Police Issues

Thought-provoking essays on crime, justice and policing
 

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Take Over? Take Care!
(10/4/25 #473)


Invasions can’t fix
what’s really broken


Does "Why" Matter?
(8/21/25)


The causes of criminal
violence remain in dispute


A Money Pit
(7/28/25)


Feeding cops and lawyers
is very expensive


Post-Pandemic Blues
(7/7/25)


Thievery, some of it violent, besets our nation's recovery


More Poverty,
Less Trust

(6/23/25)


Citizens who most need the
cops trust them the least


Violence Isn't Down
for the Cops

(5/30/25)


More officers are being murdered. Mostly, with guns.


All in the Family
(5/12/25)


A foot pursuit of hit-and-run
suspects turns into a firefight
with an armed resident


Putting Things Off
(5/30/25)


Pursuits Kill Innocents.
What are the Options?


Gun Control?
What's That?

(4/1/25)


Ideological quarrels beset
gun laws, gun law-making,
and gun law-enforcing


Forewarned is Forearmed
(3/19/25)


Killings of police officers
seem inevitable.
What might help?


Who's Under the Gun?
The ATF

(3/6/25)


Going after gun controllers,
for the usual reasons


Point of View
(1/30/25)


Do scholars really "get"
The Craft of Policing?


All In the Family (II)
(1/6/25)


A decade after Part I,
domestic killings remain commonplace

 



Third, Fourth and
Fifth Chances
 (1/4/21)


Some cops repeatedly
avoid meaningful sanctions.
Then disaster strikes.


Kids With Guns (6/3/24)


Ready access and permissive
laws create a daunting problem

 


10/14/25   Eduardo Valdivia was an FBI supervisor. And, as well, a "tattoo artist" who enticed women into his secretive Maryland studios by promising to get them modeling gigs. In July, a State jury convicted Valdivia - the FBI suspended him after his arrest last year - of raping three clients. He faces up to 122 years in prison. In 2022 a jury had found Valdivia not guilty of assault for shooting a panhandler. And in Los Angeles, former DEA supervisor James Young awaits a State trial for assaulting another agent with a gun. Young reportedly exhibited concerning behavior over the years, but was nonetheless twice promoted. He retired last year. Related post

10/13/25  Gunfire broke out at high-school graduation celebrations in three Mississippi communities Saturday night. Six persons were killed in Leland and two in Heidelberg, and "more than 20" were wounded. A third shooting took place in Sharkey County, but there is no word as yet on deaths or injuries. An 18-year old man was arrested for the Heidelberg shooting, and two were arrested for the episode in Sharkey County. Related post

More than $100 million bucks. That's what crash-related lawsuits against LAPD have cost taxpayers over the past decade. Many involve officers hurrying to crime scenes or pursuing speeding motorists. In a recent example of the latter, two brothers in their mid- seventies were making a left turn at an intersection when they were smashed into by a patrol car that had been doing 80 miles per hour. While both victims survived, they sustained life-changing traumatic brain injuries. And yes, the city settled the case. For $18 million. Related post

"With the blessing" of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, members of the National Guard are patrolling Memphis. But they're not making arrests. Instead, they're supporting the "Memphis Safe Task Force," a coalition of local and Federal law enforcement agencies that has reportedly made hundreds of arrests in the last two weeks. So far, though, Federal appellate courts have upheld lower court rulings that quashed the Administration's attempts to deploy National Guard troops on the streets of Chicago and Portland. Related post

10/10/25  Controversy over the use of "shaken baby syndrome" to convict Robert Roberson has again spared the condemned Texas man from execution. And again at the last moment, as the fateful day was in a week. This time the state's high court cited its ruling last year ordering the reexamination of another conviction in a shaken baby case, as scientific advances had brought its justification into question. Roberson gets a lower Court to take another look. According to his lawyers, the two cases are "indistinguishable." Related post

