How often do law enforcement officers actually use force?

After digging into the data, it turns out violent encounters are incredibly rare.

Over a million 911 calls, only 0.1% involve ANY use of force.

This episode debunks common myths about police use of force, highlighting the gap between public perception and reality. Sean and Jason analyze survey data, media reports, and real-world cases to clarify misconceptions and discuss the impact on law enforcement and community trust.

And just for fun, Sean obliterates the Washington Post “fatal force” database.

This week Sean sat down with his old friend Patrick Kenneally, former states attorney for a county outside Chicago who, as he says, was “mugged by reality” by his wild experiences with the criminal justice system and the radical policies and practices he saw up close - and their deadly outcomes.

This was a highly entertaining episode - Patrick is a great storyteller and we know you'll really enjoy this one.

He discusses the importance of accountability, challenging traditional views on addiction as a disease—and proved that strict enforcement of drug laws saves lives.

Consent decrees: what are they, when did they start—and what has the impact been on law enforcement and crime?

Our guest, Bob Scales breaks down the political, financial, and social ramifications of these agreements and discusses why they often fail to achieve meaningful reform.

Key Topics:

The history and legal background of consent decrees, starting from Rodney King and the 1994 pattern of practice law

How the Obama administration dramatically increased the use of consent decrees and the shift towards monetization and extended enforcement

The political dynamics influencing which police departments are targeted and how investigations are often predetermined

The impact of consent decrees on police morale, costs, and crime rates, supported by city-specific examples like Seattle and Phoenix

The role of activists, attorneys, and political actors in shaping and perpetuating consent decree processes

Case studies of cities like Baltimore, Phoenix, and Memphis that challenged or resisted federal intervention

The pitfalls of relying on consent decrees for police reform versus internal improvements and voluntary change