Major cities are making fewer than half the traffic stops they did before the start of the pandemic, The New York Times reports. Their analysis suggests police may be reassessing traffic stops that can lead to racially biased and even fatal encounters between officers and community members. According to CPE’s Policy Director, Scarlet Neath: Communities should also reconsider if they really need someone with a gun and a background in detecting crime to fill out speeding tickets, said Scarlet Neath, the policy director at the Center for Policing Equity.  “It is estimated that 7 to 10 percent of all police encounters involve a person who has a mental illness. Most of these encounters do not involve any violence, and some don’t involve a crime at all,” according to information released by the organization. “People with mental illness are no more likely than anyone else to act violently. Despite this, police

Sonya Massey’s family spoke to the media following the release of police officer body-worn camera footage weeks after her murder on July 7. During the press conference, the family’s attorney, Ben Crump, pointed out that Ms. Massey struggled with mental health issues. “She was dealing with some issues and she needed a helping hand,” Mr. Crump said. CPE data is cited regarding officer interactions with people experience a mental health emergency:

The Daily Item reports that a Pennsylvania state grant will fund a mental health position at the Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department. The goal of the $277,000 reinvestment fund is to avoid sending a person experiencing a mental health emergency to a county jail. This is especially significant given the number of encounters that occur between police officers and people suffering from a mental illness, as detailed in cited CPE report.

As part of their preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) sent a group of officers to this year’s Paris Games. According to The LA Times, LAPD worked with the French government to temporarily allow 32 officers to carry guns while providing a largely ceremonial presence. CPE Law Enforcement Strategy Consultant Chris Burbank spoke about his experience with security preparations for the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002, additional considerations at the time, and the Games lasting impacting on SLC’s police force.