Met drops gangs matrix' accused of targeting young black Londoners
The Met Police is ditching the controversial gangs matrix used to identify dangerous street offenders in response to concerns about disproportionate targeting of young black Londoners.
The database will be replaced by a new violence harm assessment that will target the most violent individuals in each part of London, regardless of their affiliation with gangs. [ more ]
Met officers under investigation after black teenager stopped and searched six times in five months
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating eight police officers after a black teenager was stopped and searched six times in five months in London.
The investigation will examine allegations of insufficient grounds for the stop and searches, possible racial profiling, unreasonable force, and failure to consider the boy's welfare.
In five of the six incidents, evidence has been found indicating potential breaches of police standards of professional behavior. [ more ]
Met officers investigated after black boy, 16, stopped six times in five months
Multiple Met police officers are under investigation after a black 16-year-old was stopped six times in five months, with no criminal findings each time.
The stops took place outside the boy's mother's house, his grandmother's house, a chicken shop, and by Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. [ more ]
Growing 'culture of extremism' among UK and European police forces, report warns
Police forces in the UK and across Europe are suffering from a growing "culture of extremism", according to a report that warns of an increase in officers sharing racist and far-right content online.
How Feds Can Help End Racially Biased Policing on the Roads - Streetsblog USA
Disincentivize pretextual stops for minor infractions to reduce police violence against people of color on American roads.
Federal transportation policies encourage troubling practices that lead to deadly stops with devastating consequences for marginalized communities. [ more ]
New Bills Want to Regulate, Restrict E-bike Riding - Streetsblog California
Assemblymember Tasha Boerner has introduced a bill that would require e-bike riders to be at least twelve years old and have a driver's license or state-issued ID.
E-bike licensing requirements may lead to racial profiling and reduce ridership, hindering efforts to fight climate change. [ more ]
How Many Stops Act: New York City Council overrides Mayor Eric Adams' veto
The New York City Council has voted to override Mayor Eric Adams' veto of the How Many Stops Act, a law that requires police to document every encounter with New Yorkers.
Supporters of the law believe it will provide accountability and prevent racial profiling, while opponents argue that it will slow down police response times. [ more ]
NYPD officers will have to record race of people they question in law aimed at police transparency
New York City police officers will be required to record the apparent race, gender, and ages of most people they stop for questioning.
The law gives police reform advocates a major win in requiring the nation's largest police department to document all investigative encounters. [ more ]
NYPD officers would have to record race of people they question if council overrides mayor's veto
The City Council in New York is pushing to pass a bill that would require police officers to document basic information whenever they question someone.
The issue gained national attention when NYPD officers pulled over a Black council member without providing a reason. [ more ]
Appeals court ruling sets stage for contested Tex. border law to take effect
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ordered a stay on Texas law empowering local police to arrest those suspected of entering the country illegally pending appeal.
Plaintiffs fear that the Texas law, Senate Bill 4, may lead to racial profiling and open the door for other states to pass similar immigration laws. [ more ]
Delaware State University to file a complaint with DOJ after bus search incident
Delaware State University, a historically Black institution, says the stop and search of a bus transporting members of its women's lacrosse team in Georgia was "constitutionally dubious."
Texas' illegal entry law will test states' powers on immigration, border enforcement
Texas has passed a new law that makes illegal entry into the state a state crime, allowing for easier arrest and prosecution of individuals crossing the border from Mexico.
Critics argue that the law oversteps state authority, will lead to racial profiling, and make people of color targets for police, regardless of their immigration status. [ more ]
NYPD Response To Brooklyn Synagogue Tunnel Exposes Racial Double Standard Of Policing, Critics Say
The incident of a tunnel being dug under a synagogue in Brooklyn and the subsequent riots involving Chabad Lubavitch protestors highlights a racial double standard in policing.
