Solutions to police brutality: What communities and citizens can do

Police brutality is a pressing issue that continues to erode trust between communities and the law enforcement officers sworn to protect them. Police killed 1,365 people in 2024, the deadliest year for police violence on record, based on databases tracking these killings since 2013.

Cases like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor have catalyzed global protest movements and brought attention to systemic racism, racial profiling, and excessive use of force within many police departments. A long record of the criminal justice system’s inability to adequately hold police officers accountable has further intensified calls for comprehensive police reform.

An article in The Atlantic highlights the “hyperlocalized nature of policing” as a major challenge to reform, noting that the U.S. has over 18,000 police agencies—most of them at the city or county level. The problem, then, is that reforms often target individual departments, even though police misconduct is a systemic issue. A coordinated, multifaceted approach is essential for lasting change.

The following are solutions to police violence backed by research and expert consensus that individual citizens can advocate for or directly participate in.

Strengthening accountability for police misconduct

A major driver of police brutality in the U.S. is the persistent lack of accountability. Meaningful reform requires systemic measures that ensure misconduct is tracked, investigated, and addressed appropriately and consistently. Here are four key strategies:

Independent oversight bodies

Establishing independent oversight bodies to investigate cases of police violence and misconduct ensures transparency and impartiality. These entities, similar to the UK’s Independent Office for Police Conduct, can help rebuild community trust and ensure justice is served without bias.

They should have the authority to subpoena records, recommend discipline, and make findings public. One example is the Civilian Complaint Review Board in New York City, which investigates misconduct independently of the NYPD.

Legal protections and civil rights remedies

Victims of police violence must have access to legal remedies, including civil lawsuits and criminal prosecution. Civil rights organizations have widely advocated for removing qualified immunity — which often shields officers from being sued, even in cases of serious harm — as necessary to promote accountability.

Clear record-keeping

A national database tracking police misconduct is key. This prevents officers involved from moving between different bodies and across borders. This measure was first proposed by President Trump in 2020, implemented by President Biden in 2023, and then shut down by President Trump in 2025.

Restoring and protecting this tool would help departments avoid hiring officers with histories of abuse.

Effective disciplinary action

Officers involved in police killings or other serious misconduct must face real consequences. Reforms like public disciplinary hearings and external review panels can increase transparency and reinforce that excessive force is unacceptable. This sends a strong message and helps prevent repeat offenses by individual officers.

Improving police training and supervision

To reduce police violence, it’s essential to address the underlying culture and learned behaviors that can lead officers to harm civilians. Reforming how officers are trained, supervised, and supported is important to reduce the risk of misconduct.

Use of force and de-escalation instruction

Training programs should prioritize de-escalation techniques, proportional response, and alternatives to lethal force. Departments that invest in this type of instruction consistently see fewer incidents involving excessive force.

In Louisville, de-escalation training led to a 28% drop in use-of-force incidents, along with a 26% reduction in citizen injuries and a 36% drop in officer injuries, according to one study.

Stronger supervision and officer evaluations

Improved oversight—through regular performance reviews and real-time data monitoring—can help flag patterns of misconduct early. Supervisors with access to behavior analytics and body camera footage are better equipped to hold officers accountable and intervene when necessary.

Mental health support for police officers

Supporting officers’ mental health is key to preventing escalations. Chronic stress and trauma can impair judgment and increase the risk of violence. 

A study of 434 officers in Dallas-Fort Worth found that 12% had a lifetime mental health diagnosis and 26% reported symptoms of mental illness at the time. Of those officers surveyed, only 17% had sought help—often due to concerns around confidentiality. Expanding access to confidential mental health care and routine screenings can promote safer, more compassionate policing.

Addressing implicit bias and promoting diversity

Ensuring the police force has both implicit bias training and officers from all backgrounds are important to help solve police brutality. The following are some measures that can help achieve this.

Recruitment and representation

A diverse workforce is better equipped to serve diverse communities. Prioritizing recruiting officers from varied racial, ethnic, and gender backgrounds fosters a strong, dynamic workforce.

