On this week’s episode of the NCJ Preview, news editor Thadeus Greenson discusses his cover story “The Battle Over Bear River,” which touches on a power struggle over tribal policing authority that derailed officer Josh Bates’ career. And arts and features editor Jennifer Fumiko Cahill talks about her story “The Ivanhoe’s Next Chapter,” which highlights a […]
law enforcement
Posted inNews
NCJ’s Greenson Wins Free Speech and Open Government Award
The First Amendment Coalition has announced its Free Speech and Open Government Award winners for 2023, honoring the work of the Journal‘s own News Editor Thadeus Greenson alongside journalists at The New York Times, Bloomberg and MuckRock. The annual award recognizes “outstanding contributions to the advancement of free expression or the people’s right to know […]
Posted inNews
New Police Accountability Laws Up Demands on State Agencies
California Department of Justice agents realized they were short-handed just hours after a Los Angeles police officer shot and killed an unarmed man on Hollywood Boulevard. A 911 caller told police the man was threatening people on the morning of July 15, 2021, waving what appeared to be a pistol in a busy tourist pocket. […]
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Police and Prison Guard Misconduct and Bias: Audit Asks State to Step In
Police departments and state prisons aren’t doing enough to identify and punish bias among their officers and the state should do more to combat the problem, a state audit found. The audit, released this morning, recommended that the state Justice Department more regularly investigate how local police departments and sheriff’’s offices handle such alleged incidents, […]
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Watson to Step Down as Eureka Police Chief
Eureka Police Chief Steve Watson announced his sudden retirement today. He will leave the post at the end of November after serving for four years. In a city announcement, Watson says the decision comes with a “feeling of bittersweet peace” as he move onto a new chapter in life after 24 years in law enforcement, […]
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NCJ Daily: Law Enforcement Staffing, the Symphony’s Return and Candy Corn Hate
This week, we’re talking about the trouble local law enforcement agencies are having filling their ranks and keeping cops on board. We’ll sort through the myriad reasons and theories for the hiring challenges. Also, it’s been a long time since Setlist columnist Collin Yeo hit a live performance. His story this week both reviews the […]
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NCJ Preview: Otters, Police Transparency and Blackberry Mania
This week we’re talking about the North Coast Otter Art Initiative and the beautiful painted sculptures created by local artists to raise money for otter research. We defy you to scroll through the offerings without smiling. We’re also looking at the importance of de-escalation how a new law makes it possible to gain access to […]
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Robbery at Bayshore Mall
The Eureka Police Department is looking for two white male adults and a woman in a white 2003 Chevy Tahoe after a robbery at the Bayshore Mall around 2 p.m. The vehicle reportedly headed south on Broadway after the robbery. One of the suspects had a knife and the other may have a firearm, according […]
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McGuire Introduces Bill to Protect Press Covering Demonstrations
North Coast state Sen. Mike McGuire has introduced legislation to protect members of the media covering protests and marches, citing instances of journalists being injured or detained during recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations. SB 629 would make it a misdemeanor for law enforcement to intentionally obstruct, detain, assault or otherwise prevent the press from covering […]
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College of the Redwoods to Review Basic Law Enforcement Academy Curriculum
College of the Redwoods is establishing a committee, the Basic Law Enforcement Academy Advisory Committee, that will enhance its ability to train future law enforcement officers that reflects the culture of equity and inclusion and is inviting residents to become committee members. “We are going to start by bringing key constituent groups together to review […]
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NCJ Preview: Casinos, COVID-19 and Carotid Holds
Casinos on sovereign Native land in Humboldt County are reopening ahead of state and county shelter in place regulations. This week, we’re talking about why some employees aren’t convinced it’s safe yet for them or patrons to return to the slots and tables. Also, civilian oversight and banning carotid “chokeholds” are recurring topics around police […]
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Recruitment and Retention
Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal says he became more concerned about his office’s already pressed recruitment and retention efforts when he heard that Mendocino County supervisors were giving their deputies a significant raise. Not that he begrudged the nearly 30-percent increase Mendocino’s deputies will be receiving over three years under a new contract approved in […]