The Weekly Briefing 🇺🇸
First Police Case of C.T.E.
The New York Times reports that Brent Simpson, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer who died by suicide in 2024, has been diagnosed posthumously with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (C.T.E.)—the degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head impacts. His partner, Gina Elliott, documented years of memory loss, mood changes, insomnia, and paranoia before his death, often hearing him say, “Something is wrong with my brain.” Researchers at Boston University’s C.T.E. Center confirmed lesions consistent with early-stage C.T.E., making Simpson the first publicly known law enforcement officer with the disease. Experts note that police face frequent head impacts from defensive tactics training, accidents, and physical encounters, raising questions about officer safety, wellness, and the hidden toll of the job. 💙 More here
How Tampa Drove Down Crime
Tampa’s murder rate fell 63% in the first half of 2025 — far outpacing the national 20% drop — a result Police Chief Lee Bercaw attributes to deliberate strategy, not chance. Writing in the Tampa Bay Times, Bercaw describes how the city’s “Focus on Four” plan, the Violent Impact Player program, and the Crime Gun Intelligence Center have combined data-driven policing with community engagement to drive nearly an 80% overall crime reduction over two decades. Independent evaluations by George Mason University found Tampa’s targeted approach cut violent and gun crime by 24% while preventing more than 250 victimizations. With homicide rates now just two per 100,000 residents, Bercaw argues that Tampa provides a replicable national blueprint: public safety is built through strategy, accountability, technology, and partnerships, not accidents of social trends. 🚨 More here
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Countering Chinese Influence
Texas has created a “hostile foreign adversaries unit” within its Department of Public Safety to combat Chinese Communist Party influence campaigns, part of a broader wave of new laws aimed at foreign interference. StateScoop reports that Senate Bill 2514 establishes criminal penalties for state employees who fail to report foreign influence activity and requires new cybersecurity training for government workers. Lawmakers cited evidence of covert CCP operations in U.S. cities, including intimidation of dissidents and the use of “secret police stations.” Supporters say the new unit will strengthen cooperation between local law enforcement, communities, and federal agencies to better protect Texans from foreign threats. 🇨🇳 More here
Hand Signals Help DV Victim
Deaths Down, Ambush Attacks Up
Through August 31, there have been 229 officers shot in the line of duty nationwide in 2025, a 10% decrease from 2024 and a 15% drop compared to 2023, according to the National Fraternal Order of Police. Of those, 31 officers have been killed by gunfire, down 20% from this time last year. Still, ambush-style attacks remain a persistent and increasing danger: 50 ambush incidents so far this year have resulted in 66 officers shot and 15 killed. While the overall trend shows fewer deaths compared to recent record highs, the FOP warns that officers continue to face targeted violence. 📉 More here
Seattle Police Oversight Ends
A federal judge has lifted oversight of the Seattle Police Department after more than a decade under a consent decree, according to KING 5 News. The decree was imposed in 2012 following a DOJ investigation into the police shooting of John T. Williams. Seattle moved to end the agreement in July 2025 after adopting new crowd management policies, with both the Justice Department and the Community Police Commission supporting termination. Mayor Bruce Harrell and Chief Shon Barnes also cited falling crime rates, improved recruitment, and new unarmed response programs. 🔗 More here
Man Slashes Officer, Killed
Maryland Surges Law Enforcement
According to the Washington Post, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced a surge of state and local law enforcement resources to reduce crime in Baltimore, as President Trump threatens to deploy National Guard troops. Moore emphasized that Maryland’s plan is independent of Washington, saying “the president does not inspire us.” The initiative will send Maryland State Police and transportation officers into high-risk areas, expand joint task forces for outstanding warrants, and strengthen firearm and narcotics investigations. Baltimore’s homicide count is already at a 50-year low, which Moore and Scott credit to local partnerships. Both leaders reject Trump’s idea of federal troops patrolling city streets, instead calling for targeted federal support such as FBI and ATF assistance and a ban on ghost guns. 🦀 More here
Military Can’t Perform Police Duties
A federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump’s deployment of military troops to Los Angeles was illegal, warning he appeared intent on creating a “national police force,” according to POLITICO. Judge Charles Breyer found the deployment violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars the military from enforcing domestic law without congressional approval. The ruling prohibits troops from conducting arrests, searches, traffic control, or other policing functions, though they may still protect federal property. Breyer’s decision follows California’s lawsuit challenging the deployment, but he delayed enforcement until Sept. 12 to allow the administration to appeal. The White House condemned the decision, while Gov. Gavin Newsom praised it as a victory for state authority. 🪖 More here
Yes to Federal Police Help
Mayors and police chiefs across the U.S. are expressing support for traditional partnerships with federal law enforcement while opposing the use of National Guard troops, according to The New York Times. Leaders in cities like Kansas City, Albuquerque, Chicago, and Baltimore said they welcome federal help in tracing guns, arresting fugitives, and disrupting drug or trafficking networks. Some, like Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina, have successfully integrated Guard troops in limited support roles such as monitoring cameras or assisting with paperwork, but stressed the importance of strict training and local control. Others, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, warned that large-scale troop deployments risk being viewed as “occupations” that undermine trust.
Preparing for Next Flashpoint
Nearly 600 officers from about 20 agencies, including the Secret Service, joined one of the nation’s largest riot-response drills Friday at the Secret Service’s training center in Maryland, according to AP News. Led by the U.S. Capitol Police, the exercise simulated violent protests and armed threats, reflecting lessons learned from the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. With 2025 on track to bring a record number of threats against lawmakers, the training focused on cross-agency coordination, communication tools like drones and mobile command posts, and rapid deployments to prevent security breakdowns. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan said the drills are critical for preparing law enforcement to respond to the increasingly volatile political environment. 🚓 More here
Up Next: FOP President Patrick Yoes
In this week’s episode of The Briefing Room, Mike sits down with National Fraternal Order of Police President Patrick Yoes to discuss the state of policing in America. President Yoes reflects on the FOP’s membership growth during challenging times, the rise of ambush-style attacks on officers, and the importance of officer wellness and retention. He also addresses public perceptions of crime, the Protect and Serve Act, and how technology is reshaping law enforcement.
📢 The podcast drops this week. To catch up on all prior episodes, click here. Also, please hit like and subscribe — and get prepared for next week’s must-watch episode with Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester.
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