More than 65 years after eight-year-old Gloria Kowalewicz was abducted and murdered while walking to church, Chicago Police say DNA and fingerprint evidence has identified former department homicide detective Thomas F. McInerney Jr. as the suspect. According to the Associated Press, McInerney joined the Chicago Police Department in 1959, retired in 1987 and died in 2006. The original investigation included more than 1,300 interviews and hundreds of door-to-door inquiries. Preserved evidence, including Gloria’s clothing and a fingerprint from her communion purse, helped investigators identify McInerney with assistance from the FBI and Illinois State Police. Prosecutors are reviewing other cases that may have involved him. 🔎 More here

Police Disrupt Shooting Plot

A tip about threatening electronic messages led police in suburban Chicago to arrest a 19-year-old accused of planning a mass shooting, potentially targeting a Hindu place of worship. According to Reuters, investigators recovered a rifle, loaded magazines, ammunition and a tactical vest, along with material expressing white supremacist views. The suspect was charged with making a terrorist threat and unlawful weapon possession. 🚨 More here

Researchers Jason Silva and Adam Lankford examined 483 U.S. mass shootings between 2000 and 2023, finding that 41% were preceded by threats or disclosures of violent intent. Among incidents involving advance warnings, 54% were reported before the attack, and 83% of those reported received a criminal justice response. Public mass shootings were more likely to involve advance warnings, at 71%. Across all 483 incidents, 22% were reported before the attack and 18% received a documented criminal justice response. Most warnings were communicated in person (82%), followed by direct messages (22%) and online posts (14%), with some incidents involving multiple methods. The study was published in the American Journal of Criminal Justice in September 2026. 📄 Read the study

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Houston’s Records Overhaul

Houston Police plan to launch a $31 million records management system after more than a year of delays. The Houston Chronicle reports the city approved a seven-year contract with Versaterm Public Safety in 2023, with the system originally scheduled to launch in late 2024. Delays required an extension of the existing vendor’s contract costing up to $1.7 million. The department’s previous records system was among the problems identified in a 2024 investigation that found more than 264,000 incident reports had been shelved since 2016 under a code citing insufficient personnel. Former Chief Troy Finner retired amid the fallout. The replacement system is intended to manage incident reports and make case information accessible across divisions and agencies. 💻 More here

AI Misconduct Warning for Police

Britain’s Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has urged police chiefs to review their artificial intelligence policies following allegations that officers and staff used AI outside department rules. The watchdog is conducting two independent investigations into AI-related gross misconduct allegations and is aware of additional cases handled locally by police forces. IOPC Director General Rachel Watson warned that officers attempting to use AI to work more efficiently could face misconduct proceedings, including possible dismissal, if they do not understand what is permitted. The IOPC has written to the National Police Chiefs Council calling for clear policies, regular updates and practical training on appropriate AI use. 🤖 More here

Secret Service: Threats Surge

ICYMI - In a 60 Minutes interview, Secret Service Director Sean Curran reported that threats against the agency’s full-time protectees have increased more than 40% over the past year, with approximately 10,000 threats recorded since January. Curran and Deputy Director Matt Quinn also discussed the growing threat posed by drones, including the agency’s development of AI-assisted detection and counter-drone systems. Quinn acknowledged that defending against coordinated drone swarms remains an unresolved challenge. The report also examined staffing shortages, new protective technologies and changes made following the 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.

St. Louis Extends Chief’s Contract

The St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners voted October 17 to extend Police Chief Robert Tracy’s contract through October 2030, increasing his annual base salary to $295,000. According to FOX 2, the board acted after learning that other cities were interested in recruiting Tracy, who has led the department since 2023. Police officials report that overall crime has declined 45%, murders 43% and juvenile shootings 60% during his tenure. The agreement was approved during a special board meeting. 👮 More here

Cornelius Names Next Chief

Jennifer Thompson, a 25-year veteran of the Cornelius Police Department in North Carolina, has been named the department’s next chief and will become its first female leader. According to Cornelius Today, Thompson joined the department as a cadet in 2001 and has served as an officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and deputy chief. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Gardner-Webb University, completed the FBI Leadership Trilogy and was named the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce Officer of the Year in 2008. She succeeds Chief David Baucom, who is retiring at the end of the year. 👮 More here

Study Examines Officer Wellness

A national study of 6,522 people with sworn law enforcement experience found that 21.1% of respondents completing the PTSD screening met the threshold for clinically significant symptoms. Another 19.9% screened positive for alcohol-related risk, 16.9% for anxiety and 16.2% for depression. Published in Policing: An International Journal, the study also found an association between longer workweeks and higher levels of anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms. The results are based on self-reported screening measures, not clinical diagnoses, and the percentages have different denominators. The study was published in August 2026. 📊 Read the study

Louisville’s Officer Wellness Model

Louisville Metro Police’s 30,000-square-foot Summit Wellness Center recorded more than 33,000 visits in 2025, including over 4,000 physical therapy visits and 1,739 mental wellness contacts. According to the Louisville Metro Police Foundation’s executive director, writing in Police1, the center’s physical therapy services helped prevent an estimated 1,400 lost shifts. The facility offers fitness, counseling, injury recovery, financial education and family support services. More than 200 communities have visited Louisville to learn about the program. The visit totals and estimated shifts preserved were reported by the center’s operators. 💪 More here

In Memoriam: Major Sean A. Meagher

Last week, we lost a friend. Retired Minnesota State Patrol Major Sean A. Meagher passed away October 8 at age 57. Sean served 26 years with the Minnesota State Patrol before retiring in April 2024. He was a strong advocate for bringing better technology to state police agencies and giving troopers the tools they needed to do their jobs more effectively and safely. Sean was also a regular reader of the Weekly Briefing. He is survived by his wife, Angela, and their three daughters, Meg, Kate and Elizabeth. Sean will be missed by his family, friends and colleagues. 🖤💙 Read his obituary

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Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber, 40, was killed and a second officer was shot 12 times when a gunman opened fire as they responded to a call about an armed man in West Philadelphia. The New York Times reports the suspect, Eric Lewis, 35, continued firing at responding officers before being taken into custody. Lewis faces charges including murder of a law enforcement officer and 10 counts of attempted murder. Police recovered a shotgun and two handguns, including one taken from a wounded officer. Seiber, a 10-year veteran, leaves behind his wife and two young children. The second officer, 33 and a father of five, was hospitalized in stable condition. Commissioner Kevin Bethel praised his officers, saying, “Consistently, they go into danger, and they give their lives for this job.” 🖤💙 More here

What’s Behind the Drop?

Nearly 50 leading crime scholars examined possible explanations for the historic decline in U.S. homicides, which began in mid-2022 and accelerated through 2025. In a new assessment published by the Council on Criminal Justice, researchers evaluated nearly 50 potential factors and found the strongest support for focused deterrence, proactive policing, community violence intervention, improved local government capacity and recovery from pandemic disruptions. The scholars also considered changes in policing, incarceration, economic conditions, demographics and public policy. More than half of the proposed explanations received little support, including increased immigration enforcement, National Guard deployments and expanded pretrial detention. The researchers found no single explanation for the decline, instead pointing to several factors operating together, with their relative importance likely varying across communities. The findings are based on expert assessments rather than a statistical analysis establishing causation, but offer a detailed examination of what may be driving one of the most significant declines in American violent crime in decades. 📉 Read report.

Drones Reduce Patrol Demand

Two randomized controlled trials of Drone as First Responder programs found measurable improvements in police service delivery, including a substantial number of calls resolved without dispatching patrol officers. In Philadelphia, drones resolved 72% of 436 CAD-recorded deployments without a patrol response, representing an estimated 227 patrol officer hours preserved. Calls assigned to drone response were also completed 14.5 minutes faster, a 16.6% reduction in total service time. In Montgomery County, Maryland, 19.5% of drone deployments were resolved without patrol, preserving an estimated 113 officer hours, while median first-arrival times fell 10%. Published October 9 in CrimRxiv, the study by Scott Mourtgos and colleagues offers new experimental evidence on DFR operations, although the patrol-avoidance figures are descriptive and the paper has not yet been peer-reviewed. 📄 Research here

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Next Minneapolis Chief

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has nominated Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson, a 31-year department veteran, to lead the department permanently. Peterson initially declined to pursue the position but reconsidered after encouragement from officers and community members. His career includes leadership roles during the Interstate 35W bridge collapse, the 2011 tornado and Super Bowl LII. The City Council must approve his appointment, with a vote expected in November. 🔗 More here.

AI Submits False Homicide Tip

Anthropic has suspended live internet access for all internal AI evaluations after discovering several incidents in which its Claude models took unauthorized actions on real websites. According to The Hacker News, one model submitted a fabricated tip about an unsolved homicide through a Philadelphia Police Department website on July 18. The tip was flagged as spam, but Anthropic did not discover the incident until September 28 or notify police until October 7. Other incidents included AI models exploiting software vulnerabilities to execute commands on a university server, bypassing website access restrictions and reportedly submitting 20 incomplete visa applications through the U.S. State Department’s website. Anthropic said the incidents had minimal real-world impact but acknowledged that additional safeguards were necessary. The company has now restricted live internet access during internal evaluations while it strengthens security and monitoring controls. 🤖 More here

AI Catches Police Misconduct

London’s Metropolitan Police have fired the head of its Special Constabulary after using AI to uncover misconduct involving intimate photographs. The BBC reports investigators used Palantir’s Foundry system to discover that Special Chief Officer James Deller had used his police-issued phone to copy intimate images sent to his personal phone through WhatsApp’s disappearing-message feature. The discovery came during Project Galatasaray, a week-long operation using AI to identify corruption and misconduct within the department. Deller was dismissed following a misconduct hearing and will be barred from serving in policing again. The Metropolitan Police Federation has raised concerns about AI monitoring of officers’ devices, while department leadership has defended its use to identify misconduct. 🔗 More here

Hate Crimes Rise in NYC

New York City recorded its lowest number of shootings, shooting victims and murders in history through the first nine months of 2026, but hate crimes are moving in the opposite direction. According to CBS News New York, confirmed hate crimes increased 12.9% year-to-date, reaching 463 incidents. Antisemitic offenses accounted for 53% of all confirmed hate crimes, despite Jewish residents representing roughly 10% of the city’s population. Anti-Muslim hate crimes rose 77.8%, anti-Hispanic offenses increased 88.3%, and gender-based hate crimes jumped 122.2%. Rape reports also increased 4%, although Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said approximately one-quarter involved incidents from prior years. Meanwhile, the NYPD recorded just 203 murders and 489 shooting incidents through September, both historic lows. 📊 More here

Hate Crimes Rise in Britain

Police in England and Wales recorded 146,825 hate crimes in the year ending March 2026, a 7% increase from the previous year and the first rise in three years. According to the BBC, racially motivated offenses accounted for approximately 74% of recorded hate crimes, while religious hate crimes rose 13% to 11,419. Offenses targeting Muslims increased 15%, from 4,479 to 5,132, while antisemitic offenses rose 10%. The UK Home Office said the increase was driven largely by public order offenses involving intimidation and abuse, although violence and vandalism were also reported. Officials noted that hate crimes have increased over the past two years despite broader violent crime and public order offenses following different trends, suggesting a genuine increase in hate-motivated offending. The report also highlighted several high-profile incidents, including the deadly attack at Manchester’s Heaton Park Synagogue in October 2025 and the March 2026 arson attack on four Jewish community ambulances in London. The Home Office said offenses motivated by sexual orientation, disability and transgender identity were either stable or declining. 🔗 More here

An Unexpected K-9 Applicant

A four-legged visitor showed up at a Tampa Police Department station apparently ready to join the force. Officers welcomed their unexpected recruit, but with the K-9 roster already full, they used his microchip to track down his owner and reunite the pair. He didn't get the job, but as Tampa Police put it, he definitely stole their hearts.

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American teenagers are becoming part of the pipeline supplying firearms to Mexican cartels. The New York Times followed four current or former Phoenix high school students, ages 16 to 19, who described buying, stealing and reselling firearms to U.S.-based cartel operatives, with many of the weapons ultimately headed to Mexico. One 18-year-old says he coordinates dozens of students from at least 20 Phoenix high schools, while federal officials say cartels increasingly recruit young people because they can be lured by quick money and often have clean records. Encrypted messaging apps have made the underground market easier to access, allowing teenagers to find guns, buyers and suppliers with remarkable speed. Federal data show about one-third of identified gun traffickers investigated by ATF from 2017 through 2021 were under 25, including about 5% who were under 17. 🔗 More here

Fewer Officers Killed

Through September, 241 law enforcement officers have been shot in the line of duty, down 4% from the same period in 2025 and 15% from 2024, according to the National Fraternal Order of Police. Twenty-three officers were killed by gunfire—down 34% from 2025 and 45% from 2024—while 49 officers were shot in 39 separate ambush-style attacks. 📉 National FOP report

500,000 Faces. Zero Arrests.

A six-month British Transport Police trial of live facial recognition scanned more than 500,000 faces at London railway stations without producing a single arrest attributable to the technology. According to The Standard, BTP spent £320,786 and nearly 100 hours of officer time across 18 deployments between February and July. The system generated one watchlist alert, which turned out to be a false match. BTP has since extended the trial to London Underground stations, where three subsequent confirmed alerts identified people who were complying with their court-ordered conditions. 👀 More here

Birmingham’s Crime Drop

Birmingham has recorded 34 homicides through the third quarter of 2026, compared with 61 at the same point last year and 129 in 2024—a 74% decline from 2024. WBRC reports violent crime is down 8.6%, Part One crime is down 13%, police response times have improved 16.4%, and the department reports a 91% homicide clearance rate; domestic violence remains a concern, with cases up 18.3%. 📊More here

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The Crime Drop Exception

Violent crime is falling across much of the country, but intimate partner violence is not declining at the same pace, like in Birmingham. The Police Executive Research Forum reports that most police executives it surveyed said IPV-related homicides and assaults were not falling as quickly as overall violent crime, with some jurisdictions reporting increases. More than three-quarters of responding agencies use a lethality or risk-assessment tool, and PERF points to strangulation as a particularly serious warning sign: research shows a woman strangled by a male partner is more than seven times as likely to later be killed by that partner. PERF brought together more than 100 police executives, detectives, prosecutors, victim advocates and researchers to examine strategies including mandatory intervention, lethality assessments, strangulation protocols, firearm relinquishment and improved tracking of domestic violence. 📉 PERF Report

Funding for Local Police

State and local law enforcement agencies are receiving substantial new federal resources for participating in immigration enforcement. The Wall Street Journal reports that more than 1,800 agencies have joined the DHS task force program since 2025, with funding available for participating officers, equipment, technology, vehicles and overtime. DHS has distributed more than $200 million to law enforcement partners since January 2025, with Congress providing $1 billion for the partnership programs. The scale can be significant: the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office enrolled more than 970 deputies and was eligible for roughly $14.6 million in DHS funding from April through June. 🔗 More here

A Dog Leads the Way

Sometimes the best backup has four legs. A loose dog in Leawood, Kansas, led a police officer back home, where its owner had fallen and been unable to get up for more than three hours—turning an ordinary patrol encounter into a pretty remarkable rescue. 👮‍♂️ 🐕

Drones Change the Response

Salt Lake City Police are using drones and a developing Real-Time Crime Center to change how they respond to calls for service. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, during 391 drone flights over a three-week period in August, drones arrived first 70% of the time. In 88 cases, the remote pilot determined a patrol officer was not needed, while in 24 flights a drone helped locate or monitor suspects who were later arrested. The department says drones can launch in about five seconds from five docking locations around the city, giving officers real-time information before they arrive and allowing the department to handle some calls without sending an officer. 🔗 More here

Seattle Gets Proactive

Seattle Police Interim Chief Andre Sayles is developing a pilot program to put greater focus on proactive enforcement against people driving gun violence. According to KUOW, Sayles wants to devote more staffing to units that investigate gun crimes, identify suspects, serve warrants and make arrests. Seattle Police Officers Guild President Kent Loux supports the effort, while the department says details about how many officers will be assigned are still being developed. Sayles told the City Council he wants police to be “very proactive” toward individuals responsible for a disproportionate amount of violence while balancing those resources against patrol staffing. 🚓 More here

AI Watches. Does It Matter?

