De-policing is an Americanism for a police industrial action strategy of a work place slowdown. A slowdown is an industrial action in which employees perform their duties but seek to reduce productivity or efficiency in their performance of these duties. A slowdown may be used as either a prelude or an alternative to a strike, as it is seen as less disruptive as well as less risky and costly for workers and their union.
De-policing represents a de facto police strike, in which the police withdraw an aspect of their crime prevention services. It is a practical police protest at perceived political interference in their day-to-day task of policing.
Author Heather MacDonald has offered yet another interpretation for the term "de-policing." In her book, The War on Cops, she uses the term as the antithesis for pro-active policing in general. In the light of the Eric Garner case in Staten Island, NY and criticism of Broken Windows policing, MacDonald has used this term to describe the NYPD's policy of backing away from actively pursuing Stop and Frisk procedures as a primary method of crime prevention. Recent court decisions like Ligon and Floyd have also contributed to the atmosphere of de-policing in many areas of the country, but particularly New York City. Cities like Ferguson, MO and Baltimore, MD have been similarly affected due to what is perceived as unfair and aggressive policing in minority communities.