How Decades-Old Progressive Reforms Helped Usher in a Culture of Police Impunity
Briefly

The article explores the complexities of police misconduct in America, arguing that while traditional views often blame old Jim Crow laws for current issues, mid-20th century progressive reforms also play a significant role in protecting corrupt officers. The narrative shifts focus from merely blaming police chiefs as the primary culprits of misconduct to addressing the systemic protections that have historically limited accountability for bad officers, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of the roots of the current situation.
The conventional wisdom on the left ties current police issues to old Jim Crow laws, but many protections for bad officers stem from mid-20th century progressive legislation.
Before the 1960s, police chiefs were perceived as the main offenders, leading to the question: Who would safeguard officers against abusive chiefs in a corrupt system?
Read at time.com
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