Policing Matters

How cops can leverage private security personnel as investigative assets

There’s no denying that there are private security people who have absolutely no business being in any way involved in law enforcement efforts. However, there are opportunities for sworn law enforcement professionals to develop relationships with the individuals in private security who are diligent about their chosen career, and who can provide excellent information to help prosecute cases. Jim and Doug discuss the ways in which the real cops and the “mall cops” can be better partners in fighting crime.

What civilians should do during a police contact

With a growing number of citizens listening to the Policing Matters podcast, we want to take this opportunity to directly address that segment of the audience. When a police officer stops a person for any reason — a traffic stop, a field interview, or another scenario — the cop wants one thing from the subject: compliance. Jim and Doug discuss what people can do to ensure that whatever the circumstance, everyone goes home safe after the encounter.

How to become a cop

In watching the audience of the Policing Matters podcast grow, we have observed that a considerable portion of the people clicking and listening to the show are civilians. We theorize that among this group of listeners are police supporters and people who just want to know more about policing. We also believe there may be individuals who want to become a cop. With this in mind, Jim and Doug discuss the things that folks should (and should not) do as they prepare to join the noble profession.

How social media companies can help law enforcement

During a standoff in Baltimore County (Md.) in August 2016, local police were able to convince Facebook to deactivate the account of a woman who was eventually shot in a confrontation with police. The online social network was largely lauded for their assistance to police in that matter. Meanwhile, during the Occupy movement several years ago, BART Police in California were widely criticized for shutting down the cellular phone signal and WiFi connectivity in the transit tunnels. Jim and Doug discuss how social media plays into modern police activity, and whether or not further cooperation is on the horizon.

Police leaders talk modern policing at IACP 2016

At the 2016 International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference, Doug and Jim took the opportunity to speak to police leaders about some of the most important issues facing law enforcement today. From creating a Citizens Advisory Board to adopting the recommendations in the Task Force Report on 21st Century Policing, listen to what these very special guests had to say.

Why police leaders should attend industry-focused seminars and events

This weekend, law enforcement leaders from across the globe will descend on San Diego (Calif.) for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference and Expo. During the four-day event, more than 14,000 public safety professionals will have the opportunity to continue their education at more than 200 different seminar sessions. Further, a great deal of learning takes place in informal discussions among attendees in the hallways and at after-hours gatherings. Jim and Doug discuss the importance for police officers of attending such events as means of improving themselves.

How cops can protect themselves from cyber attacks

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, so it’s an opportune time to discuss the threat to law enforcement posed by hackers both foreign and domestic. Police agencies have fallen prey to ransomware, which locks the owner of the data out until a fee is paid to the attacker, and have had personal information about officers made public by individuals who identify as being part of the group Anonymous. Further, individual officers have been similarly “doxxed.” Jim and Doug discuss some of the things that can be done to prevent an attack, as well as some steps to take in the event that an attack is successful.

Breaking down ‘broken windows‘

Enforcing laws that address citizens’ quality of life has had a historically positive impact in preventing more serious crimes in areas not already rife with violence and lawlessness. For decades, the concept of Broken Windows Policing has successfully prevented increases in crime — in fact, it has been credited with widespread reduction in crime — in cities across the United States. Jim and Doug discuss the political pressure to draw back from this method of policing.

How cops can prepare for riots

As we have recently seen in Charlotte (N.C.), a city can be torn apart overnight by looting, arson, and violence if a peaceful protest devolves into rioting and mayhem. Even in cities where police-community relations are good, there are often outside agitators who suddenly appear in town to cause chaos. Doug and Jim discuss how police leaders can prepare for the worst, which could be just one controversial incident away at any moment.

Homelessness and the police

When citizens are fearful of being harassed or assaulted by indigent people living on the streets, they retreat from normal social interaction and leave a vacuum into which criminal elements can take up residence. When cities are faced with widespread homelessness whole neighborhoods can slip into decline. Jim and Doug discuss ways in which law enforcement has become the primary provider of social support services to homeless across the country, and the consequences of that fact.