What changes when federal oversight ends?
Oakland’s reform case and the responsibility of local institutions after court monitoring.
PODCASTS · PUBLIC RADIO · LONG-FORM INTERVIEWS
Long-form conversations on civil rights and policing.
John Burris can discuss how a civil-rights case develops, what police reform changes and what families face during litigation. Explore his past conversations below or contact Lee Houskeeper about an episode.
Episode ideas for hosts
What a civil-rights lawsuit can accomplish
Compensation, accountability and the limits of litigation as a tool for reform.
The cases behind a legal career
Rodney King, Oscar Grant and the decisions that led Burris into police litigation.
Police encounters and mental health
Why crisis response raises questions about training, policy and civil rights.
For hosts: Send your episode focus, recording format and proposed date to Lee Houskeeper.
June 11, 2026
KALW · Crosscurrents
Sunni Khalid interviews John on the long effort to reform the Oakland Police Department.
View sourceNovember 29, 2021
Berkeley Law · Bear With Me
Racial Justice Lawyers · A conversation hosted by Jami Floyd with John Burris, Karin Wang and Jackie Gonzalez.
View sourceApril 16, 2021
When Katty Met Carlos
Katty Kay and Carlos Watson explore policing and trust with John in How can Americans of colour trust the police?
View sourceApril 16, 2021
WBUR · On Point
Meghna Chakrabarti revisits Rodney King and the 1992 Los Angeles unrest during coverage of the Chauvin trial.
View sourceAugust 1, 2020
San Francisco Chronicle · Fifth & Mission
The Attorney Who Gives Police Fits · Police accountability, protests and the movement following George Floyd’s killing.
View sourceJune 2020
The Sacramento Bee · California Nation
John discusses police reform in an episode highlighted by the newspaper’s editorial team.
View source2018
KQED · Police reform interview
A conversation about turning police-shooting litigation into lasting institutional reform.
View sourceJune 1, 2016
This Golden State with Randy Shandobil
Police Brutality in This Golden State · John discusses police violence and civil-rights accountability.
View sourceApril 29, 2015
Life, Love & No Chaser
An extended interview with John on police brutality and civil-rights litigation.
View sourceJuly 2013
KQED · Forum
John’s commentary on Trayvon Martin, self-defense law and the prospects of a federal civil-rights prosecution.
View sourceJuly 9, 2010
KQED · Forum
The Mehserle Verdict · Analysis of the verdict in the killing of Oscar Grant.
View source