Ford employees have asked the company's leadership to stop manufacturing and selling police vehicles. The reason for this move is linked to the numerous incidents of racial discrimination and police violence that have repeatedly occurred in various countries and mainly in the US, with the most recent example being the murder of African-American George Floyd by a "white" police officer.
Ford CEO Jim Hackett responded to the company's employees in a letter, saying that the Ford Police Interceptor undoubtedly helps police officers do their jobs, noting that the company will continue its business.
Ford is the leading U.S. automaker in building and selling specially designed police vehicles, accounting for about two-thirds of the market. While it's not a big source of the company's annual revenue (about $160 billion in 2019), Ford has long argued that its entire lineup benefits from new technologies being tested in police vehicles, such as hybrid electric powertrains .
The national protests, however, have inspired some Ford employees to reconsider the company’s relationship with the police. The issue was raised at a recent meeting , and now the employees, including black employees who are part of the employee resource group Ford Ancestry Network (FAAN), have released a letter asking the company to stop developing, producing and selling all products and vehicles intended for police. Many employees have since signed the letter, although the exact number is not known, and they want the company to take action by July 15.
The relentless police brutality that has been recorded in recent months has caused concern and changes in some industries, especially in the technology sector. For example, Nextdoor has discontinued a program that allowed users to promote posts to the police. At the same time, Amazon has announced that it will stop allowing police to use facial recognition for a year, as has Microsoft. All of this comes after technology workers have opposed their companies' contracts with government agencies over the past year.
But the transportation industry has not been the same, with the exception of bike companies, which are segregated on the issue, even though some of the most horrific videos that have gone viral in the past two months have shown Ford police vehicles chasing protesters.
That’s one reason why Ford employees are now arguing that the company should sever its relationship with the police, stressing that they cannot fight to combat systemic racism while at the same time supporting and reinforcing the very systems that perpetrate violence against “black” Americans.
They also alleged that vehicles designed and built by Ford employees have been used as a vehicle for police brutality and oppression. They also pointed out that while many participate in, support, and supply police with good intentions, these racist policing practices that plague society are historical and systemic. They explained that this is a history and a system that has been perpetuated by Ford for more than 70 years, since Ford introduced the first police package in 1950.
As an undeniable part of this history and system, the employees argue that the company has been too slow to think and act differently to address racism.
When Hackett spoke publicly about the ongoing protests, he said there are no easy answers and that Ford is not interested in superficial actions. He added that it is time for them to lead and commit to creating a culture of fairness that employees deserve. However, in his internal letter to employees, Hackett defended the company’s business of building vehicles for police. He also argued that Ford’s police cars, SUVs and trucks could make police officers “safer” and more accountable.
Hackett explained that the issues surrounding police reliability have nothing to do with the vehicles they drive. In fact, Ford’s smarter vehicles can be used not only to improve officers’ ability to protect and serve, but also to provide data that can make policing safer and more accountable. Hackett also noted that eliminating Ford’s police-specific vehicles would compromise officer safety and prevent officers from doing their jobs. He went on to say that, given the company’s knowledge, new capabilities and leadership, he believes these unfortunate circumstances present Ford with an even greater opportunity to not only innovate new solutions, but also to leverage its unique position to support the dialogue and reform needed to create safer communities for all.
Hackett closed his letter by thanking the employees who spoke up about the issue, but also making it clear that Ford will not change course. He said he appreciates the people who speak up, as it helped him write this letter to explain why the company continues to stand by its commitment to police services around the world.
