Eighty-one Chicago police officers lost their badges over the past 20 years, but only after being investigated for 1,706 previous offenses - an average of 21 accusations per officer. One third (28) of these Chicago officers were investigated for domestic altercations or sexual misconduct. Two murdered their wives. That statistical picture emerges … [Read more...] about Records show Illinois fails to hold police accountable for misconduct
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Teaching journalism in the wake of George Floyd
For many journalism educators and their students, the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020 launched a year of reckoning, intensifying classrooms discussions focused on race and the media. Brandy Monk-Payton, an assistant professor In the department of communication and media studies at Fordham University, said when she … [Read more...] about Teaching journalism in the wake of George Floyd
Missouri media miss story of new police ‘bill of rights’
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a police officer bill of rights into law July 14, even though other states have moved to repeal their law enforcement officer bills of rights as part of a larger effort to hold police officers accountable. Surprisingly, just over a year after the murder of George Floyd, Missouri’s leading media outlets hardly noticed the passage of the bill, … [Read more...] about Missouri media miss story of new police ‘bill of rights’
Police misconduct records secret, difficult to access
Police misconduct records are either secret or difficult to access in a majority of states - 35 of them plus Washington, D.C. But the breeze of openness is blowing. Seven big states have opened records in recent years - California, New York, Illinois, Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon and Maryland. Now 15 states have laws that allow these records to be mostly … [Read more...] about Police misconduct records secret, difficult to access
Some Illinois media outlets push back against late night passage of major criminal justice reform bill
Some news media are smarting from the late night passage of a groundbreaking Illinois criminal justice bill last month that left them without a chance to report on the substance of sweeping legislation that is now before the governor awaiting his signature. Police have launched a media campaign claiming the “dark of night” legislation endangers citizens. But members of the … [Read more...] about Some Illinois media outlets push back against late night passage of major criminal justice reform bill