Abstract
Several scholars have found that external pressure is often the impetus for police reform. To date, community organizations as a part of this external pressure have not been addressed. The author examines the role of community organizations in policing politics and their ability to affect change on three critical policing policy issues (civilian oversight, community policing, and public order) in two cities (Seattle, Washington, and Oakland, California). Based on interviews, archival research, and extensive participant observation, the author found that community pressure and activism were critical for getting the issue of policing practices and policies on the city’s agenda, but few community organizations were able to effectively participate in the policy response process.

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