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

Ga. arts college awards PD $900K for public safety technology in grant program

Police Grant Center

Ga. college awards PD $900K for public safety technology in grant program

The grant, part of the SCAD SERVE Community Fund, will be used for public safety technology upgrades for the Savannah Police Department

March 21, 2025 05:12 PM

Joanna Putman

Officer-Involved Shootings

BWC: Man toting gun in front of middle school points it at Ga. officer before OIS

“[The suspect] made a statement to [the deputy] that indicated his intent for this encounter to escalate in the manner that it did,” the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office stated

March 21, 2025 12:54 PM

Joanna Putman

gavel at Statehouse in Des Moines Iowa_AP Photo_Charlie Neibergall.jpg

Legal

Former Mass. homicide detective awarded $127K in suit alleging retaliation

Macaila Saunders alleged a New Bedford PD deputy assistant chief created a hostile environment and retaliated against her when she reported the discrimination

March 21, 2025 12:26 PM

Joanna Putman

Command Staff - Chiefs / Sheriffs

‘Needless violence’: Colo. PD chief slams ‘soft-on-crime’ laws after 3 officers wounded in shootout

“The blood of my officers lays at the steps of our Capitol,” Pueblo PD Chief Chris Noeller said; the wounded officers were shot by a gang member with 14 prior felony arrests

March 21, 2025 11:43 AM

Joanna Putman

Traffic Safety

Video: Truck slams into Fla. deputy’s cruiser at intersection, flipping it over

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy was responding to another call with the cruiser’s lights and sirens activated

March 20, 2025 12:38 PM

Joanna Putman

Arrests and Sentencing

Va. officers use cruiser to disarm man trying to break into church with pickaxe

Campbell County Sheriff’s deputies repeatedly instructed the man to drop his weapon; when he refused, a deputy slowed down and hit him with the cruiser

March 20, 2025 12:00 PM

Joanna Putman

Officer-Involved Shootings

Video: Man brandishes gun at children, points it at San Francisco Police drone before OIS

One officer stationed on a balcony discharged his gun after the man was seen moving along a fence while pointing a gun upward; an officer radioed that the man had shot himself

March 20, 2025 11:53 AM

Joanna Putman

BWC: Man runs into senior living home, strikes Ill. officer with chainsaw before fatal OIS

Officer-Involved Shootings

BWC: Man with chainsaw runs into senior living home, strikes Ill. officer before fatal OIS

The state’s attorney’s office concluded that the St. Charles Police Department officer who fired the fatal shot acted within the law, using deadly force to prevent harm

March 19, 2025 12:52 PM

Joanna Putman

Officer Down

2 Texas sheriff’s office members die by suicide within days

Harris County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christina Kohler and retired deputy Maria Vasquez died within days of each other in separate instances

March 19, 2025 12:34 PM

Joanna Putman

Officer Safety

Ark. officer seriously injured after tornado throws cruiser

Diaz Police Sergeant Richard Morris was inside his vehicle when the EF-4 tornado, with peak winds of 190 mph, lifted it and tossed it several feet

March 18, 2025 12:49 PM

Joanna Putman