Can AI analysis of body-camera footage change officer behavior? A new randomized controlled trial involving 314 Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers tested an AI-based body-camera analytics platform and found no statistically significant effects on stops, citations, arrests, use of force or complaints after correcting for multiple comparisons. Researchers also found no evidence that the technology caused officers to become less active. Published in Crime Science, the study concludes that the platform produced neither the hypothesized “civilizing effect” nor a “de-policing effect” on trooper behavior. 🔗 Study here

Crime Is Falling Down Under

U.S. police leaders aren’t the only ones seeing crime move in the right direction. New data from Victoria, Australia, show the state’s crime rate fell 3.8% in the year ending June 2026 after a period of significant increases. ABC News reports serious and violent crime fell 4%, including a 27% decline in home invasions, 25% decline in carjackings, 22% decline in robberies and nearly 20% decline in burglaries. Youth offending fell 8.1%, car theft declined 5% and theft from vehicles dropped 10%. Victoria Police also made a record 16,500 family-violence arrests. The numbers come despite significant staffing pressure: Victoria Police still has 1,340 unfilled positions. Police cautioned that overall crime remains 13% higher than three years ago, but said the latest declines are encouraging. 🇦🇺 More here

Wyoming Names New Colonel

The Wyoming Department of Transportation has selected 25-year Highway Patrol veteran KC Ramsey to lead the Wyoming Highway Patrol following a five-month search. Colonel Ramsey, who most recently served as a major overseeing areas including communications, training, technology and special operations, says recruitment and retention will be among his priorities as he takes command. 🔗 More here

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After decades of research, there is considerably more evidence about what works to reduce violent crime than there was in the early 1990s. In a new Cambridge University Press review, criminologist Edmund F. McGarrell traces that evolution and finds the strongest results come from focused, data-driven strategies aimed at the relatively small number of people and places driving violence. Research supports hot-spot policing, focused deterrence, problem-oriented policing and targeted enforcement, particularly when strategies are tailored to specific local crime problems. Among the findings: the Kansas City Gun Experiment produced a 49% reduction in gun crime in targeted areas; Boston Ceasefire was followed by a more than 60% decline in youth homicides; and more recent systematic reviews continue to find reductions from focused deterrence and hot-spot policing. McGarrell’s larger point is that there is no single program or technology responsible for reducing violence. The most effective approaches combine precise enforcement with strong analysis, partnerships, community engagement, research and continual evaluation—while concentrating resources where violence is actually occurring. 📄 Full article

Chief Sues “MILF” Mayor

St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry has sued Mayor Kaohly Her and the city, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation after he filed a complaint against her. According to NBC News, Henry alleges Her twice grabbed his upper thigh during a police budget meeting, made sexual comments and innuendos to him, described herself as a “MILF,” and later retaliated after he reported her conduct. The 73-page lawsuit also alleges the mayor created a hostile environment for police staff and hired a private public-relations firm to discredit Henry. Her spokesperson denied the major allegations, saying an independent investigation did not substantiate claims of sexual harassment or retaliation, although that investigation concluded Her had engaged in “offensive and inappropriate behavior” with employees. Her has issued two apologies for behavior she characterized in part as attempts at humor. Henry, who has led the department since 2022, is seeking a jury trial and damages for lost wages and benefits, emotional distress, humiliation and harm to his reputation. ⚖️ Article here

True Crime’s Staying Power

Crime rates may be falling, but America’s appetite for true crime is showing no signs of slowing down. CBS News Sunday Morning examines a genre that now spans streaming shows, podcasts, television, movies and massive gatherings like CrimeCon. “My Favorite Murder,” for example, has surpassed two billion downloads and spawned its own podcast network. But the popularity also raises difficult questions about turning real victims and tragedies into entertainment. Online amateur investigators have sometimes generated useful leads, but 48 Hours correspondent Erin Moriarty warns they can also wrongly accuse innocent people. That tension becomes particularly personal for Steve and Kristi Goncalves, whose daughter Kaylee was one of four University of Idaho students murdered in 2022. The couple has now created the Murder Has a Name foundation to privately fund investigations of unsolved murders. The enduring lesson, according to true-crime scholar Jean Murley, is simple: behind every compelling case is a real person. (Link above)

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What Keeps Cops?

A new systematic review suggests keeping police officers is about much more than the paycheck. Researchers Andreas Gierl and Christine Sutter reviewed 20 peer-reviewed studies on police retention and found leadership quality, organizational support and relationships at work were among the most consistent factors associated with officers staying. Supportive, fair and transparent leadership emerged as a key organizational lever, while poor leadership, limited career opportunities, opaque promotion processes, stress and work-life imbalance were associated with greater intentions to leave. Money still matters: one study found agencies with salaries two standard deviations below the average experienced 84% higher voluntary turnover than agencies with above-average compensation. Just published in the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, the review concludes that retention is best approached as an organization-wide challenge involving leadership, career development, work-life balance and organizational support—not simply recruiting replacements for those who leave. 👮‍♂️ Study here

Chief Defends His Officers

Portland Police Chief Bob Day is facing complaints after publicly challenging a city councilor over past statements critical of police. According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, Day issued a Police Bureau press release responding to social media posts Councilor Mitch Green made during the 2020 and 2021 racial justice protests, saying the comments left him without confidence that Green could evaluate the Police Bureau “reasonably and objectively.” Green is now running for reelection, and two supporters have filed complaints alleging Day’s statement amounted to using his public position to oppose a candidate in violation of Oregon election law. They also filed complaints under city rules restricting political activity by employees. The Oregon Secretary of State’s elections division had not yet determined whether it would investigate, and the Police Bureau declined to comment. Green himself faced a political-activity complaint last month involving his city Instagram account, but the city auditor dismissed it. 🔗 More here

Leading Fort Worth Forward

One year into leading the Fort Worth Police Department, Chief Eddie Garcia reflects on falling violent and property crime, the department’s new crime plan, recruiting and growing the force, and the importance of creating a workplace where officers want to stay. He also discusses expanding the department’s real-time crime center, drones and other technology, arguing that technology is essential when agencies cannot put an officer on every street—but that its use must come with appropriate safeguards and accountability. Link above.

Tempe Chief Pushes Back

Tempe Police Chief Ken McCoy is pushing back against a proposed ordinance that would make Tempe the first Arizona city to ban automated license plate readers. According to ABC15 Arizona, the city canceled its Flock Safety contract last month, a decision McCoy supported, but the chief said the department expected to replace Flock with another ALPR provider operating under appropriate safeguards. McCoy told the council that crimes have gone unsolved since the cameras were decommissioned, pointing to a recent hit-and-run that left a 16-year-old girl hospitalized with a brain injury at an intersection where a Flock camera had been located. “I am confident we would have been able to solve this case a lot sooner if our technology was in place,” McCoy said. Councilmembers supporting the ban cited privacy, vendor practices and the lack of comprehensive data showing how many cases ALPRs helped solve. The proposal would prohibit city and police use of ALPR technology, with limited exceptions, and a final council vote is scheduled for Oct. 15. 🔗 More here

All ALPRs Aren’t the Same

Pinal County Sheriff Ross Teeple is drawing a sharp distinction between automated license plate readers and Flock Safety, arguing that law enforcement should preserve access to ALPR technology while demanding greater transparency from vendors. According to KTAR, Teeple told Congress this week that traditional ALPRs provide valuable investigative leads by capturing license plates, while raising concerns about the amount of additional data he says Flock collects and how that information may be used. Teeple, who announced in August that his office would not renew its Flock contract, said his concern centers on technology capable of tracking an individual’s movements without the warrant his deputies would need to place a GPS tracker on someone. Flock has disputed Teeple’s characterization of its capabilities, including his claims about facial recognition. With Pinal County’s ALPR program currently stalled after county supervisors revoked camera right-of-way permits, Teeple said he remains hopeful the county can find another provider that gives deputies the license-plate information they need without the broader concerns he has raised about Flock. 📸 More here

Oregon Weighs ALPR Ban

Oregon lawmakers could move from regulating automated license plate readers to banning them altogether in 2027, despite opposition from law enforcement leaders who argue the technology is an important crime-fighting tool. According to the Oregon Capital Chronicle, a Democratic and Republican state representative are preparing legislation amid growing bipartisan privacy concerns surrounding Flock Safety. Oregon already enacted legislation this year limiting ALPR data retention to 30 days in most circumstances and allowing lawsuits against vendors—guardrails that received support from the state’s sheriffs and police chiefs associations. Those groups have argued that concerns about one vendor should not cost law enforcement access to ALPR technology generally, saying responsible data sharing improves investigations and public safety. The Portland Police Bureau, for example, has used ALPR technology for more than a decade and says officers must independently establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause before making a stop based on an alert. The emerging debate reflects a growing distinction between concerns about Flock and the broader question of whether law enforcement should retain access to ALPR technology under strong safeguards. 🔗 More here

When Should Police Pursue?

Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd says restrictive pursuit policies do not mean officers simply let dangerous suspects escape. According to cleveland.com, Cleveland officers initiated 184 pursuits through Sept. 9 this year, compared with 212 during the same period in 2025. Department policy generally limits pursuits to violent felonies and suspected drunk drivers, requiring officers to weigh the danger of allowing a suspect to escape against the danger created by a chase. Todd pointed to recent cases involving suspects accused of shootings, carjackings and other violent crimes, saying officers have “a duty to act” when someone presents an ongoing threat to the public. But she also acknowledged the very real risks: five Cleveland officers were injured during one pursuit this year, and Todd has personally seen officers seriously injured and innocent people killed in pursuits. Other Ohio departments are taking different approaches, including Canton, which pursues only violent felons and increasingly relies on license plate readers, cameras and drones to locate fleeing suspects without a high-speed chase. 🔗 More here

New Study on Police Pursuits

A new study finds that dramatically increasing police vehicle pursuits in New York City produced substantially more crashes without credible evidence that it reduced crime. Writing in the Journal of Quantitative Criminology, John Hall and Justin Nix examined the NYPD’s shift beginning in late 2022, when monthly pursuits increased from roughly eight to more than 200 at their peak. Pursuit-related collisions rose with that increase, including an estimated 24.6 additional collisions per month immediately following the policy shift. But when the researchers compared New York’s shooting trends with those in other large U.S. cities, they found no statistically significant evidence that increased pursuits reduced shootings; robbery also showed no deterrent effect. Perhaps most notably, when NYPD tightened its pursuit policy in February 2025 and monthly pursuits subsequently fell by nearly 75%, crime did not increase—robberies fell 8.8%, shootings 25.5%, and overall gun violence 15.9%. The authors estimate the pursuit expansion generated approximately 676 excess collisions, 6.8 additional fatalities and 355 injuries, with estimated societal costs of nearly $169 million. They conclude that agencies considering broader pursuit authority should require evidence of crime-prevention benefits rather than assuming more pursuits will deter crime, particularly when better-supported strategies such as hot-spot policing and focused deterrence are available. 🚓 Study here

Eyes in the Sky

Providence Police are the latest agency to launch a Drone as First Responder program, deploying five drones equipped with cameras and thermal imaging from rooftop stations and operating them remotely through the department’s Real Time Crime Center. According to The Brown Daily Herald, the drones can reach incidents before officers and provide real-time information during calls ranging from missing-person searches and crime-scene documentation to armed suspects and fleeing offenders. Providence has already used the technology to maintain visual contact with an armed suspect and monitor a large pop-up party, while nearby agencies are using drones for tactical operations, serious crashes and searches for people in distress. Police officials say the goal is to give responding officers better information while reducing risk, with department policy prohibiting random surveillance and requiring warrants when officers seek to view areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. 👀 More here

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Malicious drones have moved from a hypothetical concern to an operational threat for law enforcement. In a new report, the Police Executive Research Forum warns that drone technology is evolving faster than the authorities and capabilities available to police, pointing to 2,800 drone incursions at NFL stadiums in 2025, roughly 23,000 illicit drone flights a month in New York City and more than 700 drones seized near World Cup venues this summer. PERF also details how drones are being weaponized in Ukraine and by Mexican cartels, while recent federal changes are giving state and local agencies a pathway to detect and eventually mitigate drone threats themselves. The report urges police leaders to begin preparing now by building federal partnerships, assessing vulnerable infrastructure, establishing detection capabilities, developing policies and pursuing counter-drone training. 📄 Read the PERF report

What’s Driving the Drop?

Vehicle burglaries in San Francisco have collapsed, falling from nearly 30,000 reported incidents in 2019 to around 5,000 over the past 12 months—an extraordinary decline that has outpaced every other large city with comparable data. Writing in Jeff-alytics, crime analyst Jeff Asher takes a data-driven look at whether police technology and increased enforcement deserve the credit. San Francisco increased hot-spot patrols, used bait cars, targeted organized burglary crews, deployed drones and installed Flock license plate readers. But Asher finds the evidence more complicated. Vehicle burglaries were already well into their decline before ALPR cameras were installed, and although San Francisco conducted nearly 7,500 drone flights from June 2024 through June 2026, only 176 involved vehicle burglaries—about 1% of reported incidents. Arrest rates for vehicle burglaries have improved, but Asher notes that the actual number of arrests has remained relatively stable as the number of crimes has fallen. He also points to recent research across 216 agencies finding fixed ALPR deployment was associated with an 11% decline in motor vehicle theft and a 15.9% increase in clearance rates, suggesting the technology can have measurable effects on some vehicle-related crime. His conclusion is not that technology doesn’t work, but that San Francisco’s remarkable decline likely has multiple causes and the data do not yet support giving drones, ALPR—or any single intervention—most of the credit. 📉 Read Jeff-alytics Substack

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Additional ALPR Research

New research finds that Flock’s fixed license plate readers can reduce vehicle theft—but the benefits may be narrower than some of the company’s claims have suggested. Writing in City Journal, criminologists Ian Adams and Scott Mourtgos analyzed deployments at 216 law enforcement agencies and found motor vehicle theft fell about 11% relative to comparison agencies in the year after deployment. Vehicle-theft clearance rates increased about 16%, although that improvement began before the cameras were activated, meaning it cannot all be attributed to Flock. The cameras did not increase the overall likelihood that a stolen vehicle would be recovered, but vehicles that were recovered were found about six hours sooner. The authors note that previous claims about Flock’s effectiveness have relied heavily on correlational evidence and say their research provides a more rigorous—but also more limited—picture of what the technology actually delivers: measurable benefits for vehicle theft, but not a cure-all. They also call for independent auditing, tighter controls on searches and limits on data retention to address privacy and misuse concerns. 🔗 More here

The Fake Badge Scam

Nearly 61,000 complaints involving law enforcement or government impersonation scams were reported to the FBI between January 2025 and July 2026, with victims losing more than $1.6 billion. Scammers spoof legitimate phone numbers, email addresses, employee names and credentials, then use aggressive tactics—often threatening victims with arrest, prosecution or imprisonment unless they pay, according to MLive. Jury-duty scams alone generated 6,833 complaints and nearly $36 million in losses. The FBI says law enforcement agencies will never call or text someone demanding payment and will never request payment through prepaid cards, cryptocurrency or couriers. 🪪 More here

Chief Resigns After Investigation

Montgomery County Police Chief Marc Yamada resigned after an inspector general investigation found he was “not truthful” when questioned about how and why a relative accompanied him to a law enforcement conference in Las Vegas. The Washington Post reports Yamada said he did not participate in selecting the relative for the trip, but investigators concluded that claim was false. The investigation also found that over a two-year period Yamada did not record taking leave despite being unavailable during regular work hours on some occasions, including to attend a golf tournament. County Executive Marc Elrich asked Yamada to resign, saying the findings were serious enough that the county “didn’t have a choice.” Yamada, who joined the department in 1988 and became chief in 2024, told employees he was retiring after 37 years with the agency. 🔗 More here

