PERF In The News

It's one of the U.S. Border Patrol's most controversial practices: shooting at migrants and suspected drug runners who throw rocks and other objects at agents. Many law enforcement experts say the best option is to take cover or move elsewhere, rather than use lethal force. PERF, hired last year by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to review the Border Patrol's practices, recommended restraint when agents encounter rock throwers who don't pose an imminent threat of serious injury or death. But when the DHS inspector general released a report in September on the Border Patrol's use of force, officials blacked out that call for holding back in such incidents, among other recommendations.

The Chattanoogan, January 14, 2014

Berke administration chooses PERF to help decide next police chief (Chattanooga, TN)

Boston Globe, November 19, 2013

Editorial: GPS tools in cruisers are part of 21st-century policing

The Day, November 8, 2013

Study: Groton should consolidate some police services (CT)

Kansas City Star, September 5, 2013

Op-Ed by Sam Dotson, Darryl Forte, and Chuck Wexler: Missouri gun law would force police to arrest federal agents

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 4, 2013

Op-Ed by Sam Dotson, Darryl Forte, and Chuck Wexler: Local/federal partnerships work in reducing gun violence

The Missouri Legislature is receiving national attention for passing a law that would make it a state crime for the FBI, ATF and other agencies to do their job of enforcing federal gun laws in Missouri. The outcome of this absurd legislation is that our communities will be less safe if criminals are not prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

TLV1 Radio, August 29, 2013

Reasonable Doubt, Hosted by Ben Hartman

In this program, Ben Hartman interviews Chuck Wexler about the recent announcement that Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, and American police chiefs began a series of meetings in 2012 to discuss policing issues of joint concern. The interview begins at the 11:35 minute mark and continues to 20:00.

CBS News, August 21, 2013

Video: Middle East police heads meet in effort to strengthen law in region

Washington Post, August 21, 2013

Israeli, Palestinian police may form joint patrols

Israeli and Palestinian police officers could soon find themselves on joint patrols in search of reckless drivers and other criminals if plans revealed Wednesday by the chief commissioners of both forces are endorsed by their leadership. The two most senior officers of both police forces, alongside their Jordanian counterpart, revealed that they have been meeting secretly over the past year and a half under the auspices of the Police Executive Research Forum, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization.

USA TODAY, June 11, 2013

Eyewitness rules ignored, wrongful convictions result

More than four out of five police agencies in the U.S. have no written policies for handling eyewitness identifications despite long-standing federal guidelines, according to a report obtained by USA TODAY. The report, which was produced for the Justice Department's research arm by the Police Executive Research Forum, is the first national assessment of eyewitness identification standards.

Las Cruces Sun-News, May 13, 2013

Independent review of Las Cruces Police Department standards is favorable

Manassas Patch, May 8, 2013

Former Prince William County Police Chief Charlie Deane receives leadership award

Fort Worth Star-Telegram, May 6, 2013

Arlington Police Chief Will Johnson honored by Police Executive Research Forum

New York Times, April 6, 2013

In shift, police advise taking an active role to counter mass attacks

The speed and deadliness of mass shootings have prompted police departments to recommend fleeing, hiding or fighting in the event of a mass attack, instead of remaining passive and waiting for help. In an analysis of 84 such shootings, researchers at Texas State University found that the average time it took for the police to respond was three minutes. "But about half the attacks are over before the police get there, even when they arrive quickly," said J. Pete Blair, an author of the research. In the absence of a police presence, how victims responded often made the difference between life and death, Dr. Blair said.

Chicago Sun-Times, April 6, 2013

Chicago Police program protects kids targeted with gang violence

A little-noticed unit of the Chicago Police Department, the Gang School Safety Team, works to identify youths whose lives may be in danger because they witnessed gang murders or for other reasons. Over the past three years, at the team's recommendation, about 60 students have been transferred to other schools for their protection. Most are sent to another public school in Chicago. Some head to the suburbs. Others need to move out of state.

