What's the Difference Between Police Investigations & Police Reform?

Synopsis

Sarah Child, a reporter for Frontline, addresses a question from Marsha Iverson regarding the success of police reform when investigations often find no fault in killings of unarmed suspects. She clarifies that while individual officers can face investigations for misconduct, police reform involves broader investigations by the Justice Department into entire police departments for patterns of civil rights violations, including excessive force and discriminatory practices. This systemic change aims to prevent future incidents rather than punish individual officers. Achieving this reform requires significant time, often years, and substantial financial investment, totaling at least $600 million nationwide over the past two decades. Local police and city officials must also show commitment to these changes. Despite these efforts, a recent investigation with the Washington Post reveals that outcomes can still be mixed, highlighting the complexities of implementing effective police reform.