Durham Welcomes New Chief

Durham NC formally welcomed Chief Stephanie Mardis this week as she takes over a department confronting persistent violent crime and staffing challenges. WRAL News reports Mardis, a 24-year law enforcement veteran and former Greensboro assistant chief, was sworn in Sept. 18 after officially taking office earlier this month. Violent crime in Durham increased 4.6% during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, and the city’s homicide rate is roughly twice state and national rates. Mardis says reducing violence through collaboration with the community will be a priority, while emphasizing accountability within both the department and the community. 🔗 More here

Last Week

I didn’t publish the Weekly Briefing last week because I was recovering from my daughter’s wedding….wait until you see our dance video 💃🕺

Dealer Loyalty Card

An alleged Minnesota drug dealer was arrested after investigators say he handed out loyalty punch cards to regular customers. According to the National Enquirer, 27-year-old Andi Selencia allegedly distributed cards branded “flowerdaddy” while selling drugs, including psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana. The Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force investigated Selencia through surveillance, an undercover agent and traffic stops of suspected customers. After arranging an undercover purchase, authorities arrested Selencia and executed search warrants at multiple locations, where they say they seized more than 6,000 grams of marijuana flower, 5,100 grams of THC concentrate and 1,400 grams of psilocybin mushrooms. Investigators also recovered a pistol and determined that Selencia’s U.S. visa had expired in 2022, which authorities said prohibited him from possessing a firearm. 😶‍🌫️ More here

Illinois Targets Gunmakers

Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation that would require gun manufacturers to help pay the costs of gun violence in the state. FOX 2 reports Illinois officials estimate gun violence costs the state $20 billion each year for expenses including emergency services, funerals and law enforcement. Under the proposed Responsibility in Firearm Legislation Act, Senate Bill 2279, gun manufacturers would contribute to a state fund intended to offset those costs. The amount each manufacturer would pay would depend on how many of its firearms are tied to shootings in Illinois. If passed, the legislation would be the first of its kind in the nation. 🔫 More here

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Twenty-five years after 9/11, more than 100 million Americans were not yet alive when the attacks occurred, and millions more were too young to remember them. The New York Times interviewed nearly three dozen people age 26 and younger about how a generation with no firsthand memory understands an event that fundamentally changed the country. For many, 9/11 is history learned through parents, teachers, museums, social media and popular culture, while their own formative experiences include mass shootings, the pandemic and wars that followed the attacks. Some described a deep respect for the victims, police officers and firefighters who responded that day, while also acknowledging a growing distance from the collective grief experienced by older generations. The result is a generation shaped by the consequences of 9/11 even though they have no memory of the day itself. 🇺🇸 More here

Cartels Escalate Tactics

Mexican drug cartels are increasingly using car bombs, explosive-laden drones and improvised explosive devices against rivals and security forces. The Associated Press reports that a recent car bomb outside a police station in Zacatecas injured 11 people and damaged more than 60 homes, while the state has recorded 23 explosive-related attacks this year. Authorities say the use of explosives has expanded over roughly the past five years, including drones and devices planted along roads. The escalation comes as the United States has designated several Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, while Mexico has resisted characterizing cartel violence as terrorism. 🔗 More here

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Officers Run Toward Gunfire

Three Minneapolis police officers were injured, including two who were shot, while responding to a shooting inside a downtown apartment building that left two victims and the suspected gunman dead. The Associated Press reports officers arrived within two minutes of the initial 911 call and encountered a chaotic scene with limited visibility from a haze inside the building. One officer was shot in the leg, another twice in the abdomen and a third suffered non-gunshot injuries; all were expected to recover. Officers continued responding to the gunfire and locating victims as the incident unfolded. 🔗 More here

Red States Turn on ALPR

The political backlash against automated license plate readers is increasingly coming from law-and-order Republicans. The New York Times reports Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed police departments to stop using state money for Flock cameras, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered the systems removed from state roads and called the technology “out of control.” Police agencies are responding even as they defend ALPR’s crime-fighting value: Jacksonville paused its 150-camera program just a week after highlighting its role in solving crimes, while Dallas is deactivating 321 cameras purchased with state funds. Republican lawmakers in Indiana, Kansas and Tennessee are also pursuing restrictions or greater oversight. Some law enforcement leaders are pushing back, including Florida Sheriff Bill Prummell, who said “criminals are jumping up and down for joy,” while Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd argued the focus should be on ensuring the technology is used appropriately. 🔗 More here

Backlash Hits Retail

The backlash over license plate readers is expanding beyond law enforcement and local government to major retailers. Business Insider reports activists are pressuring Ulta Beauty and Lowe’s to end their use of Flock technology, citing privacy concerns and reported cases of law enforcement officers misusing ALPR data. Ulta says Flock cameras are deployed at fewer than 1% of its more than 1,500 stores and are used to support criminal investigations, particularly organized retail theft; Flock says private customers control data retention and whether information is shared with law enforcement. A petition targeting Ulta had collected more than 13,000 signatures, while a separate campaign against Lowe’s has organized about 10 events. 🔗 More here

Crime Is Down. Disorder Isn't

Murder rates are falling to a 20-year low, but visible disorder remains a concern in many American cities. In a Washington Post opinion discussion, Carine Hajjar talks with Manhattan Institute fellow Heather Mac Donald about the disconnect between falling violent crime and public perceptions of safety. Their conversation covers violent “teen takeovers,” youth crime and urban disorder, possible explanations for the nationwide crime decline, whether President Trump’s policies deserve any credit, and the debate over progressive prosecutors. They also discuss police technology and public trust, along with homelessness, open drug use and involuntary treatment.

Crime Falls in UK, Fear Remains

Crime has fallen substantially in the United Kingdom, but the public largely believes the opposite. Writing in The Conversation, King’s College London public policy professor Bobby Duffy reports that more than eight in ten Britons believe crime has increased in recent years. Eight in ten think mobile phone theft has risen since 2010 and roughly six in ten say the same about vehicle theft and burglary, even though all three have fallen by at least 50%. Murders are down 20% since 2010, yet two-thirds believe they have increased or stayed the same. Duffy attributes the gap partly to people’s tendency to focus on negative information and to a media, social media and political environment that reinforces those perceptions. His research also found the disconnect extends to policing: officer numbers in England and Wales have increased 20% since 2018, but two-thirds of the public believe they have fallen. 🇬🇧 More here

Sweden Fights Back

After years of escalating gang violence, shootings in Sweden have fallen sharply. The Financial Times reports Sweden recorded 391 shootings and 62 deaths in 2022, compared with 48 shootings and 12 deaths through Aug. 6 this year—an 80% decline in shootings from the 2022 peak. Police credit no single solution, but point to a shift from investigating shootings individually to nationally coordinating intelligence, identifying connections and intervening earlier to prevent attacks. The government also increased police staffing and resources, expanded wiretap authorities, toughened penalties and worked with foreign governments to arrest gang leaders operating abroad. Significant problems remain: bombings have increased, gangs continue recruiting children as young as 12 through digital platforms, and Sweden’s most notorious gang leader remains at large. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said giving police more officers and better tools “might be the most critical part” of the turnaround. 🇸🇪 More here

Stop Asking Why

In an opinion essay, economist Jennifer Doleac argues that journalists and policymakers should stop obsessing over why crime rates rise or fall. Writing in Probable Causation, Doleac says broad crime trends have many potential causes and there is no clean experiment that can definitively explain major national shifts. More importantly, she argues, understanding exactly what caused the past isn’t necessary to reduce crime in the future. Instead of asking, “Why is crime falling?” she proposes a more useful question: What new ideas do recent crime trends suggest for reducing crime and violence? Communities can then try promising approaches and rigorously test whether they actually work. Her larger point: crime is not something communities simply have to accept—policymakers and practitioners have the ability to intervene and shape what happens next. 📉 Essay here

K-9 on the Mend

A San Diego County Sheriff’s K-9 is recovering after being stabbed several times while helping police arrest a burglary suspect. Nike, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois, was deployed after police said the suspect was swinging a large stick, throwing objects and threatening officers. Authorities said the suspect stabbed Nike in the face several times before officers and deputies took him into custody. Nike was rushed to a veterinary hospital and treated for five facial lacerations and two puncture wounds. The suspect was booked on charges including injuring a working dog, resisting arrest and second-degree burglary. 🐶 More here

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Public opinion on automated license plate readers has shifted sharply in just one year. The Washington Post reports a YouGov survey of roughly 20,000 adults found 46% now oppose ALPR use in their communities and 38% support it, reversing last year’s 45% support and 33% opposition. A separate survey found 43% said the technology would make them feel neither safer nor less safe, while 27% said safer; 38% did not believe the cameras reduced nearby crime, compared with 30% who did. At the same time, majorities still support police using ALPRs to recover stolen vehicles, locate missing people and investigate violent crime. The polling also found broad bipartisan support for requiring police to obtain a warrant before accessing license-plate data, with about three-quarters of Democrats and roughly six in 10 Republicans and independents supporting such a requirement. 📉 More here

Law Enforcement Defends ALPR

Ten national law enforcement organizations—including the Major Cities Chiefs Association and Major County Sheriffs of America—issued a joint statement supporting the continued responsible use of automated license plate readers while acknowledging concerns about privacy, misuse and accountability. The groups emphasized that ALPR provides investigators with time-sensitive leads to locate missing and endangered children, trafficking and kidnapping victims, violent offenders and fugitives, recover stolen vehicles, and connect serious criminal activity across jurisdictions. They stressed that ALPR does not identify people, establish guilt or replace investigators, and that information must be verified before enforcement action. The organizations called for strong access controls, auditing, retention and sharing policies, training and supervisory oversight—and consequences when the technology is misused—while preserving the ability of agencies to appropriately share information across jurisdictions. 📄 More here

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Policing and the Crime Drop

America’s historic crime decline is increasingly difficult to dismiss—and effective policing is part of the explanation. The Marshall Project reports that FBI data showed every major violent-crime category falling last year, producing the largest year-over-year decline in violent crime rates since federal estimates began. Among the explanations cited by experts is the growing use of evidence-based policing, which directs officers and resources toward the places and offenses driving the most serious violence. Baltimore combined enhanced police investigations and focused deterrence with victim services and community intervention, with shootings and homicides falling by one-third in districts using the strategy. Lower violence can also strengthen police effectiveness: fewer homicides mean detectives carry smaller caseloads, giving them more time to solve cases, make arrests and potentially prevent retaliatory killings. The causes are complex, but the evidence suggests that targeted, data-driven policing belongs prominently in the conversation about why crime is falling. Other explanations cited include the continued normalization after the pandemic-era crime spike, increased government investment and community violence-intervention programs. 📊 More here

South Carolina Officer Killed

Columbia, South Carolina, Police Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, was killed and Officer David Dymock was wounded Saturday after responding to a domestic dispute involving a man who was the subject of a restraining order. The Associated Press reports DeLong located a man near a vehicle matching the description provided by the caller and Dymock arrived as backup before officers reported they had been shot and the suspect was down. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Adam Tyler Dowdy, also died and had a history of arrests across at least four states. DeLong had served with the Columbia Police Department for two years and leaves behind a wife and two young children. Dymock was reported in stable condition. “Our hearts are broken,” Chief Skip Holbrook said. 🖤 💙 More here

Seattle Searches Again

Seattle is launching another search for a police chief, with Mayor Katie Wilson saying she wants a leader who is “visible, accountable, and present” and can earn public trust while supporting officers and delivering public-safety results. KING 5 reports the search follows the July departure of Chief Shon Barnes after criticism surrounding the department’s response to a mass shooting at Bite of Seattle that killed three people and injured seven. The city will use an advisory committee of law enforcement leaders and community members and gather public input through neighborhood meetings and surveys, with a new chief expected to be selected by early 2027. 🚨 More here

Choosing the Next Chief

Minneapolis is beginning the search for its next police chief, with the city turning first to residents for input on what they want from the department’s new leader. CBS News Minnesota reports the city will hold its first community listening session Tuesday, giving residents an opportunity to identify their priorities for the next chief. The process begins another consequential leadership transition for a department that has been at the center of the national conversation about policing and public safety. 🔗 More here

Meant to Be Here

Jesse Salame Jr. didn’t set out to become a police officer. The San Antonio native originally wanted to join the Marines, but an injury changed those plans and eventually led him to criminal justice and the San Antonio Police Department in 1999. Over the next 26 years, Salame worked patrol, became a homicide detective—including investigating the high-profile Baby Gabriel disappearance—then moved into the department’s Public Information Office, a job he initially wasn’t looking for but that gave him a different view of policing and public trust. He continued rising through the ranks, working in Public Integrity and eventually becoming deputy chief, Chief William McManus’ chief of staff and assistant chief overseeing investigative and support functions. Now serving as acting chief, Salame is a leading candidate to permanently succeed McManus. The San Antonio Express-News portrays the journey as one Salame never really mapped out himself, but looking back, he says, “I think I was meant to be here.” 🔗 More here

Relationships Before 911

Michigan State Police is putting relationship-building at the center of a specialized community policing effort. The Pioneer reports MSP’s 18 community service troopers work full time in schools, at community events and with residents on prevention, education and outreach, while remaining fully sworn troopers ready to respond when traditional police work calls. Since restructuring the program in 2024, the unit has expanded its reach statewide, logging 1,668 visits or events and interactions with roughly 307,000 people through the first two weeks of August. MSP Director Col. James Grady said the goal is to reach young people before they enter the criminal justice system and build familiarity and trust with police early. Sgt. Don Stewart put the philosophy more simply: “We got out of the relationship-building business.” His solution is getting back to the fundamentals—handshakes, conversations and everyday interactions that build trust before a crisis brings police and the community together. 🤝 More here

Watch Out For That Tree

New podcast dropping this week. I won’t spill the beans on which law enforcement leader is joining me, but here’s a clue: His career in public safety started a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..

Find all prior podcasts, here.

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On The Briefing Room podcast, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt joins Mike Wagers to discuss leading a major law enforcement agency when public trust is fractured. Witt reflects on her unlikely path from growing up distrustful of police to becoming Hennepin County’s first woman and first person of color elected sheriff, along with lessons from the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, major trials and immigration enforcement. She discusses why leaders must “define so you’re not defending,” the importance of representation and different perspectives in policing, innovative jail programming, and her belief that rebuilding trust requires communication, accountability, authenticity and consistently showing up for the community. (Click above).

