Articles - Careers & Training

If you don't work to maintain a healthy mind, you will lose a running battle with things like memory, stress, and empathy, which are all important for a law enforcement officer's daily routine.

When it comes to career planning, first things first: Figure out your desired career path.

Are you confident in your defensive skills? If so, then don't take them for granted, but rather keep training. If you're lacking in these skills, then make them strengths by practicing.

Men and women leaving active-duty military jobs would seem to be a perfect fit for police careers. But there are many obstacles in their way and hurdles they must overcome before pinning on their badges and joining the thin blue line.

Being overly emotionally committed to your agency only leads to heartbreak. Unrequited love is one of the toughest emotional hits a human can face and therefore I ask you to rethink your relationship with your agency and those who work with you.

Law enforcement combatives are about obtaining control, and knowing how to strike properly is a big part of that. This concept is brought home every time we see an ineffective officer struggling for control in a YouTube video or in a story on the local nightly news.

One study reported that overall alcoholic intake may not be greater among police officers, but officers have higher incidences of binge drinking. Take a moment to consider that…and where you land, particularly as holiday festivities (and New Year's resolutions) approach.

I work with some highly recognized homicide detectives who have provided tips that could help detectives and patrol officers alike. The following bits of wisdom apply to all investigations, regardless of the nature of the crime or who is investigating.

I don’t know for sure what drove Libke to volunteer as a reserve officer. But I bet it was a desire to serve his community.

For us, the purpose of MTC is stop the threat, deny the suspect movement, deny an advantageous tactical position, or collect information to be used in critical next-step decision-making.