Public Safety Reporter

The Springfield News-Leader / news-leader.com , part of theUSA TODAY NETWORK, is looking for a thoughtful and community-minded reporter who wants to help reimagine the public safety beat. Breaking news, crime and courts will be part of the mix, sure. But the way we cover policing, criminal justice and our community must change, to hold law enforcement agencies accountable, seek a more nuanced representation of the challenges we face and rebuild trust with neglected communities. You’ll need to dig deeper and seek a wider perspective, cultivate diverse sources and devote resources to debunking myths and stereotypes. You’ll write about serious crime, scrutinize police tactics and spotlight social issues, while being sensitive to how our stories affect the people and neighborhoods we cover. An ideal candidate will be conscientious and collaborative, skeptical and comfortable with conflicting views. Flexibility is key, as are compassion and creativity: You’ll cover a protest one day, interview a victim’s family the next, and end the week crunching crime statistics and public defender caseloads.