DEBATE: Should Police Be Defunded?

DEBATE: Should Police Be Defunded?

Protests against police brutality have rocked the world in the past few months. Outraged by yet another police killing of an unarmed African-American man, George Floyd, protestors are demanding police accountability. These protests have not only been restricted to the USA, but have spread all over the world. One of the demands from the protesters is to “defund the police.” This means taking money away from police departments and placing it in other areas like education, social services, and mental health services. Is this a good idea?

POLICE SHOULD BE DEFUNDED

As you know, the PRO team will agree with the topic and the CON team will disagree. It is very important to prepare for both sides of the debate. Below you will find reading material, viewing material, and listening material. It is okay if you do not understand all the words and all the ideas in this material. What is most important is that you take information from articles, videos, and podcasts that you can use in the debates!

The reading material below contains several important CLAIMS, REASONING, and EVIDENCE that can help you to construct arguments in your debates. Remember, not everything in the articles is useful. Do your best to read through the material and identify the most compelling and persuasive evidence.

Please download and read these articles:

Read these articles first:

Cities Respond ProtestDownload
National Police Violence ProtestsDownload
Lib – Protests Defund Police MeaningDownload

Extra reading materials:

What does ‘defund the police’ mean and does it have merit_Download
Police Viewed Less Favorably, But Few Want To ‘Defund’ Them, Survey FindsDownload
Defunding the police_Download
What would it mean to ‘defund the police’Download
I’m a Black Police Officer. Here’s How to Change the System.Download
“Policing Is Fundamentally a Tool of Social Control to Facilitate Our Exploitation”Download

These videos will help you to better understand our debate topic! When watching the videos, take down some notes in your notebook about the main ideas and arguments made. Try to write neatly so that you can use your notes later to prepare for the debate!

New Push to Defund Police

Trump Says There Won’t Be Any Disbanding, Defunding of Police

What does it mean to defund the police?

NYPD Commissioner: ‘I Get Beyond Concerned’ by Defund the Police Movement | NBC New York

Reform Or Defund Police? Activists, Lawmakers Split Into Next Steps

Law Enforcement Experts Explain the Danger of Defunding the Police During Senate Judiciary Hearing