In this inquiry, students investigate police and policing reform in historical and modern contexts. Framed by the compelling questionㄧHow should we reform policing?ㄧstudents explore the form and function of policing in order to evaluate reforms and create their own reform policy proposal. First, students examine the purpose of policing, considering the role police play in communities. Next they explore the ways in which policing has changed over time. Building from their investigation into policing’s history, students assess accountability measures that “police” the police. Finally, they review research implications and data to consider whether modern policing is crime control or social control. This inquiry prepares students to write a policy proposal that proposes police reforms.
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About the inquiry
Compelling Question
How Should We Reform Policing?
Staging Question
Analyze sources related to the 2020 protests against police violence.Have a class discussion about the images and students’ current knowledge of protests in their city/region.
What is the purpose of policing?
Formative TasksCreate a mind map or Future’s Wheel that answers the supporting question.
SourcesSource A: US Department of Justice, “Policing 101”
Source B:“The Role of Police in America,” Charles Koch Institute
Source C: History of Policing in the United States
Source D: “Cities Ask If It’s Time to Defund Police and ‘Reimagine’ Public Safety,” New York Times
How has policing changed over time?
Formative TasksCreate an annotated timeline of the history of policing in the United States.
SourcesSource A: “The History of Police in America and the First Force,” Time
Source B: History of Policing in the United States
Source C: The New Jim Crow
Source D: “Police Militarization Fails to Protect Officers and Targets Black Communities.” PBS Newshour.
What polices the police?
Formative TasksWrite 1-2 paragraphs that describe the accountability measures and protections of the police.
SourcesSource A: US Department of Justice, “Addressing Police Misconduct Laws Enforced by the Department of Justice”
Source B: Police Accountability Act, 2020
Source C: “Why Police Can Violate Your Constitutional Rights...,” Vox Media
Source D: “For Cops Who Kill, Special Supreme Court Protection,” Reuters
Is policing crime control or social control?
Formative TasksWrite a claim supported by evidence that answers the supporting question; share claims in a Structured Academic Controversy.
SourcesSource A: “History of Police: How Did We Get Here?” NPR
Source B: “More Cops: Is it the Answer to Fighting Crime?” USA Today
Source C: “...More Spending on Police Hasn’t Necessarily Meant Less Crime,” Washington Post
Source D: “Unbundle the Police,” The Atlantic
Source E: “The Case for Hiring More Police Officers,” Vox Media
Summative Performance Task
Argument: Construct an argument in the form of a policy proposal, that addresses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical and contemporary sources while acknowledging competing views.
Extension: Participate in a Socratic Seminar about students’ perspectives on police reform.
Taking Informed Action
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