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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Violent crime continued its downward trend in the first quarter of 2026 across 67 major U.S. cities, according to preliminary data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association. Compared to the same period in 2025, homicides fell 17.7%, robberies dropped 20.4%, rape decreased 7.2%, and aggravated assault declined 4.8%. Notable declines include Houston homicides down from 77 to 49, Philadelphia homicides down from 50 to 23, Washington D.C. homicides down from 34 to 12, and Memphis robberies cut nearly in half. Oakland showed significant improvement with homicides dropping from 86 to 67 and robberies falling from 2,922 to 1,674. A handful of cities bucked the trend — Charlotte homicides rose from 16 to 22, and New Orleans aggravated assaults jumped from 252 to 372. Canadian cities also saw broad declines, with homicides down 22.4% and robberies down 16.4% across nine responding agencies. 📉 MCCA report here

Crime Fears Versus Data

Americans’ perceptions of crime frequently diverge from actual crime trends, with roughly 69% of survey respondents on average saying crime was higher than the year before from 2005 to 2024 — despite overall crime rates falling in most of those years — according to a new report from the Council on Criminal Justice analyzed by Stateline. Fear of crime has remained remarkably stable over decades, with 35% of Americans in 2024 saying they were afraid to walk alone at night — the same percentage as in 1968. The report found that personal victimization and property crime experiences were stronger predictors of fear than actual violent crime rates, and that economic optimism was closely tied to reduced crime concern. Political ideology showed a more limited effect than expected, with economic conditions proving a stronger driver of crime perception than party affiliation. 🔗 More here

Chief Rejects Chase Restrictions

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman has declined to implement pursuit policy changes recommended by the city’s Fire and Police Commission, which sought to prohibit officers from chasing suspects for reckless driving observed after a traffic stop and to end pursuits that increase danger to the public, according to WISN 12. Norman said the department is not inclined to revise its current policy, citing ongoing evaluation that incorporates national best practices, community feedback, and review of comparable cities. The recommendations came after a deadly 2025 in which nine people were killed in police chases — four in pursuits that began as reckless driving stops. The Milwaukee Common Council could force the changes if requested by the commission. 🚓 More here

Mayor Backs Chief’s Second Term

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced Thursday he is nominating Police Chief Brian O’Hara for a second term, citing crime reductions, increased officer recruitment, and leadership through multiple crises — but the nomination faces an uncertain path through a divided city council, according to MPR News. O’Hara took the job in 2022 amid significant departmental turmoil following the murder of George Floyd, a depleted force of roughly 500 officer resignations, and low public trust. Frey argued that removing O’Hara now would “unravel” progress made, warning that a failed confirmation could mean more than a year of uncertainty and lost momentum. Some council members have raised concerns about the department going more than $19 million over budget in 2025, largely driven by overtime costs. O’Hara said he is “fully committed to continuing to do this work” and wants to keep growing the department if confirmed. 🔗 More here

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Fixation on Crime Stats

An internal affairs investigation into crime data manipulation at the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department found no evidence that former Chief Pamela Smith directly ordered crime reports to be altered, but concluded that her leadership style significantly contributed to a culture in which officers felt compelled to misclassify crimes, according to NBC4 Washington. Investigators found that Smith’s “fixation on crime stats” and treatment of subordinates — including public humiliations and retaliatory transfers — created conditions where officers knowingly engaged in improper data practices. Thirteen top MPD officials have been placed on leave and served with termination papers. Smith stepped down in December and denied any wrongdoing in her farewell address. 📈 More here

Finalists for Honolulu Chief

The Honolulu Police Commission has named three finalists to lead the Honolulu Police Department: Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement Director Mike Lambert, Glynn County (Georgia) Police Chief Scott Ebner, and retired San Francisco Assistant Chief David Lazar, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. The department has been without a permanent chief since Joe Logan retired under pressure last June. Lambert, a 21-year HPD veteran, is seeking to return to the department due to a retirement benefit issue tied to his current state role. Ebner is a former New Jersey State Police lieutenant colonel who has been appointed to lead departments across the country. Lazar served with the San Francisco Police Department for more than three decades. A public forum is scheduled for May 14 and the commission will make its final selection May 20. 🌺 More here

Police Week 2026 Begins

Alien Smuggling Operation

A 24-year-old Mexican national living illegally in Kansas City pleaded guilty to leading an alien smuggling organization that moved hundreds of migrants from Mexico, Central America, and South America into the United States through the Canadian border, according to the National Post. Edgar Sanchez-Solis pleaded guilty to conspiracy and five counts of alien smuggling for financial gain and faces between five and 15 years in prison at his September sentencing. Court documents show the operation charged migrants thousands of dollars each and repeatedly endangered the public through high-speed chases with law enforcement. Three co-defendants from Kansas, Georgia, and Ohio were also charged in the case. 🔗 More here

Banning Armed Police Robots

A New York City council member has introduced legislation dubbed the “Asimov Act” that would prohibit the NYPD from deploying armed robots, according to USA Today. The bill comes as law enforcement agencies across the country increasingly experiment with robotic technology — including a 400-pound autonomous robot already operating in New York’s transit system. Police departments have long used robots for bomb disposal and surveillance, with newer models capable of autonomous patrol, real-time data collection, and information relay. The legislation aims to establish clear boundaries on the use of such technology before it advances further, with the council member framing it as a proactive step to ensure public safety keeps pace with innovation. 🤖 More here

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A detailed investigation reveals that OpenAI’s ChatGPT provided operational guidance to at least two mass shooting suspects — including the Florida State University shooter who asked how many victims it takes to make national news and received a specific answer — while the company repeatedly chose not to alert law enforcement despite internal red flags, according to the Wall Street Journal. In the Canada case, OpenAI’s own monitoring system flagged shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar’s conversations as troubling months before she killed eight people in British Columbia, but leaders decided not to contact authorities. Internal debate at OpenAI has centered on privacy versus public safety, with legal staff arguing for greater user privacy while investigations staff pushed for more frequent law enforcement referrals — currently just 15 to 30 users per year. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has since apologized to the Tumbler Ridge community and said the company has broadened its referral criteria. Independent testing found that of 10 major chatbots, only Anthropic’s Claude and Snap’s chatbot reliably refused requests related to violent attack planning. 🔗 More here

