Summary of "Interview 7 Minimal Use of Force"
Interview with Kelly Donovan: From Police Officer to Accountability Advocate
This interview features Kelly Donovan, a former police officer turned police accountability advocate and author. She discusses her journey from policing to whistleblowing and systemic reform efforts, sharing personal experiences and insights into the challenges within policing culture.
Background and Personal Experience
Donovan recounts her experience with domestic violence involving a police officer and how the police service’s inadequate and inconsistent handling of her complaints revealed deep systemic issues. Initially hopeful to be a “good cop” who could reform the system from within, she instead encountered widespread corruption, suppression of complaints, and a culture prioritizing protection of officers over justice.
Key Themes Discussed
Entry into Policing and Early Idealism
- Donovan joined the police force with a belief in honesty, integrity, and doing the right thing, even when difficult.
- She aimed to be a good citizen and reform the system from the inside.
- She fully disclosed her past experiences with police mishandling before joining.
Systemic Issues and Moral Injury
- Witnessed multiple cases where officers accused of domestic violence or serious misconduct were weakly or not investigated, especially if they were well-liked.
- This led to a moral injury, causing her to lose faith in the institution and feel alienated within police culture.
Whistleblower Retaliation
- After raising concerns directly to the police service board (bypassing the chief to avoid suppression), Donovan faced retaliation.
- She was subjected to an internal misconduct investigation, placed on administrative duties, ostracized, and ultimately forced to resign to regain her freedom of speech.
Police Culture
- Characterized by strong camaraderie and trust among officers.
- Also marked by suppression of negative information and protection of colleagues regardless of wrongdoing—the so-called “blue wall of silence.”
- Promotions and career advancement depend heavily on pleasing supervisors, discouraging whistleblowing or dissent.
Age and Indoctrination
- Most officers join young (early 20s) and are indoctrinated into a culture where previously unacceptable behaviors become normalized.
- Donovan, entering at age 31 with more life experience, found it harder to accept these compromises.
Use of Force and Training
- Critiques current use-of-force training as overly rigid, robotic, and focused on articulation rather than critical thinking or de-escalation.
- Emphasizes the need for officers to prioritize preserving life and exhausting non-violent options.
- Argues lethal force should be a last resort, not a success metric.
Policing and Legitimacy
- Police legitimacy is undermined by systemic racism, bias, and an “us vs. them” mentality.
- Officers are often trained to stereotype and target certain groups, contributing to public distrust.
- Incidents of racial profiling, neglect of vulnerable populations (e.g., homeless individuals), and failure to properly investigate complaints deepen this divide.
Oversight and Accountability
- Existing oversight bodies are not truly independent; they report to government ministries influenced by political appointments and former police leaders.
- This perpetuates the culture they are supposed to police.
- Advocates for fully independent, well-resourced oversight agencies staffed by incorruptible individuals.
- Suggests including civilians as police chiefs to break the cycle of internal culture.
Advice for Future Police and the Public
- For prospective officers: strong personal morals, integrity, and courage are essential to resist compromising values despite institutional pressures.
- For the public and policymakers: reject rationalizations of misconduct, demand transparency, and support systemic change rather than accepting the status quo.
Empowerment Through Small Acts
- Encourages individuals to practice courage in everyday situations by standing up against racism, sexism, or injustice in small ways.
- These acts build confidence to challenge larger systemic problems.
Conclusion
The interview provides a candid insider perspective on the challenges of reforming policing culture, the complexities surrounding use-of-force issues, and the urgent need for independent oversight and accountability to restore public trust.
Presenters/Contributors
- Kelly Donovan — Former police officer, author, police accountability advocate
- Interviewer — Unnamed
Category
News and Commentary
