David Barstow

Head of the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.

[Sukey Lewis @SukeyLewis]

So honored by this recognition from @IRE_NICAR for On Our Watch: New Folsom, which took the work and dedication of so many people at @KQED and @UCBerkeleyIRP Please take a listen. https://t.co/AjafGM0xBG

[Farnaz Fassihi @farnazfassihi]

Stunned. @columbiajourn
From @nytimes story

[Demian Bulwa @demianbulwa]

Peel me off the ceiling...

2 Chronicle projects among the 6 finalists for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting

Congratulations to @jennifergollan @susieneilson @KateyRusch @SmithCaseyA @UCBerkeleyIRP & everyone else who worked on these stories https://t.co/hJZFc3YAm1

[Ryan Gabrielson @ryangabrielson]

Woohoooooooo @jennifergollan @susieneilson @shoeshine @KateyRusch !!!!

[David Barstow @DavidBarstow]

@nixonron @AP Congrats Ron... What a huge win for local investigative reporting and AP....

[Marc Duvoisin @MarcDuvoisin]

.@sara_dinatale's revelatory reporting on the sleazy underside of the rooftop solar industry has won a George Polk Award for @ExpressNews
https://t.co/7j49heXfqJ

[Alissa Zhu @AlissaZhu]

It is an extraordinary honor to receive a @PolkAwards in Local Reporting for our coverage of Baltimore's overdose crisis, published by @BaltimoreBanner and @nytimes Local Investigations Fellowship. https://t.co/nK3CD6Ypji

[Demian Bulwa @demianbulwa]

Thank you @PolkAwards!

The @UCBerkeleyIRP partnership w/ @sfchronicle has won a Polk Award for the series "Right to Remain Secret."

Congrats to @KateyRusch and @SmithCaseyA as well as @DavidBarstow, @kwonjs_ @alexkfong and more.

GIFT LINK to story here: https://t.co/E8IpfHtKXZ

[Demian Bulwa @demianbulwa]

AMAZING!

Thank you @USCAnnenberg and the judges.

Congrats to @KateyRusch @SmithCaseyA @DavidBarstow and @UCBerkeleyIRP, who spent five years exposing this story.

And kudos to the huge team at @sfchronicle that joined the project.

[David Barstow @DavidBarstow]

Holy cow -- we just won the friggin' Selden Ring Award for an epic expose of police misconduct by two of @UCBerkeleyIRP's best, @KateyRusch and @SmithCaseyA. Big thanks to our partner the @sfchronicle and @demianbulwa for superb editing.

https://t.co/AoyCh8wSe9

[Ryan Gabrielson @ryangabrielson]

A literal jaw-dropping investigation. Congrats to @KateyRusch + @SmithCaseyA, as well as the editing tag-team of @demianbulwa + @DavidBarstow !

[USC Annenberg @USCAnnenberg]

Congrats @KateyRusch & @SmithCaseyA, winners of the 2025 Selden Ring Award for Investigative Reporting. Their “Right to Remain Secret” series w @UCBerkeleyIRP & @sfchronicle exposed confidential settlements by CA law enforcement to bury officer misconduct. https://t.co/L3Khgg0prM

[David Barstow @DavidBarstow]

@pamelacolloff @lizziepresser Agreed. An unforgettable example of what happens when a great reporter embraces the grey from beginning to end.

[Ryan Gabrielson @ryangabrielson]

The depth of sourcing on this @KateyRusch story is phenomenal and the little details make it as much fun to read as infuriating.
https://t.co/af2z4mhfe6

[Demian Bulwa @demianbulwa]

Today:

PART 2 of "Right to Remain Secret":

Police are using secret deals to hand disability pensions to troubled officers. Millions of taxpayer dollars support the system

By @KateyRusch — leading a joint @UCBerkeleyIRP & @sfchronicle investigation https://t.co/JS04MSrMoo

[Holly J. McDede @HollyMcDede]

This is the secret system that covers up police misconduct — and ensures problem officers can get hired again

https://t.co/FfIXGC24fr

[Heather Knight @hknightsf]

Must-read investigation into California’s system of prioritizing the ability of problematic police officers to be hired elsewhere over the right of the public to be informed and safe.

Congratulations to the @sfchronicle and @UCBerkeleyIRP.

[UC Berkeley IRP @UCBerkeleyIRP]

Read the IRP's latest investigation: IRP reporter @kateyrusch ('20) and alum @SmithCaseyA ('20) report for @sfchronicle on a secret system that has covered up police misconduct in California for decades, helping officers find new jobs in law enforcement. https://t.co/uR73OxzdVb

[Matthias Gafni @mgafni]

This is a stunning investigation by @KateyRusch. Read this today.

Someone finally pierced the veil of police clean-record agreements. Secret pacts allowing troubled cops to get jobs at different departments.

https://t.co/wyRztamrcr

[Demian Bulwa @demianbulwa]

Out today:

“RIGHT TO REMAIN SECRET”

This is the secret system that covers up police misconduct across California — and ensures problem officers can get hired again

Tour de force of deep investigative reporting by @KateyRusch and @SmithCaseyA

Free link: https://t.co/Gdh1StON5x