Doral Chief Eyed for Miami

Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez is a leading contender to replace retiring Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales, who is set to leave in October, according to the Miami Herald. Lopez, 45, brings more than 28 years of law enforcement experience, including nine years as chief across two departments — most notably leading the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department in the aftermath of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting. He has led the Doral Police Department since 2023, overseeing 155 sworn officers and a budget of over $41 million. Miami District 4 Commissioner Ralph Rosado publicly endorsed Lopez, saying his appointment would allow the city to “turn the page on years of costly lawsuits” and allegations of discrimination within the department. 🔗 More here

Chief Focuses on Wellness, Crime

Five months into her tenure, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson is prioritizing officer wellness, staffing, and community trust while pointing to early crime reductions, according to WCNC. Overall crime is down 23% and violent crime down 18% so far this year, with a 69% drop in crime on the city’s Blue Line light rail — though homicides are up, driven largely by domestic and relationship-based incidents. The department currently has more than 280 sworn vacancies, and Patterson said expanding mental health resources for officers remains a top priority, citing the cumulative toll of trauma on those responding to calls back to back. She also addressed street takeovers, reporting more than 100 arrests, 62 vehicle seizures, and 61 firearms recovered so far, and called for the broader criminal justice system — prosecutors, judges, and courts — to grow in step with the police department. 🔗 More here

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DOJ Rolls Back Gun Regulations

The Justice Department announced more than 30 changes to federal gun regulations Wednesday, including a proposed repeal of a 2024 Biden administration rule that required background checks on firearms sales at gun shows and other venues outside traditional stores, according to NBC News. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called it the most comprehensive regulatory reform package in ATF history, saying the changes align with Supreme Court precedent and reduce burdens on lawful gun owners. The announcement came the same day the Senate confirmed Robert Cekada — a 20-year ATF veteran — as the agency’s director, only the third confirmed director since the position became Senate-confirmable in 2006. Gun control groups criticized the timing, noting the changes came four days after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. 🔗 More here

Anti-Government Violence

Domestic attacks and plots against the U.S. government reached their highest levels since at least 1994 last year, with a new shift: for the first time in 20 years, extreme-left attacks outnumbered extreme-right attacks, according to the Wall Street Journal. Of the 20 attacks and plots recorded in 2025, 10 were categorized as extreme-left and eight as extreme-right, with half the left-leaning incidents targeting immigration officers or facilities in response to the Trump administration’s enforcement crackdown. Firearms are increasingly the weapon of choice, though last year’s most common weapon was the Molotov cocktail, appearing in at least seven incidents. Three people were killed in extreme-right attacks last year and one in an extreme-left attack. The data comes as Saturday’s shooting attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has renewed focus on the rising threat environment facing government officials. 🔗 More here

Operation Red Card

Federal and local law enforcement agencies across North Texas have launched Operation Red Card, a multi-agency initiative targeting violent criminals ahead of the FIFA World Cup, according to NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. Since the operation began March 14, 132 individuals have been charged with human and drug trafficking, kidnapping, weapons offenses, and immigration violations, with more than 115 kilos of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl seized along with 81 firearms. The operation involves the DOJ, FBI, DEA, ATF, HSI, and multiple local police departments. Officials also warned that anyone flying drones over World Cup venues could face federal charges, with Arlington deploying technology to track and intercept unauthorized drones near the stadium during the nine matches scheduled there. 🔗 More here

From Kill Pen to Catching Criminals

Kelly, the NYPD mounted horse whose viral body-cam footage showed him helping chase down a purse snatcher on Manhattan's Upper West Side, is a rescued standardbred racehorse who was saved from slaughter in 2020, according to CBS New York. The Standardbred Retirement Foundation, a New Jersey nonprofit that rescues 300 to 800 racehorses annually, rehabbed Kelly before the NYPD Mounted Unit discovered him six months later — and he's been with the department ever since. Foundation director Judith Bokman said she recognized Kelly immediately in the viral footage. For every horse like Kelly who gets a second chance, she noted, countless others remain in kill pens waiting to be saved. 🐴 More here

108 Officers Shot in 2026 So Far

The National Fraternal Order of Police reports that 108 officers have been shot in the line of duty through April 30, 2026 — down 1% from the same period in 2025 and down 20% from 2024, according to the Fraternal Order of Police. Of those, 14 were killed, up 16% from 2025 but down 30% from 2024. Particularly concerning is the ambush trend — 21 ambush-style attacks have occurred so far this year, resulting in 26 officers shot and 5 killed. 📈 Report here

Court Eyes Geofence Warrants

The U.S. Supreme Court appeared inclined Monday to allow police use of geofence warrants — which collect location data from cellphones near a crime scene during a specific time window — in a case stemming from a 2019 Virginia bank robbery, according to the Associated Press. The justices seemed skeptical of arguments that the warrants are too broad to comply with the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition on unreasonable searches, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor noting the warrant in question “identifies a place, a crime, a timeframe.” The court appeared eager to avoid a sweeping ruling, possibly limiting geofence warrants by time and geography rather than banning or fully endorsing them. The case highlights a split between federal appeals courts — one upholding geofence warrants, another declaring them categorically unconstitutional. ⚖️ More here

Gun Deaths by The Numbers

Around 44,000 people died from gun-related injuries in the United States in 2024 — the fifth-highest annual total on record — though the number fell for the third consecutive year, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of CDC data. The breakdown reveals two diverging trends: gun homicides have dropped 27% since a record high in 2021, falling to 15,364 in 2024, while gun suicides have risen to an all-time high of 27,593 — accounting for 62% of all gun deaths. Handguns were involved in 53% of gun murders, while rifles accounted for just 3%. Active shooter incidents also declined sharply, from 61 in 2021 to 24 in 2024. State-by-state variation is dramatic, with Mississippi recording the highest gun death rate at 28 per 100,000 people and Hawaii the lowest at 3.7 per 100,000. 🔗 Full report

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A Chicago police officer was killed and another critically injured Saturday after a suspect in custody opened fire on officers at a North Side hospital, according to WGN-TV. The suspect — initially brought in for medical treatment in connection with a robbery — passed a weapons screening upon arrival but later obtained a gun and shot both officers before fleeing the scene. The officer who died was a 38-year-old, 10-year CPD veteran; the injured officer is a 57-year-old with more than 20 years on the force. The suspect was taken into custody shortly after and a weapon was recovered. No hospital staff or patients were injured. Superintendent Larry Snelling said: “Every day that an officer gets up and puts his or her uniform on, they don’t really know if they’re ever going to return home.” 💙🖤 More here

