Tag: Police Reform

Science-based Interviewing to Improve Investigative Outcomes | RTI

Key Takeaways

Science-based interviewing (SBI) is an evidence-based approach to investigative interviewing that prioritizes cooperation and gathering accurate, detailed information to advance a case over obtaining a confession.
Techniques characteristic of SBI include rapport-building, the use of memory-enhancing techniques, the strategic use of evidence, and assessing deception through statement-evidence inconsistencies rather than non-verbal behaviors. 
SBI is not a passive or permissive approach. It provides structured control. The investigator makes informed, intentional decisions that guide the conversation, manage the flow of information, and determine the timing of questions and evidence disclosure.
— Read on www.rti.org/insights/science-based-interviewing-law-enforcement

Have Racial Disparities in Law Enforcement Stops Narrowed? – Public Policy Institute of California

California’s Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) requires detailed reporting on all pedestrian and traffic stops. Recent RIPA data from the state’s largest law enforcement agencies points to a reduction in the overall number of stops—but we do not see a substantial narrowing of racial/ethnic disparities in intrusive experiences during stops.
— Read on www.ppic.org/publication/have-racial-disparities-in-law-enforcement-stops-narrowed/

New ACLU Report Reveals How the Trump Administration is Using Local Police to Build a National Deportation-Policing Force Through the 287(g) Program  | American Civil Liberties Union

Report Finds At Least 77.2 Million People Live in Counties Where Local Law Enforcement Participates in the Program 
— Read on www.aclu.org/press-releases/new-aclu-report-reveals-how-the-trump-administration-is-using-local-police-to-build-a-national-deportation-policing-force-through-the-287g-program

Considering the role of local police in monitoring federal law enforcement and remembering pioneering criminologist Al Blumstein

Something unusual has been happening recently: Several cities and states have enacted measures to limit federal law enforcement’s actions, potentially leaving local police in an incredibly difficult position. This emerging dynamic—where local agencies must navigate, interpret, or even enforce restrictions directed at federal agencies—creates unprecedented operational, legal, and personal challenges.

Six Massachusetts cities, including Boston, have put orders in place banning federal agencies from staging for civil immigration enforcement actions on city-owned property; requiring city officials to “publicly release video footage of violence or property damage by federal officials;” and affirming that “consistent with its statutory authority and longstanding practice,” police will “investigate all violence, property damage, and allegations of criminal conduct, including by federal officials, and appropriately document such incidents.”
— Read on www.policeforum.org/trending21feb26

Chicago Police Disproportionately Used Force Against Black Chicagoans, Study Commissioned by Department Finds | Chicago News | WTTW

The study, conducted by social scientists from the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Pennsylvania blamed “systemic factors” for the disparity, not the actions of individual officers.
— Read on news.wttw.com/2026/02/19/chicago-police-disproportionately-used-force-against-black-chicagoans-study-commissioned

Read the full study and its executive summary.

Review Finds Multiple Police Failures Preceded Violent Response to Counterprotests During Anti-LGBTQ Event in May – PubliCola

The city’s Office of the Inspector General released a report today finding that the Seattle Police Department’s actions during the anti-trans “Don’t Mess With Our Kids” rally, held by an extremist group called Mayday USA last May, showed a bias against counter-protesters who showed up to demonstrate against the right-wing event. The report also found that officers didn’t understand why it was a provocation to hold an anti-LGBTQ event in Cal Anderson Park, at the heart of Seattle’s historic LGBTQ neighborhood.
— Read on publicola.com/2026/02/12/review-finds-multiple-police-failures-preceded-violent-response-to-counteprotests-during-anti-lgbtq-event-in-may/amp/

Getting Broken Windows Policing Right

I just listened to the 2 part podcast “History of Police Oppression of Africans in America” and I have to correct the discussion about Broken Windows Policing in part 2 of the podcasts.

The podcast:

At the 16:00 minute make the discussion turns to what is Broken Windows Policing.  The Interviewee Ronald Hampton is touted as a policing expert.  Mr. Hampton presents that Broken Windows Policing in New York City (NYC) was used to victimize city residents.  Hampton argues that incarceration grew because of Broken Windows Policing.  More youths were arrest for just simply doing what youths do like hanging around street corners.  At the 19:00 minute mark Dr. Ron Daniels (the host) adds that Broken Windows Policing criminalized person side hustles such as 3 card monte street games and squeegee men.

My critique:

The discussion about Broken Windows Policing was at the very least inflated or misconstrued at worst the discussion purposely misrepresented the facts about Broken Windows Policing.  Broken Windows Policing transformed NYC to the safest large city in America.  In the 1990’s the implementation of Broken Windows Policing as the predominate crime-fighting strategy lowered crime and made NYC safer.  Broken Windows Policing was used to enforce the rules, violations, and crimes that affected New Yorker’s quality-of-life.  Arrests for city ordinances or penal law violations alone did not increase incarceration in NYC.  Youth did not go to jail for hanging around street corners.  At most police would have the youth move on or take them to the police precinct and release the youth to their parents.  Youths or juveniles can’t be arrested for any offense less than a crime.  Lastly, 3 card monte street games and squeegee men are perfect examples of the type of quality-of-life violations that New Yorker’s wanted to end.  Three (3) card monte street games are fraudulent schemes to trick people out of money.  The fraudsters also worked the crowd to pickpocket observers.  Squeegee men would spill substances on windows, step in front of vehicles, and threaten occupants to coerce the drive to paying for a car windshield cleaning.  Both 3 card monte street games and squeegee men activities were crimes.

Dive deeper into Broken Windows Policing with these key resources:

Bratton, William, and Peter Knobler. Turnaround: How America’s top cop reversed the crime epidemic. Random House, 2009.

Kelling, George L., and Catherine M. Coles. Fixing broken windows: Restoring order and reducing crime in our communities. Simon and Schuster, 1997.

Kelling, George L., and James Q. Wilson. “Broken windows.” Atlantic monthly 249, no. 3 (1982): 29-38.

Maple, Jack, and Chris Mitchell. The crime fighter: Putting the bad guys out of business. Crown, 2010.

Vantage Point: History of Police Oppression of Africans in America (with Ronald Hampton), Part I

Part I — From slave patrols to modern policing, this Vantage Point conversation with Ronald Hampton examines the history of police oppression of Africans in America and the ongoing struggle for justice, accountability, and transformational change in public safety.

NOTE: Part 2 is also available on the website below.

— Read on HERE