The Weekly Briefing
Curated news and insights for police leaders, technologists, and researchers
Gallup: Narrowing Racial Divide on Policing
FBI Active Shooter Report
Medieval Murder Mapping
AI’s Breakneck Pace of Change
Drone‐Use Rollback by President Trump
Retail Crime Crackdown Arrests
Police Unions Back Overtime Tax Repeal
Questioning Alt-Police Response
New Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan
Major Cities Chiefs on Consent Decrees
Secure Involuntary Treatment Debate
Quiet Skies Program Ends
Countering-Unmanned Aircraft Systems
FOP Update: Officers Shot & Killed
Gallup: Racial Divide Narrows Since George Floyd
A new Gallup poll finds that Black Americans’ confidence in police has inched upward from its 2020 low, cutting the gap with White Americans by about a third. Still, Black respondents remain 13 points less likely to view policing favorably, pointing to enduring challenges in rebuilding trust.
Read more → https://news.gallup.com/poll/690959/racial-divide-policing-narrows-years-floyd-death.aspx
FBI: Record Number of Active Shooter Incidents
The FBI’s newly released Active Shooter Report shows 41 incidents last year—the highest annual total to date—resulting in 192 deaths and 176 injuries. The data highlight the persistence of this threat and underscore calls for continued investment in prevention, rapid response training, and community partnerships.
Read more → https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/reports-and-publications/2024-active-shooter-report/view
Mapping Medieval Murders
Researchers have assembled the first detailed map of homicides across medieval England, revealing “hot spots” of violence in rapidly growing towns and along key trade routes. The Washington Post explores how this GIS-based study reshapes our understanding of crime in premodern society.
Read more → https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2025/06/05/medieval-murder-map-study-violence/
AI Is Supercharging the Pace of Change
“Things aren’t just moving fast—they’re speeding up,” TechCrunch reports, documenting how generative AI tools are collapsing R&D cycles, automating tasks once thought inviolable, and inundating workers with nonstop innovation. The piece examines both the opportunities and the burnout risks of life in the AI fast lane.
Read more → https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/30/its-not-your-imagination-ai-is-speeding-up-the-pace-of-change/
Trump Orders Major Rollback of Drone Restrictions
In a surprise executive action, the former president directed the FAA to slash regulatory barriers on commercial and government drone flights. The Wall Street Journal outlines how the changes aim to spur new industries—but also raise fresh privacy and safety questions.
Read more → https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/trump-orders-slashing-restrictions-on-drone-use-in-u-s-9911d438
Hundreds Arrested in Nationwide Retail Crime Sweep
CNBC covers “Operation Safe Shop,” a multiagency effort that led to more than 300 arrests and the recovery of $2 million in stolen goods from major retailers. Officials say the collaborative model—linking local PDs, the National Retail Federation, and federal partners—could serve as a blueprint for tackling organized shoplifting.
Read more → https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/04/retail-crime-crackdown-hundreds-of-arrests.html
“Big, Beautiful Bill” Wins Endorsement from Police Unions
Fox News reports that key law-enforcement groups have thrown their weight behind the proposed “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which would repeal the 2026 payroll tax hike on officers’ paid overtime. Proponents argue the move will boost retention and morale at a critical moment for recruiting.
Read more → https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-wins-support-from-police-overtime-tax-elimination
Questioning 30% Drop in Disorder in Alt-Police Response
Andy Wheeler looks at Dee & Pyne’s (2022) analysis of Denver’s STAR program—where mental-health professionals and paramedics handle 911 calls—arguing that their reported 30% reduction in low-level disorder incidents (≈1,400 fewer) is unlikely given that under 5% of such calls typically result in any criminal‐justice action. He recommends a person-level evaluation using matched controls among the 243 individuals served, rather than neighborhood‐level crime trends alone.
Read more → https://crimede-coder.com/blogposts/2025/DenverStar
Michael Sullivan Named Chief of Capitol Police
Roll Call breaks the news that former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan will lead the U.S. Capitol Police after a series of leadership shake-ups. Sullivan’s first challenge: restoring morale and completing reforms mandated in the wake of the January 6 attack.
Read more → https://rollcall.com/2025/06/04/michael-sullivan-named-chief-of-capitol-police/
Major Cities Chiefs Praise DOJ on Consent Decrees
The Major Cities Chiefs Association has formally commended the Department of Justice for revising its pattern-or-practice investigation protocols, emphasizing collaboration and local input. Their letter argues the changes will strengthen community trust and sustainable reform efforts.
Read more → https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MCCA-COMMENDS-DOJ-ANNOUNCEMENT-ON-CONSENT-DECREES.pdf
Secure Involuntary Treatment May Be Ethically Superior
CTV News Vancouver examines British Columbia’s new “secure involuntary treatment” model for people with severe mental-health and substance-use disorders. Advocates say it saves lives and upholds dignity by replacing jail with care—though critics warn of potential civil-liberty pitfalls.
Read more → https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/why-bcs-secure-involuntary-treatment-may-be-more-ethical-than-the-status-quo/
Quiet Skies Passenger Program Shut Down
After years of controversy, the TSA quietly ended “Quiet Skies,” its program that tracked the travel patterns of persons of interest. The Wall Street Journal reports that civil-liberties concerns and budget re-prioritization prompted the shutdown.
Read more → https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-administration-shuts-down-quiet-skies-passenger-surveillance-program-8f9fca76
Countering-Unmanned Aircraft Systems
There are two viewings of a 60-minute C-UAS webinar featuring DHS Intelligence & Analysis, DHS C-UAS PMO, Virginia State Police, and Texas DPS. Learn about emerging drone threats, federal constraints, program development, and tips for securing legislative support.
Join here → https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/e443bbba-f3cd-4dc1-b0fb-5d5b2895f49d@3ccde76c-946d-4a12-bb7a-fc9d0842354a
FOP Monthly Update: Officers Shot & Killed
The National Fraternal Order of Police reports that, through May 31, 139 officers have been shot in the line of duty nationwide (down 16% vs. 2024) and 15 were killed (down 31%). There have been 27 ambush-style attacks so far, wounding 34 officers and claiming five lives.
Read more → https://fop.net/2025/06/fop-monthly-update-shot-and-killed-16/
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