Tanya Meisenholder is the Deputy Commissioner of Equity and Inclusion for the New York City Police Department (NYPD). We talk about hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, engaging underrepresented groups within the police service, and what she learned about being "black and blue" in a post-George Floyd world.

#33 (Tanya Meisenholder)

Ed Maguire is a professor of criminology and criminal justice at Arizona State University, where he also serves as director of the Public Safety Innovation Lab. We chat about the challenges involved in policing protests and demonstrations, and balancing an appropriate response in highly dynamic situations. Maguire shares his knowledge and experiences working with police in the US, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, and we discuss demonstrations including the Occupy movement, Black Lives Matter, and the January 6th Capitol riot.

#34 (Ed Maguire)

Katy Barrow-Grint is a Superintendent with the UK's Thames Valley Police. She is currently the Head of Specialist Operations for Thames Valley, running covert policing for the force. We talk about her research on domestic abuse, her work developing an internal evidence-based policing journal, becoming the inaugural Editor in Chief of the College of Policing Publication ‘Going Equipped’, and being a lead on #WeCops, a popular UK policing weekly twitter debate forum.

#36 (Katy Barrow-Grint)

Bill Bratton has been chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, chief of the New York City Transit Police, commissioner of the Boston Police Department, and New York City Police Department commissioner twice. For the last twenty-five years, he has been one of the most high profile police leaders in America. We talk about his career and his new book (written with Peter Knobler) "The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America"

#37 (Bill Bratton)

Dr Ian Stanier was the head of the human intelligence unit at the UK’s National Counter-Terrorism Policing Headquarters. He is now an academic involved in research and training on the recruitment, management and elicitation of information from covert human intelligence sources. We chat about the challenges of informant recruitment and management during the pandemic, and the different motivations that drive source recruitment.

#38 (Ian Stanier)

Charles Ramsey is one of the most revered leaders in American policing. He joined the Chicago Police Department as a cadet in 1968 and rose to lead both the Washington DC Metro police department and the Philadelphia Police Department. He co-chaired President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

The discussion covers 1960s racism in policing, recruitment, leadership, dealing with bad news, working with academics, compassion fatigue, identifying and promoting talent in the department, and mental health of police leadership when facing deaths in the ranks.

#41 (Charles Ramsey)

Shon Barnes is the police chief in Madison, Wisconsin. A new documentary (the 54th mile policing project) follows Chief Barnes and two other black police officers as they undertake a historic civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery Alabama. Jerry Ratcliffe chats with Dr. Barnes about his embracing of education and evidence-based policing, the challenges of working with communities in the post-George Floyd world, and the lessons he took away from his three-day trek across Alabama.

#48 (Shon Barnes)

Jeff Asher is a nationally recognized crime data analyst and co-founder of the data analytics firm AH Datalytics. Jeff spent years as a crime analyst with both the City of New Orleans and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and prior to that he worked on spook street, as an analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency and Department of Defense. Jeff’s analyses have appeared nationally on data journalism website FiveThirtyEight, The New York Times, The Atlantic, and more. Jeff holds a MA from George Washington University and a BA from the University of Texas.  We discuss the spectacular failure that has been the launch of the National Incident-Based Reporting System and how we might be able to fix it.

#54 (Jeff Asher)

In this episode of "Reducing Crime," host Jerry Ratcliffe sits down with criminology legend Ron Clarke to discuss his career and contributions to the field. Clarke is known for his development of situational crime prevention and the rational choice perspective on crime. He emphasizes the importance of practical application in criminology and the need for targeted interventions based on careful analysis of micro-environments associated with crime. Clarke also discusses his frustration with mainstream criminology's lack of focus on practical solutions and the challenges of getting his ideas recognized in academia. Despite this, he was awarded the prestigious Stockholm Prize in Criminology in 2015. Clarke also touches on his collaborations with Derek Cornish and his current work on successful case studies of situational prevention of suicide. Overall, Clarke's work has had a significant impact on crime prevention and has highlighted the importance of considering environmental factors in understanding and preventing crime .

#62 (Ron Clarke)

In this episode of the Reducing Crime Podcast, host Jerry Ratcliffe interviews Detective Superintendent Dave Cowan of Australia's Victoria Police. They discuss Cowan's journey into evidence-based policing (EBP) and the experiments he has conducted, including a focused deterrence trial and a trial using behavioral science to reduce failure to appear at court. They also discuss the importance of rigorous testing and evaluation in policing strategies, the need for better communication and application of research in policing, and the challenges and progress in implementing EBP within police organizations. Cowan emphasizes the importance of leadership, curiosity, and innovation in driving change and improving policing practices.

