Which event led to widespread police reform in the United States?

The Wickersham Commission, established in the early 1930s, was pivotal in catalyzing widespread police reform across the United States. This commission, formally known as the National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement, was tasked with examining the effectiveness of law enforcement practices and the impact of Prohibition on crime and policing.

The Commission's findings highlighted major issues within law enforcement, including corruption, brutality, and a lack of professional standards in policing. It was one of the first comprehensive reviews of policing in America, addressing the need for systemic reforms and promoting the adoption of more professional law enforcement techniques. The recommendations from the Wickersham Commission laid the groundwork for changes in police practices, including the call for the establishment of training programs for officers, which eventually influenced police training standards nationwide.

Many subsequent reform efforts and commissions, like the Kerner Commission, which focused on police-community relations during the civil rights movement era, drew inspiration from the earlier findings of the Wickersham Commission. The Wickersham Commission's emphasis on the need for accountability and ethics in policing was instrumental in shaping future reforms aimed at ensuring fair and just law enforcement practices.