Issues

The Center Party supports responsible policing that is equal and fair to all, and criminals are held accountable for their crimes.

Whereas revolving door jail policies and insufficient bail enable repeat offenders, and convictions for violent crime are important to the assessment of an individual’s danger to society;
6a. Be it resolved that we support mandatory cash bail for defendants with a high likelihood of re-offending.

Whereas revolving door jail policies and insufficient bail enable repeat offenders, and convictions for violent crime are important to the assessment of an individual’s danger to society;
6b. Be it resolved that we support the use of electronic location tracking of defendants where appropriate.

Whereas plea bargaining is too often used by prosecutors, and may misrepresent the defendant’s danger to society when reviewing that person’s criminal record;
6c. Be it resolved that we oppose the overuse of plea bargaining, especially when reducing felonies to misdemeanors.

Whereas the root of most crime stems from poverty, substance abuse, and mental health issues, and police interactions are improved with awareness and sensitivity to these issues;
6d. Be it resolved that we support community policing strategies and integration of mental health and social services personnel being available for dispatch, and training of officers to recognize these issues.

Whereas the root of most crime stems from poverty, substance abuse, and mental health issues, and police interactions are improved with awareness and sensitivity to these issues;
6e. Be it resolved that we recognize anti-poverty efforts as important to crime control efforts.

Whereas white collar crimes are rarely punished, and funds fully recovered;
6f. Be it resolved that we support a dramatic increase in penalties for white collar crimes.

Whereas there have been too many high-profile incidents of law enforcement misconduct and excessive force, sometimes resulting in death, and undermines the public trust;
6g. Be it resolved that we support independent panels (civil service committees) to assess and review police conduct with full authority to act, and the use of vehicle and body cameras to provide objective evidence in oversight when reviewing incidents.

Whereas there have been too many high-profile incidents of law enforcement misconduct and excessive force, sometimes resulting in death, and undermines the public trust;
6h. Be it resolved that we support the rule of law being applied equally to all without discrimination of any kind.