Police Tackled Gunman

A gunman was confronted and tackled by law enforcement near a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday evening before reaching the ballroom where President Trump and hundreds of journalists and officials had gathered, according to the New York Times. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, was carrying a shotgun, handgun, and knives, and fired at least once before being subdued. A Secret Service officer was shot in his protective vest and was in good condition. Allen, who had been staying at the hotel as a guest, was taken into custody without being shot and transported to a hospital for evaluation. Washington’s interim police chief described him as a lone actor, and charges include using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer. 🔗 More here

Broken Windows Still Works

Former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton argues in The Telegraph that the Broken Windows policing strategy — addressing low-level disorder alongside serious crime — remains the most effective approach to reducing crime, rooted in the principles of Sir Robert Peel, the father of modern policing. Bratton credits the approach with driving a 46% crime reduction in New York City between 1990 and 1996, and argues that the post-2020 trend of decriminalizing quality-of-life offenses in many American cities directly contributed to the surge in violent crime that followed. He warns that any police strategy that ignores disorder while focusing only on serious crime is “doomed to failure,” and that restoring public trust requires addressing what people experience in their neighborhoods every day — not just what crime statistics reflect. 🪟 More here

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Cops Still Beat Alternatives

A University of Pennsylvania criminologist argues in Vital City that civilian alternative response programs are “badly oversold” as replacements for police in social service roles, and that cities should think carefully before expanding them. Professor Jerry Ratcliffe points out that more than 60% of police calls involve crime, quality-of-life issues, or situations with the potential for either — leaving far less room for diversion than advocates claim. He cites Eugene, Oregon’s widely praised CAHOOTS program, which was shut down in 2025, and notes that claimed diversion rates of up to 23% are disputed, with more realistic estimates in the 3-8% range. A year-long Philadelphia study found that combined police-social work teams outperformed police-only teams in connecting vulnerable people to services, but that institutional failures — overcrowded shelters, limited treatment capacity — undermined both models equally. Ratcliffe concludes that the case for alternative response as a scalable, cost-effective replacement for police “is grounded in weak analysis,” and that improving police training and recruitment may yield greater returns than building costly parallel systems from scratch. 🔗 More here

New: Colonel Matthew Birmingham

Chemical Drones Stolen

Fifteen large agricultural drones capable of spraying up to 40 gallons of liquid chemicals over a 15-acre area in seven minutes were stolen from a New Jersey shipping company in late March by a suspect using a fraudulent bill of lading and a fake confirmation email, according to the New York Post. The FBI is investigating and has raised concerns that the drones — valued at roughly $870,000 total — could be weaponized as delivery platforms for chemical or biological agents. A retired FBI agent called it a “potential nightmare scenario,” noting the drones are industrial sprayers, not hobby aircraft, and are designed to carry and disperse significant amounts of liquid quickly and with precision. The FBI declined to comment on any investigation. 🔗 More here

ChatGPT Probed in Shooting

Florida’s attorney general has opened a criminal investigation into OpenAI and ChatGPT after prosecutors reviewed messages between the chatbot and the man accused of killing two people at Florida State University last year, according to the New York Times. The messages show the suspect asking ChatGPT about a gun’s power at short range, ammunition, how the country would react to a shooting at Florida State, and when the student union was busiest — all on the day of the attack. Attorney General James Uthmeier said if a person had been on the other end of those exchanges, “we would be charging them with murder,” and his office plans to subpoena OpenAI for internal records and policies on handling users who may pose a threat. OpenAI denied responsibility, stating the chatbot provided factual responses to questions available across public internet sources and did not encourage harmful activity. 🔗 More here

Chief Kathy Lester to Retire

Chief Fights Back After Firing

Fired Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge has released a recording of her pre-disciplinary hearing, directly contradicting the city’s stated reasons for her termination, according to WKRC. At the center of the dispute is the city’s 2025 Summer Safety Plan, which Theetge says she opposed because crime data didn’t support it and the department lacked the staffing — noting officers worked 23,000 hours above their normal schedules in August alone. On the issue of Fountain Square patrols, Theetge says details were filled before City Manager Sheryl Long’s urgent texts, while Long’s termination letter says she had to “beg” for coverage. Theetge also alleges Mayor Aftab Pureval told Long “it’s me or you, one of us gotta go” following a Fountain Square shooting. Her attorney said lawsuits will be filed in both state and federal court next week. 🔗 More here

Dallas Chief Marks Year One

Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux marked his first year on the job pointing to a drop in violent crime, a decade-high staffing level, and the removal of more than 350 violent offenders from the streets through federal partnerships, according to NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. The department hired 407 new officers over the past 12 months and recorded 43 fewer murders than the prior year. Comeaux also created a Homeless Outreach Team to clear encampments and connect individuals with resources. He reaffirmed his decision not to partner with ICE under the 287(g) program, stating the department’s focus is on serving Dallas residents. Looking ahead, priorities include improving response times, continued recruitment, and preparing for the FIFA World Cup. 🔗 More here

Oakland Chief Lands in Fremont

Six weeks into his new role, Fremont Police Chief Floyd Mitchell is settling in after his brief and unexpected departure from the Oakland Police Department, where he resigned after 18 months, according to KTVU Fox 2. Mitchell pointed to a 25% crime reduction during his Oakland tenure, while a criminal justice professor suggested he left because he wasn’t able to do the job he envisioned. In Fremont, Mitchell is focused on retail theft, reckless driving, and a local unhoused population estimated at 800 people, and has already begun expanding the traffic enforcement unit. 🔗 More here

Portland Police Face $17M in Cuts

Portland Police Chief Bob Day warned Thursday that proposed budget cuts of more than $17 million will reduce services and increase response times for lower-priority calls, as the city seeks to close a projected $160 million budget shortfall, according to KGW. The cuts include an 80% reduction to the Public Safety Support Specialist program — which was projected to handle 25,000 calls this year for stolen vehicles, missing persons, and minor collisions — eliminating 34 full-time positions. Additional reductions include a 35% cut to training and supplies, 20% to technology and fleet, and cuts to victim services and precinct administrative staff. Day said the department is already operating lean: “Every cut we make is a cut to the bone.” The city council must adopt a final budget by June 17. More here

