Joanna Putman

Associate Editor

Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, Joanna holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she brings a personal perspective to their work, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at jkeen@lexipol.com.

LATEST ARTICLES

Command Staff - Chiefs / Sheriffs

After wave of departures from Ga. PD, chief resigns, alleging retaliation, harassment

Casey Chastain wrote that he was “insulted, lied to, lied about and harassed” by the city manager; a resigning sergeant cited “micromanagement” and a “witch hunt”

October 07, 2026 12:49 PM

Joanna Putman

Body Camera

‘Somebody’s gonna die tonight': Man fires round at Idaho officers before fatal OIS

“I’m going to come up there ... and I’m going to shoot you,” the man can be heard telling Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies

October 07, 2026 11:59 AM

Joanna Putman

Body Camera

Judge dismisses suit against Wis. officers in 2022 shooting of armed suspect who fled traffic stop

Video shows the suspect dropped a gun when he fell while running from officers, then picked it up before they fired; the judge ruled the shooting was objectively reasonable

October 06, 2026 12:36 PM

Joanna Putman

Officer Misconduct / Internal Affairs

Mo. officer who says she meant to use TASER agrees to license probation 7 years after shooting

Former Ladue Police officer Julia Crews has maintained that she believed she had her TASER in her hand when she fired a shot into the back of a fleeing shoplifting suspect

October 06, 2026 11:14 AM

Joanna Putman

Officer Down

Wis. trooper dies after falling from bridge overpass during pursuit

Trooper Brad Ritger, 29, fell from the elevated bridge as he worked to deploy spike strips to stop a fleeing driver

October 05, 2026 10:35 AM

Joanna Putman

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Community Policing

Wis. PD offers free doorbell cameras for residents

The grant-funded South Milwaukee Police program aims to deter crime in the community and produce more evidence for police investigations

October 02, 2026 02:02 PM

Joanna Putman

Police Union

City officials: Seattle Police Department overpaid $13M due to payroll error

The discrepancy occurred as the city tried to provide back pay to officers following a retroactive wage negotiation by the Seattle Police Officers Guild

October 02, 2026 11:23 AM

Joanna Putman

Arrests and Sentencing

Ex-Texas officer sentenced to 5 years after pleading guilty to 100 counts related to ALPR misuse

An investigation into the former Lufkin Police officer’s use of the department’s ALPR system and other databases found at least 25,000 misuses of official information

October 02, 2026 11:08 AM

Joanna Putman

Officer Safety

Suspect arrested after shooting Texas deputy, stealing cruiser

The suspect is accused of shooting a Harris County deputy in the lower body area and stealing his patrol car before going into hiding in a backyard shed

October 01, 2026 05:25 PM

Joanna Putman

Officer Misconduct / Internal Affairs

Ind. sheriff moves to fire SWAT corporal, former sheriff’s son over alleged inappropriate comments

The Allen County Sheriff’s corporal is accused of encouraging SWAT team members to sign up for a more dangerous shift to “get into a shooting” and “get some time off”

October 01, 2026 07:19 AM

Joanna Putman