In your law enforcement career, there will be times when your stress level causes too much friction or locks up your forward motion. More and more officers are becoming victims of a level of stress that, if not attended to, could turn them into the psychologically walking wounded.
June 4, 2013
I live by one theory—the thing that you fear the most is always lurking around the corner. Train smart, train hard and turn your weakness to strength.
March 11, 2013
The role of the Field Training Officer (FTO) is more or less defined as that of a one-on-one supervisor and trainer. They're the direct connection between graduates of the academy and self-actuated functioning police officers. The FTO has a defined mission to be the trainer, evaluator, supervisor, confessor, and many other roles.
June 6, 2012
Let's not relive the past. Listen to the recruits' questions and help them. I can recall several questions that were fired at me from the old dinosaurs of my youth. Let's go over a few.
May 16, 2012
It never hurts to drop a few bucks and work on your pistol craft. This goes for hitting the gym or doing some roadwork. So don't tell me you can't burn some midnight oil and sharpen your most potent weapon of all—your mind.
January 4, 2012
As you gain more experience, you'll gain a patrol sixth sense that's not available on the internet with shipping and handling added. It's something that develops, and those who have it never quit developing it.
November 9, 2011
One of the biggest transitions a recruit must make is to start thinking like a cop, rather than Joe Average Guy on the street. I'm not talking about speaking in police tongues such as 10 codes, jargon and criminal codes.
June 20, 2011
If there ever was a true fear of young officers, I think I know it. No, it is not the gun-wielding psychopath. Nor is it your patrol car spinning out of control over a cliff. Deep down, it is the fear of failure.
August 8, 2008
You are a rookie and sometimes you think it is best to stay quiet. You may have been told or maybe it was implied that you should sit down, shut up, and don't touch anything. This could be the worst advice of all. Sometimes it is best to speak up.
May 9, 2008
Rarely in the hiring process or in the academy do your fears and phobias come to the surface. But out there in Policeland, sooner or later something will manifest itself and provide you with a dose of reality.
September 12, 2007