Nearly a fourth of FBI agents - 3,000 out of 13,000 - are now assigned to immigration work. That's the conclusion of the Washington Post, which reviewed official data obtained by a "Blue" Senator. Sources within the FBI say that this diversion of resources has generated considerable discontent, as it diminishes its capacity to conduct the intensive, complex work for which its agents are noted. And it's not just the FBI. Personnel grabs to help ICE do its chores have affected other Federal law-enforcement agencies as well. Related post

10/9/25  
Indiana's Crime Gun Task Force reports that seizures of illegal machinegun conversion devices are way up - 184 this year compared with 20 for all of 2024. According to Indianapolis police IMPD Lt. Jered Hidlebaugh, these highly lethal devices can "empty an entire magazine of 30, 40 or 50 rounds in three to five seconds.” Focused efforts against illegal guns and violent criminal repeaters, said Hiddlebaugh, have reduced violent crime in the state's capital city by twenty percent in 2025. Related post

Three days, three gun homicides in D.C. Those killed include a 33-year old woman, who was found shot dead in her home; a 26-year old man, who was shot dead by two men following a street altercation; and a 17-year old teen, who was shot dead near a transit stop. So far there's been one arrest. Awkwardly, this "uptick in killings" comes during a time when D.C. crime was dropping sharply, ostensibly because of a highly expanded law enforcement and National Guard presence. Related post

10/8/25   In a perhaps unexpected move, the Supreme Court refused to allow a Missouri law that sharply expands gun rights to go into effect. On October 6 the Justices rejected Missouri's challenge to an Eight Curcuit decision that nullified a Missouri state law which bars state and local officers from enforcing (or helping to enforce) Federal gun laws that go beyond what the state already prohibits. Supreme Court docket entries   Related post

Two former Uvalde, TX school cops, Pete Arredondo and Adrian Gonzales, were to be tried this month on dozens of felony counts of failing to promptly act after a shooter opened fire at Robb Elementary School in 2022, killing nineteen students and two teachers. But the trial has been postponed. Gonzales' bid for a change of venue was granted, and he will be tried separately. Arredondo's case will also remain on hold as lawyers battle over the State's move to force the testimony of two Border Patrol agents who helped in the response. Related post

10/7/25  Chicago and the state of Illinois have sued to block President Trump from sending in National Guard troops, as he apparently intends, to enforce criminal laws in the "Windy City." But a Federal judge declined to step in. Trump has warned that should he be stymied in the courts, he'll do it anyways, but under authority of the Insurrection Act. Related post

Five years ago then-Louisville police officer Brett Hankinson opened fire during a police raid at the residence of Breonna Taylor. Although she was killed by gunfire from another officer - Hankinson's shots struck no one - he was the only cop charged in the case. Hankinson was convicted in Federal court of violating the civil rights of other tenants and drew a 33-month prison term. A judge just refused to stay his sentence pending appeal, and the ex-cop will report to prison later this week. Related post

10/6/25   Two persons, ages 17 and 43, were shot dead and a dozen were wounded, five critically, in a Montgomery, AL entertainment district on Saturday night. Multiple suspects are being sought for a shootout that began when one member of a crowd fired on another, leading others to draw their guns and open fire as well. Seven of those shot were under 20, and at least two had been armed. Several guns were recovered; so far, no one has been arrested. Related post

Four-billion bucks. That's what L.A. County agreed to pay out to settle "thousands" of lawsuits filed by alleged victims of child abuse at juvenile halls and foster homes. Their claims, which date back to the 1950's, were enabled by a 2020 State law that greatly extended the statute of limitations for such actions. But an investigation by the Los Angeles Times reveals that law firms and scalpers recruited numerous plaintiffs, and it may be that many claims are false. However, the County has wiped out its older records, so whether claimants were really under official supervision can't be determined. The hit to the county budget is immense, and the CEO has recommended that a hiring and expenditure freeze go promptly into effect. Related post

