As police become partisan, they may very well become defunded 👮🏼‍♂️

The best way to lose funding and see tough new laws targeted upon your industry is be a strong supporter of the looser’s campaigns. Politicians are unlikely to be funding or supporting the opposition. If you are a Republican supporting cause don’t expect a lot of support from Democrats.

Republicans and often the white and male, conservative leadership of police unions might think people’s fear of crime is a winning issue in the short term it might be but it’s not a sustainable position in an era when crime is historically low and more people are concerned about death and sickness from the pandemic and job loses related to various shutdowns. It’s actually rather tone deaf.

Police unions might think they’re untouchable as law enforcement is viewed as essential service. But essential doesn’t mean irreplaceable – both personnel and agencies can be replaced with new services. Social services, civilian clerks, technology such as speed cameras, and even alternative public safety agencies can replace traditional police forces. Often the alternatives to conventional policing is much cheaper, more just and more humane.

Even if steps aren’t taken to reduce existing forces, police who have largely backed Republicans are certain to face more scrutiny when their future contracts are renewed and when budget allocations are granted in places where Democrats are in control. It’s really not a good place for them to be in politically when they’re identified with one political party.