Interviews with social scientists and criminologists who are doing cutting-edge research on police practices and behavior and how they affect the community.
Although there are approximately 1.3 million private security guards in the U.S., we know very little about who they are or how they work. Along comes Duke Law Professor Ben Grunwald, with a new empirical study of private security guards in Florida. In a nutshell, Grunwald finds that private security guards are more diverse but less well-trained than their public-sector law enforcement counterparts. He discusses cross-employment between the two work forces, the backgrounds of private security guards, and how the states do or do not regulate them. Don't miss it!
30 Jul 2026
Can Nonprofits Reduce Violent Crime?
The answer, according to Patrick Sharkey, Professor of Sociology at Princeton University, is unequivocally yes! Sharkey's rigorous research shows that local nonprofits, including job-focused and drug-focused organizations, have significantly reduced violent crime in many U.S. communities. He cites the East Lake neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia as a vivid example of what nonprofits can accomplish. Sharkey also reflects on the relative roles of nonprofits and traditional law enforcement agencies.
28 May 2026
The Problem with Sheriffs
Unlike local police chiefs, local sheriffs are popularly elected. In theory, that makes them accountable to the voters. In practice, their accountability is quite limited. For example, the incumbency advantage of sitting sheriffs in local elections is enormous. Mirya Holman, Professor of Public Affairs at the University of Houston and co-author (with Emily Farris) of The Power of the Badge, discovered through two national surveys just how unrepresentative local sheriffs are. She discusses why that matters. Unrepresentative sheriffs have attitudes that significantly affect local law enforcement policies on domestic violence, racial bias, and immigration detention.
Who has been a guest on Profs on Cops
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jin Lee
Roman Rivera
Jens Ludwig
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100
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26
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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