This is what the future of policing could look like USA TODAY journalists spent months interviewing more than 100 people about how they wanted to see police work changed. This is the future they envision. Story by Jeff Schwaner, Staunton News Leader and illustrations by Jeff Morris, USA TODAY Network Published 4:23 pm UTC Mar. 23, 2021 Welcome to the future. A future where you’re driving and feel safe in your vehicle no matter your skin color. A future where a police officer parks on your street not to arrest one of your neighbors but because she is one of your neighbors. Where you punch in a 3-digit phone code if you need help, and it’s not 911. And when professional help comes, it doesn’t come with handcuffs, a Taser and a gun.