POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH
Photo of Robert O'Brien

Robert O'Brien

SWAT Sergeant (Ret.)

A member of the TREXPO Advisory Board, Sgt. Robert "Bob" O'Brien Cleveland SWAT Ret. is the founder of the R.J. O'Brien Group Ltd., a law enforcement training and consulting service that advises and trains a number of local, state, and federal SWAT teams. O'Brien co-founded Cleveland's full-time SWAT team, and he served with that unit for 25 years. He is a former consultant to the National Tactical Officers Association and a former vice president of the Ohio Tactical Officers Association.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•May 13, 2009

National Police Memorial Week: Never Forget

Law enforcement deaths could easily weaken our profession's resolve to protect and serve. However, the exact opposite is true. Instead of weakening us, our thin blue line strengthens into a solid steel band of brothers. We may bend, but we will never break.

Read More →
Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•May 8, 2009

Lifesaving Products and Training Featured at TREXPO West 2009

In this column, I'm writing about technology used to create the new, innovative tactical medicine products for law enforcement on display (and for sale) at TREXPO West 2009.

Read More →
Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•April 29, 2009

Tactical Operations Training at TREXPO West

For two days I found myself totally immersed in tactical operations, and emerged with newfound tactical knowledge learned from the “best.” I’ve been in the SWAT business in various capacities for many years, yet continue to have a thirst for tactical knowledge that will never be quenched.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•April 15, 2009

Survival Lessons from Oakland and Pittsburgh

The lesson all of us must learn from the Oakland and Pittsburgh tragedies is to honor our fallen brothers in blue by doing whatever it takes to not only survive, or even to win, but to prevail.

Read More →
Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•April 15, 2009

Massacre in Pittsburgh: The Unthinkable Strikes Again

SWAT took up positions around the suspect’s brick house as the firefight raged. SWAT’s Lenco BEAR armored rescue vehicle withstood numerous bullet hits, including two very visible hits to the front windshield.

Read More →
Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•March 30, 2009

The Aftermath of the Oakland Massacre

How we honor them and all of our thousands of fallen brothers and sisters is to continue to do our job to the utmost of our ability with dignity and honor, no matter the obstacles. We are the thin blue line, and if we don’t do the job of protecting society, no one will.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•March 27, 2009

What It Was Like to Watch the Oakland Tragedy Unfold on TV

At first, details were sketchy. “Breaking News: Four OPD officers shot…two motorcycle and two SWAT…gunman also shot…No word yet on the conditions of the officers or the gunman.”

Read More →
Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•March 18, 2009

Crime Suppression Surges

Lately, much has been said about a new term to describe a longtime law enforcement strategy. The new term is "surge," and is borrowed from the military's successful strategy in Iraq that is about to also be employed in Afghanistan.

Read More →
Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•March 18, 2009

Police Manhunts

The events that necessitate massive, intense manhunts occur suddenly and violently. Although we can't predict where or when deadly rampages will occur, what's certain is they will occur—somewhere—because no one is immune.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•March 3, 2009

SWAT Raids and Searches Part Six: The Aftermath

The search or raid entry is over; the subjects are secure and being guarded; and the detectives are gathering their evidence. SWAT’s portion of the mission would appear to be over. So is it time to stand down and relax?

Read More →
PrevNext