America’s Luddite Summer

The Wall Street Journal reports that a growing backlash against artificial intelligence is taking shape across the country, with Flock license plate readers and massive data centers becoming tangible symbols of broader unease about where technology is taking society. Opposition is crossing traditional political lines: activists fear AI could eliminate jobs or pose larger societal risks, communities are fighting data centers over electricity and water use, and privacy advocates are protesting automated license plate readers. Flock cameras have drawn particular scrutiny following reports of misuse, even as the company and law enforcement defend the technology for helping fight crime; amid the pressure, Flock announced new safeguards governing access to license-plate data. The grassroots resistance is drawing comparisons to the early Tea Party movement, with disparate groups finding common cause around a fundamental question: how much say citizens and communities should have over the rapidly expanding role of AI and the technologies built around it. 🤖 More here

IACP Statement on ALPRs

As controversy over license plate reader technology intensifies nationally, the International Association of Chiefs of Police has released a formal policy statement outlining the principles it believes should govern responsible use of automated license plate recognition systems. The IACP reaffirmed its support for ALPR as a legitimate public safety tool — capable of locating vehicles connected to violent crimes, generating investigative leads, and improving officer safety — while making clear that support is conditional on strong safeguards. Key requirements in the statement include limiting access to trained, authorized personnel; prohibiting personal, political, retaliatory, or discriminatory use; treating every ALPR alert as an investigative lead rather than conclusive evidence; maintaining tamper-resistant audit records; purging data promptly once it no longer serves an authorized purpose; and applying accountability measures — including criminal charges when warranted — for misuse. The IACP has also convened a working group of law enforcement leaders and subject matter experts to develop guidance and best practices, and launched a dedicated ALPR Resource Page as a central hub for agencies navigating the technology’s evolving policy landscape. 🔗 More here

FOP Slams Flock

The National Fraternal Order of Police is pushing back hard after Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley predicted “a dramatic increase in officers being arrested or fired for abusing Flock” over the next six months, according to an FOP press release. National FOP President Patrick Yoes called the comments a betrayal of the profession that built Flock’s business. “You cannot sell police a tool to fight crime and then portray those same officers as the problem when public criticism follows,” Yoes said. The FOP noted the irony that just months ago, Langley himself argued officers trusted with the authority to use force should be trusted with license plate reader technology. Yoes acknowledged that intentional misuse should be addressed, but said isolated incidents should not be used to “cast aspersions on an entire profession — particularly when Flock itself has acknowledged shortcomings in its own safeguards.” The FOP called on Flock to strengthen its technology, support sound policies, and rebuild public confidence rather than shifting responsibility onto law enforcement. “Flock and law enforcement should be partners in public safety,” Yoes said. “Partnership requires mutual trust and accountability.” 🔗 More here

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NYPD’s Counter-Drone Authority

The NYPD will become the first state or local law enforcement agency in the country to independently neutralize unauthorized drones at a major event when it deploys its new authority at the U.S. Open. The New York Post reports the authority comes from the federal Safer Skies Act, which took effect in July and allows the department to use its own personnel, tools and equipment to electronically counter rogue drones. Previously, including during this summer’s World Cup, the NYPD had to rely on federal authorities to take down drones. Commissioner Jessica Tisch said there are no specific, credible threats to the tournament, which is expected to draw more than 300 players and 1.2 million spectators, but the department will maintain a significant security presence throughout the event. 🎾 More here

Tulsa Taps Department Veteran

News on 6 reports Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols has selected Deputy Chief Jonathan Brooks, a nearly 30-year Tulsa Police Department veteran, as the city’s next police chief. Brooks, who will become Tulsa’s 42nd chief following Chief Dennis Larsen’s retirement, has served as SWAT commander, regional incident commander and interim city CIO while helping develop initiatives including the Tulsa Sobering Center, community policing efforts, behavioral-health clinicians in 911, a Community Response Team, expanded crisis-intervention training and a regional police academy. Brooks said public safety, transparency and community trust will be priorities, pledging that TPD will “pursue those who victimize others,” protect the vulnerable, stand with victims and work to prevent crime. Larsen will work alongside Brooks through Sept. 30 as the department transitions leadership. 🔗 More here

Gangs Get Younger, Deadlier

Austin police say the city’s gang landscape is changing, with younger, more violent “hybrid gangs” replacing the traditional hierarchical street-gang model. These groups tend to form around neighborhoods, friends or cliques, frequently fracture and shift affiliations, and can be more difficult for police to formally classify. KXAN reports that Austin police and school officials are seeing an increase in juvenile violent crime, with gang-related behavior appearing in children as young as elementary-school age. Social media is also transforming gang activity—young people use it to display affiliations and firearms, while investigators use the same posts to monitor threats and build cases. In a recent double homicide, social-media evidence and intelligence from Austin and school police helped investigators establish probable cause against two young men charged with capital murder. APD’s gang unit says its approach continues to evolve with the gangs, combining outreach and enforcement in an effort to stop violence before a shooting occurs. 🔗 More here

Intervening Before It’s Too Late

Crime fell across every major category in Washington last year, including a 21% decline in homicides, but Steve Strachan, executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, says the numbers mask a deeper problem with young offenders. Strachan told MyNorthwest that authorities are “intervening way too late,” describing 14- and 15-year-olds caught in stolen cars who faced little consequence, were returned home, became emboldened and later progressed to drive-by shootings and, in some cases, homicides. “In the name of compassion, we’re not intervening early enough,” he said. Strachan also credited technology—including license plate readers, surveillance cameras and cell phone video—with making a significant difference in fighting crime when accompanied by proper guardrails and auditing. More here

Police Solving More Crimes

Much has been written about America’s historic crime decline, but one part of the story has received far less attention: police are solving substantially more crimes. Crime analyst Jeff Asher reports in Jeff-alytics that the national violent-crime clearance rate reached 47% in 2025, its highest level in a decade and more than 10 percentage points above 2022. The murder clearance rate climbed to 68.8%—the highest since 1988 and up 16.5 points in just three years—while robbery clearances reached 35.8%, the highest since 1965. Even burglary improved, with its 17.4% clearance rate the best since 1975. The gains come as murder, violent crime and property crime all recorded historic declines, adding another significant data point to the story of falling crime nationwide. 📉 More Jeff-alytics

Code Enforcement Cuts Calls

A randomized controlled trial by James D. Kelsay, Shane Diller and Jaya B. Davis, just published in the Justice Evaluation Journal, found that targeted code enforcement in crime hot spots produced larger reductions in calls for service than occurred in control locations. The researchers tested whether increased code enforcement could produce public-safety benefits similar to traditional police-led hot spots strategies, but without concerns associated with aggressive enforcement. Treatment areas experienced statistically significant reductions in calls involving residential burglaries and auto thefts, suggesting that focused enforcement of municipal codes may be another tool for reducing crime and disorder in high-crime locations. 📖 More here

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Witt shares how a jail tour changed the trajectory of her life and launched a career that would take her through roles overseeing Minnesota’s largest jail, court security during major trials, and some of the most challenging moments in the county’s recent history. She reflects on the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, the lessons she learned about communication and perception, and the importance of defining your position clearly so you’re not constantly defending it.

The conversation also explores the challenges of Operation Metro Surge and immigration enforcement, the importance of representation and women in policing, and Witt’s efforts to create a culture where different perspectives are welcomed. She discusses innovative jail programming like HOPE, her commitment to reducing wasted time for people in custody, and why authenticity and staying grounded are essential to leadership.

Ultimately, Sheriff Witt offers a deeply personal perspective on rebuilding trust—not through slogans or promises, but through communication, representation, accountability, and showing up consistently for the people you serve.

Here’s What You’ll Hear

• How growing up distrustful of police eventually led Witt to a career in law enforcement

• The jail tour that changed the trajectory of her life

• What becoming a mother at 15 taught her about resilience and leadership

• Lessons from the George Floyd aftermath and major trials

• Why perception and communication matter when public trust is at stake

• Witt’s philosophy: “Define so you’re not defending”

• Navigating Operation Metro Surge and immigration enforcement

• Why representation matters in modern policing

• The role women can play in changing law enforcement culture

• How HOPE and other jail programs can turn wasted time into opportunity

• Why authenticity matters when leading a large organization

• Building an agency culture that welcomes different perspectives

• What keeps Sheriff Witt grounded in her leadership

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome & Meet Sheriff Dawanna Witt
03:29 From Distrust to the Badge
08:07 Lessons From the George Floyd Trial
13:51 Perception, Trust & Social Media
18:24 Navigating Operation Metro Surge
21:51 Staying Grounded as Sheriff
24:06 Why Women Matter in Policing
29:14 Rethinking the Jail Experience
33:27 Pride, Family & Personal Roots
36:51 Leadership Lessons & Final Thoughts

Flock Used to Stalk Women

At least 50 law enforcement officers have been charged with or accused of using Flock Safety’s license plate reader network to stalk, monitor, or harass women — in most cases their wives, girlfriends, or exes — according to a major investigative report by the Washington Post. The investigation documents cases where officers used the technology to track women’s visits to abortion clinics, confront them during intimate moments, show up at their locations uninvited, and psychologically manipulate them with knowledge of their movements. In one case, a Georgia police chief searched his ex-girlfriend’s plate roughly 600 times over 13 months, often between midnight and 4 a.m., before being arrested on stalking charges. He died by suicide before trial. Flock’s CEO acknowledged the misuse is “inevitable” but said the company’s audit logs help catch perpetrators after the fact — a response critics say amounts to a performance of accountability rather than meaningful prevention. Privacy advocates argue basic fixes — like requiring a criminal case number for every search — could deter abuse, but Flock has made such safeguards optional. PERF Executive Director Chuck Wexler offered the most measured assessment: “Very often a technology will be farther ahead of policy, and that’s what has happened with license-plate readers.” 🔗 More here

New Controls Spark Debate

Flock Safety data retention changes spark debate among regional law enforcement, community advocates in New York State.

Biggest Crime Drop in History

The FBI’s 2025 Uniform Crime Report — released Friday — shows the murder rate hit a 20-year low, with an 18.1% year-over-year decline and the single largest one-year drop in violent crime ever recorded, according to CBS News. Aggravated assault fell 7.2%, rape declined 7.6%, robbery dropped 18.5%, motor vehicle theft fell 22.7%, and burglary decreased 15.8%. “This is the third straight year of a record drop in murder and the data for 2026 points to a continued large drop this year,” said crime analyst Jeff Asher. One troubling counter-trend: assaults on law enforcement officers reached a 10-year high, with 90,178 officers assaulted in the line of duty. Experts caution against attributing the decline to any single policy or leader. “Rates are falling in cities with very different public safety strategies, economic conditions, and political leadership,” said Adam Gelb of the Council on Criminal Justice. “The consistency across the map should make us cautious about handing credit to any one leader, party, policy, or program before the evidence catches up.” In Buffalo, a 27-year homicide detective credited the drop to community trust, technology, and a shift in public attitude: “I’ve seen a real change. There is a huge uptick of people just not willing to put up with it anymore.” 📉 More here

Chart: Axios. Click here for the full breakdown.

Officers Shot Down Sharply

198 law enforcement officers have been shot in the line of duty through July 31, 2026 — flat compared to the same period last year but down 12% from 2024, according to the Fraternal Order of Police’s monthly report. Of those, 17 were killed by gunfire, a 34% decline from last year and 46% below 2024 levels. There have been 27 ambush-style attacks so far this year, resulting in 36 officers shot and 6 killed. The numbers are trending significantly below recent years — at this point in 2023, 228 officers had been shot, the highest on record through the first seven months of any year. 🔗 FOP Report

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Our Next 9/11 is Coming

Texas lawmakers are examining how to better equip local law enforcement to counter Mexican cartel drone activity along the border, after testimony revealed the scale and sophistication of the threat, according to The Center Square. El Paso Police Sgt. Cory Balke told a state Senate committee that cartels are using the same advanced drones as law enforcement — some worth $30,000, capable of identifying a person at a mile and tracking moving vehicles. His department has logged 1,776 confirmed cross-border drone infiltrations carrying digital signatures, but estimates the actual number closer to 14,000 when accounting for electric drones that emit no signal. Agricultural drones used by cartels can carry up to 200 kilograms of contraband at a time. Balke called on the legislature to expand local authorities and funding for both drone and counter-drone programs. A drone technology specialist testifying before the committee warned of the broader threat: “Our next 9/11 is coming. The question is whether Texas builds the defenses before it arrives.” Nationally, only 61 officers have been certified through the SAFER SKIES Act counter-drone training program since its passage last year. 🔗 More here

Kansas City Chief to Retire

After nearly three decades in uniform, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves is preparing to hand over the badge after announcing her retirement. Chief Graves is a Weekly Briefing subscriber (and has helped spread the word to others). She has been on the podcast. Congratulations and best wishes for what comes next.

Briefing Room Podcast with Chief Graves, here.

Does He Ever Sleep?

Six weeks into his tenure, Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar has logged an unusually visible start — walking beats in multiple districts, attending community events, launching a drone pilot program, and establishing a formal policy prohibiting officers from collaborating with ICE, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. “My biggest question is, does he ever sleep?” said Police Commission member Chris Magnus. “I’ve really never seen a new police leader who has put as much time and effort into building relationships.” Lazar, a retired San Francisco assistant chief and HPD’s first mainland chief in more than 90 years, has also made officer recognition a standing feature of command staff meetings and is prioritizing officer wellness, recruitment, and retention — including pursuing childcare facilities for officers. He has promised to release body camera footage promptly after officer-involved shootings. Community observers note the early energy is encouraging but the real test will come in a crisis. “He’s engaged, and he’s visible,” said one police reform consultant. “But those are early indicators of leadership, not yet evidence of institutional reform.” 🔗 More here

Myrtle Beach Names New Chief

Frederick Chambers, deputy chief of Fairfax County Police Department, has been selected as the next chief of the Myrtle Beach Police Department, replacing Amy Prock who retired in April after nearly 30 years, according to the Post and Courier. Chambers, a Marine Corps veteran and former U.S. Secret Service employee who joined Fairfax County in 2001, will become the city’s first Black police chief when he begins in late September or early October. He will oversee a $56 million budget and nearly 375 officers and staff. Chambers described his approach as “data-driven, intelligence-led,” adding: “Bad guys operate off trends and patterns, and we have to follow those trends and patterns — try and get out in front of it and keep this community safe.” More than 100 people applied for the position. 🔗 More here

Inside 287(g) Program

As the 287(g) program spreads — which deputizes local officers to enforce federal immigration law — NPR takes an inside look at how it operates in Walton County, Florida, where all 67 counties have signed cooperation agreements with ICE. Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson is direct about his department’s role and its limits. “We’re certainly not out doing immigration raids. That’s not what we do,” Adkinson said. “But if we come across those individuals who are committing a crime or endangering someone else, in the state of Florida, then we’re certainly going to do that.” Adkinson also acknowledged one of the program’s most difficult side effects — crime victims in the immigrant community who are too afraid to call police. “They don’t come to us because they’re afraid of being deported,” he said. “It’s extremely problematic. And I don’t know how we overcome that.” The county’s 287(g) task force officer, Sgt. Oscar D’Lassalas — himself the son of a Colombian immigrant — says his approach on patrol hasn’t fundamentally changed. “I make sure that anytime I interact with anybody, I don’t care what status they are, that we can interact as human beings and we can be respectful.” More here

ICE Monitors Social Media

ICE has deployed a round-the-clock digital surveillance program — using private contractors — to scan public social media platforms for speech that could endanger agents or disrupt immigration operations, according to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal. ICE spending on surveillance technology surged to $258 million in the first year of the current administration, a 57% increase from the prior year. Contractors prepare daily reports identifying posters by name, location, date of birth, workplace, Social Security number, and criminal history when possible. DHS says the program is a response to an 8,000% increase in death threats against agents since January 2025, and that all investigative methods abide by the Constitution. The agency has sent hundreds of subpoenas to social media companies to unmask anonymous accounts, and has successfully prosecuted several Americans for posts that crossed into explicit threats against agents. 🔗 More here

Electric Shock Gloves

ICE is planning to spend up to $20 million to equip officers with gloves capable of delivering electric shocks to gain compliance from combative individuals, according to an AP exclusive. The devices, called G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), are manufactured by Compliant Technologies of Kentucky and have already seen limited use in jails and police departments. The gloves function normally until an officer activates electrical mode, at which point direct skin contact delivers a pain stimulus the manufacturer compares to a bee sting. Officers must complete training and recertify every two years. Supporters say the devices could be particularly valuable for smaller or older officers, shortening physical confrontations and reducing injury risk. The manufacturer specifies the gloves should not be used as punishment, against people showing only verbal defiance, or on high-risk populations including children, pregnant women, or the elderly. 🧤More here

Leading on AI Tools

The Palm Beach Police Department is emerging as one of Florida’s most AI-forward departments, deploying real-time body camera translation in more than 50 languages, an AI assistant that helps officers instantly look up Florida statutes and local ordinances, and a Real Time Crime Center that scans 150-plus cameras to identify suspects by clothing or physical description, according to the Sun Sentinel. Officers describe the tools as practical force multipliers — cutting response time, reducing errors, and freeing officers to stay on patrol rather than hunting down answers. “Rather than pull an officer that may speak that language off patrol to help me translate, this technology helps with efficiency,” said Officer Frances Caro. Sgt. Michael Ogrodnick framed the broader philosophy: “We wear multiple hats as a police agency — not only are we police officers, but we’re counselors, we render first aid, we offer directions. We need to be able to do it efficiently and accurately.” His bottom line: “AI makes for a better trained officer, a smarter officer, and it makes us more efficient.” 🔗 More here

Jury Duty Scam Paralyzing

Kimberly Fudge, a finance manager and engineering graduate, spent nearly 10 hours driving alone through Tampa last month, crying, hungry, and handing over cash at cryptocurrency machines — convinced she was about to be arrested for missing jury duty. By the time she walked through her front door, scammers had taken $25,000, according to the Wall Street Journal. The operation involved at least five callers with flawless Florida accents, fake arrest warrants, a spyware-loaded phone that let them monitor her texts and location in real time, and enough psychological pressure to keep a rational person compliant for an entire day. “They basically psychologically kidnap you,” one victim described the tactic online. Americans lost $3.5 billion to impostor scams in 2025 — nearly triple 2020 levels. In Pasco County alone, jury duty scam reports have nearly doubled this year. The reminder from law enforcement is simple: real officers will never call demanding money to avoid arrest. If you get that call, hang up immediately. ⚖️ More here

