California Study: black youth injured during police encounters at greater rates than others: police officer holding nightstick against neck of Black youth during arrest

California Study: Blacks were 19% of youth injured during police encounters; their injury risks were as much as 6.7 times higher than that of whites

A University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health analyzed 13 years’ worth of hospital records for almost 16,000 patients aged 19 and younger, starting roughly in 2013. Black girls in those reports were injured more often than any group other than Black boys. Whites had the lowest injury rates among all races of youth, according to the analysis, published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association’s JAMA Pediatrics.

police brutality: Man of color holds sign that says stop police brutality. Adhesive tape covers his lips. Red and blue smoke in background

Opinion: Police Were Enemies Of Homeboys In California Town

In the city where I grew up, police brutality was an issue rarely discussed because it was common, something that often happened to my closest friends and me. Parlier, California, is a poverty-stricken Hispanic community. In this small town, gang violence was a common occurrence and police encounters were a must. 

It was well understood early on that the local police department was the enemy. The homeboys often experienced police brutality. We all shared information concerning some police officers we especially disliked. 

An incident I still remember happened at the local high school.

police: 2 lines of police facing right holding batons

Militarization of Police Must Be Changed to Guardian Training

I have been researching and teaching about crime and justice for more than 40 years. My work has focused on the importance of race and social class in understanding the issues that people face in these systems. Within this broad area of concern is the relationship between the police and communities of color, especially Black communities. The use and abuse of force has been a constant throughout the history of this relationship. This was on full display when a video was released of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25. Atrocities such as this one have been a regular occurrence in Black communities since there were organized police forces.

man with bicycle, in the rain, rain coat, young man on stool, small hut with signs.

Citing New Laws, NYPD, Police Unions Tell Officers to Exercise Caution When Making Arrests

UPDATE: The original Instagram video was taken down. The updated video linked below is to a news story of the June 30, 2020, protest. Watch video below

NEW YORK — After a slew of new laws were passed in the last month aimed at reining in aggressive policing tactics, police unions in New York City are now instructing officers to wait for a supervisor or call in a specialized unit if someone is resisting arrest. In a July 1 newsletter sent to NYPD officers, the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) instructed officers to wait, saying that officers' jobs have “changed radically over the past few weeks,” citing new laws. Frustrated by an apparent lack of guidance from the city on how officers should comply, the PBA is now demanding clear legal interpretations of how officers can comply with the new laws.

Cop Who Killed Bronx Teen Could Keep Badge Even If Found Guilty

The New York Police Department officer who fatally shot 18-year-old Ramarley Graham could keep his job even if a department disciplinary trial ends with a guilty verdict. A ruling is expected within 90 days.
Department discipline is likely the last recourse against Haste after two local grand juries and a federal investigation declined to criminally charge him.

Ramarley Graham’s Family Continues to Demand New York Police Be Punished

Ramarley Graham’s family and supporters commemorated the fourth anniversary of his death in downtown Manhattan with a candlelight vigil and rally in front of City Hall.

The 18-year-old unarmed black man died after police officers burst into his Bronx home without a warrant and fatally shot him.