History tends to repeat itself…and police culture is proof. Martin Kaste of NPR covered the ways dominance and control has crept back into some policing mindsets, as well as why a change of this philosophy might serve as a solution to the growing problem. Among those interviewed was David Couper, a retired police chief who remains an active proponent of policing change.

Our anthro-pals over at SavageMinds featured another post relevant to use of force discussions, entitled “Writing to Live: On Finding Strength While Watching Ferguson“. The post was submitted from guest writer, Whitney Battle Baptiste, professor of Anthropology at University of Massachusetts. Dr. Battle Baptiste also works as a historical archaeologist specializing in race, gender and cultural landscapes.

Peter Moskos shared The New York Times’ series of “pretty pictures” depicting the stark drop in Stop and Frisk searches by the NYPD. Originally covered by Mike Bostock and Ford Fessenden, they present resident perceptions of the reported cessation of S&F. They also allude to the potential implications for New York’s violent crime rates.

All you criminologists out there know the city’s where the crime’s at, right? Think again. We shared Nic Groombridge’s blog about the need for an agricultural criminology earlier this month. Nic discusses the growing media coverage of rural crime and how organized criminals are beginning to contribute to the problem. He also won my award for most amusing blog title: “Cereal killers” (…I get it! J)

What can criminal justice bring to anthropology, and vice versa? Anthropoliteia is pleased to welcome our newest regular contributor, Dr. Scott Catey, with his first post “Confinement Surveillance and Control: Renewing Anthropology’s Relationship with Criminal Justice Systems.” Dr. Catey works as a senior program specialist with the National Council on Crime and Delinquency and the National PREA Resource Center. Keep an eye out for his future posts in our Practicum section!

Hopefully you’re busy prepping a proposal for submission to the 75th annual Society for Applied Anthropology meeting, scheduled to take place March 24-28, 2015. If you missed the announcement, check it out here. Guest speakers include (in addition to our own Jennie Simpson) a previously featured Practicum anthropologist, Patricia San Antonio.

Did I miss something? No worries- it does happen on occasion. If you have any suggestions for DragNet, or if you want to call attention to a specific blog or article, send an email to anthropoliteia@gmail.com with the words “DragNet” in the subject header and I’ll get on it!