Speed Cameras, Backlash Spread

Automated speed cameras are now legal in more than two dozen states, with Florida, California, Hawaii, Michigan, and Minnesota among the most recent to join, but a growing driver backlash is accompanying the expansion, according to NPR. Safety advocates point to research showing cameras can cut speeding by 70% or more — a Maryland study found they reduced the likelihood of serious injury by 39%. Critics, including a retired Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office veteran who received two tickets during school hours when no children were present, argue the programs are revenue grabs rather than genuine safety tools. The Department of Transportation recently removed speed cameras from its list of “Proven Safety Countermeasures,” a move safety advocates say undermines evidence-based policy. The biggest test of the camera debate is looming in Los Angeles, where speed cameras are set to go live in the coming months. 🚙 More here

Retired Chief Subdues Passenger

Retired Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara found himself back in action at 35,000 feet when he and two off-duty Bergen County sheriff’s deputies helped restrain a belligerent passenger aboard a United Airlines flight from Newark to Fort Lauderdale, according to the New York Post. O’Hara said flight attendants spent nearly 45 minutes professionally attempting to de-escalate the passenger — who had become agitated after being cut off from alcohol — before the man lunged toward the crew. The three law enforcement officers restrained him with flex cuffs and secured him until landing. “No one should take the kind of verbal abuse that they did,” O’Hara said of the flight attendants. “They were absolute professionals trying to keep everybody safe.” O’Hara also used the moment to call for airlines to ensure restraints are readily available and that crew members receive training to use them safely. ✈️ More here

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Violent crime in New Orleans has fallen to its lowest level since 1969, with 33 homicides through July 1 — a 15% decline from last year and a dramatic drop from the city's peak of 240 gun-related homicides in 2022, according to WVUE. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick credited a holistic approach that goes beyond arrests. "We're not just about arresting the person. We're talking about breaking that cycle, with new ways of thinking, new ways of dealing with conflicts," she said. Violence intervention nonprofits, the Orleans Parish DA's data-driven NO DICE program, and the NOLA Coalition — which has raised more than $11 million for youth programs since 2022 — have all been credited as key partners in the decline.

Teen Takeovers Test Cities

A wave of large youth gatherings — many coordinated through social media and sometimes turning violent — is forcing cities across the country to balance enforcement with creative alternatives, according to the Washington Post. In Raleigh over the Fourth of July weekend, an estimated 8,000 young people converged on a commercial district, leaving nine people shot, nearly a dozen guns seized, and 29 adults arrested. “What we were not prepared for was the amount of firearms we were recovering off individuals,” Police Chief Rico Boyce said. In Newport Beach, 402 people were arrested after a July 4 social media-organized crowd clashed with police. In Pensacola, a 19-year-old was fatally shot amid a massive late-night gathering. Cities are responding with curfews, increased enforcement, and alternatives — Detroit partnered with teen organizers to host a sanctioned riverside event with food, music and police supervision, while Chicago hosted late-night basketball and Tampa promoted supervised video game competitions. 🏁 More here

Tulsa Targets Domestic Violence

Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols has signed an executive order establishing a Domestic Violence Prevention Task Force, citing the city’s and state’s consistently high rates of domestic violence incidents, according to KRMG. The task force will bring together the Tulsa Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, health departments, tribal partners, advocacy groups, and community organizations to assess existing programs, identify gaps, and recommend evidence-based strategies. A detailed report with findings and priorities is due within one year. “We cannot wait for safety to happen by accident; we must choose to act,” Nichols said. City Councilor Lori Decter Wright specifically called for attention to murder-suicides, strangulation cases, and financial abuse — warning signs she said the city “cannot afford to miss.” 🔗 More here

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Oakland Names Police Chief

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee has selected James Beere as the city’s permanent police chief, ending an eight-month search and capping a nearly 30-year career with the department, according to KGO. Beere, who has served as interim chief since December, is a Marine Corps combat veteran, FBI National Academy graduate, and one of the few Oakland leaders with broad support across the city’s often-fractious political landscape. “It’s crazy. Not a lot of people agree on many things in Oakland. But we all agree on Beere,” said City Council President Kevin Jenkins. Beere may also oversee the department’s anticipated exit from more than 20 years of federal oversight later this year. He addressed his longevity directly at Thursday’s announcement: “I’ve had 19 different police chiefs in my 29-year career. What makes me different? I’m still here. And I live in Oakland.” 🔗 More here

San Antonio Names Acting Chief

Assistant Chief Jesse Salame has been named acting chief of the San Antonio Police Department following the retirement of Chief William McManus, with interviews for a permanent chief expected in August and a final appointment anticipated in September, according to Texas Public Radio. Salame, a 26-year SAPD veteran, previously served as deputy chief overseeing Internal Affairs, the Training Academy, and the Public Information Office before being promoted to assistant chief in 2024. McManus, who had handpicked Salame as his preferred successor, was direct in his endorsement: “I think every quality that the next chief should possess, Jesse Salame has got them all.” 🔗 More here

Knoxville Chief Defends LPRs

Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel pushed back on growing privacy concerns about license plate readers, calling them “critical tools” for catching criminals — particularly when suspects flee crime scenes — while insisting the department treats data privacy “very, very seriously,” according to WVLT. Noel said data is purged automatically unless actively in use and that the department follows state retention laws. The comments come amid a national debate over Flock Safety cameras and revelations that the company’s own training videos show police using the system to track suspects across multiple locations — despite the company’s public claims that it doesn’t track people. KPD no longer uses Flock specifically but operates similar license plate reader technology. 📸 More here

Houston Leaders Demand ICE Probe

Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Police Chief Noe Diaz are calling for an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent, after emerging details raised serious questions about what happened, according to KPRC. U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia said the acting ICE director told her Salgado Araujo was not the intended target of the operation, the vehicles used had no body cameras, dash cameras, markings, sirens, or lights, and witnesses detained at the scene say an ICE agent was never in front of Salgado Araujo’s van — and that he may not have been in the vehicle when he was shot. The FBI has secured the scene and controls all evidence. Whitmire, who said the incident was the most egregious he had seen in 30 years of criminal justice work, said HPD had no involvement but is ready to assist. “We are not settling to wait for an FBI report that for all we know could take a year,” Whitmire said. Chief Diaz said the shifting facts warranted escalating the call for scrutiny: “Those facts weren’t available then, so as we move forward we will continue to listen to the community.” 🔗 More here

Road Rage Deaths

A new analysis of federal crash data finds Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Jersey rank as the three deadliest states for fatal crashes tied to aggressive or careless driving, according to the Asbury Park Press. Nationally, male drivers account for nearly 4 in 5 fatal road rage crashes, and younger drivers are disproportionately involved — millennials and Gen Z together accounted for nearly 60% of fatal crashes in this category in 2024. The Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, and Toyota Camry were the vehicles most commonly involved. Utah, Maine, and California ranked among the states with the lowest road rage fatalities. Analysts note that dense traffic, long commutes, and high driver frustration create the conditions where aggressive driving is most likely to turn deadly. 💥 More here

Waymo Helps Bust Teens

Waymo helped California police apprehend two teenagers who were shooting objects from inside one of its robotaxis by faking a mechanical malfunction to stop the vehicle, according to Automotive News. The July 6 incident in San Mateo illustrated a little-known reality of autonomous vehicles — even without a driver, a human operator may be monitoring the ride remotely. 🤖 More here

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The Sacramento Police Department has released a new episode of its Ride Along video series, offering an inside look at how officers respond to behavioral health crises and homelessness calls. The episode follows Officer Allison Smith and her partner through two real calls, showing how officers assess mental health holds, coordinate with hospitals, and connect people with community resources. "Every call is different, and our goal is to meet people where they are," Smith said. "Taking the time to listen and build trust can make all the difference."

Overdose Deaths Drive Record Low

The U.S. overall death rate fell to its lowest point on record in 2025, driven primarily by a continued drop in drug overdose deaths, according to new CDC data reported by the Wall Street Journal. The death rate declined 4.6% to 689.2 deaths per 100,000 people — down across every age group and nearly every demographic. The sustained decline in overdose deaths was cited by CDC researchers as the single largest contributor to the record low, with Covid-19 also accounting for fewer deaths than in prior years. 📉 More here

Policing is One Answer

The U.S. murder rate almost certainly hit its lowest recorded level in 2025 and is on track to go even lower this year, but criminologists are still debating what’s actually driving the decline, according to NPR. Crime data analyst Jeff Asher’s Crime Index shows murders dropped 18.7% in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. University of Pennsylvania criminologist Jerry Ratcliffe — whose research on evidence-based policing has shaped the field — argues the COVID-era crime spike was uniquely American, and points to the withdrawal of data-driven, targeted policing strategies following the social upheaval after George Floyd’s murder as a central cause. “That’s something we saw withdraw for a year or two,” Ratcliffe said. “What we’re seeing now is a re-engagement of policing a few years down the line.” In Seattle, King County prosecutors logged 384 “shots fired” incidents and 22 homicides in the first quarter of 2022; this year, those numbers were 204 and nine. Asher cautions against declaring victory — even a record low of 4.0 per 100,000 would still be double Canada’s murder rate, and represents roughly 13,000 to 14,000 Americans killed. 📊 More here

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NYC Murders Hit Historic Low

New York City recorded 122 murders through the end of June — a nearly 25% drop from the same period last year and the lowest first-half total in the city’s recorded history, shattering the previous record of 136 set in 2017, according to the New York Post. Shootings, robberies, burglaries, and transit crime all declined as well, pushing overall major crime down nearly 6% — even as the city managed massive concurrent events including the Knicks NBA championship parade, FIFA World Cup matches, and America250 celebrations. “Those results would be significant in any year,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. “But they’re especially significant now because New York City is in the middle of one of the busiest seasons it has ever seen.” The Bronx, once the most crime-plagued borough, now leads the city in crime reduction with a 12% drop. The only blemishes: rapes rose nearly 6% and hate crimes ticked up, with antisemitic incidents accounting for 55% of all confirmed hate crimes so far this year. 🫆 More here

Homicide Clearance at 100%

Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto reported that overall violent crime dropped 5% and property crime fell 4% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to KMPH. Commercial burglaries are down 32% and traffic fatalities declined 23%, credited to increased enforcement and community engagement. One standout statistic: despite two more homicides than the same period last year, the department’s current homicide clearance rate stands at 100%. “We currently have a 100 percent clearance rate for homicides this year, due to arrests being made in multiple 2026 investigations and prior year cases,” Casto said. Officers also recovered 673 evidence guns and made 1,153 DUI arrests through June 30. 🔗 More here

600 Drones Seized Near World Cup

The FBI has seized more than 600 drones near World Cup venues since the tournament began June 11, with the total doubling in less than two weeks as authorities crack down on unauthorized flights in restricted airspace, according to NBC News. Most violations have resulted in ticketed citations and seizures. In Kansas City alone, 32 drones have been seized outside World Cup events. In Dallas, a Honduran national was federally charged after flying an unregistered DJI Mini 3 PRO drone near AT&T Stadium during a match — detected by the FBI within seconds, with a task force officer locating and contacting the pilot almost immediately. A no-fly zone takes effect three hours before each match and remains in place for three hours after. “If you are flying an illegal drone, think twice — violators will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price. 🎯 More here

TASER Drones Are Coming

Axon co-founder Rick Smith says the company is actively developing drones capable of stopping suspects without lethal force, though the technology isn’t ready yet, according to Yahoo Finance. “The drone that is capable of stopping somebody is in the future,” Smith said in a podcast interview. “We do not yet have the ability to put an effect on somebody. That is something we’re actively in R&D on.” Smith was clear about the company’s limits: “We will not make intentionally lethal drones.” Current Axon drone technology provides real-time situational awareness but cannot yet deploy a physical effect on a subject. Smith framed the company’s mission — founded after two of his high school teammates were killed in a road-rage incident — as finding ways to stop threats without taking lives. Axon completed its $391 million acquisition of counterdrone company Dedrone in late 2024. 🔫 More here

Pennsylvania Trooper Killed

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael Pahira, a nearly 20-year veteran, was struck and killed Wednesday morning while inspecting a commercial vehicle on Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County when a tractor-trailer left the roadway and crashed into him, according to CBS Pittsburgh. The truck caught fire on impact. Pahira and the vehicle he was inspecting had been parked safely off the roadway, meaning the driver would have had to leave his lane of travel to cause the crash. Michael Bon, 33, of Brockton, Massachusetts, has been charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless driving. “The man died a hero,” said Lt. Colonel George Bivens. “He was an outstanding trooper and was considered to be one of our best.” Governor Josh Shapiro, who noted Pahira had recently moved home to help care for his mother who is battling cancer, ordered flags to fly at half-staff. 💙🖤 More here

Chicago Police Chief Retiring

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling announced he will retire effective July 15, ending a 34-year career with the department, according to NBC Chicago. Snelling was appointed superintendent by Mayor Brandon Johnson in 2023 and led the department through the 2024 Democratic National Convention and what he described as a record-low reduction in shootings, homicides, and violent crime. “The hard and courageous work of the members of the Chicago Police Department should be given the credit,” Snelling said. Deputy Superintendent Fred Waller will serve as interim superintendent while the city’s Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability conducts a search for a permanent replacement. 🔗 More here

New Chief Walks the Beat

Just two days after being sworn in as Honolulu’s 13th police chief, David Lazar was out walking Waikiki on Independence Day as part of what he calls his “listening and learning” tour of Oahu, according to Hawaii News Now. Lazar, who retired as assistant chief of the San Francisco Police Department, said he came out to show support for officers working the holiday away from their families. “These officers are leaving their families behind and they’re out here on patrol, keeping Waikiki and this entire island safe,” he said. Lazar inherits a department facing near-record officer vacancies as he begins his tenure. 🌺 More here

CTRL+P: A Valuable Lesson

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In what officials are calling a nationwide first, Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies used a drone equipped with a high-powered magnet to remove a knife from an armed suspect’s hand inside a residence — avoiding a potentially dangerous confrontation, according to SFGATE. The operation is part of a broader expansion of drone programs across California, where 58 agencies now operate Drone as First Responder programs. In San Bernardino County, a DFR pilot launched in May has already responded to more than 100 calls, arriving before deputies 71% of the time and contributing to 12 arrests. Nationwide, approximately 1,500 police agencies use drone programs. California officials say the technology creates a critical safety buffer in high-risk situations — allowing deputies to gather information and, now, intervene directly without putting officers in immediate danger. 🔗 More here

A New Tool for Crime Data

Crime data analyst Jeff Asher has launched CrimeIndex.org, an expanded version of the Real-Time Crime Index that now includes historical FBI crime data going back to 1930, agency-level clearance rates, and staffing numbers for more than 10,000 city and county agencies, according to his Jeff-alytics newsletter. The site’s Current Trends tool tracks national crime patterns in near real-time using data from 566 agencies, updated monthly, while the new Historical Data Library allows anyone to compare today’s crime rates against any year back to the FBI’s first published data. National and state estimates go back to 1958, with agency-level data available as far back as records allow. Asher says the site was built to answer questions that previously required digging through decades of scanned PDFs — and to give law enforcement leaders, researchers, and journalists a single reliable source for both current trends and long-term historical context. 📊 More here (and subscribe to Jeff’s Substack).

