Seattle police resorting to force less often, but racial disparities persist, report shows | The Seattle Times

One interesting point is the need to use force at low priority calls. I think it shows that police is unpredictable.

The Seattle Police Department’s latest use-of-force data, which include officer-involved shootings, show a continuing decline since 2011, when the Department of Justice found that Seattle officers too quickly resorted to…
— Read on www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/seattle-police-resorting-to-force-less-often-report-shows/

Another article:

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/report-seattle-police-use-low-levels-of-force-but-racial-disparity-remains/

The reports can be downloaded from the Seattle PD website.

Policing by Machine – Predictive Policing and the Threat to Our Rights from Liberty

Predictive Policing and the Threat to Our Rights collates the results of 90 Freedom of Information requests sent to every force in the UK, laying bare the full extent of biased ‘predictive policing’ for the first time – and how it threatens everyone’s rights and freedoms.
— Read on www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/policy/report-policing-machine

You can get a copy of the report HERE

Police Make 10 Million Arrests a Year, but That Doesn’t Mean They’re Solving Crimes

The intercept has an interesting article on police arrests. In the article the Vera Institute has a new arrest day a tool the looks very interesting. I have a like to it in the post right before this post.

Too many arrests? Is it the police fault or the persons breaking the law?

Amid aggressive enforcement of minor offenses, most victims don’t report crimes to police and fewer than 25 percent of reported crimes are solved by arrest.
— Read on theintercept.com/2019/01/31/arrests-policing-vera-institute-of-justice/

Racism in the Rear View Mirror | ACLU of Illinois

The ACLU of Illinois released a new report – Racism in the Rear View Mirror – examining Illinois traffic stop data reported by law enforcement agencies across the state from 2015 to 2017.  The report highlights significant racial disparities persist in traffic stops. For example, Black and Latinx drivers are more likely to be asked to consent to a search, but white drivers are
— Read on www.aclu-il.org/en/publications/racism-rear-view-mirror

City Council Push Back on DPD Plan for 2019 | NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

I like it when police departments share their policing plan. Others can use it as an example. In the article there is also a link to 2018 statistics.

Dallas City Council members shared concerns Monday about the 2019 crime fighting plan presented by Police Chief Renee Hall to the Council Public Safety Committee.
— Read on www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/City-Council-Push-Back-on-DPD-Plan-for-2019-504998482.html

The 2019 report can be found HERE

Murder clearance rates have actually improved — with one big exception | Modern Policing

This article analyzes city clearance rates for murders and shootings. One key finding is a drop from 65% to 42% since the 1980s in the clearance rate for black and Hispanic victims killed by guns — aside from this category, murder clearance rates have actually improved. Also, non-firearm homicides, which are more likely to yield…
— Read on gcordner.wordpress.com/2019/01/26/murder-clearance-rates-have-actually-improved-with-one-big-exception/

Failing conventionally on gun violence reduction – Jerry Ratcliffe

Failing conventionally on gun violence reduction – Jerry Ratcliffe
— Read on www.jratcliffe.net/blog/failing-conventionally-on-gun-violence-reduction/

Dr. Ratcliffe’s article is response to Philadelphia’s publication “Roadmap to Safer Communities” which can be accessed by the link below.

I love it when a police department or a municipality releases a plan. Especially a crime fighting plan. It allows others to see what others are doing and then barrow (steal) for it or use it to build something new.

https://www.phila.gov/media/20190116150530/The-Philadelphia-Roadmap-to-Safer-Communities.pdf