Ep 18: Retrospective: Chief Kasper’s “Progressive” Policing

The Shoestring co-founder Will Meyer joins hosts Dusty Christensen and Shelby Lee to discuss the legacy of Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper, who officially stepped down from her post last week after 25 years at the Northampton Police Department to take the same job on Nantucket. A Daily Hampshire Gazette retrospective on her career hailed Kasper as a chief who led the department through “trying times” and put forward “a possible blueprint for what a more progressive version of policing might look like.” A look back at The Shoestring’s coverage of the department under her tenure, however, raises questions as to whether the chief’s signature “progressive” approach to policing — decked out in expensive gear and trainings — actually led to better outcomes for the community. Produced in Ático Studios, music by An Archaeologist.

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The Shoestring is an independent local news outlet serving Western Massachusetts. In our podcast Trippin’ on the Shoestring, we discuss recently published articles and happenings about the region.

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