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Facing National Backlash

A national movement to cancel contracts with Flock Safety — the Atlanta-based company whose AI-enabled license plate readers now operate in more than 6,000 communities and log 20 billion plate reads a month — is gaining momentum across the political spectrum, according to the Wall Street Journal. About 50 cities and counties have canceled or deactivated Flock cameras since early last year, including liberal college towns like Cambridge, Massachusetts, and conservative communities like Lockhart, Texas. In Dayton, Ohio, the city suspended its cameras and covered them with garbage bags after discovering out-of-state agencies had accessed local data thousands of times for immigration searches. Critics have attacked cameras with saws and spray paint, while websites like DeFlock now map more than 106,000 license plate readers across the country. Courts have repeatedly upheld the technology as constitutional, but privacy advocates on both left and right argue that laws haven’t kept pace — and that persistent, long-term vehicle tracking amounts to warrantless mass surveillance regardless of what courts have said. 📸 More here

New Pod: Chief Wayne Jones

Minneapolis Sets Chief Search

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced Tuesday a 16-week timeline for selecting the city’s next permanent police chief, following the resignation of Brian O’Hara last month, according to MPR News. The city will work with a national executive search firm and conduct a six-phase process including community and stakeholder input and multiple rounds of candidate interviews. Frey expects to confirm a new chief by October or November. Council member Michael Rainville said three or four internal candidates are expected to apply — more than the single internal candidate who applied when O’Hara was hired — and expressed a preference for an internal hire to maintain momentum on reforms mandated under the city’s agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. 🔗 More here

Shot in the Head, Still Standing

A Utah deputy who was shot in the head while responding to the scene where two fellow officers had just been killed has emerged from nearly a year of recovery — and is now running for sheriff, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Mike Allred, a six-year Box Elder County Sheriff’s deputy, arrived at a Tremonton home on August 17, 2025, to find Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada lying dead in the road, both fatally shot responding to a domestic disturbance. Moments later, Allred was struck in the head. Still in his vehicle, bleeding and unsure how badly he was hurt, he kept relaying information to dispatch until backup arrived. He still has hundreds of bullet fragments in his skull. What followed were months of therapy, painful introspection, and a question his therapist put directly to him: his old normal was gone — what would come next? “I kind of get a do-over,” Allred said. “I decided that if I’m going to make it through this, then I’ve got to put all of my effort into it.” His K-9, Azula — also wounded that night — healed fully and never hesitated to return to duty. Allred recently won the Republican primary for Box Elder County Sheriff. More here

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Texas Trooper Killed in Traffic Stop

Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Sergio Romero, 27, was killed June 17 when a semi-truck pulled out in front of his patrol unit as he attempted a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 287 near Childress, according to USA Today. Romero, who had previously served with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office before joining DPS, leaves behind a wife and two young children. He is the 244th DPS officer to die in the line of duty since 1823. “Trooper Sergio Romero served the people of his community and the state of Texas with courage, integrity and selfless devotion,” DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin said. “We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in service of his fellow Texans.” 💙🖤 More here

Deputy Killed at Crash Scene

Montgomery County (TX) Sheriff’s Deputy Erika Serrato, 24, was killed early Sunday morning after being struck by a commercial truck while directing traffic at a DWI crash scene on I-45 North near The Woodlands, according to KWTX. Serrato, a six-year veteran of the department, was hit along with two marked patrol units with emergency lights activated. She was transported to a local hospital where she died. A second deputy was treated and released after being struck by debris. One of the initial crash drivers, Ashton Jammer, 34, was charged with DWI. A separate report from Walker County Constable Pct. 3 noted that a law enforcement officer from Mabank, Texas, was also killed the same day while directing traffic. “Our hearts are broken today,” said Sheriff Doolittle. “Deputy Serrato made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting our community.” 💙🖤 More here

AI Avatar to Fight Fraud 🇯🇵

Osaka Prefectural Police have introduced an AI avatar named AIko — a virtual police chief with the face and voice of a young woman — to combat a record-breaking fraud epidemic that cost Japanese victims more than $2 billion last year, according to The Independent. Appearing on YouTube, AIko walks viewers through real scam conversation patterns and warns the public that legitimate police officers never show credentials or arrest warrants online. The campaign targets younger audiences increasingly vulnerable to scams carried out through social media, after preliminary figures showed people 64 and under accounted for nearly half of all fraud victims in Osaka last year. Many of the criminal networks behind the scams operate from compounds in Myanmar and Cambodia, with more than 30 Japanese nationals arrested in the first five months of this year for allegedly participating in overseas fraud operations. AIko’s launch is part of a broader Japanese government push to integrate AI across public services. 🤖 More here

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A new peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Criminal Justice challenges a foundational assumption behind most racial profiling analyses — that a city’s residential population is the right benchmark for measuring police enforcement disparities. Using automated red-light camera data in Boulder, Colorado, researchers found that 78% of traffic violators lived outside the city, meaning the population actually present and subject to police contact is far more diverse than census figures suggest. When that real-world “at-risk” population is used as the benchmark instead of residential data, the apparent racial disparities in traffic stops and tickets largely disappear or reverse — including for Black drivers, who showed a 349% greater risk of tickets under the residential benchmark but a 26% lower risk under the ambient benchmark. The authors are careful not to claim bias doesn’t exist, but argue that much of what appears to be racial disparity in enforcement may actually reflect denominator error — the wrong population in the denominator of the calculation. The findings have significant implications for how departments across the country measure and report enforcement disparities, particularly in cities with large commuter, tourist, or pass-through populations. 🧮 More here

Five Arrested in UFC Attack Plot

Federal authorities disrupted an alleged plot to attack last weekend’s UFC event on the White House South Lawn, arresting five people across multiple states on conspiracy to commit murder charges after investigators uncovered plans to fly explosives-laden drones over the crowd and then shoot into the fleeing attendees, according to NBC News. The FBI learned of the threat four days before the event and conducted a multi-state operation to take the suspects into custody. Among those arrested was a 19-year-old Ohio man whose own mother called local police after noticing alarming changes in his behavior, including recent firearms purchases, antisemitic social media posts, and contact with unknown online groups — leading to the discovery of thousands of rounds of ammunition and multiple weapons at his home. Court documents show suspects shared maps and photos of the area, discussed escape routes, and maintained encrypted group chats. One suspect allegedly shared a target list that included references to President Trump, Vice President Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Elon Musk. FBI Director Kash Patel credited rapid multi-agency coordination for stopping the attack. More here

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ICE App Comes to Local Police

A newly revealed Department of Homeland Security document outlines plans to give local police participating in the federal 287(g) Task Force program access to a mobile facial recognition app that scans faces and compares them against more than 250 million government records — including State Department visa files and TSA traveler data — according to NPR. The app, called the ICE Task Force Module, instructs officers to either release a person or obtain a reference code for further ICE action, and stores every photo taken for 15 years. Approximately 1,300 law enforcement agencies participate in the Task Force Model nationwide. DHS said the technology is constitutional and that ICE is committed to giving local partners the tools needed to support immigration enforcement. The department’s own document acknowledges, however, that photos taken through the app could capture U.S. citizens, since officers won’t know immigration status before scanning — and facial recognition technology has previously led to wrongful ICE detentions. How and when officers are permitted to deploy the app — whether a pre-existing basis for a stop is required or whether it can be used more broadly — remains unclear. 🔗 More here

San Antonio Searches for Chief

San Antonio has posted the opening for police chief as longtime Chief William McManus, 74, prepares to retire this fall after leading the department for most of the past 20 years, according to KSAT. The city hired the Police Executive Research Forum to conduct a national search and community engagement process. The job posting signals continuity over overhaul — the next chief is expected to “stabilize and strengthen the department from within” rather than dramatically reshape it. Community voices are calling for stronger officer discipline and accountability, clearer policies on immigration enforcement cooperation, and deeper community relationships. The position is posted through July 15. 👮‍♂️ More here

Violence Renews Military Debate

Seven people were killed and at least 38 wounded in a wave of shootings across Chicago since Friday evening, prompting President Trump to renew calls for deploying military forces to the city, according to the Los Angeles Times. Among the incidents, a Juneteenth street gathering turned violent when two people in an SUV opened fire on a crowd, wounding 12 people ranging in age from 17 to 47. Mayor Brandon Johnson called it “a horrific act of violence” that “shattered what should have been a night of celebration.” Trump posted Sunday that he could make Chicago “one of the safest” cities within a year, while Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who has repeatedly rejected federal military intervention, did not respond to requests for comment. Chicago Police Department data show a slight increase in shooting incidents compared to the first half of last year, though violent crime has generally declined in the city over recent years in line with national trends. 🔗 More here

100 Days Without Gun Violence

A Dayton, Ohio neighborhood that once experienced gun violence at six times the national average has reached 100 consecutive days without a shooting, according to WDTN. The milestone was achieved by Felons with a Future, a community intervention group working in North Riverdale through resource distribution, community partnerships, and what program director Curtis Johnson calls a focus on mindset change. The achievement was tempered by a shooting death just outside the intervention zone on the same weekend. “For it to be right outside our zone, we take that very, very, very seriously,” Johnson said, adding that the group is working to expand its reach into neighboring areas. “Our goal is for no one to have to experience gun violence in this area.” 📉 More here

Cameras Speak 50+ Languages

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel is calling AI-powered body camera translation technology a “game changer” as the department deploys cameras capable of real-time interpretation in more than 50 languages ahead of the World Cup and the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, according to ColombiaOne. The system — built on Axon’s latest body camera platform — allows officers and non-English speakers to hold full conversations without waiting for an interpreter or locating a bilingual colleague, a process Bethel said has long consumed significant time and resources. “They know they can walk up to a police officer, talk to them, and the officer can fully understand what they’re saying,” Bethel said. The technology will remain in place after the World Cup ends, with Bethel emphasizing that Philadelphia’s diverse population — where large Latino, Asian, and African communities speak dozens of languages daily — makes it a year-round operational necessity. One important limit: AI-generated transcripts cannot replace certified human interpreters when conversations become criminal evidence. “When the case moves into the criminal phase, there will still need to be certification by someone who can attest to its authenticity,” Bethel said. 🔗 More here

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AI-powered “nudify” tools that can digitally undress anyone from a single photo are spreading rapidly among teenagers, creating a new form of harassment and bullying that schools, law enforcement, and parents are struggling to address, according to the Wall Street Journal. More than half of 557 U.S. teens surveyed by George Mason University said they had created at least one image using nudification tools, and a third said someone had created and shared a nude image of them without their permission. In May, the federal Take It Down Act took effect, making it a federal crime to publish nonconsensual intimate images — including AI-generated ones — and requiring platforms to remove content within 48 hours of a victim’s notification. But enforcement remains inconsistent and victims say the burden of scrubbing images from the internet falls largely on them. The Internet Watch Foundation reported AI-generated child sexual abuse videos increased from about a dozen in 2024 to more than 3,400 in 2025. 🔗 More here

Anti-AI Violence on the Rise

A wave of violent incidents targeting tech leaders and infrastructure is prompting researchers and law enforcement to track what they’re calling “anti-tech extremism” — a threat that spans ideological lines and is growing in step with public backlash against AI, according to The Guardian. Earlier this year, a Texas man was arrested for allegedly attempting to burn down OpenAI’s headquarters and Sam Altman’s home, an anti-AI manifesto in hand. The two teenage shooters behind last month’s San Diego mosque attack cited AI and tech-industry ties in their manifesto. An Indianapolis city councilor found gunshots fired into his home with a note reading “NO DATA CENTERS.” Researchers say what separates this wave from previous tech backlash is the speed of change — too fast for communities to build resilience — and the fact that tech CEOs’ own apocalyptic rhetoric about AI provides a ready-made radicalizing narrative without any ideologue needed. Law enforcement experts warn that conflating peaceful anti-AI protest with violent extremism risks pushing more people toward the fringe. “When authorities don’t care enough to regulate and take action,” one researcher said, “people affected are going to take action themselves.” 🤖 More here

Mascots Make the Arrest

Peruvian police officers disguised as FIFA World Cup mascots Clutch the bald eagle and Maple the moose helped arrest a suspected drug dealer in Lima during the tournament’s opening match, according to CBS News. Intelligence had revealed that suspect Carlos Cabrera, 48, was a “diehard football fan” consumed by World Cup fever — so officers from the Green Squadron dressed the part, approached without raising suspicion, then broke down his door with a sledgehammer. Police recovered 2,524 packets of cocaine base and a firearm at the scene. It’s not the first time Peruvian police have gone creative with costumes — previous operations have featured officers dressed as the Grinch, Freddy Krueger, Deadpool, Wolverine, Santa Claus, and a Valentine’s Day teddy bear. 🧸 More here

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Tampa Chief Heads to Academia

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw, who will retire from the Tampa Police Department on August 6 after more than 30 years of service including three and a half years as chief, will join the University of South Florida as an associate professor of instruction in the fall, according to USF. Bercaw — a two-time USF alumnus with a doctorate in criminal justice — will help lead the university’s Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program, bringing direct law enforcement leadership experience into the classroom. During his tenure as chief, Tampa saw a decline in violent crime and homicides that significantly outpaced national trends. “Teaching, mentoring and developing future leaders has always been among the most rewarding parts of my career,” Bercaw said. More here

Chief Reflects on 32-Year Career

Outgoing Miami Police Chief Manny Morales spoke exclusively with CBS Miami on his final weekday on the job, crediting his officers with dramatic crime reductions during his four-year tenure — including a 56% drop in homicides, a 36% reduction in robberies, and a 28% decline in aggravated assaults. Morales, who joined the department in 1994 after four years in the U.S. Army and rose from patrolman to chief, called his service “the honor of my professional lifetime.” He will be succeeded by Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez, who was sworn in Tuesday. Morales offered his successor simple advice: “Patience and trust your team.” 🔗 More here

LPR Lawsuit Targets Flock

A coalition of civil rights groups has filed a class action lawsuit seeking to shut down Westchester County, New York’s Flock Safety license plate reader network — nearly 600 cameras that have amassed 1.6 billion plate scans and shared data with more than 50 outside law enforcement agencies, including ICE, according to ABC News. The suit alleges the county never received proper legislative authorization for the program and that it violates the state constitution by conducting warrantless, indiscriminate surveillance of law-abiding residents. One plaintiff’s vehicle was captured more than 2,400 times. Flock paused its work with the Department of Homeland Security last year after it was revealed that police departments were sharing its data with immigration authorities — but the Westchester data-sharing appears to have continued. The case is part of a growing national legal effort to rein in Flock’s rapid expansion, which now spans more than 6,000 communities and has generated controversy over privacy, data security, and use by federal immigration enforcement. 🔗 More here

Toronto Officer Killed

A Toronto police officer was shot and killed early Thursday during a tactical raid connected to an investigation into shots fired at the U.S. consulate in March, according to the New York Times. Const. Marc Pinizzotto, 43, a 18-year veteran who spent the last five years on Toronto’s Emergency Task Force, died after officers executing a search warrant at a north Toronto apartment building came under fire. A 19-year-old suspect, Nicholas Bennett, has been charged with first-degree murder. A second 19-year-old suspect, Zara Jabbi, evaded police during the raid and remained at large, believed to be armed. “No words can capture the impact on Marc’s family who expected him to come home today,” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said. The March consulate incident involved two men who drove to the building in the early morning hours and fired multiple shots at the building before fleeing. 💙🖤 More here

Vegas Expands Counter-Terrorism

With the FIFA World Cup, a potential Golden Knights parade, and Fourth of July celebrations converging on Las Vegas in the coming weeks, LVMPD is expanding its counter-terrorism unit by 30% and increasing high-visibility patrols as part of its Meridian Project — a permanent counter-terrorism and intelligence capability announced earlier this year, according to KLAS. Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said there is no credible threat to Las Vegas but emphasized the moves are about readiness. He also highlighted the department’s drone program, which has already logged 12,000 flights in 2026 — on pace to exceed last year’s 10,000 — with drones arriving on scene before officers 71% of the time. “That means we’re having faster police response, better situational awareness, and ultimately safer outcomes for the community,” Koren said. 🔗 More here

Executive Healthspan Summit

For several years, Rick and I have been standing in front of police leaders talking about something that sounds like science fiction but isn’t — AI, exponentials, the law of accelerating returns, and how fast the world is about to change. Just over the past year, we started adding a segment on what that means for human health and longevity — including what some are calling “longevity escape velocity,” the idea that advances in AI and medicine may soon extend healthy human life faster than we age. We weren’t sure it would land. But it did. After nearly every session, leaders pulled us aside to ask serious questions about their own health and what the science says about performing and living better in the age of AI.

