September 2011 Issue

It's always best to say as little as possible when interacting with citizens. Any sensitive information you provide could come back to bite you—and everyone else involved in the case. Here are some reminders of other wrongheaded ideas that could lead you to say or do something you shouldn't and royally muck up a case.

The attack on the Twin Towers and the Hurricane Katrina disaster brought to the forefront the necessity of communications interoperability, or more simply put, being able to talk to each other. Benton County, Wash., has something very close to a model of interoperability in the form of its Southeast Communications Center, known locally as SECOMM.

In all, 72 police responders from municipal, state, and federal agencies lost their lives during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We would also like to pay tribute to all those who later succumbed to injuries sustained as a result of the terrorist attacks and working amid the rubble.

If you're telling yourself that a WMD attack could never happen in your town because it's too small or too remote, look around. Is there a chemical plant? What hazardous materials are rolling down the road? What kinds of toxins come through town on the rails? What's at the local Home Depot? What's at the local pool supply store?

One of the reasons that agencies are more complacent about WMD training now than immediately after 9/11 is the economics of the issue. Training costs money and pulls officers off the line. Another reason that WMD training is unpopular at many agencies is that it's not by any means a pleasant thing to do.

The nature of police work is one of great adventure, great crisis, great horror. You will see more and experience more, both good and bad, in five years on the job than the average person will in 70, so don't fear it; embrace it, accept it. It is your path.

The nation will be honoring the 9/11 dead, both civilian and public safety, for the next month or so. That's the way it should be. We should honor the Americans who died that day. I also think it's important to honor the first responders who lived through 9/11, who helped the victims, who combed the rubble, who saved lives and recovered bodies.

POLICE Magazine reviews the 5.11 Tactical Zone Assault Pack, SureFire Mini Sound Suppressor, and Mountain Khakis Alpine Utility Pants.

The FNP-45 Tactical is the largest pistol in the FNH USA handgun line, and it offers just about everything a warrior needs in a big-bore fighting pistol.

Made using a Kevlar weave, the Ballistic Clipboard maintains its ballistic protection without the weight of other similar products. The fact that it's not made of a hard plastic means that the board won't shatter into shrapnel that could harm a police officer.

There is an ebb and flow to writing memos. The goal of any memo is either to bring attention to a problem by providing information, or to solve a problem by defining what action should be taken.

As Sgt. Kevin Furlong approached the residence on foot after exiting his car, he looked in through a large bay window that provided a clear view of the kitchen. There, he saw a girl's bloody face peer up over the counter and sway side to side.

Given the ever-present risks to your survival, it's important for you to know that in numerous decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court has created special rules to allow you to investigate crimes and apprehend suspects without undue restrictions that jeopardize your safety. Being aware of these cases can help you avoid taking chances you don't have to take.

Enforcing the law is inherently dangerous. Therefore, developing bad officer safety habits is like playing Russian roulette: You can only beat the odds for so long-then you take a bullet.

For Officer Kris Lavoie of the Ontario (Calif.) Police Department, Super Bowl Sunday 2002 would prove to be a busy one. But not in the way that most Americans enjoy. For Lavoie had no idea just how busy. Or just how much he would feel like a real "gladiator" before the day was over.