The Weekly Briefing
In This Issue
Why officer suicides now outpace line‑of‑duty deaths
August Vollmer’s blueprint for modern policing
Study quantifies post‑2020 enforcement pullback and homicide surge
AI turns raw DNA into 3‑D faces
Texas crowns the nation’s first “Top Troopers”
Cargo‑theft rings hit record levels, exploiting brokerage tech
AI video lets a murder victim speak in court
States test GPS speed‑limiters for habitual violators
$156.6 M COPS Hiring grants are now open
Q1 crime totals for 68 major cities
FBI probes 250 cases tied to online network “764”
Why Do More Police Officers Die by Suicide Than in the Line of Duty? — New York Times Magazine
This long‑form piece follows Iowa officer Matthew Hunter, who nearly took his own life after a colleague’s suicide, to explore why at least 184 public‑safety officers die by suicide each year—far exceeding line‑of‑duty deaths. Researchers cited in the article find officers 54 percent more likely to die by suicide than the average worker, yet federal reporting remains voluntary and patchy. The story highlights cumulative trauma, sleep disorders and stigma, while profiling peer‑support models and legislation aimed at routine mental‑health check‑ups. New York Times Magazine
If your agency is looking for predictive mental health support, visit Alli Connect
The Pioneer: August Vollmer’s Legacy — City Journal
A new essay profiles August Vollmer—often called the father of modern policing—and highlights how his merit‑based hiring, crime mapping, radio patrols and university partnerships shaped evidence‑driven law enforcement a century ago. It repudiates those academics and journalists who tried to erase this history and tie modern policing to “slave patrols.” City Journal
Study Finds Enforcement Pullback Tied to 7,000 Additional Murders — New York Post
Research for the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund examined 15 major cities and found a 40 percent drop in stops and arrests during 2020‑21 coincided with roughly 7,000 more homicides than in 2019. As agencies restored proactive activity between 2022 and 2024, murders fell 39 percent, underscoring the public‑safety dividends of sustained, visible policing. New York Post
AI Tool Re‑creates 3‑D Faces From DNA — ZME Science
Chinese scientists have unveiled “Difface,” an AI model that predicts facial geometry from genetic data with an average 3.5 mm error—accurate enough, they say, to narrow a suspect pool of 10,000 to one. Forensic labs see breakthrough potential, while privacy advocates warn of re‑identification risks in public DNA databases. ZME Science
Texas Hosts First National Top Trooper Competition — TX DPS
Elite troopers from 15 states participated in a rigorous three-day event designed to test the full scope of a trooper’s operational readiness. Participants competed in nine events that evaluate physical fitness, mental resilience, tactical proficiency and overall job knowledge. Texas DPS intend the event to become an annual skills‑exchange and readiness benchmark for state‑police agencies nationwide. Texas Department of Public Safety
Cargo Thieves Hammer the Supply Chain — New York Post
Verisk CargoNet logged 3,798 U.S. cargo‑theft incidents in 2024, a 26 percent jump that cost shippers at least $455 million—and likely more than $1 billion when unreported losses are counted. Identity‑based fraud, where criminals impersonate licensed freight brokers, now accounts for nearly one‑third of all thefts and has prompted bipartisan legislation to boost federal response. New York Post
AI Video Lets Murder Victim Address Killer in Court — NPR
An Arizona family produced a four‑minute AI‑generated statement so their slain relative could “speak” at sentencing—believed to be a national first. Legal observers say the technology raises new questions about authenticity, admissibility and emotional impact on juries. NPR
States Turn to Speed‑Limiters for Habitual Speeders — Associated Press
Virginia and Washington have passed bills letting judges require GPS‑linked speed‑limiting devices for drivers clocked 50 mph over the limit, citing studies showing many suspended motorists keep driving. Supporters argue the technology offers a practical deterrent when license revocation alone falls short. AP News
FY‑2025 COPS Hiring Program Opens — DOJ COPS Office
With $156.6 million available, the FY‑25 CHP will fund up to 75 percent of entry‑level salaries and benefits for three years. Applications are due 25 June in Grants.gov and 1 July in JustGrants, with priority for agencies tackling violent‑crime hot spots. COPS Office
Episode 03 of the Boldly Go Podcast is now available, click here.
Major Cities Chiefs Q1 2025 Crime Totals — MCCA
Sixty‑eight U.S. police departments report homicides down 20 percent year‑over‑year (1,221 vs 1,535) alongside double‑digit drops in robbery and aggravated assault, while Canada’s nine largest agencies chart analogous declines. Aggravated‑assault remains well above pre‑2020 baselines. Major Cities Chiefs
FBI Opens 250 Probes Into Online Network “764” — ABC News
All 56 FBI field offices now have at least one case tied to “764,” a nihilistic online group that coerces minors into self‑harm, bomb threats and extremist violence. Counterterror officials call it among the most disturbing domestic threats currently under investigation. ABC News
Line‑of‑Duty Death: Lieutenant Allen “Noochie” Credeur — Rayne Police Department, Louisiana (ODMP)
Lieutenant Credeur, 49, was fatally struck by friendly fire on May 5 while assisting with a search warrant. Officers were trying to locate a suspect wanted for attempted‑murder stabbing charges when the inadvertent round hit the 20‑year Rayne PD veteran. Despite on‑scene lifesaving measures, he died at the location. Credeur—remembered as a cornerstone of the small department—leaves behind a brother and fiancée; state investigators are reviewing the incident. Officer Down Memorial Page