COPWATCH started in 1990 as a response to the rising incidence of police abuse in Berkeley. The program observes police activities and interactions with the community. Serving as a reminder to the police that the community will hold them accountable. COPWATCH fosters community engagement by organizing citizen patrols. To patrol, pairs of volunteers walk the streets for a few hours, keeping an eye out for police activities. COPWATCH promotes nonviolence and works toward the de-escalation of situations involving the police.
Patrols in Action
Patrols that come across police detaining someone stop to observe the interaction. They carefully document the incidents with a variety of methods. These methods include; video recordings, pictures, collecting witness statements. Patrols also gather information on the involved officers including; names, badge numbers, department, and police car license number. When appropriate, the patrollers encourage victims of police misconduct to file civil lawsuits. They provide the documentary evidence collected to support such claims. Volunteers also engage with community members on their patrols. They pass out informational cards that educate people on their rights and the legal procudres involved if detained by the police. After their shift, patrollers write detailed reports on any incidents they observed. The reports are then published in the COPWATCH Report, and/or in the local press.
Volunteer Safety and Challenges
Volunteers must be careful not to escalate the situation and cause more harm to the detainee. Patrollers must wear identification and act appropriately when observing the police. In particular, COPWATCH instructs volunteers not to make sudden movements around the police or run up to them when they are detaining someone. Patroling in pairs is a mandatory precautionary measure.
A challenge faced by COPWATCH is the variety of public opinions on policing. Police misconduct towards unhoused or low-income individuals is often not seen as a problem by those who are better off. While the less well-off disagree over whether there should be more police or less police. This divide results in varying levels of support for COPWATCH and its objectives.
Impact of COPWATCH
Since its start, COPWATCH has documented many incidents of police misconduct and abuse. Including the 1991 People’s Park riots and the introduction of wooden & rubber bullets into Berkeley police arsenal. COPWATCH-Berkeley’s success resulted in the creation of chapters in other cities like Denver.
COPWATCH illustrates the power of community involvement in holding law enforcement accountable. By organizing citizen patrols to observe police interactions, COPWATCH fosters transparency and encourages nonviolence. Volunteers document incidents, educate community members about their rights, and support victims of police misconduct, creating a layer of accountability that deters abusive behavior. This approach can be applied to other social issues, such as environmental protection or labor rights. For example, community members could monitor industrial activities to ensure compliance with regulations or support workers facing exploitation. By engaging local residents in oversight roles, similar initiatives can empower communities, enhance awareness, and promote positive change in various contexts.
New Tactics in Human Rights does not advocate for or endorse specific tactics, policies or issues.
