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Behind The Blue Wall

WPLN News Investigates
Behind the Blue Wall is a WPLN News investigation, produced in partnership with APM Reports, about how law enforcement treat their own. This is not the same story about policing you’ve heard before. In this series, we’re going to tell you about what’s been described as a toxic culture of misconduct and retaliation within the Metro Nashville Police Department. And the disciplinary system that has allowed that culture to thrive.

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The reporting for this investigation began in August 2020, after a former Nashville police officer said 19 current and former department employees had approached her organization, Silent No Longer, with allegations of gender- and race-based discrimination. That number continued to grow, eventually reaching 44. Learn more...

WPLN reporter wins WBUR’s Daniel Schorr Journalism Prize

WPLN Staff

May 5, 2022

WPLN’s criminal justice reporter Samantha Max has received WBUR’s 2021 Daniel Schorr Journalism Prize for her investigation with APM Reports “Behind the Blue Wall: Officers describe a ‘toxic’ culture within Metro Police.”

Filed Under: Behind The Blue Wall, WPLN News

Federal court says Nashville police sergeant can sue over supervisors’ alleged mistreatment

Samantha Max

April 4, 2022

A patrol car in downtown Nashville.

A female Nashville police sergeant has sued the department in federal court for violating her constitutional rights.

Filed Under: Behind The Blue Wall, Criminal Justice, WPLN News Tagged With: lawsuit, Metro Nashville Police Department, MNPD

Nashville police discipline a captain for sexual harassment, but allow him to retire in good standing

Samantha Max

November 8, 2021

Nashville police helped FBI agents search Anthony Warner's home in Antioch.
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A high-ranking Nashville police officer is retiring after facing discipline for alleged sexual harassment. The department learned about the allegation from a local organization that advocates for employees who say they have been mistreated by fellow police.

Filed Under: Behind The Blue Wall, Criminal Justice, WPLN News Tagged With: Metro Nashville Police Department

Former Nashville police captain could face new penalty for viral argument in his backyard

Samantha Max

October 26, 2021

Nashville’s civilian-run police oversight agency says the Metro Nashville Police Department should have punished a now-former captain more harshly after he yelled at a nanny and three children in his backyard last year.

Filed Under: Behind The Blue Wall, Criminal Justice Tagged With: Metro Nashville Police Department

3 Key Takeaways From WPLN News Investigates: Behind The Blue Wall

Samantha Max

September 30, 2021

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WPLN News, in partnership with APM Reports, reviewed thousands of pages of public records and a decade’s worth of disciplinary data from the Metro Nashville Police Department. Reporters also interviewed more than 20 current and former MNPD employees, both sworn and civilian. Here are key takeaways from the investigation.

Filed Under: Behind The Blue Wall, Criminal Justice, Race & Equity, WPLN News Investigates Tagged With: Metro Nashville Police Department

Behind The Blue Wall: Officers Describe A ‘Toxic’ Culture Within Metro Police

Samantha Max

September 29, 2021

Listen

In the past year, WPLN News and APM Reports have reviewed thousands of pages of public records and a decade’s worth of disciplinary data. Reporters have also interviewed more than 20 current and former MNPD employees, who have described a chilling pattern.

Filed Under: Behind The Blue Wall, Criminal Justice, WPLN News Investigates

Coming Wednesday: Behind The Blue Wall

WPLN Staff

September 27, 2021

Listen

This is not the same story about policing you’ve heard before. In this series, we’re going to tell you about what’s been described as a toxic culture of misconduct and retaliation within the Metro Nashville Police Department. And the disciplinary system that has allowed that culture to thrive.

Filed Under: Behind The Blue Wall, WPLN News Investigates

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