Internet Explorer 11 is not supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

Police Chiefs Pledge Cultural Shift in Policing

Dozens of police chiefs meeting in Chicago this week said a notorious fatal police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri in August had been a defining moment for law enforcement and pledged greater transparency over such incidents.

Dozens of police chiefs meeting in Chicago this week said a notorious fatal police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri in August had been a defining moment for law enforcement and pledged greater transparency over such incidents.

 

Speaking to Reuters in a group interview, the heads of police of Dallas, Chicago, Austin, Houston, Elk Grove, California, Boston, and Toronto, Canada said that every police shooting since Ferguson has been followed by protests.

 

They said they had agreed to quickly release details of such shootings, including names of officers involved, in jurisdictions where it is legal to do so.

 

The Chicago gathering was the first since Ferguson of the Police Executive Research Forum, a policing issues think tank that brings police chiefs together to discuss best practices.

 

"Information is moving so quickly that the void will be filled in with rumor if you are not willing or able to put out as much fact as you know about the incident," said Dallas Police Chief David Brown.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
Special Projects