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•June 17, 2011

Perception: The Difference Between Heroes and Villains

The Pima County (Ariz.) Sheriff's Department's May 5 SWAT raid resulted in the death of a Marine at home in front of his family. This tragedy has exploded into one of the most criticized, controversial SWAT incidents in memory.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•June 3, 2011

Let's Keep an Ohio Cop Killer Behind Bars

We can help in the effort to deny parole to this cop killer by signing the online petition to deny parole for Michael Manns by visiting Blockparole.com and clicking on "Featured Case: Cop Killer Up for Parole: Detective Sergeant William Prochazka was brutally killed in the line of duty."

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•May 27, 2011

A Plan Is a Plan, Until...

The Osama bin Laden raid ranks among the most significant raids in modern military history. History is replete with similar military raids — some have been successful, others less so — that reinforce the reality that the vast majority of such operations are rarely ever known outside a circle of the select few on a need-to-know basis.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•May 20, 2011

Friendly Fire: Operational Considerations

Operational friendly fire erupts suddenly without warning, and once bullets start flying, it's too late. In the old days, before we were trained with "finger OFF the trigger" unless you're shooting, virtually all LEOs had their finger ON the trigger when they had their guns out.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•May 16, 2011

Friendly Fire: Identify Yourself As an Officer

SWAT officers often respond to call-outs while off duty and driving their personal vehicles. And they often arrive before the rest of SWAT. Thought needs to be given to how identifiable they are when arriving on scene, particularly in swirling, chaotic, life-threatening situations, and especially when there's a chance on-scene officers might not know they're SWAT.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•April 29, 2011

Friendly Fire: Analyzing the Problem

As with accidental training deaths, LE needs to recognize that "friendly fire" tragedies are both needless and preventable. And the only acceptable goal in any/all accidental police deaths is their total elimination.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•April 26, 2011

Friendly Fire: A Devastating LODD

He responded "as is" in his gym shorts. Yet there was absolutely no question in anyone's mind that he was "SWAT." That's because he had the presence of mind to don his tactical vest and helmet, which made him instantly recognizable as SWAT.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•April 12, 2011

Tales of Three SWAT Tragedies

While the official investigations are still ongoing, enough has already been reported to provide glimpses into what and how these tragedies might have occurred.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•April 1, 2011

Is Law Enforcement Entering a Deadly New Era?

The spike in duty deaths has occurred despite the many advancements in police training, equipment (particularly protective armor), and emergency medical trauma care. What does appear to be occurring is more and more criminals are showing an increasing willingness to engage police in armed confrontations.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•March 11, 2011

St. Petersburg After-Action Report (2 of 2)

The suspect moved the K-9 officer's deceased body 10 to 15 feet to the attic opening and placed the officer's boot in view of fellow officers. He also intentionally set a trap to lure police into his line of fire.

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