Police Magazine

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 7, 2008

Crime Blooms in the Spring and SWAT Answers the Call for Crime Suppression

A growing number of tactical teams are increasingly becoming involved in crime suppression. Some established teams have been doing crime suppression for many years, including LAPD SWAT, SFPD SWAT, and NYPD ESU. Advantages of using SWAT for crime suppression include putting them out on the street, available to respond to crime and assist patrol. SWAT’s presence, tactics, and teamwork are highly effective in diffusing potential street confrontations, and are reassuring to patrol officers

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•April 28, 2008

Why You Should Attend Tactical Conferences

Those who attend police and tactical conferences, courses, seminars, workshops seem to be cut from the same cloth. No matter what their agency, position, or geographic location, they share a common purpose. They want to not only better themselves, but also improve their agencies, and ultimately the law enforcement profession.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•April 25, 2008

There's a Lot to Learn at a TREXPO Conference

I’ve been going to TREXPO East and TREXPO West for 10 years, and the conferences never disappoint me. They are always timely, relevant, and taught by some of the best, most qualified experts anywhere. This year’s TREXPO West held in Long Beach, Calif., in February ranks at the top of all the TREXPO’s I have attended so far.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•April 16, 2008

Death and Taxes

I checked the Officer Down Memorial Page (odmp.com) to see if there have been any law enforcement fatalities on April 15th. Sure enough, when I clicked on the Website for April 15th, there were 59 law enforcement officer line-of-duty deaths listed from 1857 to 2004—32 from gunfire.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•April 10, 2008

More on Four SWAT Teams in Trouble

Unfortunately, the ones caught in the middle of most controversies are the good guys, the hard-working police officers who only want to do their jobs to the best of their ability.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•April 2, 2008

Four SWAT Teams in Trouble

The knee-jerk reactions of authorities in adopting Draconian practices for their SWAT units are endangering the units, the officers, and the community.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•March 28, 2008

How to Improve the Morale of Your SWAT Team

Recently, I was asked by a SWAT team leader for suggestions on how to “keep his team together.” His concern stems from his team having fallen into a “rut,” with the potential for “falling apart.” Doubly disconcerting is that this was a good team, one of the best in the state.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•March 20, 2008

Sleep Fast

Why is sleep deprivation an issue for police? Because, just like the military, police have unpredictable, changeable, sporadic work and sleep patterns.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•March 13, 2008

Reading Between the Lines of Police Casualty Stats

The fact is the vast majority of law enforcement officers are not killed, assaulted, or injured in the line of duty. The overwhelming majority make it through their careers intact and go on to enjoy richly-deserved retirements.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•March 5, 2008

Officers Down: Three Case Studies

Officer Simmons did what he was trained to do, interjected himself between his downed partner and the threat, and was shot and killed by a bullet to the face. Other LAPD SWAT officers courageously rescued both officers, and also a downed hostage under fire by the suspect.

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