The peaceful response of the NYPD in the face of violence at the scene is seen as evidence of the different treatment Black people receive from law enforcement. [ more ]
John McCracken says he was shocked when he recently spotted a new sign at his local Loblaw-owned Superstore just outside Halifax, warning customers the store was conducting receipt checks when shoppers exit."I was really disgusted.I thought it was really adding insult to injury after all the price gouging," said McCracken, referring to claims Loblaw has inflated grocery prices which the retailer denies.
Former Chicago cop charged with pinning Park Ridge teen to the ground last summer to stand trial Monday
Almost a year after he was charged for wrestling a young Park Ridge teen face down on a sidewalk in Park Ridge's Uptown area, former Chicago Police Department Sergeant Michael Vitellaro will stand trial June 5, according to court records.Vitellaro faces charges of aggravated battery and two counts of official misconduct, according to previous reporting, and will plead not guilty to all three charges.
A new wave of Arab musical artists are gaining global traction
AILSA CHANG, HOST: Danny Hajjar has always been surrounded by Arabic music.He grew up in the U.S., but his parents are both Lebanese immigrants who had it on all the time.DANNY HAJJAR: So it's really intrinsic to who I am and to everything that I enjoy and try to do.CHANG: Over the last few years, he started to notice that this music was permeating through American pop culture in a different way.
Rise of drug overdose deaths and crime pushes Metro to weigh more security
With an upswing in drug use, rising crime and a growing number of drug overdose deaths on Metro trains and buses, transit officials are looking to increase security on the system.Twenty-one people have died on trains and buses in the Metro system so far this year.There was one homicide, but most died from apparent overdoses.
They got a Ring doorbell alert, then opened fire on a bystander, police say
On Saturday morning at 7 a.m., a neighbor stopped by Gino and Rocky Colonacosta's front door to drop off prescription medication that had mistakenly been delivered to his address.
Comedians Eric Andre and Clayton English sue police, alleging racial profiling
The comedians Eric André and Clayton English have sued police, alleging racial profiling at Atlanta's main airport in a program supposedly aimed at finding illegal drugs but in which officers regularly confiscate passengers' cash.
Texas Lawmakers Pass Ban on D.E.I. Programs at State Universities
The News: Just a day before the Texas legislative session ended, state lawmakers approved a ban on offices and programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion at publicly funded colleges and universities.On Sunday, both chambers approved Senate Bill 17, which was sponsored by Brandon Creighton, a Republican state senator.
PURPOSE The purpose of this policy from TechRepublic Premium is to provide guidelines for the appropriate use of ethics involving AI.This policy can be customized as needed to fit the needs of your organization.From the policy: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY DETAILS The business and employees responsible for administering AI must research and obey all local, state and federal laws related to its use in the organization.
UK police fail to use facial recognition ethically and legally, study finds | Engadget
Simon M Bruty via Getty Images Use of live facial recognition (LFR) by UK police forces "fail[s] to meet the minimum ethical and legal standards," according to a study from the University of Cambridge.After analyzing LFR use by the Metropolitan (Met) and South Wales police, researchers concluded that the technology should be banned for use in "all public spaces."
CPD officer shown in viral video grabbing, restraining woman walking dog along beach resigns
A Chicago police officer who was shown on video grabbing and restraining a Black woman walking her dog at North Avenue Beach in August 2021 has resigned.
Family of Banko Brown calls for accountability at Supes' meeting
"This city," said Kimora Lanique as a dusting of rain fell outside City Hall, "has failed us to the fullest."Lanique, a friend and colleague of Banko Brown, was addressing a circle of around 30 supporters and loved ones of the slain 24-year-old before public comment at the May 2 Board of Supervisors meeting.
France under fire at UN for police violence, racial and religious discrimination
03:33 Riot police officers face youths during a demonstration, May 1, 2023 in Paris.Aurelien Morissar, AP Several nations voiced concern at the United Nations Monday over police violence, including against protesters, in France, as the country headed into another day of mass demonstrations.Attacks on migrants, racial profiling and religious intolerance were also raised during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) which all 193 UN countries must undergo every four years.