Neighbors Cheer Arrest

Palantir Exposes Infractions

The London Metropolitan Police have launched investigations into hundreds of officers after deploying Palantir’s AI software to identify misconduct and criminal behavior within the force, according to The Guardian. In just one week of surveillance using existing internal data, the tool uncovered wrongdoing ranging from work-from-home violations to corruption and criminal offenses — resulting in the arrest of three officers on charges including fraud, sexual assault, and abuse of authority. Among the findings: 98 officers assessed for shift-roster manipulation for personal gain, 500 more receiving prevention notices for the same offense, 42 senior officers investigated for falsely claiming office attendance, and 12 officers facing gross misconduct charges for failing to disclose Freemasonry membership. Met Commissioner Mark Rowley said the technology allows the force to “identify risk earlier, act faster and be fairer and more consistent.” 🔗 More here

Wearable Tech for Road Workers

Researchers at Morgan State University in Maryland are testing a wearable warning system designed to alert highway construction workers to approaching vehicles before they become a danger, according to Government Technology. The system uses lidar sensors and a predictive algorithm to deliver simultaneous alerts through a flashing beacon, a haptic wrist buzz, and a siren — providing redundancy to ensure workers are warned regardless of what they are doing. During a recent six-day test, more than 50,800 vehicles passed through the work zone, with 288 traveling 45 mph or faster. The technology comes as work zone fatalities remain a persistent problem — Maryland lost nine highway workers last year, Virginia logged 17 work zone fatalities, and Oregon recorded a five-year high in work zone crashes in 2024. ⚠️ More here

Deputy Killed in Shootout

A LeFlore County (OK) deputy was killed and a Wister police chief was injured last Sunday after officers responding to a welfare check were immediately fired upon by a suspect who then barricaded himself inside a home, according to KOKH. Deputy Thomas “Walker” LeMay was pronounced dead at the scene, while Wister Police Chief William “Andy” Thompson was transported to a local hospital. The suspect, 36-year-old Edgar Lara, opened fire as soon as officers arrived. The LeFlore County Sheriff’s Office described LeMay as “a true servant of the people, a loving son, brother, and father to his most precious baby girl.” 💙🖤 More here

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A Tulare County Sheriff’s Office detective was shot and killed Thursday morning while serving an eviction notice at a home in Porterville, California, in what the sheriff described as a deliberate ambush, according to ABC30. Detective Randy Hoppert, who joined the department in 2020 after serving in the U.S. Navy, was struck by gunfire from the suspect — 60-year-old David Morales — who had barricaded himself inside the home armed with a high-powered rifle. Hoppert leaves behind a wife who is four months pregnant. The suspect, who had no prior criminal record, was later killed when he emerged from the home armed and in tactical gear and opened fire on a Kern County SWAT armored vehicle. It is the first line-of-duty death for the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office in nearly 20 years. 💙🖤 More here

Chief Breaks Her Silence

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge spoke publicly for the first time Friday since being placed on paid administrative leave in October, following a pre-disciplinary hearing before the city manager, according to WCPO 9. The hearing came after the city released a nine-page report concluding she had “not been an effective leader,” citing an “old school approach,” lack of transparency, a culture of retaliation, and difficulty working with city leadership. Theetge and her attorneys pushed back forcefully, calling the process “hasty and unlawful” and the report speculative and politically motivated. Her attorney said the city must now decide whether to reinstate her or remove her, warning that removal would trigger a legal fight, and adding that no financial settlement could restore the damage done to her reputation. Theetge said simply: “We didn’t start this fight, but by God we’re going to finish it.” 🔗 More here

Brown Names New Chief

Brown University has appointed Colonel Hugh T. Clements Jr. as permanent police chief and vice president for public safety, following a December campus shooting that left two students dead and prompted a federal investigation into the university’s security failures, according to the New York Times. Clements, who served as Providence police chief for 12 years before directing the Justice Department’s COPS Office, had been serving in an interim role since days after the attack. The university’s previous chief, Rodney Chatman, whose tenure was described as contentious even before the shooting, departed this week. The U.S. Department of Education had cited concerns about Brown’s surveillance systems and emergency alert response, and the university has since added cameras and panic buttons across campus while two commissioned safety reviews remain ongoing. 🔗 More here

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St. Louis Sues Over Takeover

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging a state law that transferred control of the city’s police department from the mayor’s office to a board with a majority of governor-appointed members, according to St. Louis Public Radio. The suit argues the law’s requirement that the city spend a set percentage of general revenue on policing — without providing additional state funding — constitutes an unconstitutional unfunded mandate. The city’s proposed police budget of $220 million falls short of the board’s certified expenses of $250 million, a gap that includes 7% raises negotiated with the police union. The lawsuit is the third legal challenge to the state takeover, with two others already pending May hearings. 🔗 More here

Highway Safety Imperiled

World Cup Cyber Threats

Federal, state, and local agencies are preparing for a wide range of cyberattacks targeting this summer’s FIFA World Cup, with concerns ranging from disrupted broadcast signals and ticketing systems to attacks on transit networks and water treatment plants, according to Politico. CISA has conducted more than 1,000 security engagements specifically for the tournament since early 2025 and has completed physical and cybersecurity assessments of nearly all stadiums and team base camps. Top threats include Iran- and Russia-linked hackers, criminal ransomware groups, and unauthorized drone activity. Complicating preparations is the ongoing DHS shutdown — 40% of CISA’s bomb prevention staff are furloughed, FEMA’s $625 million in security grants to host cities has been slowed, and hundreds of TSA officers have quit. New York’s chief cyber officer captured the scale of the challenge: “It’s like there’s multiple Super Bowls happening over a six-week period.” ⚽️ More here

Drones Help Bust Drug Ring

A Maryland sheriff’s office used drone surveillance to help dismantle a cocaine trafficking ring tied to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, seizing more than 93 pounds of cocaine valued at over $4 million and 11 firearms across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, according to the Washington Post. Drone footage of a truck stop drug exchange provided key court evidence, capturing two Home Depot boxes containing 53 pounds of cocaine being transferred between suspects. The investigation, which began in late 2024, involved monitoring 19 cellphones and has resulted in charges against 13 suspects. The case highlights the rapid expansion of police drone use — more than 1,000 agencies have received FAA approval for drone programs since a streamlined process took effect in May 2025, down from an 11-month approval wait to just one week. 🔗 More here

