness, improved neighborhood stability |
| Public Safety Programs | Community-led safety initiatives, youth engagement projects |
| Healthcare | Increased access to preventative care, reduced medical emergencies |
Disadvantages of Defunding the Police
1. Risk of Increased Crime Rates
Opponents argue that reducing police funding could lead to higher crime rates. Lum et al. (2021) report that 17% of police calls are for non-violent offenses, implying that a substantial portion involve urgent public safety concerns. Violent crimes, though not quantified in this study, are likely even more dependent on law enforcement intervention.
While it is true that misconduct exists, it is also important to acknowledge the essential work many officers perform. The absence of a fully equipped police force could hinder responses to emergencies, investigations, and public safety threats.
2. Failure to Fully Address Racial Injustice
Defunding the police might not eliminate systemic racism because discrimination is rooted in deeper societal and psychological structures. Roberts and Rizzo (2021) identify factors such as segregation, power hierarchies, and media representation as drivers of racial prejudice. Even with reduced police power, individuals could still harbor and act on racist beliefs in other aspects of life.
Addressing racial injustice requires comprehensive social change, including educational reforms, anti-bias training, and cultural transformation—not solely budgetary adjustments.
3. Economic Consequences for Local Governments
Local governments often rely on revenue generated through police enforcement, such as fines and fees, to fund community projects. Following the 2007–2009 global financial crisis, these revenues became an important budgetary supplement (The Economist Newspaper, 2020). Reducing police operations could therefore limit available funds for infrastructure, public services, and other community needs.
Conclusion
The debate over whether the police should be defunded is complex and emotionally charged. Advocates see it as a pathway to reducing systemic abuse and investing in preventative social programs. Critics warn of the risks to public safety, the limited impact on deep-rooted racism, and potential fiscal strain on local governments.
After weighing both perspectives, this paper concludes that while policing reforms and budget reallocations are necessary, fully defunding the police is not the optimal solution. A more balanced approach—combining accountability measures, targeted resource redistribution, and long-term societal reform—offers a more sustainable path toward equity and safety.
References
DeAngelis, R. (2021). New Evidence from the Mapping Police Violence Database. Sage Journals. https://doi.org/10.1177/21533687211047943
Hinton, E., Henderson, L., & Reed, C. (2018). An unjust burden: The disparate treatment of Black Americans in the criminal justice system. Vera Institute of Justice. https://www.vera.org/downloads/publications/for-the-record-unjust-burden-racial-disparities.pdf
PHIL 347 Week 7 Course Project: Argumentative Paper
Lum, C., Koper, C., & Wu, X. (2021). Can we really defund the police? A nine-agency study of police response to calls for service. Police Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1177/10986111211035002
Roberts, S., & Rizzo, S. (2021). The psychology of American racism. American Psychological Association. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-45459-001
The Economist Newspaper. (2020). Cutting American police budgets might have perverse effects: Defunding the police. The Economist. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2421186570