Unions protect the privilege of cops to determine split-second justice and not be held accountable for failure to heed social values. Being on the line means they are awarded special indulgence that exempts them from punishment. That’s the price of order. Their mistakes of judgment must be overlooked in specific cases as long as their intent is honest and non-prejudicial. Speedy correction of any individual or institutional bias is usually expected; if it doesn’t happen demonstrations or civil unrest usually ensues, as in 2020.

Cops deserve empathy for the difficult challenge facing them when they may not have the time to weigh social justice factors. Additional training is probably needed—that should be the focus of police reform. In the unlikely event that police departments were privatized contracts could be awarded to providers who demonstrated the ability to assure non-discriminatory order.

The incumbent police union could be invited to compete for the contract equitably to keep order in the community. Other entrepreneurs would also be invited to submit their proposals. The criteria for awarding an initial contract would include terms debated by the public. Moreover, incumbent police would be eligible to join any alternate private police force provider that won the contract. However, they would be managed under rules of conduct that are stipulated in the privatized contract.

Of course, many civil service rules would probably disappear and the contract would have performance sanctions on the service provider. However, not only could the private police force be less prejudicial; it might also cost no more.