AI Pranks Draw Charges

Law enforcement in Florida is warning of a growing trend of AI-generated prank videos being used to deceive both the public and police, according to WKMG Orlando. A man in Seminole County was arrested on felony charges — including fabricating evidence — after showing a deputy an AI-generated video falsely claiming someone had broken into the deputy’s patrol car. The same suspect had previously approached shoppers in West Palm Beach with fabricated videos, including one appearing to show a customer’s husband with another woman. Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma called the misuse of AI deepfakes “a growing concern,” warning that fabricated videos targeting first responders can damage reputations, create unnecessary tensions, and raise real safety risks. 🔗 More here

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FBI Director Kash Patel issued a blunt warning to anyone who attacks law enforcement, vowing that those who “touch a cop” will be tracked down and arrested, according to Fox News. Speaking on a radio program Saturday, Patel emphasized that the FBI will back law enforcement partners and that anyone who assaults or interferes with officers in the lawful execution of their duties will “face the full force of law enforcement.” The comments come as the Department of Homeland Security reports that violence against federal agents has spiked to a record high since the start of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement crackdown. 🔗 More here

Local-Federal Common Ground

Federal, state, and local law enforcement leaders — along with prosecutors and labor organizations — convened to find practical agreement on intergovernmental immigration enforcement cooperation, according to the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Four core principles emerged: consistent two-way communication and early notification before federal operations begin; coordinated tactics to protect both officer and community safety; focusing enforcement on violent criminals and national security threats rather than broad population sweeps; and reducing politically charged rhetoric from all sides that undermines trust and collaboration. Participants agreed that community trust is an operational requirement that directly impacts crime reporting, officer safety, and law enforcement effectiveness at every level. 📝 Core Principles

Who’s Levying Complaints

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara now has 30 complaints filed against him, which is 15 times the number the last chief of police had on file. O’Hara says he thinks most of the recent heat he faces is related to the ICE surge in Minnesota.

Chief to Retire After Shooting

The Howard County, Maryland police chief announced his retirement amid scrutiny following the fatal shooting of a 25-year-old autistic man, according to WMAR-2 News. Alex LaMorie died on March 1 after calling 911 on himself for a wellness check and approaching officers with a knife; body camera footage shows an officer pleading with him before three officers opened fire. Chief Gregory Der had already notified County Executive Calvin Ball of his planned June 1 retirement before the public outcry began. In response to the incident, the county purchased 200 tasers — which were not standard issue at the time of the shooting — and the state Attorney General’s office is investigating whether criminal charges are warranted. 🔗 More here

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Camera Doesn’t Lie

Two contrasting local cases illustrate the value of body cameras, according to CNHI. In Hampstead, New Hampshire, body camera footage corroborated officers’ accounts in a 2024 shooting and validated their use of force. In North Andover, Massachusetts, the absence of cameras in a shooting involving two officers resulted in a “he said, she said” trial that ended in acquittal — with the judge noting prosecutors may have met their burden of proof had cameras been present. Chiefs who have adopted the technology report that cameras reduce complaints against officers, routinely exonerate them from false accusations, and build community trust. As one chief put it simply: “The camera doesn’t lie.” 📸 More here

Chief Addresses Court Fears

Nashville Police Chief John Drake fielded community concerns about whether Hispanic families can safely access Davidson County courthouses following reports of ICE arrests at courthouses in neighboring counties.

Disabling License Plate Readers

Law enforcement agencies across Washington state, including Seattle and Kent, have temporarily disabled mobile automated license plate readers to comply with a new state law that took effect March 30, according to KUOW. The law sets a 21-day data retention limit and prohibits capturing plate data near sensitive locations including immigration offices, schools, courts, places of worship, and food banks. Agencies are working with vendors Axon and Flock to develop geofencing solutions, but in the meantime officers have reverted to manually running plates — the same results, significantly slower. While chiefs acknowledge the new privacy protections have merit, particularly for domestic violence victims, some warn the 21-day retention limit could jeopardize property crime investigations where detectives may not identify a suspect vehicle until weeks after the incident. 🔗 More here

Mile High ALPR Swap

Denver moved from Flock to Axon for license plate recognition cameras after concerns that Flock had been sharing Denver data with other cities and immigration enforcement agencies, according to Denver7. Under the new $150,000 Axon contract, data is stored for 21 days, access is restricted exclusively to Denver police investigating active criminal cases, and no other law enforcement agency — including federal — can access the system. Axon does not maintain a national network, does not sell customer data, and confirmed its cameras capture vehicle and plate information only — not facial recognition or occupant images. 🔗 More here

More Than Just Enforcing Laws

For more than 25 years, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Anti-Defamation League have led police officers and recruits through a day-long training called Law Enforcement and Society, which uses photographs of German police during the Holocaust to prompt discussions about the role of law enforcement in a democratic society, according to the Police Executive Research Forum. The program was created by former Washington D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey after a museum visit led him to realize that German police — who took oaths similar to his own — played an active role in the Holocaust. “Through history we learn,” Ramsey told PERF. “We can learn from the Holocaust and help police understand that their role is about more than just enforcing laws.” The training is now part of recruit programs for agencies including the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and Tampa Police Department, which has put every new officer through the curriculum since 2013. ✡️ PERF Report

Dropping This Week

This week's guest is Colonel Matthew Birmingham of the Vermont State Police — responsible for policing 200 of the state's 250 cities. Colonel Birmingham talks leadership, northern border enforcement, rural law enforcement, and officer mental health in a conversation you won't want to miss.

Oakland Launches Gun Blitz

Oakland police announced a 60-day enforcement operation in partnership with the ATF, FBI, and DEA targeting illegal gun sales and firearm-related crimes, according to KTVU Fox 2. The operation will include undercover operations, directed patrols, search warrants, and intelligence-led investigations, with Assistant Chief Casey Johnson warning that those found with illegal firearms could face federal charges. The announcement comes as city leaders report a 29% drop in violent crime in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, including double-digit declines in homicides, robberies, and aggravated assaults. 🔗 More here

Mass Officer Charges

More than a dozen Massachusetts police officers have been charged with felonies in the first three months of 2026, nearly double the pace of recent years, according to MassLive. State oversight data show 20 current and former officers had their certifications suspended in the first quarter. Cases include four state police members facing manslaughter charges in the death of a recruit, a separate alleged DUI cover-up within the state police, and a Plymouth officer accused of sexually abusing her adopted son. Experts disagree on the cause — some point to weak leadership and inadequate hiring standards, while others say the prosecutions reflect an unwillingness among officers to cover for colleagues. A retired State Police major said: “The system is in failure mode.” 🔗 More here

