by Casey J. Bastian
The murder of George Floyd in 2020 resulted in massive Black Lives Matter protests and vigorous calls to defund the police. Politicians across the country seemed to respond to those demands. Budgets were slashed, and cities reduced policing while implementing community-based alternatives. It appears the heat ...
by Casey J. Bastian
Our society is increasingly reliant on data and technology in nearly every sector, both public and private. Law enforcement and public safety institutions are regular consumers of data offerings. Tech companies like Accenture, Microsoft, Oracle, HunchLab, ShotSpotter, and PredPol are maximizing financial opportunities by “improving” policing. ...
by Casey J. Bastian
A recent ad campaign in Charlotte, North Carolina, asks viewers to “Shine a light on drug trafficking.” A new tip line was introduced, purportedly intended to help agents intercept massive drug shipments coming into the Charlotte metro area. People are incentivized to call through promises of ...
by Casey J. Bastian
Police departments across the U.S. have been increasingly reliant on drones for a variety of law enforcement duties. The Huntsville Police Department (“HPD”) in Alabama has seen a 300 percent year-over-year increase in drone usage since 2017. The HPD drone program has been hailed as a ...
by Casey J. Bastian
Many Americans have heard the term “whistleblower.” Someone who is willing to reveal something covert or corrupt or who informs against another. Ostensibly lauded, such people willing to take a principled stand frequently face tremendous retribution from those being exposed. In one profession in particular, being ...
Nobody Knows for Sure
by Casey J. Bastian
If you were asked to identify the exact number of acts that are considered a federal “crime” in the U.S., could you do it? The answer is almost certainly no. No one, not even the federal government itself, knows the answer. Shockingly, ...
by Casey J. Bastian
In modern America, the idea of forensic “science” being infallible has nearly made it a form of religion to many. And our justice systems perpetuate the idea that “expert” witnesses use forensic “science” to “prove” a prosecutor’s criminal allegations. Law enforcement at all levels, including the ...
by Casey J. Bastian
America is the world’s leader in rates of incarceration. This country consists of only 5% of the world’s total population, yet it houses about 25% of the world’s prisoners. As of 2021, there were actively more than 2.1 million people in jails and prisons in the ...
by Casey J. Bastian
Across America, “cover charges” are frequently alleged against citizens during encounters with police—especially when it’s a questionable “use of force” situation. Experts have identified a typical pattern involving this abusive tactic. A police officer will use excessive force, unnecessarily injure that person, and then create a ...
by Casey J. Bastian
Prosecutors are charged with the solemn duty to ensure our criminal justice systems function in an impartial, fair, and faithful manner. To that end, prosecutors are afforded broad discretionary powers concerning the implementation of their sacred duties: who to charge and with what crimes, requesting ...
