Tag: Research

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/

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.

A look back on the Washington Post database of people shot and killed by police – Quality Policing

Now with ICE dominating the law enforcement news, sometimes I like to revisit issues of yesteryear. The Washington Post used to keep track of how many people police shoot and kill. It was and is a useful database. And then in 2025 they stopped counting. So it covers 2015 to 2024. And given recent cutbacks at the Washington Post, it’s safe to say it’s not going to be restarted.

But at least we have a solid (if limited) 10-year database of fatal police-involved shootings. It’s also useful because it’s very accessible and easy for even the statistically adept. The only active accurate database now is kept by Campaign Zero and their Mapping Police Violence (ideologically anti-policing and into police abolition, but still, kudos to them). And no, shamefully, the federal government still doesn’t keep track.

— Read on qualitypolicing.com/a-look-back-on-the-washington-post-database-of-people-shot-and-killed-by-police/