Reducing Crime

Thaddeus Johnson is a former police officer from Memphis who is now an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Georgia State University. He has extensively researched issues related to policing, crime, and racial disparities. Johnson discussed his experiences as a Black police officer and the challenges of navigating his racial identity in that role. He also highlighted the broader systemic racism and inequities in society that contribute to disparities in crime and policing outcomes. Johnson and his colleagues conducted a study examining the effects of police unionization and collective bargaining on police use of force. They found that increased police pay was associated with reduced police killings overall, but this benefit was only seen in non-unionized departments and not for Black citizens in unionized departments. In the episode Johnson discusses police accountability and oversight, transparency around officer disciplinary records, and how to do that without undermining the legitimate labor rights of officers.

Dr. Ian Adams talks about his career in policing, his transition to academia, and his recent policy research paper titled "Fuck: The Police." They discuss the use of profanity in policing and the need for a nuanced approach to regulating it. Adams conducted a survey experiment with police chiefs and sheriffs across the United States, finding a strong national consensus on the issue. He argues that policy should focus on the impact of profanity on public trust and professionalism rather than implementing blanket bans. Adams also highlights the creativity and problem-solving skills of police officers and the challenges they face in their daily work. Just be advised that the episode features strong, and often highly imaginative, language right from the start.

Grant Edwards APM, a retired commander from the Australian Federal Police, shares his experiences and struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in this episode. He discusses the cumulative effect of trauma in policing and the importance of mental health management, and emphasizes the need for a mentally safe workplace and a culture that supports vulnerability and open communication. He suggests that organizations should prioritize mental health literacy and provide resources for self-care, such as movement and exercise. Grant also highlights the significance of leadership at all levels in creating a supportive environment for officers.

A former police officer and detective, Dr. Cynthia Lum is Distinguished University Professor of Criminology, Law and Society at George Mason University, and directs their Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy. She is an appointed member of the National Academies of Sciences Committee on Law and Justice, an appointed trustee to the Council on Criminal Justice, and a board director for the National Policing Institute. We talk about evidence-based policing, implementing innovation, and how to overcome some of the barriers to progress.

In this episode, John Mina, the Sheriff of Orange County, Florida, discusses his background in law enforcement, including his time as Chief of Police in Orlando, and his decision to run for Sheriff. He talks about the benefits and challenges of being an elected law enforcement official and the unique role of the Sheriff in American policing. Mina also shares his views on recruitment and retention, the relationship between law enforcement and the media, and the issues facing sheriffs and police chiefs alike, such as recruitment, violent crime, homelessness, mental health, and officer wellness.

Dr. Peter Neyroud, former Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police and director of the Police Executive Programme at Cambridge University, discusses his career in British policing and his involvement in leadership challenges, police firearm use, and training. He highlights the importance of evidence-based policing and the need for clear guidance and policies in areas such as police shootings. He emphasizes the need for a strong evidence base to evaluate interventions and make informed decisions. Peter concludes by discussing the Police Executive Programme at Cambridge University and its role in training current and future police leaders.

Jerry Ratcliffe chats with Keith Humphreys, an influential figure in drug policy and a professor at Stanford University. They discuss the dangers of synthetic opioids, the role of academics in advising government, and the differences between drug policies in San Francisco and Portugal. Humphreys emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to drug policy, combining public health and public safety measures. He highlights the need for coercion in certain cases to encourage behavior change and protect communities. The conversation also touches on movies that depict addiction and the drug trade, such as "Trainspotting" and "Layer Cake."

​Alex Piquero, a professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Miami, discusses his career in criminology, including his time as the director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics. He talks about the importance of mentors, the role of universities in challenging and provoking ideas, and the need for academics to engage in public intellectualism. Piquero also discusses challenges he faced in government and the risks around evidence-based advocacy. He concludes with excellent advice for new scholars.

Did you see the movie BlacKkKlansman? If so you will love this episode. Host Jerry Ratcliffe chats with his mate Jim Rose, a former narcotics officer and senior advisor to the US State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Rose was also the real-life white cop in BlacKkKlansman. He discusses his experience infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) as a young undercover officer and his subsequent work in Central America. He also talks about the challenges and successes of implementing intelligence-led policing and community-oriented strategies in countries like El Salvador. Rose emphasizes the importance of proactive leadership and institutionalizing best practices to create safer and more secure communities.

In this episode of the Reducing Crime podcast, host Jerry Ratcliffe interviews Beatriz Magaloni, a professor of international relations and political science at Stanford University. Magaloni discusses her work on community policing with a specific ‘pacifying police unit’ in Brazil's most dangerous favelas, focusing on the different types of control exerted by criminal organizations in these areas. She explains the challenges faced by police in these environments and the importance of understanding the relationships between criminal groups, the community, and collusion with the state … and the police.