Joanna Putman

4 weeks ago | police1.com | Joanna Putman

OAK BROOK, Ill. – Police in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook will soon begin using drones as first responders to 911 calls, marking one of the first programs of its kind in Illinois, CBS News Chicago reported. The initiative is set to launch at the end of April and aims to improve response times, officer safety and the ability to gather evidence during emergencies, according to the report. The drones, deployed from the police station roof, can travel up to 50 mph at 400 feet in elevation.

4 weeks ago | police1.com | Joanna Putman

ALLIANCE, Ohio – A 41-year-old man with a lengthy criminal history was arrested for the 29th time following a high-speed pursuit that spanned four counties and reached speeds of 105 mph, WOIO reported. The man was taken into custody on March 22 after leading officers on a pursuit while throwing objects — including a tire iron and a bottle of chocolate milk — at police cruisers in an attempt to force them off the road, according to the report.

4 weeks ago | police1.com | Joanna Putman

LAWRENCE, Ind. – Newly released bodycam, dashcam and public safety footage show a pursuit where multiple shots were fired at officers, prompting them to return fire, FOX 59 reported. The Dec. 30 incident began when a Lawrence Police Department (LPD) officer attempted a traffic stop in a strip mall parking lot, according to the report. A woman can be seen exiting the passenger seat, but the driver fled the scene.

1 month ago | police1.com | Joanna Putman

RIO RANCHO, N.M. – A Rio Rancho police cruiser fell into a sinkhole after a water main broke, the department shared on Facebook. The officer driving the vehicle was not injured but ended up wet and muddy, according to the post. A photo shared by the department shows workers starting the process of removing the cruiser, which appears to have sunk about three to four feet deep into the hole.

1 month ago | police1.com | Joanna Putman

CULPEPER COUNTY, Va. — Former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins was sentenced on March 21 to 10 years in federal prison for accepting over $75,000 in bribes as part of a “cash-for-badges” scheme, WTOP reported. Jenkins, 53, was convicted in December 2024 on multiple counts, including conspiracy, honest services fraud and bribery related to federally funded programs, according to the report.