Repairing Broken Windows: A Framework to Counter Disinformation and Extremism in U.S. Law Enforcement

Kenneth Syring

No baz27_v1, SocArXiv from Center for Open Science

Abstract: Disinformation poses a significant threat to American law enforcement and, by extension, to democratic governance. Law enforcement officers, often exhibiting heightened levels of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO), are particularly vulnerable to disinformation campaigns that undermine public trust and fuel political extremism. This paper proposes a comprehensive policy framework designed to mitigate the spread of disinformation and extremist beliefs among law enforcement officers through a combination of civics education and service-learning programs. Drawing on behavioral science research, it demonstrates how such interventions can reduce RWA and SDO traits, thereby enhancing officers’ critical thinking, empathy, and commitment to democratic principles. The proposed “Repairing Broken Windows” initiative reframes law enforcement as a form of national service, focusing on civic engagement and democratic literacy to build resilience against disinformation and restore public trust. This paper emphasizes the urgent need to inoculate law enforcement against disinformation, not only to reduce susceptibility to extremist ideologies but also to protect democratic institutions from being undermined by radicalized security forces. By fostering critical engagement and reinforcing the rule of law, this proposal offers actionable solutions for policymakers to safeguard democratic integrity within law enforcement. May 2022 (Revised March 2023; October 2024)

Date: 2024-05-10
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:osf:socarx:baz27_v1

DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/baz27_v1

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