Perceptions of Defund the Police

This research delves into contemporary literature on the Defund the Police movement in the United States, a significant force shaping law enforcement practices and the future landscape of policing and criminal justice. Stemming from the aftermath of the 2020 George Floyd protests, this movement has spurred transformations in policing methodologies and resource distribution. With its expansion across the nation, law enforcement agencies are grappling with high turnover rates and a dwindling pool of qualified applicants. The Defund the Police movement, originally aimed at abolishing police departments due to perceived systemic issues, underscores the need for progressive law enforcement reforms, particularly in addressing institutionalized racism. However, interpretations of what defunding entails vary widely. Employing a quantitative approach, this study initially examines crime data from the Austin Police Department from 2018 to 2022, comparing trends before and after the emergence of the Defund the Police movement. Subsequently, it conducts a survey of Austin residents to explore perspectives and identify prevalent themes regarding the movement. Through an exploratory research design, the study aims to guide future investigations into evidence-based policing. By synthesizing current literature, the paper analyzes the ongoing impact of the Defund the Police movement on law enforcement practices nationwide and seeks to understand its effects on communities that have undergone budgetary reallocations away from traditional policing. Key questions addressed include understanding individual attitudes toward the Defund the Police movement, assessing structural changes within communities, reallocating funds from police departments, and determining priority areas for social services over traditional police functions.