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Restructuring Law Enforcement Agencies to Support Prosocial Values: A Behavior-Scientific Model for Addressing Police
Elizabeth L Ghezzi1, Janie A Funk1, Ramona A Houmanfar1
1Behavior Analysis Program, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV 89557 USA.
Behavior Analysis in Practice
|January 6, 2023
Summary
This study proposes the Prosocial model, a behavior-scientific approach, to address systemic racism and police brutality. It aims to align law enforcement values with community needs for equitable outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Social Justice
- Organizational Psychology
Background:
- Policing in the U.S. is deeply intertwined with systemic racism and historical oppression.
- Police brutality against Black communities is a persistent issue, exacerbated by recent high-profile cases.
- Calls to reform or defund law enforcement highlight the urgent need for change in police practices.
Discussion:
- This article introduces the Prosocial model, integrating Acceptance and Commitment Training and Elinor Ostrom's core design principles.
- The model targets both individual and organizational levels within law enforcement agencies.
- It emphasizes clarifying organizational and community values and promoting actions consistent with those values.
Key Insights:
- The Prosocial model offers a framework for restructuring law enforcement's community interactions.
- It has the potential to combat systemic racism and police brutality by fostering values-consistent behavior.
- The model's implementation and benefits for Black communities are critically examined.
Outlook:
- Further research is needed to evaluate the Prosocial model's effectiveness in real-world law enforcement settings.
- Successful implementation requires careful consideration of its origins and equitable application.
- The ultimate goal is to create a more just and responsive policing system that benefits all communities, particularly those historically marginalized.
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