Category: Policing
Phoenix police oversight office’s first director begins work
by Olivia McCann, Cronkite News December 8, 2021 PHOENIX – The first director of a new city office overseeing complaints filed against the Phoenix Police Department is on the job. Roger Smith runs the Office of Accountability…
Man in wheelchair fatally shot in the back by Tucson police officer
‘Indefensible‘ Richard Lee Richards was shot nine times in the back and side by a Tucson officer, who has since been fired, earlier this week. Noting that up to half of all fatal U.S. police…
Police killings of civilians in the US have been undercounted by more than half in official statistics
The names of the dead. (Photo:Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) by Moshen Naghavi, University of Washington; Eve Wool, University of Washington, and Fablina Sharara, University of Washington October 5, 2021 The big…
Feds targeted BLM activists to foil racial justice protests
“The federalization of protest-related charges was a deliberate and cynical effort to target and discourage those who protested in defense of Black lives.” by Kenny Stancil, Common Dreams August 19, 2021 As Black Lives Matter protests…
Hundreds say menstrual cycles impacted after exposure to police tear gas at Oregon protests
“This isn’t a coincidence. Something’s going on,” said one person who was exposed. by Julia Conley, staff writer Thursday, April 29, 2021 Hundreds of people reported in a new study that they experienced abnormal menstrual…
Chauvin guilty on all counts, including murder of George Floyd
One racial justice advocate said that there are “no victories today,” for “justice would mean George Floyd is still with us.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Tuesday, April 20, 2021 After deliberating for…
‘Entire system is to blame’: Outrage builds after police union leader says officer killing of unarmed teen was ‘heroic’
“Ending this isn’t just about consequences for who pulls the trigger. It’s about admitting to and confronting an entire system that exists to protect, defend, and cover up state violence.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Friday,…
Footage of Chicago Police shooting 13-year-old Adam Toledo fuels outrage
“If you’re shooting an unarmed child with his hands in the air, it is an assassination,” said an attorney for the boy’s family. by Jessica Corbett, staff writer April 15, 2021 Editor’s note: The video…
Shifting Sands on Police Tactics
by Wade Rathke March 8, 2021 New Orleans In the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, we heard from a former mayor and activist in the area. He wanted to do…
Why a shootout between Black Panthers and law enforcement 50 years ago matters today
by Paul Ringel, High Point University Members of the Black Panther Party outside the High Point property raided by police. Sonny Hedgecock/High Point Enterprise, CC BY-SA In the early hours of Feb. 10, 1971, police surrounded…
Outrage and disgust as charges dropped for Buffalo police officers who fractured skull of 75-year-old peaceful protester
“Despite the video evidence of the officers’ misconduct, a grand jury has dismissed the charges.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Friday, February 12, 2021 Outrage erupted after all charges against Aaron Torgalski and Robert McCabe—the police…
“I don’t trust the people above me”: Riot squad cops open up about disastrous response to Capitol insurrection
Interviews with 19 current and former officers show how failures of leadership and communication put hundreds of Capitol cops at risk and allowed rioters to get dangerously close to members of Congress. by Joaquin Sapien and…
‘Murder the media’: pro-Trump insurrectionists target journalists covering attack on US Capitol
The takeover followed an inflammatory speech in which the president, yet again, called the press “the enemy of the people.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Thursday, January 7, 2021 In the hours after President Donald Trump…
Probe demanded after footage shows Capitol Police standing aside for pro-Trump mob
“The images of police officers calmly allowing barricades open, letting the crowd enter, and taking selfies inside the building with those who have stormed it cannot go without investigation and penalty.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer…
Trump DOJ clears Cleveland cop who killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice
“The Rice family has been cheated of a fair process yet again,” said family attorney Subodh Chandra. by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Wednesday, December 30, 2020 The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it has…
Police Say Seizing Property Without Trial Helps Keep Crime Down. A New Study Shows They’re Wrong.
Civil asset forfeiture laws, which allow police to seize property without trial, are frequently justified as tools to seize millions from kingpins. A new study reveals the median amount taken is as low as $369 in…
Utah lawmakers seeking to legalize drivers running over street protesters
“Legislators are considering a bill that would let drivers off the hook for mowing down protesters.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Friday, November 20, 2020 Utah lawmakers are being condemned this week for advancing a bill…
Swept up by police
Analysis of arrests in 15 cities reveals most George Floyd protesters were charged with misdemeanors and lived within the metro area where they were arrested. By Meryl Kornfield, Austin R. Ramsey, Jacob Wallace, Christopher Casey and…
‘Go after the troublemakers’
Inside the federal government’s unprecedented campaign to prosecute Black Lives Matter protesters. by Anjali Kamat / REVEAL November 1, 2020 This story was originally published by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit news…
Police plus shots equal feet on the street
by Wade Rathke October 23, 2020 Little Rock About twenty Georgia State University School of Social Work students watched the film, The Organizer, in Atlanta recently. I zoomed in for a questions-and-answers session after it…
DEA’s latest salvo in failed US war on drugs
“Project Safeguard” “It is astonishing that in the midst of a pandemic and calls for police reform, the DEA is using the same old heavy-handed tactics to address a public health issue.” by Andrea Germanos, staff…
Funding mental health first responders to reduce police violence
Proposal by Katie Porter The co-sponsors cited research showing people with mental illnesses are 16 times more likely to be killed by law enforcement officers. by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Tuesday, October 20 Four Democratic lawmakers…
National Guard spy plane monitored racial justice protest in sleepy Sacramento suburb where Commander lives
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office has acknowledged that the surveillance “should not have happened.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Tuesday, October 20 Residents of a Sacramento suburb were left scratching their heads and asking questions on Sunday…
Police stockpile ‘less-lethal’ munitions
Caught off guard, agencies place emergency orders for riot gear By Chris Halsne and Sasha Fernandez / IRW Friday, October 16 A special report with WUSA9 After two nights of chaotic protests near the White House…
