logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2020
23m 16s

The Systems That Protect the Police

The New York Times
About this episode

The Minneapolis police officer whose tactics led to George Floyd’s death had a long record of complaints against him. So why was he still on patrol? Guest: Shaila Dewan, a national reporter covering criminal justice for The New York Times. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily

Background reading:

  • Efforts to hold problem officers accountable often face resistance from unions, and juries are reluctant to second-guess police decisions.
  • Violence escalated overnight in protests across the country, with police officers under fire in St. Louis and Las Vegas. Here are the latest updates.
Up next
Yesterday
‘Modern Love’: Bridget Everett Says A Best Friend Can Be Your Greatest Love
Stories of romantic love are everywhere, but the actor, singer and comedian Bridget Everett says that friendships deserve our attention, too. Onscreen and in everyday life.Last Fall, Everett appeared on Modern Love to talk about her HBO Original series “Somebody Somewhere,” which ... Show More
38m 49s
Aug 23
'The Interview': Jen Hatmaker's Life Exploded in Middle Age. So She Built a Better One.
The former evangelical star on waking up halfway through her life. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 
45m 43s
Aug 22
California Strikes Back at Texas’ Power Grab
Texas is about to gerrymander five new house seats, and California is ready to retaliate. Gov. Gavin Newsom says that his state will also redraw its congressional maps to create five new districts, effectively fighting fire with fire.Laurel Rosenhall, who covers California’s gove ... Show More
28m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2020
George Floyd protests: 'I can't breathe'
Protests and riots have been sparked across the US by the killing of George Floyd. Floyd, an unarmed black man, was filmed dying as a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes while he was handcuffed and pinned down in the road. Today we bring you stories fro ... Show More
27m 39s
Feb 2023
Life After the Traffic Stop
What is it like to survive a violent police encounter? As the world processes the beating and death of Tyre Nichols, we hear from two men whose encounters with police changed their lives: Leon Ford is an author, speaker, and co-founder of The Hear Foundation. He was shot by Pitts ... Show More
26m 15s
Mar 2023
The woman who investigated the racist, sexist and homophobic Met Police
London’s Metropolitan Police has accepted findings from a landmark report that found racist, sexist and homophobic behaviour inside the UK’s largest police force. Baroness Louise Casey, who led the review, has been speaking with The Times about how she investigated New Scotland Y ... Show More
34m 59s
Mar 2023
Cities Test A New Way To Reduce Police Violence
Traffic stops are the most common way people come into contact with the police. After the January death of Tyre Nichols, who was beaten following a police stop in Memphis, some cities are trying to limit how often these stops occur. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and th ... Show More
25m 44s
Jun 2023
Checks and Balance: Minneapolice
There have been lots of attempts at improving American police since George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis cop three years ago. Reform-minded activists argue that any changes are cosmetic. Many cops think that reforms have been too sweeping. What has really happened to Americ ... Show More
46m 43s
Feb 2023
Extra: What Life Is Like For A Police Officer In 2023
Being in law enforcement was never been easy.But over the last few years, police departments across the country have been under increased scrutiny, as a slew of high-profile incidents has sparked fiery debates over police reform and funding.Authors James Patterson and retired ser ... Show More
17m 35s
May 2021
How NYPD ‘Kettled’ the Spirit of Reform
New Yorkers reacted to George Floyd’s murder with mass protests demanding police accountability. NYPD met them with targeted violence and abuse. On June 4, 2020, a few hundred people gathered in the South Bronx neighborhood of Mott Haven to protest the murder of George Floyd. The ... Show More
48m 35s
May 2021
After Nearly A Year, California’s New AG Will Investigate Vallejo Police Killing of Sean Monterrosa
It’s almost been a year since Vallejo police officer Jarrett Tonn shot and killed Sean Monterrosa on June 2, as protests against police violence were happening nationwide.Last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced his office would review the investigation. Monterr ... Show More
16m 22s