Beyond Policing - Building Abolitionist Futures

A provocative book that imagines a world sans police—and whether we'd be safer without them.

"Thoughtful and insightful." —Alicia Garza, co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter

It’s evident that policing is a problem. But what is the best way forward? In Beyond Policing, distinguished scholar and writer Philip V. McHarris reimagines the world without police to find answers and reveal how we can make police departments obsolete.

Beyond Policing tackles thorny issues with evidence, including data and personal stories to uncover the weight of policing on people and communities, and the patterns that prove police reform only leads to more policing.

McHarris challenges us to envision a future where safety is not synonymous with policing but is built on the foundation of community support and preventive measures. He explores innovative community-based safety models (like community mediators and violence interrupters), the decriminalization of driving offenses, and the creation of nonpolice crisis response teams. McHarris also outlines strategies for responding to conflict and harm in ways that transform the conditions that give rise to the issues. He asks us to picture a world where people thrive without the shadow of inequality, where our approach to safety is a collective achievement.

Transformative and forward thinking, Beyond Policing provides a blueprint for a brighter, safer world. McHarris’s vision is clear: we must dare to move beyond policing and foster a society where everyone has the resources to thrive and feel safe.

"McHarris's book is an indispensable guide for understanding the deep-seated issues in our current system and the steps we can take towards a more just and safe society. Beyond Policing is a necessary tool for anyone serious about understanding both the issue at hand, and the prescription for change." —Van Lathan Jr., author of Fat, Lazy, and Tired