All about Policing with a sprinkle of Criminal Justice – written by a Secret Contrarian
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In 2018, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 1421, landmark legislation that made serious uses of force and officer misconduct available to the public through California Public Record Act (“CPRA”) requests. However, right before this new law could take effect, the City of Inglewood and the Inglewood Police Department destroyed decades of police use of force and misconduct records—forever shielding these records from public view.
Three years later, after the passage of follow-up legislation (Senate Bill 16) that expanded the categories of records that would be disclosable to the public, the Inglewood City Council once again authorized the destruction of decades of police use of force and misconduct records. This time, the records slated for destruction included those responsive to the ACLU of Southern California’s CPRA request for police misconduct and use of force records, as well as a pending CPRA request from Ms. Trisha Shanklin concerning the Inglewood Police Department’s killing of her sister, Ms. Kisha Michael. In response, the ACLU Foundation of Southern California filed suit and was granted a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction enjoining the City of Inglewood and Inglewood Police Department (“Defendants”) from destroying records responsive to the ACLU request during the pendency of litigation.
Make sure to check out the 3 publications associated with this post.
Read more HERE
Analysis from the Police Activity Survey, including how police spend their time across different activities, as well as new police response costs.
— Read on www.gov.uk/government/publications/police-activity-survey-second-edition
The Supreme Court’s decision in Pitchford v. Cain will test the enforcement of equal protection under the law and address racial bias in jury selection.
— Read on thehill.com/opinion/criminal-justice/5825551-jury-selection-equal-protection/
A big part of the report is about the city’s blue light camera program, saying it’s being used to over-surveille predominantly Black or Hispanic neighborhoods.
— Read on 13wham.com/news/local/rochester-police-push-back-on-pab-police-accountability-board-policing-technology-report-calls-it-misleading
Get the PAB report HERE
Releasing 12,000 shoplifters shows limits of progressive policing
— Read on unherd.com/newsroom/releasing-12000-shoplifters-shows-limits-of-progressive-policing/
One hundred days into Zohran Mamdani’s mayoralty, crime is down, the police union is suspicious, the DSA is impatient — and key promises are unfulfilled.
— Read on www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/10/nypd-zohran-mamdani-100-days-accountabilty-crime-policing/
Overview
The police have a complex role in managing mass demonstrations, requiring them to balance competing priorities and obligations. On the one hand, they must uphold the fundamental right to free assembly and expression guaranteed by the United States Constitution, while on the other hand, they must maintain safety and order. Although most mass demonstrations are peaceful, some can escalate into widespread civil disturbances. The primary challenge for agencies, then, is to implement training, policies, and crowd management approaches that prepare officers to safely and effectively facilitate the vast majority of peaceful protests while also having plans and contingencies in place should property destruction or violence occur. Too much focus on either outcome leaves agencies unprepared and can result in inappropriate responses that have unintended consequences.
Get the report HERE
The findings come as photos and videos of aggressive law enforcement have dominated headlines and social media.
— Read on timesofsandiego.com/crime/2026/04/04/fatal-police-violence-may-have-declined-for-the-first-time-in-years/
Two landmark studies on the Chicago Police Department just dropped. Here’s what they revealed.
To read The Last Word article “How to bring professional excellence to the Chicago Police Department” copy and paste the link below:
— Read on www.thelastward.org/p/how-to-bring-professional-excellence
To get the Chicago PD “Workforce Allocation Study” and “Community Policing Study”click HERE
For the specific .PDF versions:
Community Policing Assessment Executive Summary
Police respond to Hemenway Street near Northeastern University after a man attacked a mental health clinician and officer with a sword. Inset: A George Floyd mural in Berlin by street artist Eme. (Scene photo via Citizen app; mural via Wikimedia Commons)
— Read on www.massdailynews.com/2026/04/05/george-floyd-social-worker-promise-boston-clinician-stabbed-sword-hemenway
All about Policing with a sprinkle of Criminal Justice - written by a Secret Contrarian
News and professional developments from the world of policing
A veteran police chief committed to improving police leadership, trust, effectiveness, and officer safety.
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