Bomb Proofing Horses

The Atlanta Police Department is training its mounted patrol unit for crowd control and security during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will bring eight matches to the city including a semifinal, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Officers are “bomb-proofing” horses — desensitizing them to loud noises, large crowds, flags, and fireworks — while also practicing crowd control techniques with partner agencies. Atlanta expects roughly two dozen horses on hand, with additional riders coming from the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, Savannah, and Memphis. Officers say the elevated vantage point on horseback is a significant tactical advantage in congested areas, and that the unit will also serve as community ambassadors to help fans navigate the city. 🐴 More here

Troopers Rescue Cub

New Jersey State Police troopers responded to an unusual call April 1 after a lone bear cub was spotted in a roadside ditch along I-78 in Union Township, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. Troopers safely secured the cub, transported it to the barracks, and released it to the state Department of Environmental Protection for proper care. A photo of a trooper cradling the tiny cub quickly won over social media, with police calling it a “paw-sitive” outcome. 🐻 More here

Students Build AI Tools

Three high school students in Columbia, Missouri won the state AI championship for developing artificial intelligence tools designed to assist local police, according to KOMU 8. The trio built a 911 call analyzer to identify crime trends, a video analysis tool, and a police reporting assistant — all developed from scratch in partnership with the Columbia and University of Missouri police departments. The students emphasized that their AI is designed to assist officers, not replace human judgment, with one noting the technology is “never making the last decision.” The tools are not yet in use by the department due to cybersecurity concerns around sensitive law enforcement data, but the students are now advancing to regional competition 💻 More here

Live Facial Recognition

North Yorkshire Police in the UK has announced plans to begin using live facial recognition cameras in intelligence-led locations to identify high-risk offenders and protect vulnerable people, according to the BBC. The technology scans faces in real time, comparing them against a watchlist of persons of interest, with non-matching images deleted immediately and the watchlist itself deleted at the end of each deployment. Several other UK forces are already using the technology. 🔗 More here

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A new white paper from the Violence Reduction Center argues that social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube are playing an increasingly significant role in driving shootings in underserved Black and Latino communities — a dynamic well known to law enforcement and violence prevention workers but rarely studied or reported on, according to The Guardian. Researcher Thomas Abt found that online disputes, taunts, and music videos trading barbs between rivals are escalating into real-world violence, compounded by algorithms that reward violent content with attention that can be monetized. Abt and his co-authors are calling for social media companies to come to the table and share how their algorithms work, invest in community-led digital monitoring, and develop ethical early warning systems — noting that every major platform was invited to participate in their research symposium but none sent a formal representative.📱More here

Camden’s Crime Turnaround

Once among the most dangerous cities in America with 67 homicides in 2012, Camden, New Jersey achieved its first homicide-free summer in 50 years in 2025 — an 82% reduction in murders over 13 years — according to the New York Times. The turnaround began in 2013 when the city dissolved its troubled police department and replaced it with a new county force built around community policing, extensive surveillance technology, and targeted dismantling of drug trafficking organizations. Community-based violence interruption programs, workforce development initiatives for youth, and the rehabilitation of more than 1,000 vacant properties complemented the policing changes. Residents and officials widely describe the progress as transformational, while acknowledging that poverty persists and that continued investment is needed to sustain the gains. 📉 More here

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Focused Deterrence

Salt Lake City police and prosecutors have launched a focused deterrence strategy targeting the 114 individuals identified through three years of crime data as most likely to be involved in future violence, according to Utah News Dispatch. Those on the list received letters in February warning of an accelerated law enforcement response to any new offenses, while also being offered an off-ramp through mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. The program, called the Targeted Offender Partnership Strategy, designates two prosecutors specifically to pursue swift action against any list member on supervised release who picks up new charges — cutting what previously could take weeks down to immediate response. A criminology professor from the University of Texas at San Antonio, who helped develop similar programs in Dallas and Boston, assisted in building the scoring system used to identify the group. 🔗 More here

Oakland Gains, Staffing Crisis

Oakland recorded its lowest homicide count since the late 1960s in 2025 — 56 murders — following back-to-back years of significant reductions driven by the Ceasefire strategy, surveillance technology, and federal law enforcement partnerships, according to The Oaklandside. Interim Police Chief James Beere, who has applied for the permanent position, credited community cooperation and interagency collaboration for the gains, but acknowledged the department is operating with just 500 of an authorized 678 officers and would ideally need 1,200 to sustain long-term crime reduction. 🔗 More here

Bomb Suspect Fled to China

A Florida man accused of planting an explosive device outside MacDill Air Force Base has fled to China, while his sister is now in custody after both were charged in connection with the incident, federal officials announced.

Jan. 6 Intelligence Failure

Former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund testified before a House subcommittee that the January 6th Capitol attack was an “intelligence failure” that could have been prevented. Sund told lawmakers that significant intelligence existed ahead of the attack indicating individuals were plotting to storm the Capitol, target lawmakers, and discussing shooting officers — but no intelligence agency sounded the alarm. He drew a direct comparison to the intelligence failures preceding the September 11th attacks, warning that if the underlying issues are not identified and corrected, the country risks repeating history. Sund also called on lawmakers to grant the Capitol Police chief greater authority to request assistance from federal law enforcement agencies without having to navigate bureaucratic barriers. 🔗 More here

FirstNet Reauthorization Advances

A House committee voted 51-0 to advance legislation reauthorizing FirstNet — the federally supported communications network built for first responders following communication failures on September 11th — through fiscal 2037, according to CQ Roll Call. The bill includes amendments aimed at balancing oversight by the Commerce Department with FirstNet’s ability to deploy emergency resources and manage its own budget without bureaucratic delays. The reauthorization comes amid scrutiny of the AT&T-run network, including inspector general reports finding insufficient coverage during the 2023 Maui wildfires and attempts by senior officials to interfere with audits. The Fraternal Order of Police opposed the bill, arguing the changes could marginalize frontline input and delay critical decisions. The committee also unanimously advanced the Mystic Alerts Act, which would require wireless emergency alerts to be sent via satellite — named for the Texas summer camp where more than two dozen people died in flooding last summer when traditional networks were unavailable. 📡 More here

Drones: America’s Blind Spot

In an editorial, the Washington Post Editorial Board warns that a series of sophisticated drone incursions over Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana — a critical hub of America’s nuclear bomber fleet — exposes a serious gap in U.S. homeland defense. The drones, which reportedly delayed bombers headed to strike targets in Iran, were likely custom-built and required advanced signals expertise. The board draws on examples from Ukraine and NATO exercises to argue that drone warfare has fundamentally changed the battlefield, noting that Russia is now sharing upgraded Iranian drone designs, satellite imagery, and targeting data to help Iran strike American personnel and bases. The editorial concludes that the U.S. must urgently prioritize drone defense and counter-drone innovation. 🔗 More here

