changing police forces around the U.S.; an example from Ithaca, NY

 https://www.gq.com/story/ithaca-mayor-svante-myrick-police-reform?utm_source=pocket-newtab

 

In a nearly 100-page report obtained by GQ, Mayor Svante Myrick will propose replacing the city’s current 63-officer, $12.5 million a year department with a “Department of Community Solutions and Public Safety” which would include armed “public safety workers” and unarmed “community solution workers,” all of whom will report to a civilian director of public safety instead of a police chief. Under the proposal, all current officers would have to re-apply for a position with the new department.

 

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This will be important to watch,  I would think the police today would be happy to let social workers handle drunks anyway, so they could concentrate on crimes. 

Orlando, Florida, is doing something similar;

https://www.wftv.com/news/local/orange-county/orlando-launching-pilot-program-send-mental-health-professionals-non-violent-calls-service/CRYCELRESFHIZCFG3MT52YCRZY/