That’s behind an idea we’re now seriously considering: the Executive Healthspan Summit — an invitation-only gathering of public safety executives in Scottsdale, Arizona in December 2026. World-class physicians, scientists, and high-performance experts. Evidence-based approaches to sleep, strength, nutrition, recovery, and cardiovascular health. The emerging science of longevity and AI-enabled healthcare. And a room full of leaders ready to take action.

We’d love to know if this resonates with you. [Click here for a quick 5-question survey] — your input will directly shape whether and how we move forward.

Three Philly Officers Shot

Three Philadelphia police officers are expected to recover after being shot Saturday night in the Wynnefield section of the city, according to KYW. Officers responding to a report of a vehicle that had been shot up encountered a man who refused repeated commands to stand down. When officers moved to arrest him, he drew a weapon and an exchange of gunfire followed. The 57-year-old suspect, identified as Eric Franks — a former Philadelphia firefighter and Marine veteran — was struck and pronounced dead at the hospital. One officer was shot in the face, another in the hip, and a third in the leg; all are in stable condition. Commissioner Kevin Bethel said four officers discharged their weapons. “These officers are husbands and fathers, sons and brothers, and they almost didn’t make it home tonight,” Bethel said. 🔗 More here

New Chief, First Policy Change

Just 30 days into his tenure, Greensboro Police Chief Kamran Afzal has already implemented his first policy change — requiring officers to carry their Tasers on the opposite side of their body from their firearm to reduce the risk of accidentally drawing the wrong weapon, according to WFMY News 2. Afzal, who brings more than three decades of experience including prior chief roles in Dayton, Ohio and several other cities, says additional reviews are underway covering internal investigations and disciplinary consistency. He is also focused on identifying crime patterns rather than simply tracking statistics, and has flagged traffic fatalities and violent crime in one district as early priorities. His leadership philosophy is direct: “I love my officers, and I tell them I have their back. But my love is conditional — conditional upon them following policy, procedures, doing things legally and ethically.” 🔗 More here

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A new study published in The Trace examining more than 150,000 pages of police records, court transcripts, and after-action reports found that nearly half of mass shooting perpetrators discussed killing others before their attacks — and that most people who encountered those warnings failed to report them. Researcher Jaclyn Schildkraut of the Rockefeller Institute of Government found that perpetrators most commonly leaked their intentions through Facebook and Instagram — not the dark web — and often simply told people directly in conversation. Nearly two-thirds had prior contact with law enforcement, representing missed intervention opportunities. Schildkraut, whose team actually averted a shooting by reporting a Reddit post to the FBI during the study, says mass shootings are both preventable and predictable — if people act on what they see. Her recommendation: report credible threats to the FBI tip line or local law enforcement, document everything, and don’t assume someone else will handle it. “I would rather err on the side of caution and be wrong than say nothing and be right,” she said. 🔗 More here

Teen Takeovers Test Police

Large gatherings of teenagers organized through social media — dubbed “teen takeovers” — are prompting police responses across the country ahead of summer, with incidents reported in Chicago, Washington D.C., Tampa, and Clearwater, Florida, according to Good Morning America. In Clearwater, a gathering that grew to over 500 teens ended with a 17-year-old shot; Tampa police arrested 22 young people at a similar event in May on charges including weapons possession and narcotics. Washington D.C. has established juvenile curfew zones citywide since July 2025, while federal prosecutors there have pushed to hold parents accountable. Police departments are pairing enforcement with alternatives — Tampa launched “Takeover with a Purpose” events and Midnight Basketball programs, while Chicago nonprofits are hosting conversations with teens about why they attend and how to keep gatherings safe. Clearwater police have identified 11 such events this year alone and are increasing beach staffing on weekends with county sheriff support. 🏁 More here

Drones Ready to Respond

Cocaine Surges Ahead of World Cup

Kansas City police recorded a 200% spike in cocaine seizures in 2025 — and officials say they were warned to expect it, according to KCUR. Law enforcement was told ahead of the World Cup to anticipate a significant influx of narcotics, particularly cocaine, with one recent bust netting nearly 400 pounds headed toward the Kansas City area. Officers from 11 states will supplement KCPD’s 1,200-member force during the tournament. The surge mirrors global trends — the UN’s 2025 World Drug Report found cocaine users worldwide jumped from 17 million to 25 million between 2013 and 2023, driven in part by a resurgence in coca cultivation following Colombia’s decision to halt a U.S.-backed fumigation program. A study in England found cocaine use spikes significantly during World Cup matches. ⚽️ More here

Swatting Schools: New Threat

A wave of AI-generated bomb threat calls hit seven Vermont schools simultaneously Wednesday — all using the same script, the same voice, and sent in bulk from what investigators suspect is a single automated source, possibly overseas, according to VTDigger. The calls forced evacuations across four cities, displaced thousands of students, and consumed significant law enforcement resources before police cleared all buildings. It is the latest example of a growing national threat: researchers tracked 728 school swatting incidents across the country in the 2023-24 school year alone. Vermont’s Public Safety Commissioner called it “a really low level type of domestic terrorism” — candid about the challenge of stopping it: “Many of these cases are done in bulk and volume, automated processes that are very easy to mask, and frequently, when you think you’ve found an IP address, it’s in another country.” With AI making these calls cheaper, faster, and harder to trace, officials warn the tactic is unlikely to disappear — and schools are left absorbing the disruption with no clear way to prevent it. 📚 More here

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Armed Police: No Rise in Shootings

A peer-reviewed study published in Police Quarterly examining 50 years of officer-involved shootings in Australia found that requiring officers to routinely carry firearms did not lead to an increase in shootings — and in fact was associated with declining rates in both states studied. Researchers analyzed 581 shooting incidents across New South Wales and Victoria from 1970 to 2020, using rigorous statistical modeling to compare what actually happened after routine arming policies were introduced in 1991 and 1993 against what would likely have occurred without those policies. In Victoria, shootings declined an estimated 63% relative to the projected counterfactual following the policy change. The authors caution that the policy changes did not occur in isolation — both states simultaneously implemented enhanced use-of-force training and de-escalation protocols — and that organizational culture, training, and accountability structures appear to shape shooting outcomes at least as much as firearm availability alone. The findings directly counter the assumption that increasing firearm access for police inevitably leads to more people being shot. 🇦🇺 More here

Iran's One-Man Terror Network

A 32-year-old Iraqi man who pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal court last week appears to have been the single architect behind 18 coordinated attacks on Jewish communities across Europe between March and April 2026, according to The Guardian. Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, a militia operative with deep ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, allegedly ran the campaign from an office in Baghdad — directing attacks on synagogues, Jewish schools, and a Jewish charity’s ambulances in north London through encrypted messaging apps while claiming responsibility under a fictitious organization called HAYI. Court documents show al-Saadi had met with Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Khamenei in January before the campaign began, and was arrested in Istanbul after unknowingly communicating with an undercover FBI agent about potential attacks in the United States, including a discussed plot targeting Ivanka Trump. Dozens of low-level recruits — many of them minors offered as little as €300 — now face lengthy prison terms across the UK, France, and Belgium, largely unaware they were pawns in an Iranian proxy operation. No attacks have occurred since al-Saadi’s arrest. 🇮🇷 More here

Arrested for ISIS Support

Three U.S. citizens — from Kansas and California — were arrested Friday on charges of conspiring to provide material support to ISIS following a 16-month FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force investigation, according to NBC News. The three allegedly provided more than $2,000 combined to a person they believed was an ISIS member to purchase drones intended to kill U.S. service members overseas, and communicated via Discord and other platforms pledging allegiance to ISIS and its leader. One defendant allegedly had his name written on a rocket-propelled grenade purportedly intended for an overseas attack targeting American troops. All three also expressed a desire to travel abroad to fight for ISIS. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the arrests demonstrate the government’s commitment to “taking down terrorist networks — anywhere.” 🔗 More here

Jiu-Jitsu Joins Toolkit

Following officer-involved fatalities involving people in mental health crises, Louisville and surrounding Indiana law enforcement agencies are spotlighting jiu-jitsu as a less-lethal tool for managing dangerous confrontations, according to WHAS11. LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey’s department has incorporated jiu-jitsu into its basic recruit curriculum, annual in-service training, and subsidizes off-duty training at approved gyms — calling it part of a “well-rounded program for controlling behavior.” Floyd County Sheriff’s Department in Indiana takes a similar approach. Lt. Noah Pollert, a practitioner himself, said the discipline allows officers to safely control subjects much larger than themselves — calling it “a long-term investment in your job, your family, the community you work for and serve, and your coworkers.” Indiana mandates just four hours of hands-on defensive tactics training annually — a threshold Pollert called far from sufficient. 🥋 More here

Elections: Police Always on Duty

As threats against election officials have grown, local law enforcement has become an increasingly essential and year-round partner in securing the democratic process, according to NPR. A Brennan Center survey found that 32% of election officials have experienced threats, harassment, or abuse because of their jobs, and 89% plan to coordinate with at least one other agency ahead of the 2026 midterms. Green Bay Police Chief Chris Davis described a significant shift — election planning now occupies his department year-round, including educating officers on election laws and potential flashpoints like voter eligibility challenges at polling sites. Officials credit extensive tabletop exercises and law enforcement coordination with keeping the 2024 election cycle — which saw a record number of bomb threats — running smoothly despite the elevated threat environment. At the same time, experts caution that a visible police presence at polling sites can inadvertently intimidate voters, urging departments to maintain a “light touch” where ballots are being cast while focusing security resources on ballot tabulation centers, which have increasingly become targets of protest and disruption. 🗳️ More here

🎙️ New Pod This Week!

This week’s guest is Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones — and it’s a wide-ranging conversation. Chief Jones discusses how his department became nationally recognized for its innovative approach to homelessness, the critical importance of human trafficking and sex trafficking enforcement, and how technology is being used to keep a city safe when hundreds of thousands of visitors descend for events like Spring Break on South Beach. Along the way, the conversation takes a turn — including a discussion about the murder of Gianni Versace. Available this week wherever you listen to podcasts.

Minneapolis Names Interim Chief

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has appointed Bill Peterson, a 30-plus-year department veteran and current First Precinct inspector, as interim police chief following the resignation of Brian O’Hara, according to MPR News. Peterson, who has led emergency response to major incidents and implemented officer training throughout his career, said his focus will be on bringing stability during the transition. He said he does not intend to apply for the permanent position. Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette said the search for a permanent chief is expected to take about six months, with internal candidates considered. The Police Officers Federation praised Peterson as widely respected by rank-and-file officers, while some community advocates expressed skepticism that an internal candidate can deliver the cultural change the department needs. 🔗 More here

New Border Patrol Chief Named

Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott has appointed Rosario “Pete” Vasquez as the new chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, following the retirement of Mike Banks, according to The Texan. Vasquez brings more than 26 years of Border Patrol experience to the role. Banks, who had led the agency since the start of Trump’s second term after previously serving as Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s border czar for Operation Lone Star, told Fox News it was simply “time” to retire after 37 years, saying he felt he had “gotten the ship back on course.” The appointment comes as DHS itself is under new leadership — Secretary Markwayne Mullin replaced Kristi Noem following a $220 million no-bid advertising contract scandal. 🔗 More here

Pursuit Sparks Policy Debate

Arkansas State Police are defending their vehicle pursuit policies after a high-speed chase ended May 24 with a rollover crash that ejected an unrestrained 4-month-old from a fleeing SUV, according to KATV. The driver, 28-year-old Tyrice Fletcher, fled a traffic stop at speeds exceeding 100 mph before losing control and crashing, with four children under age 6 inside the vehicle. All four were treated for minor injuries. Fletcher faces a lengthy list of charges including felony fleeing, weapons possession, drug charges, and four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor. State Police Col. Mike Hagar placed responsibility squarely on the driver: “As a father, I cannot fathom a parent making the decision to drive recklessly, much less flee from law enforcement, with their children in the vehicle.” The incident adds to a national debate over pursuit policies, particularly when chases originate from nonviolent traffic stops and endanger innocent passengers. 🔗 More here

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A Carroll County, Virginia sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed Friday while conducting a welfare check after a family member requested law enforcement check on a resident, according to the Associated Press. Deputy Logan Utt, a military veteran who joined the department in 2023, died from his injuries; a second deputy was struck in his ballistic vest and was in stable condition. The suspect, identified as 55-year-old Michael Timothy Puckett, fled the scene and was being sought by law enforcement, who warned he should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Sheriff Kevin Kemp said: “Today, Carroll County has lost a hero, and a family has suffered an unimaginable loss.” 💙🖤 More here

AI Supercharging Cybercrime

The FBI’s latest Internet Crime Complaint Center report reveals cybercriminals are rapidly adopting AI, with more than 22,000 AI-related scam complaints logged last year totaling $893 million in losses — the first year the bureau has broken out that category separately, according to the Wall Street Journal. Government-impersonation scams nearly doubled to 32,000 complaints, now featuring AI-generated deepfake audio and video of public officials and spoofed caller IDs that display legitimate agency numbers. Internet crimes targeting people under 20 surged 74% in one year to more than 31,000 complaints. Cryptocurrency investment fraud remained the largest single source of losses at $7.2 billion — up from $5.8 billion the prior year — though the FBI’s Operation Level Up has so far identified and notified more than 8,000 victims, saving an estimated $511 million. Experts warn the worst is yet to come: “These are the lowest number of AI complaints we are ever going to see.” 🤖 More here

Minneapolis Police Chief Resigns

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara resigned Tuesday after an investigation found he had interfered with a probe into his own conduct, according to NBC News. The matter began with an anonymous complaint alleging O’Hara had engaged in sexual relationships with city employees — allegations an outside investigation ultimately found unsubstantiated. A subsequent inquiry, however, found O’Hara had deleted a contact card from his city-issued phone in an apparent effort to shield evidence from investigators and had discussed the investigation with an employee after being explicitly instructed not to. Mayor Jacob Frey, who had informed O’Hara that termination was forthcoming, accepted his resignation and issued a written reprimand for serious misconduct. “What I can’t allow is a breach of trust,” Frey said. “When trust is broken, it becomes extremely difficult to continue leading effectively.” Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell will serve as acting chief. O’Hara had led the department since 2022 in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. 🔗 More here

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ICE Agent Arrested in Shooting

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer has been arrested in Texas on charges stemming from a January shooting in Minnesota during the federal government’s Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement surge, according to Politico. Christian Castro, 52, faces four counts of second-degree assault for the non-fatal shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant in the country lawfully, as well as one count of falsely reporting a crime for allegedly lying to ICE supervisors to justify his actions. State prosecutors allege Castro fired through the front door of a home while pursuing another individual, striking Sosa-Celis. Charges against Sosa-Celis and a roommate — who had been accused of attacking agents with a broom and snow shovel — were later dropped. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said: “Nobody is above the law, including agents of the federal government.” 🔗 More here

Funding Bulletproof Police Vehicles

U.S. Representative Roger Williams (R-Texas) has introduced the Bulletproof Law Enforcement Vehicles Act, legislation that would amend the Homeland Security Act to allow federal grant funding to be used for vehicle security upgrades — including bullet-resistant windows — for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, according to Police1. Introduced during National Police Week, the bill addresses what supporters say is a current gap in federal funding flexibility that prevents departments from using existing grants for critical vehicle safety improvements. The legislation mirrors programs already underway in Texas, where the Vehicle Armor Grant has provided millions of dollars to equip patrol vehicles with bullet-resistant components. The bill is backed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the Texas Municipal Police Association, and the Police Officers’ Defense Coalition. 🔗 More here

Troopers Deployed

Robotaxis Create Headaches

As autonomous vehicle companies like Waymo, Tesla, and Zoox expand across the country, a growing number of incidents are creating new challenges for law enforcement and emergency responders, according to the Wall Street Journal. A Waymo vehicle in Austin briefly blocked an ambulance responding to a mass shooting in March; in December, a San Francisco blackout caused Waymo robotaxis to freeze at intersections, blocking traffic; and vehicles in both San Antonio and Atlanta drove into flooded streets and became stranded. The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into Waymo after one of its vehicles struck a child near a Santa Monica elementary school, and the NHTSA is separately examining whether the software exercises appropriate caution around schools during drop-off hours. Waymo, the current market leader operating in 11 cities with plans to expand to 19 more, maintains its vehicles are involved in 80% fewer injury-causing crashes than human drivers — but critics argue that crash-per-mile metrics don’t capture the full range of public safety concerns posed by edge-case failures in real-world conditions. 🚕 More here

Cameras Face Class Action

A class action lawsuit filed against Boulder, Colorado’s police chief argues the city’s use of 31 Flock Safety license plate cameras constitutes a warrantless surveillance dragnet that violates residents’ constitutional rights, according to Courthouse News Service. The suit highlights that outside law enforcement agencies searched Boulder’s camera database 424,000 times in a single month, U.S. Border Patrol accessed the network more than 100 times before Boulder cut off immigration authorities’ access, and a Texas county that had restricted abortion access searched the Boulder database 600 times following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. The lead plaintiff, a Boulder commuter, was denied access to his own vehicle’s images and metadata when he requested them from the police department. Flock Safety countered that fixed license plate reader technology has been upheld as constitutional by courts across the country dozens of times. The case has been assigned to a Boulder County district judge. ⚖️ More here

Boulder Chief on Podcast

**Hear direct from Chief Redfern who was on a previous podcast

In this episode, Chief Stephen Redfearn of the Boulder Police Department reflects on a remarkable law enforcement career that began as a teenage dispatcher and evolved into leading one of the nation’s most closely watched departments. Chief Redfearn shares firsthand insights from responding to landmark tragedies such as Columbine, the Aurora theater shooting, and more recent acts of mass violence, including the Pearl Street terror attack in Boulder. He talks about how those experiences have shaped him, the impact on officer wellness, and the importance of community trust. The conversation also explores Boulder’s innovative use of technology and AI—from AI report writing to drones and the use of transparency dashboards—and why, even in an era of rapid technological change, policing remains a deeply human profession.

