Law Enforcement
Texas lawmakers want to spend millions on Child ID kits. Experts say there’s no evidence they work.
Texas legislators slipped millions for child ID kits into a 1,000-page budget proposal. The move comes two years after they quietly cut funding for such kits following a ProPublica and Texas Tribune report that showed there’s no evidence they work.
Tech companies partner to help agencies cut through digital evidence backlogs
A new initiative aims to address workforce shortages among law enforcement agencies that impact their ability to efficiently manage digital evidence like body camera footage.
Survey: Law enforcement surveillance technology is rapidly progressing, but AI raises concerns
A recent survey has found that as artificial intelligence tools are developed, law enforcement and local officials in Michigan are raising concerns over privacy and accuracy.
The New York State Police are feeding ICE a gang database
For 20 years, the state police have been quietly building a database of suspected gang members — and they’re feeding it to Donald Trump’s administration.
Lawmaker seeks to establish guardrails, ‘some accountability’ around artificial intelligence
The proposed bill would also prohibit law enforcement from using AI to generate police reports or teachers from using software to create lesson plans.
Deepfakes, policing, mental health and more: Lawmakers look to further regulate AI
Utah lawmakers passed a number of artificial intelligence laws in 2025 that regulate chatbots, deepfakes, mental health services and more.
Arizona police procedures exposed in massive policy database hack
Some agencies said they were unconcerned with the breach since the final documents are already publicly available.
Facial recognition in policing is getting state-by-state guardrails
Instances of false arrests and privacy concerns are drawing lawmakers’ attention.
How emerging tech is shaping law enforcement
Sensors and analytics are helping under-resourced departments be more effective. But agencies must do their due diligence when adopting these new systems.
Slow approach to law enforcement AI could combat errors and bias, experts say
Several police agencies across the U.S. are tapping AI to help draft police reports, but a new white paper from the American Civil Liberties Union points to the risks of its rapid adoption.
How a new database in New Mexico aims to de-escalate police encounters
The state’s Nontraditional Communication Registry helps inform police officers of conditions or disabilities that may impact someone’s ability to interact with law enforcement.
Featured eBooks
What’s in store for public safety tech in 2025
In the coming year, artificial intelligence and other tech solutions will be key for understaffed law enforcement agencies looking to keep their communities safe.
A proposed bill looks to protect reproductive health data privacy
Michigan lawmakers will consider legislation that would prohibit the collecting or processing of an individual’s reproductive health data without obtaining their informed consent.
What has been learned about civilian oversight of law enforcement
It’s been four years since the murder of George Floyd, and while political tensions have thrown up obstacles to the approach, the experience of some cities and counties indicates it can help heal sour relations.
Survey: Americans think cities can't arrest their way out of the homelessness crisis
Supportive services and more government action is needed to reduce and prevent homelessness, according to a recent public opinion poll.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams charged with bribery, fraud, soliciting foreign campaign donations
Eric Adams is the first New York City mayor to be indicted while in office.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams indicted on federal criminal charges
The indictment against the mayor is expected to be unsealed today.
‘License plate flippers’ help drivers evade police, tickets and tolls
A few states and cities are cracking down on the devices, which obscure or conceal license plates.
Cities are increasingly embracing violence interventions programs to control deadly violence
Initial research indicates the approach is working—saving lives and money. But supporters admit more analysis is needed.
A hollow victory in fight to bring transparency to cops’ use of facial recognition technology
Police used facial recognition software to go ‘window-shopping for a suspect,’ says a New Jersey man arrested after facial recognition software found his image matched the suspect in video footage of a robbery.
Louisiana's First Amendment 'buffer zone' wipes out police accountability
COMMENTARY | A state law, which took effect on Aug. 1, 2024, makes it a misdemeanor for anyone to be within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer who orders them back.
