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From the Polk Awardwinning investigative duo comes a meticulously researched and enraging account Shane Bauer New York Times bestselling author of the systematic corruption and brutality within the Oakland Police Department and the more than twodecadeslong saga of attempted reforms and explosive scandals

No municipality has been under court oversight to reform its police department as long as the city of Oakland It is quite simply the edge case in American law enforcement

The Riders Come Out at Night is the culmination of over twentyone years of fearless reporting Ali Winston and Darwin BondGraham shine a light on the jackbooted and sadistic cops known as The Riders and the lack of political will and misguided leadership that have conspired to stymie meaningful reform The authors trace the history of Oakland since its inception through the lens of the citys police department through the Palmer Raids McCarthyism and the Civil Rights struggle the Black Panthers and crack eras to Oaklands presentday revival

Those who have fought for reform are also revealed including Keith Batt a wideeyed rookie cop turned whistleblower who was unwittingly partnered with the leader of the Riders and Jim Chanin and John Burris two dedicated civil rights attorneys Meanwhile Oaklands deep history of law enforcement corruption reactionary politics and social movement organizing is retold through historical figures like Black Panther Huey Newton drug kingpin Felix Mitchell district attorney and future Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren and Mayor Jerry Brown

As thrilling as the best noir fiction Whiting Foundation 2021 Creative Nonfiction Grant Jury The Riders Come Out at Night is the story of one city and its police department but its also the story of American policingand where its headed