Podcast Summary: "We Regret to Inform You"
Reveal, July 12, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "We Regret to Inform You," Reveal delves into a troubling policing tactic endorsed by Bruce Priett, co-founder of Lexapol—a company responsible for drafting policies for over 95% of California’s law enforcement agencies. Host Al Letson, alongside investigative reporter Nadia Hamdan and UCLA law professor Joanna Schwartz, uncovers how police departments systematically question families of individuals killed in police encounters before formally notifying them of the death. This practice, intended to gather information to protect departments from lawsuits, has profound emotional and legal repercussions for grieving families.
Unveiling Bruce Priett and Lexapol’s Influence
Bruce Priett stands as a central figure in this investigation. A former Orange County police officer with over a decade of experience, Priett transitioned into an influential attorney role, advising police departments across California. Through Lexapol, he has disseminated policies and training that shape police conduct nationwide.
Bruce Priett [02:28]: “Start with a suspect. Please record the suspect and you know he's gonna lie through his teeth. All the better. Paint him into a corner.”
Lexapol provides standardized policy manuals and training webinars to smaller police departments lacking the resources to develop their own. However, Priett’s controversial advice, particularly regarding death notifications, has sparked significant backlash.
Controversial Death Notification Practices
Investigative reporter Brian Howey highlights Priett’s advice from a 2019 webinar, where Priett recommended that officers extract as much information as possible from families before delivering the grim news of a death. This method contrasts sharply with established protocols emphasizing direct and timely communication.
Bruce Priett [03:19]: “Here's some free advice. Get a profile on the suspect as soon as you can... Somebody's gonna crawl out from underneath the rock and decide the dearly departed is finally worth something now that he's dead and you're going to get sued.”
Nadia Hamdan explores how this tactic plays out in real-life scenarios, presenting audio clips from families who experienced these invasive and delayed notifications.
Sampl[e Audio Clip [13:15]: "Does your husband own a gun?"
"Was he using drugs or selling drugs?"
"Or what was your husband upset about?"**
These interactions delay the painful news and instead focus on building a narrative that can be legally advantageous to the police departments involved.
Impact on Families and Legal Proceedings
Families, such as Tina Slater and Jim Showman, recount their harrowing experiences where police interrogated them before informing them of their loved ones’ deaths. This approach not only exacerbates their trauma but also potentially weakens their legal cases.
Tina Slater [25:56]: “No. You know, I was in too much of a shock. But as time kind of went on, I kind of realized that... they were doing that to build their case, you know, for their defense.”
Jim Showman details how sharing personal information under duress may have influenced the outcome of his daughter’s lawsuit against the San Jose Police Department.
Jim Showman [27:05]: “I'm seething, I'm scared, in shock, wanting just to find out what happened. How is my daughter? How is Diana?”
Lexapol’s Dominance and Resistance Efforts
Lexapol’s pervasive reach—serving approximately 3,500 police agencies—underscores the scale at which these problematic practices are propagated. Despite Lexapol's assertion of legal soundness, critics argue that the company’s policies are vague and uniformly applied, undermining accountability and customization based on community needs.
Al Letson [11:07]: “Lexapol writes the policies for more than 95% of California's law enforcement agencies.”
Jonathan Ryan Hernandez, a Santa Ana city council member, spearheads efforts to oust Lexapol from his city’s policing policies following the tragic death of his cousin, Brandon Lopez. Hernandez’s advocacy highlights the personal and political challenges of combating entrenched policing practices.
Jonathan Ryan Hernandez [36:11]: “When I started following who is training these police departments, what policy manuals they're following, that's when I discovered Lexapol.”
Personal Confrontation with Bruce Priett
In a pivotal segment, Brian Howey attempts to interview Bruce Priett to obtain his perspective on the controversial death notification tactics. Priett’s evasive and defensive responses, ultimately refusing to engage constructively, further illustrate the resistance within law enforcement to acknowledge and rectify these practices.
Bruce Priett [46:42]: “I didn't say withhold anything.”
Lexapol’s Response and Ongoing Expansion
Following the backlash, Lexapol publicly distanced itself from Priett’s advice, removing the contentious webinars and apologizing for any harm caused. Nonetheless, the company's influence continues to grow, with contracts spanning various states, including New York, Texas, and Florida.
Lexapol Representative [49:38]: “Lexapol recognizes that parts of the 2019 webinar were insensitive and potentially hurtful. We apologize for any harm these statements may have caused.”
Legislative Efforts and Future Prospects
The episode concludes by addressing ongoing legislative attempts to reform death notification practices. Though initial bills aimed at banning deceptive notification tactics failed in 2024, renewed efforts are underway with broader support, signaling hope for meaningful change.
Nadia Hamdan [50:57]: “The bill has made it through the assembly, and a vote is expected in the California Senate in the coming months.”
Conclusion
"We Regret to Inform You" sheds light on a covert policing strategy that prioritizes departmental protection over compassionate communication. Through meticulous investigation and personal testimonies, Reveal exposes the human cost of bureaucratic policies and underscores the urgent need for reform in law enforcement practices. As Lexapol’s influence wanes in some areas and legislative efforts gain traction, the episode serves as a call to action for accountability and empathy in policing.
Notable Quotes
- Bruce Priett [06:43]: “Go out there and get that evasive truth.”
- Joanna Schwartz [08:56]: “Bruce Priett is in the center of the community of defenders of police officers...”
- Jonathan Ryan Hernandez [40:14]: “I believe that for us to be able to do this in house is going to create a sense of trust that we simply don't have.”
- Nadia Hamdan [48:32]: “And it's okay to withhold the truth in order to get the truth.”
Further Information
For more details on this investigation and other in-depth stories, visit revealnews.org.