Analyzing Police Reform in Camden, NJ
In 2012, Camden, NJ was facing skyrocketing crime rates, serious economic issues, and a failing, ineffective police department.
To address these issues, Camden dissolved it’s police department and created a brand new department in 2013, the Camden County Police Department. This new agency implemented a slew of reforms that appear to have been successful, as Camden had 67 murders in 2012, and 17 in 2024.
You are going to discuss, analyze, and evaluate the level of success of this change.
First, review the publication Camden’s Turn: A Story of Police Reform in Progress; A Guide for Law Enforcement and Community Screenings (pdf).
You can skip pages 9-10.
Then watch this video on YouTube, it’s about 28 minutes long: Camden’s Turn: a story of police reform in progress.
Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arzTB4ji_Ig
Also, consider this article: The Camden Police Department Is Not A Model For Policing In The Post-George Floyd Era.
Using at least four other scholarly sources, of which at least one source that has a negative view of the Camden Police reform, address the following questions:
Briefly (no more than one page) describe the events that led to the Camden police reform and how the Camden Police Department was disbanded and replaced with the Camden County Police Department. Identify and discuss what you consider the three most important reforms implemented by the Camden County Police Department, beyond having all the current officers having to apply to the new department. Discuss how this reform has been successful. Your analysis should go beyond a discussion of crime and disorder, and should include some discussion of the changes in economic and social conditions in Camden. Discuss the negatives of Camden police reform. What are the failings of the reform? What policing related issues have not been addressed? Does the Camden County Police Department fully adhere to the Constitution and meet its obligations to the community? Be sure to provide a conclusion, summarizing your overall view of the Camden police reform and determining if it is successful or not. Don’t forget to mention any improvements or changes you believe should be implemented.