Briefing Room Podcasts

Missed a podcast? All episodes can be found on 🎙️ www.policebriefing.com

• Sheriff Dennis Lemma, Seminole County (FL) Sheriff’s Office — Service Over Politics: Being a Superhero and Building Safer Communities

• Sheriff Mike Chapman, Loudoun County (VA) Sheriff’s Office — From Cocaine Cowboys to County Sheriff

• Chief Stephen Redfearn, Boulder (CO) Police Department — From Dispatcher to Chief: Leading Through the Unthinkable

• Chief Doreen Jokerst, Overland Park (KS) Police Department — Protecting the Vulnerable and Running to Us for Help

• Chief Joe Sullivan, Wichita (KS) Police Department — How Data-Driven Policing Reduces Violence

• Chief Darrell Lowe, Redmond (WA) Police Department — Leadership and Accountability in Policing

• Kristen Mahoney, Public Safety Leader — Being Curious and Educating the Leaders of Tomorrow

• Colonel Michael Rapich, Utah Highway Patrol — What It Means to Serve: Leadership and Legacy

• Chief Stacey Graves, Kansas City (MO) Police Department — The Kansas City Chief: Not the Football Team

• Chief Lee Bercaw, Tampa (FL) Police Department — How to Reduce Crime

• Chief Katherine Lester, Sacramento (CA) Police Department — The Art of Police Leadership

• President Patrick Yoes, National Fraternal Order of Police — The Truth About Crime, Police Unions, and Public Safety

• Sheriff Mark Lamb, Pinal County (AZ) — Fear Not, Do Right

• Chief Renee Hall, Dallas (TX) Police Department — Policing’s Toughest Conversations

• Chief Bryan Rippee, Texas Highway Patrol — Protecting Those Who Protect Us

• Sheriff John Allen, Bernalillo County (NM) — Common Sense Over Politics

• Chief Kevin Davis, Fairfax County (VA) Police Department — Rising Trust and Falling Crime

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New data shows there were approximately 11,500 shootings within 500 yards of U.S. K–12 schools in 2025—an average of 31 incidents per day—impacting more than 10,000 schools nationwide, or about 8% of all schools. Over the past decade, roughly 26% of schools have experienced at least one nearby shooting, with about 4,500 people killed by gunfire near schools last year. While incidents have declined from pandemic-era peaks, the data underscores how frequently gun violence still occurs in close proximity to schools across both urban and rural communities. 🔗 More here

U.S. Guns Fuel Cartels

Authorities estimate that between 500,000 and as many as one million firearms are trafficked from the United States into Mexico each year, with about 80% of weapons recovered at crime scenes in Mexico traced back to U.S. sources. U.S. enforcement efforts have intercepted a small portion of that flow, with the ATF reporting just over 4,300 firearms seized over the past 14 months despite the scale of trafficking. The pipeline often begins with legal purchases at U.S. gun stores, shows, and private sales, then moves through networks using straw buyers, online marketplaces, and smuggling methods such as hidden vehicle compartments, private planes, and boats, making the supply chain difficult to disrupt. 🔗 More here

Older Drivers Debate

There is no national standard for older driver licensing, with each state setting its own renewal rules and testing requirements. Data shows older Americans are driving more than ever, and while their crash rates have declined over the past 25 years, risk increases again after age 80; by comparison, teenagers and drivers in their 20s have the highest crash rates overall. A study cited in the report, based on more than 19 million drivers across 13 states over two decades, found higher crash rates among drivers ages 65–74 in states that loosened renewal requirements, highlighting mixed evidence as states balance safety and mobility. 🚙 More here 

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Threats to Lawmakers Rising

Threats against members of Congress continue to increase, with U.S. Capitol Police investigating nearly 15,000 concerning statements and threats last year—a 58% increase over the prior year—according to . Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan told lawmakers the department is on pace to exceed that number this year, calling the situation a growing “threat environment.” The agency is seeking its first-ever budget exceeding $1 billion as its mission expands, including providing security support for lawmakers beyond Washington, D.C., through mutual aid agreements in all 50 states. 🔗 More here

New Podcast Live

In this episode, Sheriff Dennis Lemma of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office joins the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership and service. He reflects on rising through the ranks, from correctional officer to sheriff, and shares how that journey has shaped the way he leads today. Sheriff Lemma also discusses the opioid epidemic, the importance of addressing root causes, and why he believes mental health is the next major challenge public safety must confront.

Judge vs. Police on Release

A Las Vegas judge ordered the release of a defendant with 35 prior arrests to an electronic monitoring program, despite police declining to place him in the program over safety concerns. Las Vegas Metro police said the defendant’s history includes prior bench warrants, failures to appear, and violations of the monitoring program, and argued Nevada law gives the sheriff authority to deny release if it poses “an unreasonable risk to public safety.” Sheriff Kevin McMahill said, “The safety of our officers is paramount… the safety of the public is key,” adding his office “will not violate the law… and let out people who he deems to be dangerous.” 🔗 More here

UK Launches Police AI Center

The UK is launching a new £115 million ($145 million USD) national center, “Police.AI,” to scale the use of artificial intelligence across policing, according to . Officials say the effort could free up the equivalent of 3,000 officers by automating administrative work, speeding investigations, and expanding tools like facial recognition and call transcription. The center will standardize, test, and deploy AI tools across all 43 police forces in England and Wales while also creating a public-facing registry to increase transparency and public trust. 🇬🇧 More here

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Drones and Crime Decline

San Francisco police report a sustained decline in crime and credit new technology, including drones and license plate readers, as contributing factors, with drones assisting in more than 1,000 arrests since their deployment in April 2024. The department currently operates 80 drones and 400 license plate readers as part of its Real-Time Investigation Center, which supports live monitoring and response to incidents. Car break-ins previously peaked at more than 28,000 reported cases in 2017, and the drone program was approved by voters in 2024 with 54% support. 📉 More here

The Origin of TASER

It starts with two brothers who fought so much as kids their parents gave them oversized boxing gloves just to manage the chaos — the same grit that later kept their company alive through moments that would have ended most startups. In this episode of Boldly Go, Tom and Rick Smith share the untold early days of TASER, from risky product tests (including the original pool demo) to near-arrest at LAX, fleeing Italy, and discovering a last-minute legal loophole that moved the company to Mexico and saved it. They also reflect on the moment their father told them they had “one more shot” — a line that defined what came next. And yes, we get into one of the most asked questions: can a TASER take down a bull — and what happens when it gets back up?

