Articles

Most police officers have experienced a sense of frustration working within a judicial system that often protects the guilty along with the innocent. And, in many cases, those convicted of crimes or awaiting trail, have more rights than a civilian who has never committed a crime.

Advanced computer programming, combined with materials developed specifically for military defense applications, is leading the way toward the development of the next generation of body armor for law enforcement officers.

For police officers, handling domestic violence calls can be one of the most frustrating areas of law enforcement work. This frustration is not because cops don't know what to do; they do indeed know the WHAT of handling domestic violence cases.  Officers need, therefore, a better grip on their understanding of the WHY of domestic violence incidents.

One of the most important benefits of a laser sight is the intimidation of deterrence that it can provide. Several studies that were conducted by law enforcement agencies have shown that the use of a laser sight will often de-escalate potential deadly force encounters.

"Women can do this job."

Although the percentage of female cops in America still hovers at only around 10 percent, any doubt that women are just as competent and capable as males has been removed in many quarters and at many agencies.

Approximately 15,000 survivors, officers and friends attended National Police Week events in the nation's capital during mid-May. Held primarily at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the week-long tribute to the nearly 15,000 peace officers killed in the line of duty since 1974.

COVER PHOTO: TERRI CAVOLI (© 1999)

The massacre of 12 students and a teacher at Columbine High School outside Denver, Colo., in April was the worst schoolyard carnage by students in this nation's history and many providing training lessons to law officers across the country for years.

Approximately 55 officially titled "Security Risk Groups" (SRG) are being tracked at Rikers, including major national gangs such as the Latin Kings, the Bloods, the Crips, and the Neatas. The GIU is also tracking groups that are affiliated with organized crime and narcotics.

As the law enforcement community is well aware, police service dogs have proven to be a valuable tool to law enforcement over the last 15 to 20 years. The key word to this statement is "tool." Many SWAT's personnel are not aware of their K-9's capabilities in certain situations and some of the handlers have never been trained in SWAT tactics.

COVER PHOTO: TERRI CAVOLI (© 1999)

It's no secret that law enforcement is a multi-faceted profession. From small departments, where officers must wear many hats, to the specialists of giant metropolitan agencies, the job offers ample opportunity to sharpen wits- over and over- on a variety of levels.