Policing

Law Enforcement Officers Keep Arresting Black Women Elected Officials

“Black women’s bodies are a site for state-sponsored violence.”

A growth in Black women’s representation in statehouses and other levels of government in recent years has increased their political power. Black women elected officials often are the ones who challenge policies over issues like police killings, racist monuments and voting restrictions.

It has also led to increasingly visible resistance, with several Black women being arrested or facing criminal charges in the midst of their work in statehouses or in their communities.

When Cops Become Clinic Protesters

Thickening the Thin Blue Line at the Capitol and the Clinic

Last week in Louisville, an armed police officer joined an anti-abortion protest outside of one of only two remaining abortion clinics in Kentucky.

The Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection spurred several investigations into how police cooperated with rioters. It seems on the local level, too, we are in need of such investigations.

When the thin blue line of the police becomes aligned against upholding the law, injustice prevails.

Exclusive Screening of ‘Women in Blue,’ February 4: Gender Equity Is One Way to Reduce Police Violence

Exclusive Screening of 'Women in Blue,' February 4: Gender Equity Is One Way to Reduce Police Violence

With the national conversation around police reform still resonating loudly around the country, documentary film “Women in Blue” shines a spotlight on the women within the Minneapolis Police Department working to reform it from the inside by fighting for gender equity.

Join Ms. for an exclusive screening of “Women in Blue” on Thursday, February 4 at 4:00 p.m PT / 7:00 p.m. ET. Then, stick around after the film for a live Q&A discussion.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown: “Trump Needs to Get His Officers Off the Streets”

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown: "Trump Needs to Get His Officers Off the Streets"

Since their arrival in Portland, the federal officers deployed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have sparked national attention and outrage. The officers, along with the Trump administration, have entirely disregarded the desires of local officials, and have threatened the safety of numerous Portland protesters.

“We don’t have a secret police in this country. This is not a dictatorship” said Gov. Kate Brown (D-Ore.). “And Trump needs to get his officers off the streets.”

Police Leaders Speak Out: “Women in Law Enforcement Must Have a Seat at the Table”

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Police Leaders Speak Out: "Women in Law Enforcement Must Have a Seat at the Table"

Black and brown people are too often killed with impunity by police. Now may be a tipping point and we should not squander this opportunity to make fundamental changes in policing.

The fact is that women in law enforcement respond differently. We are not talking about a few token women—but when gender parity is realized, policing fundamentally changes.

Getting Cops Out of California Schools

17-year-old Stephanie Lopez started advocating at school board meetings for school resource officers (SROs)—armed, district-funded trained police officers—to be replaced with adult hall monitors. By involving staff who would get to know the students instead of giving them citation, Lopez is looking for a more holistic approach to student management.