Special: Santa Cruz City Mayor Justin Cummings and Dr. Ginger Charles

Policing in Santa Cruz

The Current State of Policing

We need police reform now and people are feeling that.

Dr. Ginger Charles talks about why protests have steadily become more violent.

The Shortcomings In Our Police Organizations

Police are not properly trained.

Dr. Ginger Charles talks about the shortcomings of the police department. How large numbers of police officers are using excessive violence.

Police becoming a Business

Police are not properly trained.

Dr. Ginger Charles talks about how police departments are becoming run like a business. Using computer data to drive change unsuccessfully.

Full Podcast

Dr. Ginger Charles returns to the show to speak with Santa Cruz City Mayor Justin Cummings on policing in Santa Cruz.

Mayor Justin Cummings has a background in evolutionary biology and ecology, having earned his Ph.D. and completed a post-doc program before becoming Mayor. He has earned the trust of his community and is actively reaching out to figure out what should be done to bring positive change to the city.

Dr. Ginger Charles is a former police sergeant, on the force for 27 years, and is currently the department chair and instructor of criminal Justice at Cabrillo College. Dr. Charles focuses her research efforts on the health and behavior of police officers.