Criminal Justice

Why Should Christians Care about Criminal Justice and Police Accountability?

Thorough and proficient law enforcement is essential, and service as a police officer requires capacities for judgment and courage that deserve the respect and gratitude of all citizens. But those granted law enforcement power are called to be exemplary in their obedience to the law and its purpose.

There is convincing evidence that police power is being widely abused in metropolitan Chicago, especially in relation to people of color. Extensive testimonies by reputed victims and their advocates, including members of Christian congregations and pastors working with city youth, and the support given to these testimonies through independent studies, document prevalent police misconduct.

Unlawful and debasing police conduct promotes a culture of fear and alienation, encourages disrespect for the law and law enforcement, incites violence, and magnifies the problem of creating a city that serves and is served by all of its citizens. This abuse of power cannot be separated from a larger web of offenses in the system through which the law is administered, including its judicial and penal institutions. For many citizens, however, the police are the immediate point of contact with this system, and public attention to police accountability is imperative.

Learn More

Protestants for the Common Good (PCG) has adopted principles to guide our advocacy in the area of criminal justice. Those principles are available in PDF format at the bottom of this page.

To learn how Protestants for the Common Good is currently working to reform our criminal justice system, visit the Policy Update page of this Web site. News and reports of PCG's activities are also available in each issue of The Common Good.