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Survivors of Torture Under Jon Burge Find a Place of Respite

Brandis Friedman

May 25, 2017 |

WTTW-PBS |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Two years after the city of Chicago approved reparations for the dozens of men tortured by a squad of police, one part of the plan, the Chicago Torture Justice Center, opened as a provider of mental health counseling and other services needed by the survivors. Under the direction of police detective Jon Burge, white police officers used electric shocks, suffocation, beatings, and racial slurs to coerce confessions from black suspects. One survivor, Darrell Cannon, served 24 years in prison before being released in 2007, but until the center opened in 2017 he had received no counseling.

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Officials: Mental health officer program already successful

Jessica Priest

May 23, 2017 |

The Victoria Advocate |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Victoria, Texas

In Victoria, Texas, the police department and mental health officials are joining forces to better respond to community crisis situations. From certifying police officers as mental health officers to assessing whether people already in jail have mental illnesses, the city is already reporting success from the initiative.

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When Chicago cops moonlight, no one is watching

Jonah Newman

May 08, 2017 |

Chicago Reporter |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

There is much to be learned from The Chicago Police Department's failure to regulate moonlighting police officers. Boasting the nation's weakest oversight of documenting its officer's second-shift jobs, the department has seen repercussions both in shooting statistics and tax payer dollars. It's not what Chicago is doing that is a solution, but what others are doing that they should learn from.

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What cops aren't learning

Curtis Gilbert

May 06, 2017 |

Reveal |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

A Minneapolis police department has placed a new focus on equipping its officers with conflict de-escalation techniques. After incorporating communication and listening skills into its training, the department has seen a decrease in the use of force.

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Most states neglect ordering police to learn de-escalation tactics to avoid shootings

Curtis Gilbert

May 05, 2017 |

APM Reports |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Some cities in the United States have integrated de-escalation and mental health tactics into police training, and have thus seen a decrease in the use of force, as well as an increase in community trust.

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Protecting overdose witnesses with Good Samaritan Law

Zach Bourgeois

May 04, 2017 |

Temple University |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Camden, New Jersey

During a drug overdose, some people avoid calling for medical assistance because they fear arrest. Laws that protect callers can help, but even where those laws exist, many drug users and potential overdose witnesses don’t realize they are protected.

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In Philadelphia, school police outnumber counselors

Greg Windle

March 16, 2017 |

The Notebook |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Students who have experienced trauma, most common in high-poverty areas, are more likely to benefit from counseling and support rather than punishment. However, most large U.S. school districts with high poverty rates and a majority Black and Latino residents hire more school police officers than counselors. This exacerbates rather than resolves discipline issues and creates lifelong repercussions for students.

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A simple combination of data and language tweaks is helping recruit more diverse police officers

Kara Sherwin

February 20, 2017 |

Quartz |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

To diversify the police force, UK and US research studies have focused on using behavioral economics. The UK's Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) has used behavioural economics and psychology to alter phrasing and messages, in order to attract more diverse applicants and its success has spurred more future projects.

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Murder in the City: Deep Causes, Harmful Biases, Unexpected Solutions to Gun Violence

Donna Ladd

February 15, 2017 |

Jackson Free Press |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Jackson, Mississippi

Young black Jacksonians are afraid to call the police in self defence for fear they will be accused of gang violence and arrested instead of protected. Various programs are using research of violence and recidivism to create programs that address the people most likely to commit violent crimes instead of just putting them in jail.

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How do you fix a broken system? One U.S. city offers a model for handling sex-assault cases

Robyn Doolittle

February 10, 2017 |

The Globe and Mail |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If not properly investigated, sexual assault claims can be dismissed prematurely, disrupting the justice process and allowing offenders to continue hurting people. In Philadelphia, after an audit revealed more than 2,000 mishandled sexual offense claims in five years, police officers and women’s rights advocates began sitting together once a year to review police files and catch procedural problems. Now 17 years strong, the collaboration continues to hold law enforcement accountable and catch mishandled claims.

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