France criticised at UN over police violence, racism
The UN's Human Rights Council calls on France to reduce police violence and take steps to address racism.France has been criticised by the United Nations Human Rights Council for increased police violence, including against protesters, as widespread Labour Day demonstrations take over the country.France must take measures to, in a transparent manner, address allegations regarding excessive use of force by police and gendarmerie against protesters during demonstrations, Sweden's representative told the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, when France marks its annual Labour Day.
Antioch Police Department mired in racism allegations - first in text messages, now in a brutality lawsuit
(Jane Tyska / Associated Press)
After recent revelations of racist text messages involving more than a dozen of its officers, the Antioch Police Department is now the subject of a lawsuit alleging race-based brutality.Plaintiffs Juan Laspada and Rebecca Rodriguez accuse a group of unnamed officers of excessive use of force and racial profiling in a lawsuit filed last week against the city of Antioch and the officers, according to the complaint.
LAPD gang officers accused of racial profiling in detention of fellow officer
The off-duty Los Angeles police officer who was detained Saturday night alongside a man suspected of possessing drugs and a gun has accused the officers who detained him of racial profiling.
Georgia NAACP is investigating a traffic stop involving a college lacrosse team
Delaware State University says it has filed a complaint to the U.S. Department of Justice Wednesday to investigate the women's lacrosse team bus stop and search.
L.A. Metro looks at creating own transit police force
Frustrated with local law enforcement agencies, Los Angeles County transit officials on Thursday rejected their proposals of a new contract to patrol buses and trains and signed off on a plan to explore creating their own police force.The move was a rebuke of local law enforcement that has been the backbone of security for Metro, costing the agency $912 million over the last six years.
Paul Vallas' Twitter account liked offensive, racist posts. He denies doing it himself and denounces 'abhorrent' views.
Since losing the 2019 mayor's race, Paul Vallas has been a prolific poster on social media.On his official Facebook and Twitter accounts, Vallas, who's again running for City Hall's top job, frequently drops detailed manifestos on crime, schools and more, many of which assail Mayor Lori Lightfoot's record and push his own ideas for how to lead the city.
Met police did not consult us on children's data project, say youth violence experts
Youth violence experts have said they had no involvement with a police scheme that collects children's personal data, despite the Met claiming to have consulted them.
Judge orders probation, not prison, for China-linked researcher
A federal district court judge has ordered two years of probation rather than a prison sentence for a former chemical engineering professor who prosecutors said had illegally failed to disclose ties to China while employed by the University of Kansas.Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of two and a half years for Feng (Franklin) Tao, whose 2019 indictment was among some two dozen cases brought forward against academics under the U.S. Department of Justice's China Initiative, according to Reuters.
One man seeks to ban 3,600 LGBTQ+ and anti-racist books from Florida schools
A conservative activist named Bruce Friedman is trying to get over 3,600 book titles banned from Florida schools, including books that contain so-called "porn, critical race theory, social-emotional learning, [and] fluid gender."Friedman - who is president and founder of the Florida chapter of the right-wing education group No Left Turn in Education - presented this list during a November 28 meeting of the Florida Department of Education Library Media Working Group, a group that will train public school librarians on how to follow censorship rules signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) earlier this year.
Oberlin College begins payment of $36M to owners of bakery in defamation suit over racial profiling case
Oberlin College and Conservatory says that it has begun the payment of more than $36 million to the owners of a local bakery who claimed they were falsely accused of racism after three Black students were arrested in November 2016.
Cal State Long Beach faculty back professor who says he was racially profiled by campus police
More than 100 Cal State Long Beach faculty members have signed a letter in support of a professor at the university who accused campus police of racial profiling.
An autopsy shows Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of the head by a Michigan cop
Patrick Lyoya's mother Dorcas Lyoya sheds tears during a news conference at the Renaissance Church of God in Christ Family Life Center in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Thursday.