#64 (Dave Cowan)

In this episode of the Reducing Crime podcast, host Jerry Ratcliffe interviews Martin Bouchard, a professor of criminology at Simon Fraser University, about social network analysis and its application to understanding gangs and organized crime groups. Bouchard explains the concepts of social network analysis, including dyads and brokers, and discusses how police can use this understanding to strategically target and disrupt criminal activity. He also highlights the similarities between gang networks and police corruption networks. Bouchard emphasizes the importance of combining social network analysis with contextual knowledge and intelligence to gain a comprehensive understanding of criminal networks. The episode concludes with a discussion on the role of social and human capital in criminal organizations and the potential for disruption and informant recruitment.

#65 (Martin Bouchard)

In this episode of Reducing Crime, host Jerry Ratcliffe interviews criminologist David Weisburd. They discuss Weisburd's career, his work on hotspots policing and procedural justice, and his advice for young scholars. Weisburd emphasizes the importance of focusing on long-term research questions rather than being swayed by current trends or immediate concerns. He also discusses the misconceptions surrounding hotspots policing, including the assumption that it is solely about heavy-handed policing and the belief that displacement is inevitable. Weisburd highlights the need for more funding and support for policing research, particularly in areas such as training and strategies. He also suggests that community engagement and collaboration are crucial in addressing crime and reducing the burden on the police.

#66 (David Weisburd)

In this episode of the Reducing Crime podcast, host Jerry Ratcliffe interviews Beatriz Magaloni, a professor of international relations and political science at Stanford University. Magaloni discusses her work on community policing with a specific ‘pacifying police unit’ in Brazil's most dangerous favelas, focusing on the different types of control exerted by criminal organizations in these areas. She explains the challenges faced by police in these environments and the importance of understanding the relationships between criminal groups, the community, and collusion with the state … and the police.

#67 (Beatriz Magaloni)

Did you see the movie BlacKkKlansman? If so you will love this episode. Host Jerry Ratcliffe chats with his mate Jim Rose, a former narcotics officer and senior advisor to the US State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Rose was also the real-life white cop in BlacKkKlansman. He discusses his experience infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) as a young undercover officer and his subsequent work in Central America. He also talks about the challenges and successes of implementing intelligence-led policing and community-oriented strategies in countries like El Salvador. Rose emphasizes the importance of proactive leadership and institutionalizing best practices to create safer and more secure communities.

#68 (Jim Rose)

​Alex Piquero, a professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Miami, discusses his career in criminology, including his time as the director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics. He talks about the importance of mentors, the role of universities in challenging and provoking ideas, and the need for academics to engage in public intellectualism. Piquero also discusses challenges he faced in government and the risks around evidence-based advocacy. He concludes with excellent advice for new scholars.

#69 (Alex Piquero)

Jerry Ratcliffe chats with Keith Humphreys, an influential figure in drug policy and a professor at Stanford University. They discuss the dangers of synthetic opioids, the role of academics in advising government, and the differences between drug policies in San Francisco and Portugal. Humphreys emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to drug policy, combining public health and public safety measures. He highlights the need for coercion in certain cases to encourage behavior change and protect communities. The conversation also touches on movies that depict addiction and the drug trade, such as "Trainspotting" and "Layer Cake."

#70 (Keith Humphreys)

Dr. Peter Neyroud, former Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police and director of the Police Executive Programme at Cambridge University, discusses his career in British policing and his involvement in leadership challenges, police firearm use, and training. He highlights the importance of evidence-based policing and the need for clear guidance and policies in areas such as police shootings. He emphasizes the need for a strong evidence base to evaluate interventions and make informed decisions. Peter concludes by discussing the Police Executive Programme at Cambridge University and its role in training current and future police leaders.

#71 (Peter Neyroud)

In this episode, John Mina, the Sheriff of Orange County, Florida, discusses his background in law enforcement, including his time as Chief of Police in Orlando, and his decision to run for Sheriff. He talks about the benefits and challenges of being an elected law enforcement official and the unique role of the Sheriff in American policing. Mina also shares his views on recruitment and retention, the relationship between law enforcement and the media, and the issues facing sheriffs and police chiefs alike, such as recruitment, violent crime, homelessness, mental health, and officer wellness.

#72 (John Mina)

A former police officer and detective, Dr. Cynthia Lum is Distinguished University Professor of Criminology, Law and Society at George Mason University, and directs their Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy. She is an appointed member of the National Academies of Sciences Committee on Law and Justice, an appointed trustee to the Council on Criminal Justice, and a board director for the National Policing Institute. We talk about evidence-based policing, implementing innovation, and how to overcome some of the barriers to progress.

#73 (Cynthia Lum)

Grant Edwards APM, a retired commander from the Australian Federal Police, shares his experiences and struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in this episode. He discusses the cumulative effect of trauma in policing and the importance of mental health management, and emphasizes the need for a mentally safe workplace and a culture that supports vulnerability and open communication. He suggests that organizations should prioritize mental health literacy and provide resources for self-care, such as movement and exercise. Grant also highlights the significance of leadership at all levels in creating a supportive environment for officers.