Corpus Christi Caller Times, February 23, 2013

Corpus Christi Police Department highlighted for doing more with less

USA TODAY, February 18, 2013

Authorities' new advice to schools: Confront shooter

Law enforcement authorities are increasingly advising school officials - and even young students - to physically confront suspects in future campus attacks as a final line of defense. "These incidents are becoming a fact of life," University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Chief Susan Riseling told a [PERF] meeting of law enforcement colleagues in Washington. "If there is no other option, take the shooter out." Prof. Pete Blair of Texas State University said that in many cases, potential victims "have no choice" but to defend themselves. In a study of 84 active shooter incidents between 2000 and 2012, Blair said that in 16 incidents, victims stopped the attack before police arrived, either by subduing the attacker - 13 cases - or shooting the attacker in three cases.

New York Times, February 1, 2013

Editorial: Myths about gun regulation

USA TODAY, November 15, 2012

More law enforcement agencies require body armor

A rising number of law enforcement officers are required to wear body armor, according to a new study conducted by PERF for the National Institute of Justice. Ninety-two percent of officers reported that their agencies now have mandatory body armor policies, up from 59% in a similar 2009 survey. The report comes as firearm-related police fatalities have declined 34% so far this year, compared with the same period last year.

Austin American-Statesman, July 5, 2012

Study calls for hiring 250 police personnel over next five years (Austin, TX)

The Guardian, June 25, 2012

Arizona police sound alarm after court justices uphold immigration checks

Memphis Commercial Appeal, June 20, 2012

Editorial: Footing the bill for full service (Memphis)

USA TODAY, April 29, 2012

Domestic violence rises in sluggish economy, police report

New York Times, April 27, 2012

Fewer illegal immigration stopped for traffic violations will face departation

New York Times, April 27, 2012

Police chiefs focus on disparities in gun violence, with an eye toward solutions

New York Times, December 17, 2011

Patrick V. Murphy, police leader who reformed New York force, dies at 91

The Crime Report, November 30, 2011

Police vs. Occupy Wall Street: Special Report

The Boston Phoenix, November 26, 2011

A PERF-ect Storm

New York Times, November 19, 2011

Op-Ed: Confusing sex and rape

San Jose Mercury News, November 15, 2011

Under seige from coast to coast, Occupy camps now losing battles in court

U.S. Department of Justice, November 9, 2011

Justice Department research shows that school-level interventions reduce dating violence by up to 50 percent

Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 24, 2011

Cleveland asks for a review of police policy on use of force

Baltimore Sun, October 18, 2011

FBI committee moves to update rape definition

New York Times, September 28, 2011

Rape definition too narrow, critics say

Thousands of sexual assaults are not reflected in the UCR system because it uses an archaic definition of rape that is narrower than the definitions used by most police departments, according to police chiefs and other experts who discussed the definition and other sexual assault-related issues at a PERF conference in Washington last Friday. UCR Unit Chief Greg Scarbro told participants at the PERF meeting that the FBI agrees the definition should be revised and that an FBI subcommittee will take up the issue on Oct. 18. "Our goal will be to leave that meeting with a [new] definition and a mechanism," Mr. Scarbro said. But he noted that law enforcement agencies would have to support any change.

New York Times, September 15, 2011

Deportation program sows mistrust, U.S. is told

Note: PERF members Charles Ramsey, Douglas Gillespie, Lupe Valdez, and Roberto Villasenor and PERF Executive Director Chuck Wexler served on the Task Force that is the subject of this article.

Lorain Morning Journal, September 1, 2011

Lorain Police Department to get technology study (OH)

New York Times, August 25, 2011

Meant to ease fears of deportation program, federal hearings draw anger

Journal & Topics Newspapers, August 14, 2011

Mt. Prospect, IL police officers complete executive training

Corpus Christi Caller Times, July 22, 2011

Police command staff receives three-day training from national police experts

Albuquerque Weekly Alibi, June 30, 2011

Law enforcement think tank weighs in on APD's shootings

Seattle Times, April 29, 2011

Urban police chiefs in Seattle with agenda of building community trust

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