10/3/25  Guyana native Ian Roberts was hired as Des Moines' School Superintendent in May 2023. Only problem is, his Federal work authorization had expired more than two years earlier. And on September 26, when he was arrested for immigration violations, ICE agents found him with four guns, including one that he had wrapped in a towel. A new Federal complaint now charges him with being an illegal alien with guns. Roberts originally came to the U.S. on a student visa. He subsequently held down several teaching jobs, including as a New York City principal. Related post

10/2/25  An “egregious pattern and practice" that forces law-abiding citizens to wait years for their CCW applications to be processed just led DOJ to sue Los Angeles County. Defending against accusations that it purposely denies persons "their right to bear arms," the County responded that while personnel shortages and computer issues have gotten in the way, "more than 5,000" applications were in fact approved this year. Lawsuit   Related post

10/1/25  Addressing the nation's top brass at Quantico, President Trump suggested that military forces be deployed to the "very unsafe" cities run by "radical left Democrats." Doing so, he argued, "is gonna be a major part for some people in this room. That’s a war too. It’s war from within.” His first move in that direction - deploying 100 troops to protect ICE agents in Chicago - was promptly deemed "unconstitutional" by Governor JB Pritzker. "There is nothing under the law that permits that.” Related post

Last April L.A. author Jillian Lauren opened fire on uniformed LAPD officers who were scouring her home's backyard for several fleeing suspects. That got her arrested on felony assault charges. But a judge just granted the wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner mental-health diversion. If she behaves for two years, all charges will be dropped. Related post

9/30/25  In broad daylight, nearly two-dozen armed and hooded looters rampaged through a San Ramon, Calif. jewelry store, smashing cases and grabbing an estimated million dollar's worth of goodies. Their brazen behavior was captured in great detail by security cameras, and the video is definitely a sight to see. So far, seven have been arrested. Related post

9/29/25  Four parishioners were killed and at least eight were injured by a 40-year old local resident who inexplicably opened fire (reportedly, with a rifle) during Sunday morning services at a Michigan LDS Church. Thomas Jacob Sanford, an ex-Marine, also used accelerants to set the church on fire. He was killed in a shoot-out with police. The tragedy came on the heels of a like event in August, when a 23-year old shot and killed two boys and wounded 17 others at a Minneapolis Church-based grade school. Related post

9/26/25  On August 22 an unprovoked stabbing at a Charlotte, NC train station took the life of 24- year old Iryna Zrutska. Her killer, 34-year Decarlos Brown Jr., was a violent schizophrenic with a lengthy criminal record, and was pending charges after being released without bond months earlier for yet another crime. Blasing the present "catch and release" approach, State legislators passed a new law that strictly limits releases without bail and greatly expands the use of involuntary commitment. Wikipedia entry  Related post

FBI Director James Comey was just Federally indicted for allegedly falsely testifying to Congress that then- candidate Donald Trump tried to get the Russians to interfere in the 2016 election. This, incidentally, is the same James Comey who once gave then-candidate Hillary Clinton a pass after it was revealed that, during her husband's tenure, she secretly engaged in a great deal of Government-related correspondence using her private e-mail server. Related post

9/23/25  Three rural Pennsylvania police officers were killed and two colleagues were wounded by a 24-year old man armed with an "AR-15 style" rifle. Detectives Mark Baker, Cody Becker and Isaiah Emenheiser, all in plainclothes, were met with a fusillade of gunfire as they sought to arrest Matthew James Ruth on misdemeanor warrants for stalking an ex-girlfriend. Other officers then shot Ruth dead. One month earlier Ruth allegedly set fire to the woman's truck and peered into her house with "a scope-like device." His rifle was reportedly equipped with a silencer. Related post

9/16/25  Now sitting on Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk, a proposed law would prohibit all law enforcement officers, including Federal officers and officers from other States, from wearing face coverings while doing their jobs in California. Exceptions are made for SWAT officers, and for transparent face shields and medical masks. Bill   Related post