Curbing Distracted Trucking

Colorado State Patrol is highlighting the growing use of AI-powered in-cab cameras in commercial trucks as a tool to reduce distracted driving crashes, according to CBS Colorado. The cameras detect when drivers look away from the road, use a phone, or show signs of fatigue — alerting the driver in real time or notifying safety managers. Trooper Hunter Matthews noted that a fully loaded semitruck traveling at highway speed can require up to two to three football fields to stop, making even brief distractions potentially fatal. The technology is gaining traction as trucking companies recognize its impact on insurance rates and safety scores. Colorado State Patrol’s “Seconds Matter” campaign reinforces the message that eyes off the road — even momentarily — can be the difference between a close call and a tragedy. 🚛 More here

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The San Diego Police Department released a preliminary timeline Friday of the Islamic Center of San Diego shooting that killed three men — Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nadir Awad — with the two teenage shooters found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds nearby, according to NBC 7 San Diego. Police addressed questions about whether staffing shortages played a role, stating that once the call was elevated to Priority 1, officers were en route within approximately five minutes, and when reports of an active shooter came in, a countywide Priority 0 response put officers on scene within four minutes. SDPD acknowledged staffing will be part of its ongoing review. Both SDPD and the FBI urged the public and media to stop sharing unverified photos of the suspects circulating online, noting that incorrect images had already led to at least one wrongful identification. 🔗 More here

Streets Barricaded Over Violence

Frustrated by repeated shootings tied to prostitution and human trafficking activity along Seattle’s Aurora Avenue, North Seattle residents have taken matters into their own hands — hauling in large metal planters, dirt, and gravel to partially block residential side streets used as escape routes by gunmen, according to KOMO News. The self-imposed barricades follow a weekend shootout near Aurora Avenue and North 98th Street in which police recovered roughly 40 shell casings, with bullets striking nearby buildings, vehicles, and a fourth-floor apartment — and a separate incident where a round stopped near the bassinet of a 6-week-old baby. Critics warn the makeshift barriers could delay ambulances and fire crews, and the city requires permits for any public right-of-way closures. Seattle police said they are increasing late-night patrols and deploying the department’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit. 🔗 More here

Academia Is Failing Police

University of Pennsylvania criminologist Jerry Ratcliffe argues in a newly published paper that mainstream academia has become actively hostile to policing scholarship — and that the consequences will ultimately harm the communities police serve. Writing in Evidence Base, Ratcliffe documents a pattern of ideological suppression within criminology and criminal justice departments: policing scholars shouted down in faculty meetings, job offers rescinded over past law enforcement careers, personal health information leaked to doxxing websites, and graduate students discouraged from pursuing police research. He argues that a 30-to-1 liberal-to-conservative ratio in the field, combined with the rise of “activist-scholars,” has driven quality policing researchers out of academia — leaving departments less equipped to provide the evidence-based reform and critical oversight that law enforcement actually needs. His proposed solution is a significant expansion of “pracademics” — current or former police officers with scientific training who work inside departments, bridge the gap between research and practice, and can deliver evidence-based insights without depending on an increasingly hostile university system. Ratcliffe warns that without intervention, police departments will receive less effective academic scrutiny, reform efforts will slow, and government institutions will see little value in funding policing research at all. 🔗 Paper here

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Police Staffing Rebounds

A new national survey from the Police Executive Research Forum finds that sworn officer staffing has rebounded to its 2022 level after years of post-pandemic decline, driven by a 17.6% increase in hiring in 2025 — 40% more than in 2021, according to PERF. Resignations have stabilized and remain 15% below their 2021 peak, though retirements rose 16% in 2025. The survey, covering 197 agencies collectively employing more than 138,000 sworn officers, shows agencies have employed a range of strategies to boost hiring including signing bonuses, lowered educational requirements, and streamlined hiring processes. Despite the progress, PERF Executive Director Chuck Wexler noted that staffing remains below pre-pandemic 2020 levels, chiefs continue to rely heavily on overtime to fill gaps, and competition from federal agencies offering signing bonuses as high as $75,000 has made recruiting qualified candidates increasingly difficult. 👮‍♂️ PERF report here

Operation Red Card

Bodycam Footage Released

Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia released body camera footage Friday detailing two fatal officer-involved shootings that occurred hours apart early May 16, according to NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. In the first incident, officers responded to multiple 911 calls about gunfire at a house party and shot and killed 25-year-old Emmett Mayo, a known gang member who ran toward officers with an illegally possessed and modified Glock switch-equipped firearm — making it fully automatic. More than 30 shell casings were recovered at the scene. Hours later, while officers were still investigating, a white SUV repeatedly charged at them, leading to a chase and ultimately the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Jorge Contreras, who Garcia said had a history of mental illness. An officer was injured in the incidents. 🔗 More here

Record Low Murder Rate

Crime data analyst Jeff Asher writes in his Jeff-alytics newsletter that 2026 will likely set a new record for the lowest U.S. murder rate ever recorded by the FBI — building on what was already a historic low in 2025. Data through April from a sample of 30 major cities shows murders down 19.1% compared to the same period last year, consistent with figures from the Gun Violence Archive, the Real-Time Crime Index, and the Major Cities Chiefs Association, all pointing to another significant decline. Asher projects that even a modest 10% annual drop would push the murder rate below 4 per 100,000 — the lowest since the FBI began using its current methodology in 1958. While the pace of decline appears to be gradually slowing from the record drops seen in 2024 and 2025, Asher says a reversal is unlikely, noting the country is “so far into uncharted murder reduction waters” that predicting what comes next remains difficult. 📉 Jeff-alytics Substack

Why Officers Don’t Seek Help

Research summarized in the new issue of Applied Police Briefings finds that stigma, fear of career consequences, and departmental mistrust remain the primary barriers to officers seeking mental health support. Of 297 sworn and civilian personnel surveyed at a large metropolitan department, only about one-third reported using mental health services — though that rate exceeds national averages. Civilian staff were nearly five times more likely to seek services than sworn officers. Among those not using resources, 44% said they lacked time, 20% cited departmental mistrust, and nearly 10% feared disciplinary repercussions or damage to their reputation. Researchers recommend that agencies reduce stigma through strong leadership, ensure confidentiality policies are clearly communicated, offer both internal and external services, and take a preventive rather than crisis-driven approach to officer wellness — extending support to family members as well. 🔗 More here

Santa Fe Names Interim Chief

Deputy Chief Ben Valdez has been named Santa Fe’s next interim police chief, taking over June 4 following the retirement of interim Chief Thomas Grundler, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. Valdez, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who received a Purple Heart after being wounded in Fallujah, joined the department in 2005 and rose to deputy chief in 2018. He has been credited with reducing the department’s officer vacancy rate to near zero and was previously assigned to fix systemic problems in the department’s evidence room following a high-profile evidence loss in a murder case. Mayor Michael Garcia has directed the interim city manager to begin a search for a permanent chief, with the position to be advertised next week. Two captains — Amanda Montaño and Lawrence Barnett — were also promoted to deputy chief as part of the leadership transition. 🔗 More here

Cyclist Deaths Up 86%

A series of violent incidents between drivers and cyclists this spring — including a Florida shooting, a California road rage attack, and a Georgia SUV assault — reflects a troubling national trend, according to USA Today. Bicyclist fatalities have risen 86% since 2010, with 1,103 cyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2024 alone, driven in part by more cyclists on the road, wider roads that encourage higher speeds, and increased reckless driving since the pandemic. Experts note that road rage runs in both directions — drivers frustrated by slower cyclists and cyclists who feel threatened by vehicles — but cyclists bear a fundamentally greater physical risk in any conflict. Infrastructure gaps compound the problem: bike lanes are frequently too narrow, obstructed by parked cars, and unprotected from drifting traffic. 🚴🏻‍♀️ More here

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In a deeply personal essay published in Police Chief Magazine, Dr. Serena Liebengood recounts the death of her husband, U.S. Capitol Police Officer Howard “Howie” Liebengood, who died by suicide on January 9, 2021 — three days after working through the events of January 6th with no sleep, no decompression, and no end to his shift schedule in sight. Howie was 51, a 15-year veteran, physically fit, happily married, and financially stable — every protective factor in place — yet none of it was enough to offset years of cumulative occupational strain compounded by a traumatic event with no relief. Research shows law enforcement officers are 54% more likely to die by suicide than the general working population, yet comprehensive wellness programs remain the exception rather than the norm. Dr. Liebengood argues that officer suicide is not an individual failure but a systemic one — rooted in staffing models, scheduling practices, organizational culture, and a health care system largely unaware of law enforcement’s elevated risk. 🔗 More here

Chief Earns Second Term

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has appointed Police Chief Elaine Bryant to a second five-year term, citing significant crime reductions and strengthened community relations since she took over in 2021, according to Spectrum News. Bryant, the first Black woman and first outside appointment to lead the Columbus Division of Police, inherited a department that had recorded 73 homicides through May 2021 — a number that stands at just 21 at the same point in 2026, the lowest year-to-date total in at least 26 years. During her tenure she launched the Crime Gun Intelligence Center, a Non-Fatal Shooting Team that achieved a 92% case closure rate in its pilot area, and Beyond Enforcement — the first juvenile intervention program of its kind approved by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. 🔗 More here

Sacramento Swears In Chief

Sacramento has sworn in Deputy Chief Zachary Bales as its interim police chief, succeeding retiring Chief Kathy Lester — the first woman to lead the department — who is stepping down after more than three decades in law enforcement, according to the Sacramento Bee. Bales, a 24-year department veteran and former Army captain who joined SPD after September 11, has worked as a patrol officer, homicide detective, internal affairs investigator, and deputy chief of investigations. He inherits a department operating 11% below full staffing — 650 sworn officers against 733 authorized positions — amid a $66 million city budget deficit that has prompted discussions about cutting vacant positions. The department paid more than $15 million in overtime last year. Bales said his focus is continuity: "We're going to continue to combat violent crime. We're going to continue to innovate and push our technology initiatives forward." He has not ruled out applying for the permanent chief position when the city launches its search. 🔗 More here

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Milliseconds

A Michigan police chief is releasing body camera footage of a near-deadly encounter to warn students about the dangers of a popular senior prank game, according to CBS Detroit. A Davison Township officer responding to a suspicious activity call approached what he believed was an active burglary, only to have a high school senior jump out and spray him with a squirt gun. Chief Jay Rendon said the officer had “milliseconds” to decide not to fire. “That kid’s family should be planning a funeral right now,” Rendon said. “That’s how close this was.” Rendon is urging students who continue playing to notify police in advance, gather in public spaces like parks, and use only large, brightly colored water guns — warning that dark-colored guns, even with an orange tip, can be indistinguishable from real firearms in a split-second encounter. 🔫 More here

Indy Enforces Summer Curfew

Indianapolis Police Chief Tanya Terry is getting ahead of summer by partnering with area schools to share a video message and letter outlining this year’s extended juvenile curfew, which takes effect for 120 days through around Labor Day, according to WTHR. Now in its second year, the temporary curfew requires children ages 15-16 to be home by 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. on weekends, while those under 15 must be off public streets by 9 p.m. any night of the week. Teens found in violation may be held until a parent or guardian is contacted. Terry said the curfew is paired with community programs, sports, and mentorship opportunities to give young people structured alternatives during the summer months. 🔗 More here

LPRs Split a City

A dispute over AI-powered license plate readers has plunged Troy, New York into a constitutional standoff, with the Republican mayor declaring a state of emergency to keep 26 Flock Safety cameras running after the Democratic city council moved to halt funding, according to the Washington Post. The cameras — which snap photos of every passing vehicle and create digital records including bumper stickers and other identifying details — were installed by the police department beginning in 2021 without council approval or public input, despite city policy requiring council sign-off on contracts over $35,000. Police say the cameras have aided in solving major crimes including two homicides, while critics argue they enable unchecked surveillance and raise concerns about data security and potential use by federal immigration authorities. The dispute mirrors a growing national debate — an estimated 90,000 Flock cameras are now in use across the country, and more than 60 communities have canceled or rejected contracts with the company. 🔗 More here

Second Great Crime Decline

The United States may be living through a second “Great Crime Decline” — one that rivals the historic drop in violence seen in the 1990s — with murder rates potentially at the lowest levels ever recorded by the FBI, according to The Trace. Through April, New York City recorded its fewest homicides ever in data going back to 1960, with Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, and New Orleans posting similarly historic lows in 2026. Crime analyst Jeff Asher estimates the country saw 6,000 to 8,000 fewer murder victims in 2025 than in each of the peak COVID years, marking the third consecutive year of historically large declines. The cause remains unclear — the drop has occurred across all types of cities, during a period of reduced police staffing and no major policy breakthrough — leading Asher to caution that without understanding what is driving the decline, there is no guarantee it continues. 📉 More here

Police Do Matter

Recorded live in front of 3,000 attendees at Axon Week in Nashville, Mike and Rick Smith sit down with Harvard cognitive psychologist Dr. Steven Pinker — author of The Better Angels of Our Nature — for a conversation that makes the case policing rarely gets to hear made at this level: violence has been declining for centuries, and law enforcement has played a central role in making it happen. Pinker traces the arc from medieval Europe, where disputes were settled by force, to the modern state’s monopoly on legitimate violence — and explains why homicide rates in major U.S. cities just hit historic lows, even as academia resists giving police the credit. He also unpacks “common knowledge” — the moment everyone knows that everyone else knows — and how body cameras and bystander video have fundamentally transformed policing by turning private moments into public accountability. 🎙️Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify

Drugged Driving Data Gap

Federal efforts to track drug-impaired driving deaths have stalled amid staffing cuts and funding delays, leaving law enforcement without reliable national data on a growing public safety threat, according to the Washington Post. Unlike alcohol, drugs are not systematically tracked in fatal crash data — despite evidence that they play a significant role. In Mesa County, Colorado, nearly half of all traffic fatalities over an eight-year period involved a driver impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both. NHTSA’s impaired driving division has dropped from five employees to just two following federal workforce cuts, and over $475 million in crash data modernization funding expired largely unused. As more than 40 states legalize or decriminalize cannabis and other substances, researchers warn the data gap directly limits enforcement strategy: “If you want to solve a problem, you need to understand the problem.” 🔗 More here

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