PHIL 347 Week 7 Course Project: Argumentative Paper

Student Name

Chamberlain University

PHIL-347: Critical Reasoning

Prof. Name

Date

Title: Should the Police Be Defunded?

Introduction

In recent years, discussions on systemic issues such as gender equity, career opportunities, wealth inequality, race relations, and human rights have gained momentum. Modern societies are increasingly questioning government policies and cultural norms, opting instead to educate themselves and challenge injustices. A defining moment in this movement was the death of George Floyd, an African American man accused of a minor offense. Floyd was handcuffed and pinned to the ground, with one police officer kneeling on his neck despite his repeated pleas that he could not breathe. His tragic death sparked global outrage, fueling the Black Lives Matter movement and elevating the phrase “I can’t breathe” as a universal cry against systemic racism.

Floyd’s case brought renewed focus to racial discrimination and police misconduct, intensifying debates about whether police departments should be defunded. While advocates argue that redirecting police budgets to social programs would reduce inequality and improve community outcomes, opponents caution that such measures may escalate crime, fail to address root causes of racism, and strain local government budgets. This paper argues against defunding the police, emphasizing the risks of rising crime rates, limited effect on racial justice, and potential economic repercussions.

Advantages of Defunding the Police

Supporters of police defunding maintain that reallocating funds away from policing could reduce power abuses and systemic discrimination. Research highlights stark racial disparities in incarceration: one in three Black men is likely to be imprisoned during his lifetime, compared to one in six Latino men and only one in seventeen White men (Hinton et al., 2018). Similarly, Black women face incarceration at a rate of one in eighteen, in contrast with one in 111 White women (Hinton et al., 2018).

Systemic racism and inadequate representation within police departments further exacerbate this problem. According to DeAngelis (2021), African Americans are disproportionately subjected to police violence, despite being statistically less likely to be armed during encounters. The Mapping Police Violence Database supports this finding, showing racial discrepancies in fatal encounters.

Advocates also contend that funds currently spent on policing could be redirected toward community-building programs such as mental health services, education, substance abuse treatment, and affordable housing (The Economist Newspaper, 2020). These social investments could address the root causes of crime and foster safer, more resilient communities.

Disadvantages of Defunding the Police

Opponents of police defunding argue that reducing law enforcement budgets could compromise public safety. Police presence often serves as a deterrent against criminal behavior. Research by Lum et al. (2021) revealed that around 17% of police calls involve non-violent incidents, showing that officers play an integral role not only in crime prevention but also in maintaining general community order. Without adequate police funding, communities—particularly those already facing high crime rates—might become more vulnerable.

Another major limitation of defunding is its inability to resolve the deeper, psychological roots of racial injustice. Roberts and Rizzo (2021) argue that racism is influenced by complex societal factors, including social hierarchies, institutional structures, and media narratives. Simply reducing police budgets does not change ingrained prejudices that drive discriminatory actions.

Economic implications also cannot be overlooked. Since the financial crisis of 2007–2009, local governments have increasingly relied on fines, fees, and other revenues linked to law enforcement to support community initiatives (The Economist Newspaper, 2020). Defunding the police could therefore weaken municipal budgets, limiting the delivery of essential public services.

Comparative Analysis: Pros and Cons of Defunding the Police

To better illustrate the arguments, the following table outlines the primary advantages and disadvantages:

Conclusion

The debate over defunding the police requires careful consideration of both potential benefits and risks. While advocates highlight systemic inequalities and the need for investment in community-based solutions, the disadvantages outweigh these proposed gains. Increased crime rates, the limited effect on eradicating racial prejudice, and the negative economic impact on local governments make defunding an impractical solution.

Reform is necessary, but the answer lies in systemic change rather than financial cuts. Strategies such as cultural sensitivity training, community policing models, mental health partnerships, and increased accountability mechanisms can foster trust and address inequities without dismantling vital public safety resources.

References

DeAngelis, R. (2021). New Evidence from the Mapping Police Violence Database. SAGE Journals. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/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

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://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10986111211035002

PHIL 347 Week 7 Course Project: Argumentative Paper

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 (Online). https://www-proquest-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/docview/2421186570