Florida was one of four states and D.C. that bans persons from openly carrying firearms. But a Florida appeals court just ruled the ban unconstitutional. According to the jurist who wrote the ruling, “No historical tradition supports Florida’s open carry ban.” Florida's A.G. accordingly announced that “open carry is the law of the state.” That leaves open carry prohibitions in effect only in California, Connecticut, Illinois and D.C. Related post

9/15/25  
A report about Desmond Holly, the youth who opened fire at suburban Denver's Evergreen High School, reveals that he frequented extremist web sites, including "WatchPeopleDie," where he posted comments about notorious prior shootings, adopting the tone of their perpetrators. And like them, he took to collecting tactical gear and festooning it with terrorist symbols. Related post

Memphis Mayor Paul Young has confirmed that President Trump will soon be sending a phalanx of National Guard troops into his violence-stricken city. Mayor Young, who seemed to welcome the notion of an enhanced presence from the FBI, DEA and ATF, said he is "not happy" about the troops' anticipated deployment, but hopes that they can lend a hand at major events. Their prospective role in dealing with crime, though, remains a work in progress. Related post

Prohibiting law enforcement officers, including Feds, from wearing masks while doing public chores is the goal of a proposed California law now sitting on Governor Newsom's desk. Although the measure purports to extend its authority to troops and Federal agents, the bill's many "Red" opponents predict that aspect of the measure would fail its certain legal challenge. Related post

9/12/25  According to a lawsuit filed by former senior FBI officials Brian Driscoll, Jr., Steven Jensen and Spencer Evans, the FBI's new Director, Kash Patel, openly admitted that their firings were in retaliation for having investigated President Trump over the Capitol affair and another case. Driscoll and Jensen also claim that their executive status required that the deputy A.G. make a firing decision. And all three deny having had any performance issues whatsoever. Related post

In Chicago, two cars fleeing a smash-and-grab at a Louis Vuitton store violently collided with other vehicles, killing an innocent driver and critically injuring five persons. Two other vehicles were used in the crime, including a pickup truck that had been driven into the premises. In August ten men in multiple vehicles stole $130,000 worth of Louis Vuitton goods from a Chicago Nordstrom. Related post

Napa Valley (CA) farmworker Norberto Celerino has three prior convictions for drunk driving. He now faces manslaughter charges after crashing his vehicle into a tree, killing six of his seven passengers, also farmworkers. Celerino and one passenger were hospitalized with injuries. And yes, the 53-year old man was, again, allegedly drunk. Related post

Tyler Robinson, a 22-year old Utah man, was arrested after family members identified him as the man who shot Charlie Kirk. A .30 caliber bolt-action rifle with an expended round was recovered near the scene. Related post

9/11/25  "About 200 yards away." According to a spokesperson for Utah Valley University, that's the distance between the outdoor stage where Mr. Charlie Kirk was delivering his address and the building on whose rooftop his killer lurked. Mr. Kirk's murderer may have been inspired by the seemingly identical approach taken by President Trump's intended assassin. He, though, was shot dead by a Secret Service sniper. Mr. Kirk, in contrast, was very much on his own. Related post

School shootings continue to beset the land. During lunchtime at Evergreen High School in suburban Denver, a student opened fire with a handgun. He wounded two other students, then shot himself dead. Gunfire was reported both inside and outside a school building, and more than 100 officers responded. Ominously, the lethal event happened in the same Colorado county - Jefferson - that was the site of the notorious 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Related post

9/10/25  “When i turn 21 iam going to kill people” and "my time is almost hear!" According to a search warrant obtained by Pierce Co. (WA) sheriff's detectives, these were a couple of the comments that a local 13-year old boy had posted on social media. A search of his home led to the recovery of two dozen unsecured rifles and shotguns, as well as AR-15 type magazines bearing references to mass shootings. His mother insists that the youth, who is being home-schooled, had no intention of harming anyone. He is nonetheless being held on multiple felony charges of illegally possessing guns and making a threat. Related post

 

 



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