Investigations Archive
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Featured Investigations
Municipal governments are eliminating officer positions, freezing hiring, and slashing equipment budgets — all without ever using the word 'defund.' We tracked the numbers across 38 departments.
Read Full ReportWhen departments lose officers to budget cuts, response times surge and officer safety deteriorates. This report documents the human cost of political budget decisions.
Read Full Report6 investigations found
Municipal governments are eliminating officer positions, freezing hiring, and slashing equipment budgets — all without ever using the word 'defund.' We tracked the numbers across 38 departments.
Read ReportWhen departments lose officers to budget cuts, response times surge and officer safety deteriorates. This report documents the human cost of political budget decisions.
Read ReportFrom outdated vehicles to deferred body camera programs, budget freezes are leaving officers without the tools they need — and the public without the protection they deserve.
Read ReportUnderfunded pension obligations are being used as a pretext to cut current officer compensation and benefits, creating a retention crisis that compounds the staffing shortage.
Read ReportDepartments that cannot fill vacancies are effectively shrinking without a single vote. We map the cities where hiring freezes have persisted for two or more years.
Read ReportBudget cuts to training programs leave officers less prepared and more vulnerable — and expose cities to greater liability. The data shows a troubling trend.
Read ReportKnow Something We Don't?
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