A study published in 2024 shows that diversifying the police force was “significant in reducing the amount of stops and other forms of contact between police officers and minority residents.”

Community engagement and procedural justice

Officers should actively engage with local communities through regular forums and neighborhood meetings. Procedural justice (treating individuals with dignity, transparency, and fairness) helps improve public trust and compliance with law enforcement efforts.

A trial found that procedural justice training led to a 14% reduction in crime incidents in target areas, along with fewer arrests and improved perceptions of police behavior

Data collection and racial disparity analysis

Comprehensive data is essential to uncover and address racial bias in policing. Law enforcement agencies should routinely collect, analyze, and publicly share data on traffic stops, use of force, and civilian complaints — broken down by race, gender, and other demographics.

For example, a 2020 study found that Black drivers were 20% more likely to be stopped by police than white drivers, demonstrating the need for transparency to identify and correct discriminatory practices.

Exploring alternative response models

Research shows that alternative ways of responding to incidents can reduce the escalation of violence. This is especially useful in cases of mental health or substance abuse crises, as well as offences such as trespassing. 

Public health-informed crisis response

Since its creation in 1989, the CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets) program in Eugene, Oregon, has been a pioneering model for non-police crisis intervention.

It’s designed to provide non-police emergency response for people experiencing mental health crises, homelessness, substance abuse issues, or other non-violent emergencies. They divert around 17% of all dispatch calls every year.

The program was cut in early April 2025 due to funding issues. In response, advocates started a petition to divert some of the funding from the Eugene Police Department to the CAHOOTS program. It gained over 19,000 signatures.

Diversion and prevention programs

Diverting individuals, especially nonviolent offenders, from the criminal justice system into programs that address root causes (like housing, health care, education) helps reduce crime and the need for police intervention.

These are also more cost-effective. One diversion program for unhoused people in Los Angeles County saved over $6,000 per person.

How communities can push for police reform: Examples

When communities push lawmakers to adopt new policies or reform old ones, real, lasting change becomes possible. Petitions are a powerful tool that’s spurred police reform in major cities. For example, after the murder of George Floyd, petitions helped drive policy changes in Minneapolis, including a ban on chokeholds.

A 2020 petition with just over 190 signatures also reached its goal of ensuring a ban on chokeholds in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, proving that even small petitions can make a big difference.

Petition to repeal New York’s police secrecy law (50-a)

A concerned citizen started a petition calling for the full repeal of Section 50-a of New York’s Civil Rights Law. This statute allowed police departments to withhold records related to officer misconduct and disciplinary action. The petition argued that the law shielded abusive officers from public accountability and disproportionately harmed communities of color. 

By demanding full transparency, the campaign urged state lawmakers to pass legislation ending 50-a without amendments or compromises, positioning it as a necessary step toward restoring trust and advancing racial justice. The petition achieved victory when the Safer NY Act was passed, which included repealing the 50-A.

Petition demanding the dismissal of Old Saybrook Police Chief

Similarly, only with a bit over 40 signatures, a petition asking for the police chief of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, to step down reached its goal soon after launching at the beginning of 2025.

The petition was started following results by a third-party investigation into the department and chief, which found it was a toxic, stressful, and unhealthy work environment for officers.

Petition protecting the right to record in NYPD precincts

In 2023, a petition was launched after signs prohibiting filming appeared in several NYPD precincts. Citing First Amendment protections, the petition called for the public’s right to record in all police stations to be upheld. Garnering over 1,000 signatures, the campaign led to a legal victory: a judge ruled that the NYPD must allow filming inside precincts, reinforcing transparency and accountability.

You can be part of the solution

Real change requires investment in community-led efforts, systemic reform, and ongoing oversight.

By working together, the police force, citizens, policymakers, and advocacy groups can transform public safety into a system that truly protects and serves all people, especially those historically over-policed and marginalized.

Reforming police practices is not only about preventing brutality, it’s about building a society rooted in equity, dignity, and justice for everyone.

Even small-scale efforts can make a big difference. You can be part of the solution by starting a petition on Change.org.