Articles - Patrol

"But you're making it my problem," Hendrix told Ripley. "I can't just let you shoot these people. This is not the way to handle this."

With reasonable suspicion that someone on the premises might endanger officers during the arrest or as they departed, officers could conduct a "protective sweep" of the entire premises, looking only into areas where a person could be concealed.

Scott Smith reviews 5.11 Tactical Light for Life, Tru-Spec 24-7 3-in-1 Jacket, Trijicon RMR Sight, and S.O. Tech Go Bag.

The bread-and-butter calls on Paul Hayes' beat are ones you might expect: traffic control, investigating thefts, finding lost children, and handling unruly public intoxicants. Then there are the ones you might not expect: evacuating aerial chair lifts, transporting injured people via sled, and dealing with drug- or alcohol-fueled "Ski.U.I." incidents.

For now, the question that some industry experts are raising about this new NIJ standard - at least off the record - is one of necessity: Was it really necessary to change the standard?

As the role of the police dog expands, training has taken on more importance, even as economic times threaten the funding for the dogs and their handlers.

Becoming a better cop may not ensure formal recognition such as a promotion, but it'll virtually guarantee it informally. It'll simultaneously help you to do your job faster and increase your prospects to work elsewhere.

More than 60 officers attended an Active Shooter Panel discussion at TREXPO East, participating in a lively discussion of how to respond to lone gunmen, coordinated attacks, and even terrorist incidents.

TREXPO East 2009 offered three days of classes covering topics ranging from knife defense to European tactical medicine techniques. Some of the best classes during this year's TREXPO East conference focused on terrorism and its effects on front line officers.

A tactical law enforcement trade show like TREXPO East tends to attract some fairly innovative tools. Walking the aisles, you could see the latest tactical vehicles, weapons, communications, and apparel. Here's a quick look at some of the things that caught our attention.

The thought of not being there for my boy and leaving others to exert some control in fashioning his principles, values, and priorities began to weigh heavily on my mind. Would others step up to assist him in my absence? How would he ultimately deal with my absence?

A department can prepare for a large student gathering by reviewing what has occurred in the past and considering the resources it has available. Such precautions are critical because any student gathering can digress into a riot.

While giving waterproof jackets a "test wearing," I have had input from several members of my local department and from guys I shoot with. We have found that 5.11 Tactical, BlackHawk, Blauer, Elbeco, Fechheimer, Propper, The Force, Tru Spec by Atlanco, Under Armour, and Woolrich's Elite Tactical Series serve well in a wide range of conditions.

Nothing can captivate a jury with such magnetic power as the live testimony of another human being, or even the reading of a confession in the courtroom. While it is one of the most difficult things to master, knowing and practicing the skills and techniques of good interviewing results in better case information and more convictions in the courtroom.

Public school officials are entitled to search the student if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting the student of violating the law or any school rule. But once law enforcement officers become involved, higher justification standards will apply.

Sgt. Lawler popped up over the hood of the Pontiac just as Thompson's upper torso rose off the pavement, his gun again swinging in Lawler's direction.

"There's nobody here to fight for my dad. I feel like if I stop fighting, who else has he got? I'm it."

"I love my father, but one thing I know he would want me to learn from his experiences is that this kind of dedication can cost you. There's always a cost, and in his case, it cost him his life, but also time with his family."

-Jim Chadwell Jr.

Just because money is not available from your department doesn't mean that training becomes any less important. As a proactive officer, you know that you must remain current on your training if you are going to be effective on the street. This article is designed to help you locate free training resources and remain on the cutting edge of the law enforcement profession.

POLICE Magazine editor David Griffith recently spoke with "Columbine" author Dave Cullen about the psychology of Eric Harris, law enforcement response the day of the massacre, the investigation, and how school shootings can be prevented.