Blog - Patrol

One officer died after jumping into electrically charged water in response to cries for help from a man he thought was drowning. In trying to save the man’s life, he shared his fate.

Short-cutting logistics, precipitous actions, inconsistent reportage, shaky testimonies, poor evidence gathering, and lack of control. These problems and others ultimately dovetailed into an at least $24-million settlement (including attorneys’ fees) against Los Angeles County.

Some may collapse emotionally, even become assaultive to you; others may appear apathetic, even relieved.

Chandler succumbed to Hepatitis C that he contracted 18 years earlier when he was pricked by a hypodermic syringe while searching a vehicle for narcotics.

It might not be dialogues with Plato, but sometimes striking up a conversation with strangers can offer up all forms of enlightenment.

In conducting interviews with the officers profiled in my Shots Fired columns, I was surprised at how many either didn't know that they'd been injured, or if they knew they'd been injured didn't know where their injuries were located or their severity. 

That a stranger would go so far out of his way to offer words of comfort and counsel instead of chastisement and condemnation left each child wanting to do the same as police officers themselves.

A certain degree of self-assurance is obligatory to our profession. But how fine is the line between self-assurance and arrogance? When does self-confidence become conceit? And at what point does a full blown narcissistic personality disorder become harmful?