policing

Linda Anderson, an emergency communications technician, responds to a call at the Denver 911 dispatch center.

National

Many 911 call centers are understaffed, and the job has gotten harder

5:12pm April 05, 2024

by Meg Anderson

More cities are adopting alternative response models, where mental health clinicians respond instead of police. The question of who to send usually rests with 911 workers, who are often overworked and overstressed.

A Seattle Police Department vehicle in 2021.

National

Seattle officer recorded joking about woman's death, saying 'she had limited value'

6:25pm September 13, 2023

by Laurel Wamsley

In bodycam footage, the officer is heard making callous remarks about a woman who died after being hit by a police cruiser. He reportedly told investigators he was mocking what city lawyers might say.

A year later, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has released body-worn camera footage of a July 13, 2022, incident in which one of several deputies arresting a woman at a traffic stop punched her in the face as she held her newborn baby.

National

An LA deputy punched a woman in the face as she held her 3-week-old baby, video shows

3:19pm July 13, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna released video of the July 2022 incident this week, saying he'd only just learned of it. He said the deputy has been disciplined and the FBI is looking into it.

Caroline Ouko, center, and Leon Ochieng, right, the mother and older brother of Irvo Otieno, stand with his casket during his funeral on Wednesday.

National

Irvo Otieno's mom wants justice for him and a better system for everyone else

10:53am March 31, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

Ten people have been charged with murder in Otieno's death at a Virginia psychiatric hospital earlier this month. Caroline Ouko and attorney Ben Crump reflect on his life and what happens next.

Queue Listen Now

A Seattle police officer walks past tents used by people experiencing homelessness, March 11, 2022, during the clearing and removal an encampment in Westlake Park in downtown Seattle.

National

Seattle and Justice officials seek to end most oversight of city's police

4:46am March 29, 2023

by The Associated Press

U.S. Justice Department and Seattle officials seek an end to most federal oversight of the city's police department, saying its sustained reform efforts are a model for other cities.

Police vehicles are parked outside the headquarters of the Yonkers Police Department in Yonkers, N.Y. Since 2007, the U.S. Department of Justice has been investigating the Yonkers Police Department and recommending areas for reform.

National

Alleged police misconduct cost Yonkers, N.Y., millions. The complaints kept coming

7:01am July 31, 2022

by Tracy Brannstrom

An NPR investigation examined records of payouts by the city and found troubling patterns: Plaintiffs alleged that police often used excessive force. And several officers were repeatedly named.

Courts
Crime

Body camera footage released in Greensboro fatal officer-involved shooting

5:06pm June 09, 2022

by April Laissle

Body camera footage has been released in the case of Joseph Lopez,

KQED and NPR analyzed 103 sexual misconduct cases from different law enforcement departments across the state. "He knew exactly what he was doing," one victim said of their encounter.

National

Patterns Of Sexual Abuse Show Gaps In Police Disciplinary System

2:40pm June 24, 2021

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks to KQED reporters Sukey Lewis and Sandhya Dirks about the second episode of the podcast, On Our Watch, which explores how police departments handle on-duty sexual misconduct.

Shanduke McPhatter, a non-violence activist, talks to a woman who recently lost a relative to gun violence. The peace vigil took place on the block where 10-year-old Justin Wallace was shot to death.

National

Gun Violence Is Surging In New York, But Advocates Worry About More Policing

6:39pm June 22, 2021

by Jasmine Garsd

Some communities in the city have been experiencing a noticeable rise in shootings. They're also grappling with strained relations with the police.

Politics & Government

Activists Push Back Against Winston-Salem's New City Budget

3:53pm June 22, 2021

by April Laissle

The Winston-Salem City Council passed a new $532 million budget Monday night — a move that prompted some pushback among community activists.