“Defund the police!” In recent months, this phrase has been shouted from city streets throughout America. But, what does it really mean? In fall 2020, professors from American University and Howard University School of Law joined to create courses involving law enforcement, students, legislators, and returning citizens (formerly incarcerated). For the fall academic term, American University students in the Police, Law & Society class worked in teams with Howard University School of Law Students who took the Advanced Legal Research class. Advised by a law enforcement officer, the students worked in groups to perform research on the topic of defunding the police. Learning to use new research techniques, the students accessed various sources to develop action plans and policy papers. Their project proposals were later presented to local legislators who offered guidance on how to move forward. The faculty, students, and collaborators bridged the spectrum by working together to address social justice.