#74 (Grant Edwards)

In the pilot episode of the Reducing Crime podcast, host Jerry Ratcliffe interviews Police Chief Tom Nestel about ongoing education in policing, innovation, building trust, working in different departments, and evidence-based policing. Nestel discusses his experience in various police departments and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in law enforcement. He also emphasizes the need for effective communication and the use of technology, such as Twitter and body-worn cameras, to connect with the public and improve transparency. Nestel highlights the value of doubt and questioning in evidence-based policing and suggests that police leaders should have exposure to different departments and educational opportunities to enhance their problem-solving skills.

Reducing Crime

#01 (Tom Nestel)

Jerry Ratcliffe interviews Tamara Herold, a researcher who worked on the award-winning PIVOT Project. The PIVOT Project, which stands for Place-Based Investigations of Violent Offender Territories, aimed to understand why violent crime hotspots persist and how to effectively reduce crime in these areas. The project involved investigating the networks of places and offenders in these hotspots and implementing a citywide violence reduction strategy. The project achieved impressive results, with a significant reduction in violence in the targeted locations. The success of the project was attributed to the collaboration between various city departments, the involvement of investigators, and the support of city leaders.

#05 (Tamara Herold)

I catch up with Geoff Alpert, professor of criminal justice at the University of South Carolina, and a stalwart of the policing research field for over 30 years. We discuss how to get research into the hands of police officers, and what are the essential skills for a new policing researcher coming out of a graduate program.

#07 (Geoff Alpert)

John Eck is a professor at the University of Cincinnati and the originator of the SARA model of problem-oriented policing. We discuss his work around investigation management, the nonsense and unreliability of clearance rates, the true value of detective work, the failings of community policing, and what he learned about place management from a cemetery.

#08 (John Eck)

Rob Briner is Professor of Organizational Psychology in the School of Business and Management at Queen Mary University of London. He tells me about the vital role of accountability in pushing evidence-based practice, the appeal of apparent simplicity and good intentions that can trap people in harmful responses, the three words managers can't seem to say, and the idea of watchful waiting.

#11 (Rob Briner)

In this episode of the Reducing Crime podcast, host Jerry Ratcliffe interviews Marcus Felson, a professor of Criminal Justice at Texas State University and the originator of the routine activities approach to crime. Felson discusses the origins and importance of the routine activities theory in crime prevention. He emphasizes the need for simplicity and clarity in criminology research and criticizes mainstream criminologists for their vague and confusing conceptualizations. Felson also discusses the practical applications of his theory, such as the design and management of the nighttime economy and the issue of outsiders camouflaging the crimes of insiders. He encourages students and practitioners to focus on narrow, practical problems and to provide useful advice rather than getting caught up in grand theories and policies.

#16 (Marcus Felson)

In this episode of the Reducing Crime podcast, host Jerry Ratcliffe interviews Professor Lawrence Sherman, director of the Cambridge Centre for Evidence-Based Policing at the University of Cambridge. They discuss executive police education, harm-focused victimization, and the use of algorithms in policing. Professor Sherman also talks about the police constable degree apprenticeship program and the challenges of implementing evidence-based policing in the US. He emphasizes the importance of education and the need to explain the value and legitimacy of using science in policing. Professor Sherman believes that pracademics, individuals who combine practical experience with academic knowledge, can play a crucial role in driving evidence-based policing forward.

#17 (Lawrence Sherman)

Kevin Bethel is a retired Philadelphia Deputy Police Commissioner and now Chief of School Safety for the Philadelphia School District. We chat about the school-to-prison pipeline and his work rethinking the role of police in schools. His diversion program has reduced school arrests by 71 percent.

#24 (Kevin Bethel)

Debra Piehl has been an innovator and leader in the development of crime analysis for over 20 years. We chat about the value of crime analysis to police leaders, the importance of data quality, crime analysis in Compstat and DDACTS, and the emerging role of analysts in evidence-based policing.

#28 (Debra Piehl)

Jennifer Wood is a Professor of Criminal Justice at Temple University, and a criminologist with expertise in policing, regulation and public health. Our discussion covers the role law enforcement plays in the policing of mental health, addition and vulnerability, and the need to provide police with better structures, tools and options to help address these challenges. The detrimental impacts on officer health are also raised.

#32 (Jennifer Wood)

A monthly podcast featuring conversations with influential thinkers in the police service and leading crime and policing researchers working to advance public safety. Often amusing, often enlightening, always informative. Jerry Ratcliffe (professor and former police officer) chats to a range of international guests covering police, policing, crime science, criminology, criminal justice, and public safety policy. Details and transcripts at reducingcrime.com/podcast.

Reducing Crime

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