Spotlight on Criminal Justice: Supporting Law Enforcement and Safer Communities – May

Each May, the nation comes together to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers, recognizing the realities they face and the burdens they carry. Yet honoring law enforcement demands more than reflection—it requires action to ease the challenges officers encounter daily and to make policing more sustainable and effective.

In 2024 alone, 165 officers lost their lives in the line of duty, each a solemn reminder that support for police must translate into actionable policies that lessen day-to-day burdens, reduce unnecessary system churn, and create safer environments for officers and the communities they serve.

Among the solutions deserving greater attention are Clean Slate policies, which allow for the automated sealing of eligible criminal records after a period of demonstrated law-abiding behavior and rehabilitation. Often discussed within broader criminal justice conversations, Clean Slate policies offer clear and compelling benefits to public safety and to the law enforcement profession itself.

Modern policing is defined by expanding demands and shrinking resources. Law enforcement agencies across the country report critical staffing shortages and increased pressure to manage a widening array of social problems beyond traditional crime control, including mental health crises, homelessness, and substance use. An additional and often overlooked burden stems from the number of individuals encumbered by old criminal records that restrict their ability to secure employment, maintain stable housing, and achieve economic security. These barriers increase the likelihood of reoffending, resulting in avoidable police encounters and unnecessary demands on an already overstretched system.

In fact, estimates show that tens of thousands of police service calls each year involve individuals struggling to reintegrate due to old criminal records, which often results in low-level offenses and preventable arrests that strain officer capacity. By automating the sealing of eligible records, Clean Slate policies can reduce the number of preventable justice system contacts and enable law enforcement to direct their time and efforts toward active threats to community safety.

Studies confirm that individuals with sealed records experience significant declines in recidivism. Specifically, findings indicate that those who receive expungement exhibit substantially lower subsequent crime rates than the general adult population. This evidence underscores the fact that facilitating reintegration through record sealing is not only fair, it is instrumental in reducing future victimization and crime.

Clean Slate also improves administrative and fiscal efficiency. Automating the sealing process reduces bureaucratic workload for courts and law enforcement agencies, allowing jurisdictions to redirect resources toward urgent crime prevention and investigative work—especially critical as agencies face budgetary and staffing constraints.

Clean Slate policies also reinforce the critical relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. A consistent finding in procedural justice research is that public perceptions of fairness within the justice system drive greater cooperation with law enforcement efforts. When individuals see evidence that the system allows for redemption after demonstrated rehabilitation, trust improves, witnesses come forward, and collaborative crime-prevention efforts strengthen. This dynamic enhances officer effectiveness on the ground and supports broader crime-control objectives.

There are internal benefits to policing organizations as well. Repeated enforcement activity involving individuals ensnared by outdated, primarily nonviolent offenses can contribute to officer burnout and cynicism. Over 70 percent of officers report emotional exhaustion tied to feeling “over-tasked with non-priority calls.” 

Promoting officer wellness requires more than access to mental health services; it demands a reduction in unnecessary systemic pressures that sap morale and undermine the sense of professional purpose. Clean Slate policies create space for officers to focus on meaningful public safety work, which is critical for long-term workforce sustainability.

It is important to clarify that Clean Slate policies do not erase serious offenses or compromise public safety standards. Most frameworks apply exclusively to nonviolent, lower-level offenses and only after a specified period of crime-free behavior. Serious crimes—including homicides, sexual assaults, and violent felonies—remain fully accessible to the justice system. Furthermore, law enforcement agencies and courts generally retain access to sealed records when necessary for investigations or sentencing, ensuring public safety considerations are not sacrificed in favor of administrative convenience.

This National Police Week, meaningful support for law enforcement should include advocating for policies that reduce preventable crime, strengthen community relationships, and create healthier conditions for officers themselves. Clean Slate represents a practical investment in these goals. Reducing the administrative and operational burden on officers, facilitating more targeted crime-control efforts, and improving public trust all contribute directly toward safer communities and more effective policing.

Recognizing the profound demands placed on modern law enforcement, policymakers should treat Clean Slate not as a talking point, but as a smart law enforcement strategy. If we are serious about honoring police this week (and every week), we must commit to practical tools that allow officers to do their jobs more effectively, safely, and purposefully.