The hottest Policing Substack posts right now

Gun violence in New Orleans is decreasing in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Despite recruitment efforts, NOPD is facing a decline in the number of officers, affecting response times.
Response times in New Orleans have improved recently due to increased civilianization efforts within NOPD.

In academia, citations reflect what the industry values and can lead to grants, tenure, and status.
Research on Black Lives Matter often focuses on promoting radical causes rather than saving lives directly.
There is a need for a major reorientation in social science research to prioritize studies that can save lives, especially in law enforcement.

Phone cameras, especially iPhones, can capture crucial evidence that holds authorities accountable and helped prevent Minneapolis from remaining under siege.
Protests flared after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, with clashes between protesters and law enforcement on January 24.
The piece appears on a paid Substack with a free excerpt available and asks readers to subscribe to read the full article.

Illinois runs a state-funded program that pays former gang members in Chicago to mediate street conflicts and try to prevent shootings. They’re meant to act as local “peacekeepers” who use their connections to stop violence.
Some participants have been arrested for serious crimes—even after public appearances—and critics say the effort has become a revolving door for crime. This undermines the program’s credibility in the community.
The large public investment in the initiative has raised questions about oversight, accountability, and whether the approach is actually effective at reducing violence.