Police

The Columbia, Mo., police department gave its officers body cameras in July, saying they could help exonerate officers from claims of abuse of force. After Ferguson, the demand for cameras surged.

If a suspect threatens officers, police say, they have a right to defend themselves. But a Justice Department report said police in Albuquerque have used force unnecessarily; two ex-officers agree.

When it comes to police using force, what is acceptable and when? And are police too aggressive? Cops say they're trying to survive, but reformers say aggressive cop culture is making things worse.

As the availability of mental health services has declined, many police departments have trained Crisis Intervention Teams to respond to people with mental illness.

People with autism often have trouble communicating with police, which can be dangerous — and scary for parents who also worry about racial profiling. Now, some cities are trying to mitigate the risk.

The death of Eric Garner, like the shooting of Michael Brown, sparked protests. But the reaction in New York has been entirely peaceful, thanks partly to quick responses by police and civic officials.

District Attorney Kenneth Thompson says he will stop prosecuting some people arrested for low-level marijuana possession. But that won't stop the New York Police Department from making arrests.

For decades, the Watts neighborhood has been notorious for gang violence and strained relations between residents and police. But violent crime and homicide have fallen dramatically in recent years, and a community policing effort is helping to ease tensions between cops and the community.