Rule 10.
Avoid Calling the Police
Listen To This Rule
Narrated by Roneka Patterson
Black people who call the police for help risk becoming victims of the police.
In popular culture, the image of the police is of an institution whose mission is to protect and serve the citizens of their community—to be the stabilizing force that maintains law and order for us all. It’s the police we’re supposed to call when we need help, right? Well, not exactly. Black people are judged by different standards when it comes to the police—and that often means guilty until proven innocent.
So by calling the police, a Black person may inadvertently be making themselves a suspect, or at least a person of suspicion, regardless of the
circumstances
Atatiana Jefferson
Atatiana Jefferson was shot in her home by an officer who was responding to a neighbor concerned about an open front door.
Police & Violence Against Minority Groups
USA Today takes a look at the current state of relationships between police and the minority communities they serve in the wake of protests after George Floyd’s death.
Let’s Erase this Rule
Here are some resources for you to educate yourself and inspire action.
What To Do Instead Of Calling The Police
Washington Post, Pastor Arrested After Calling 911 for Help
Alabama Political Reporter, Store Owner Arrested After Calling To Report Robbery
BBC, Atatiana Jefferson: “Why I Will No Longer Call the Police”
The Atlantic, Calling Someone Other Than the Cops
Support the ACLU and Their Campaign Against Racial Profiling Which Includes Representation for Victims of Racial Profiling, Public Education, and Advocacy for Anti-Profiling Legislation
Support the NAACP’s Efforts To Create Sweeping Police Reform–A Zero-Tolerance Approach in Penalizing/Prosecuting Police Who Kill Unarmed, Non-Violent Individuals in an Arrest
Donate to the National Urban League
Donate to Campaign Zero
Support the Leadership Conference and Power the Fight for Civil and Human Rights
Sign the Petition to #Defundthepolice
Sign the Petition To Stop the Culture of Warrior Policing
Sign This Petition: Police Are Not Above the Law! Demand the DOJ Investigate Police Killings and Harassment of African Americans
Become a Co-Sponsor of the BREATHE Act
A Guide to Fair, Safe, and Effective Community Policing (handbook and toolkit)
Take the “She Safe We Safe Survey” From BYP100 and Share How You Addressed Gender-Based Violence Without Policing
Join Color of Change
Don’t Call the Police: Community-Based Alternatives to Police in Your City
Watch TED Talk, “How We Can Make Racism a Solvable Problem and Improve Policing”
Share on Your Social
Support the cause and empower others by downloading and sharing our rule cards. Be sure to tag @unwrittenrulesproject on Instagram and use the hashtag #erasetherules.