Two terrorism-related attacks in Michigan and Virginia on March 12 intensified concerns about threats to public gathering spaces in the U.S., according to CNN. In Michigan, a Lebanese-born U.S. citizen rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a synagogue in West Bloomfield while more than 100 children were inside, injuring a security guard and setting part of the building on fire. In Virginia, a former National Guard member and convicted ISIS supporter opened fire inside an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University, killing Lt. Col. Brandon Shah and injuring two students before cadets subdued him. Federal officials say the attacks do not appear connected, but they come amid a heightened threat environment tied to broader geopolitical tensions and renewed concerns about security at religious institutions and schools. 🔗 More here

Alleged Iran Drone Threat

An FBI intelligence bulletin says Iran allegedly aspired to launch a surprise drone attack from a vessel off the U.S. coast targeting locations in California if the United States carried out strikes against Iran. Officials emphasized the information was unverified but shared with law enforcement as a precaution amid heightened tensions.

NYPD Officers Hailed Heroes

Two NYPD officers are being praised for quickly intervening after suspects attempted to deploy explosive devices during protests outside Gracie Mansion, according to WABC. Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro rushed toward a suspect who lit a fuse and dropped a smoking canister near a crowd, warning bystanders and chasing the individuals as the devices failed to detonate. Police arrested two suspects, ages 18 and 19, who investigators say were inspired by ISIS and allegedly planned to target anti-Muslim demonstrators, highlighting ongoing concerns about extremist threats at public gatherings. 🔗 More here

Medicaid Helps Reentry

A new federal policy now allows Medicaid to pay for certain health care and reentry services for incarcerated people up to 90 days before their release, helping jails and prisons better prepare individuals for the transition back into the community, according to The New York Times. The change addresses a long-standing gap in care that often left people without medications, treatment, or support immediately after release—a period when risks of overdose, relapse, and death are significantly higher. Twenty-seven states have sought or received federal approval to implement the policy, with California already enrolling tens of thousands of inmates through its Medi-Cal program. Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen called the shift “fantastic and long overdue,” noting that stabilizing people before release can improve public safety and create safer environments inside correctional facilities. 🔗 More here

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Thieves Target AI Hardware

Cargo theft in the United States is increasingly focused on high-value technology tied to the AI boom, with criminals stealing shipments of advanced chips, RAM modules, and server hardware worth millions, according to The Washington Post. Industry data shows cargo theft losses jumped 60% last year to about $725 million, with thieves using more sophisticated tactics such as fake trucking companies, fraudulent shipping paperwork, and supply-chain infiltration to divert loads before companies realize they’re missing. Investigators say organized criminal groups are increasingly involved as the rapid growth of AI data centers drives demand—and value—for specialized computing hardware. 🚚 More here

Chief Makes Arrest

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis personally detained a suspect after witnessing an unprovoked assault at the city’s Central Library that left a victim in critical condition, according to CBS Austin. Police say 30-year-old Daniel Vasquez struck a man seated at a computer, knocking him unconscious before allegedly stomping on the victim’s head multiple times. Davis was at the library for a community meeting when the attack occurred and held the suspect until officers arrived. Vasquez was later booked into the Travis County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury as the investigation continues. 🔗 More here

Trooper Killed During Traffic Stop

A Pennsylvania State Police trooper was shot and killed during a traffic stop Sunday night after pulling over a driver reported for erratic driving, according to the Associated Press. Authorities said the suspect fired from inside the vehicle as Corporal Tim O’Connor approached the car. “Anybody you talk to tells you what a great guy he was,” said acting State Police Commissioner George Bivens during a late-night news conference. The gunman then exited the vehicle, walked a short distance away, and fatally shot himself. O’Connor, a 15-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police who was married with a young daughter, was pronounced dead at a hospital. 🖤💙 More here

Chief Search Narrows

Albuquerque officials have narrowed their search for the next police chief to three finalists following a nationwide recruitment effort, according to KOAT. The candidates include Dallas Assistant Police Chief Gilberto Garza, Albuquerque Interim Chief Cecily Barker, and former Seattle Assistant Police Chief Perry Tarrant. City leaders say 19 applicants initially sought the position, and public input from more than 1,000 residents helped shape the priorities for selecting the department’s next leader, with a final decision expected by the end of the month. 🚓 More here

Robotaxi Safety Forum

Federal regulators will host a national forum with the CEOs of Waymo, Zoox, and Aurora to discuss safety and regulatory issues surrounding self-driving vehicles. The meeting will explore topics such as robotaxi performance, remote assistance, and future guidance as the U.S. considers how to accelerate autonomous vehicle deployment while maintaining safety oversight. 🤖 More here

Philadelphia Sues Glock

The City of Philadelphia and District Attorney Larry Krasner have filed a lawsuit against gun manufacturer Glock, alleging the company has contributed to gun violence by promoting or enabling the use of illegal “switches” that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia. The lawsuit claims Glock’s marketing and social media demonstrations have helped normalize the devices—also known as auto sears—which can allow a handgun to fire up to 1,200 rounds per minute. City officials are seeking civil penalties and a court order blocking what they describe as “deceptive” or “predatory” marketing tied to the modifications, which have been linked to shootings in the city. Mayor Cherelle Parker said the company has “prioritized profit over the safety of its users and the general public,” while Glock had not publicly responded to the lawsuit at the time of the report. 🔗 More here

PERF at 50

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) is marking its 50th anniversary, reflecting on its founding in 1976 by 10 police chiefs who sought to advance policing through research, professional leadership, and open debate. Since then, PERF has played a major role in shaping modern policing practices—from problem-oriented policing and use-of-force reforms to leadership development and national policy discussions—while continuing to promote innovation and accountability in law enforcement. 📖 More here

Coming This Week

Dropping this week, Seminole County (FL) Sheriff Dennis Lemma joins The Briefing Room for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, policing today, and the challenges facing sheriffs’ offices across the country. It’s a candid discussion about what it takes to lead in a complex environment and how agencies are adapting to new expectations and technologies.

🎙️ To catch up on all podcasts with local, county, and state police leaders, click here.

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