It means the police would be alleviated of the tasks they are asked to do that normally would not be in their purview, for which they have no training or sensitivity: more social services oriented activities and some traffic activity (easily automated in most cases). 

I'm actually a little surprised and disappointed that the usually well informed contributors to this forum hadn't bothered to read beyond the sloganeering on this one.

Oh, welcome to the Forum!

I agree with your thoughts on the "defunding" of the police. "Defund" is a bad word, and it implies actions that really shouldn't (and hopefully won't) be taken.

As for response... sometimes our friends read a key word or two and jump right in. Some read that topics from the beginning, although that can be tricky with our presidential topic; now 310+ pages and growing by the minute.

But seriously, we've mis-used the police force over the year utilizing them for all sorts of activities that just don't work effectively with them at the lead. I'm excited that MAYBE we can get some serious discussion about just how much we spend on policing as it is now (and which most people agree is broken (in many directions, not just on the left)) and what we COULD do with that money if channeled more effectively.