Tracking Progress Towards Black People’s Right To Breathe
The Right to Breathe Committee and its constituents have developed a list of policy actions required to ensure safety and respect for Black people. We have developed progress reports to track progress of negotiations. The progress reports (below) use green - indicate policy action in progress, amber - indicating shared agreement in the general objectives and the relevant institutional leaders are actively working to develop an appropriate policy action, and red - indicating the relevant leaders have communicated they refuse to make changes to address the issue harming Black people.
The RTB committee acknowledges that the desired outcome reflects basic human rights, hence framing this work as Phase 1, and that further work needs to be done intra-personally, inter-personally, structurally and institutionally. For additional information on RTB policies and domains visit our policy overview. Phase 1 collaborative action is organized into the following nine domains:
Immediate policy changes.
This includes eliminating all choke holds and all tactics that restrict airways. Institute de-escalation measures for protests - use of tear gas and batons only as last resort.
Establish de-escalation for police interactions.
De-escalation tactics upon contact with all subjects, supported by mandatory de-escalation training of all officers, evaluation and ongoing training rooted in compassionate uses of force. .
For responses to violent threats, use non-lethal and less lethal uses of weapons and tools - including unarmed responders.
Program to hire and retain Black police officers.
Commit to increasing the percentage of Black officers on the police force to reflect the Black population of the municipality.
Civilian oversight and accountability.
Fully funded independent and self governing body, with ability make rulings to the Chief, IA and Council. Comprised of Black people and can include City residents, business owners or employees in a municipality.
Demilitarize the police department.
Rejecting AI & Machine Learning surveillance in community and eliminating military-style equipment and tactics (including “No-Knock” warrants). Reserving assault weapons for SWAT-specific missions, approved by the Police Chief who will have informed the CEO of the municipality (mayor or city manager).
Reprioritize Non-violent quality of life violations.
If called to the scene by a civilian, contact the caller first to educate them of steps to take instead of calling the police.
If no violation of law – then no law enforcement
Defund school resource officers.
No armed police in schools. Reallocate funds to school counselors and mental health support.
Mental health training for officers.
Establish policies to require mental health- and trauma-informed policing by all officers.
Clear targets set to decrease uses of force when contacting people with mental illnesses.
Clear consequences established if target is not achieved.
Educate and inform the community of their role in policing.
Shift the stance of protection and service from the caller to the person who has had the police called upon them. Treat this as a threat of violence, unless, upon arrival, the officer sees a clear violation of law or threat to safety.
Progress Reports
Click to read detailed reports on progress being made in participating municipalities.