In Minneapolis, elected officials want to dissolve their own police force, following George Floyd's death. But what would replace the current corps or what does a new reformed American police force mean? And how do you handle the fact that there are 400 million weapons in civilian hands?

The demands for rapid changes in the form of tougher rules in police interventions came immediately and several states have already banned the type of strangulation that caused Floyd's death. Many also point out how the police often have a very large scope to judge for themselves when the individual policeman needs to use his weapon and shoot a man, as in the case of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta.

Responsible

In addition, there is a growing need for police officers to be more clearly accountable, legally, in case of suspected abuse. Complaints against police officers who have neglected their job or discriminated against citizens rarely lead to legal consequences - and so the trust collapses.

Of course, many debaters also want to review the police training. Thus, several states are responding to the proposals of the many agitated votes in the debate. Other debaters believe that a deeper analysis is needed, not just attacking symptoms and risk putting patches on a cancer.

Both BLM activists and committed politicians point out the importance of allocating resources from the huge budgets spent on public security, while social efforts receive only a fraction.

Hard roofs or lighting?

In Los Angeles, the police cost nearly $ 2 billion a year, but activists have now got the mayor to dedicate $ 150 million from the police budget to social programs. In New York, the budget is $ 6 billion, and here activists demand a billion to go to social programs.

A former police chief from a problem area in New Jersey tested different tactics to deal with the high murder rates and open drug sales. One strategy was to get tougher with body sightseeing on the street. But it worked best when demolishing abandoned buildings, cleaning, lighting, traffic lights and camcorders.

Several police officers who were on foot or by bicycle also made people feel safer and came out to talk to their police officers and were prepared to help solve crimes and get rid of drug dealing. The number of homicides in Camden, New Jersey, has now fallen by 50 percent.

Preserved order

But the obstacles to reform are many. The police union, for example, has often resisted changes and rather preserved an old order that protected police from prosecution and minimized the risk of losing the job. Budget cuts in favor of social assistance are often counteracted, for example, the Los Angeles Police Budget consists of 90 percent of salaries. A budget talks not only about priorities but also about values.

For activists as well as politicians and dedicated police, the future of the police seems to be about social issues. About finance: about work, housing and education that everyone can afford.

But the redistribution of resources and perhaps even tax increases is nothing to do with a turnaround - the political will required is enormous. It is a marathon race and nothing that can be done with a few quick changes to the team.