Defund The Police: Rhetorical Analysis

In the United States, “Defund the Police” is a slogan that supports removing funds from police departments. Calls to defund the police have gained traction in recent years in the United States, with supporters citing concerns about police militarization, racial discrimination, and the allocation of funds that could be better used elsewhere. While it is important to address these issues and work towards reform, completely defunding the police is not the answer. There are alternative solutions to address the problems within law enforcement that do not involve defunding. Defunding the police would have negative consequences, such as creating an understaffed police force, impacting public safety, and creating a rhetoric to the so-called “activist”

“I believe it is nothing short of the politicizing of current social events in the effort to garner votes during this election season” (Scott). Politicians that want to link themselves with the rising calls for racial justice and structural change may embrace this movement in an attempt to win over more voters. Politicians may court progressive voters by endorsing the defunding of police units and projecting an image of support for underprivileged neighborhoods. There is a theory for people like this. It is called the rational choice theory which says, “An approach to political behavior that views individuals as rational, decisive actors who know their political interests and seek to act on them” (Morone). It is simple that the demand to defund the police is socially constructed. People can see this and see that there are no statistics supporting defunding the police is a good idea, so they conclude that if a big enough movement is created it can make an impact no matter what it is, as long as the politicians are gaining

To conclude, completely defunding the police will never be the acceptable answer. Defunding the police will create an understaffed police force, negatively impact public safety, and create a dangerous precedent for politicians to endorse any movement for votes. It is essential to recognize the hard work and sacrifice made by law enforcement officials. We also need to realize there is a more nuanced approach that addresses the root causes of inequality and injustice, while supporting law enforcement in their efforts to serve and protect. Instead of defunding the police, we should focus on implementing comprehensive reforms that address issues such as police misconduct, racial bias, and inadequate training. This could involve reallocating resources within police departments to prioritize community policing, mental health services, and social support