police

,

Locked Out: How Closed-Door Contract Negotiations Increase Police Spending and Keep Taxpayers in the Dark

,
Locked Out: How Closed-Door Contract Negotiations Increase Police Spending and Keep Taxpayers in the Dark

The Mayor of New York City and union representatives gather periodically to define a new contract for the NYPD. New York City taxpayers are noticeably absent when police contracts are negotiated despite the fact that the police budget is funded entirely through taxpayer dollars. What occurs during contract negotiations is undisclosed to the public, and only the final, ratified contract is available for New Yorkers to examine. Therefore, the public is left blind as to what or how their representatives are negotiating at these closed-door meetings as government representatives make and reject offers without public criticism.

Searching the Virtual Glove Compartment: Police Searches of Connected Cars

Searching the Virtual Glove Compartment: Police Searches of Connected Cars

You have just been pulled over by the police. After you hand the officer your license and registration, the officer notices your baseball cap with a picture of a marihuana leaf. The officer asks if you have been smoking marihuana, and you quickly answer “no.” Nonetheless, the officer places you in handcuffs and searches inside your vehicle. The officer finds no marihuana, so she uses your car’s touchscreen display to access your text messages and call history. The officer finds the following text-message exchange between you and a contact named “Rott”:
- How much did u put in the trunk?
- 850g, you’ll be good for a while
- Got it, thanks

Law Enforcement Requires the Ability to Access Passcode-Protected Smartphones; One Day, Your Safety May Depend On It Too

Law Enforcement Requires the Ability to Access Passcode-Protected Smartphones; One Day, Your Safety May Depend On It Too

The intersection between an individual’s right to privacy and the need for law enforcement to access encrypted data caught national spotlight on December 2, 2015, when a group of co-workers gathered for training at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. Suddenly, a door swung open, and a single masked person wearing all black, and carrying a firearm stepped inside the room. Without a word, he began opening fire. Pandemonium ensued. A second shooter joined the attack, and together they fired over 100 rounds before fleeing in a black SUV, leaving 14 people dead and 22 people injured.