Cop Hobbies: Unicycle
I learned how to ride a unicycle when I was 12 years old (45 years ago). I’ve had a unicycle since then, and every few years I’d put some air in the tire […] Read More
January 2021
Ass-kissing, favoritism, oh my!
Best practices on how to run a widely respected promotional process
When was the last time your organization took a close look at its promotional process? The Leadership Challenge may be the gold-standard manual for effective leadership. The second chapter is entitled “Credibility Is […] Read More
Raising the bar
California proposal would require college courses for all new officers
In an effort to embrace constructive reform, the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) and California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA) recently released a proposal to comprehensively raise the educational and training requirements […] Read More
Embracing your dark side
How dark humor helps LEOs cope
Picture a horrific accident scene. Nearby, two officers, seemingly unaffected by the gore, are laughing. To the general public, it may look like these officers are careless about the loss of life and […] Read More
Tesla wins savings race
Indiana police chief says electric vehicle proves to be a smart investment
Bargersville Police Department in Indiana may only employ 14 full-time officers, but they ride in style while on patrol. Last month, the town council approved Chief Todd Bertram’s request to add two more […] Read More
Are you mentally ready for retirement?
If you had to retire tomorrow, would you be ready? With the recent civil unrest and the anti-police climate in some cities, some officers are saying they’d be thrilled to get out of […] Read More
This K-9 is a gym rat at heart!
K-9 Boomer, a 2.5-year-old golden retriever who specializes in explosive detection with the Wichita, Kansas, Police Department, gets his workouts in daily. As Police Chief Gordon Ramsay shared on Facebook, he does an […] Read More
A special gift for a woman in need
Police officers in California recently gave an early Christmas present to a woman who really needed some positivity in her life, and it was a beautiful moment. Earlier in the year, an elderly […] Read More
Speed versus accuracy
The fundamental challenge in firearms training
Gunfights happen quickly and often unexpectedly. When an officer has to assess a threat, make a use-of-force decision, then apply that level of force to defend their life or the lives of others, […] Read More
Coping with chronic pain
Learn these proven body–mind techniques and you’ll cope better
The very nature of police work means that injuries will occur. At times, those injuries can result in long-term pain that substantially impacts an officer’s quality of life. In addition to the unpleasant […] Read More
Retirements up, recruiting down
Agencies across the nation brace for staffing shortages of sworn personnel
When Michael Lappe, vice president of the board of trustees for the Policemen’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago, registered the retirements of nearly 60 Chicago officers in August, then another 50-plus in […] Read More
Father knows best
It was a family affair at a Texas police academy
As mayor of Lewisville, Texas, Winston Edmondson campaigned to increase the size of the local police department. It was a goal he took very personally. After finishing his term, Edmondson decided he’d take […] Read More
A running rematch
Law enforcement is obviously focused on protecting and serving, but officers also work hard to build bonds with people in their community. That was on display in Florida recently, when an officer had […] Read More
NYPD changes policy on headwear
Lawsuit settlement allows individuals to wear religious headwear in booking photos
On November 5, the New York Police Department agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit filed in 2018 that alleged officers violated the religious rights of Muslim women by demanding they remove their hijabs […] Read More
LE deaths up in 2020
Number of cops shot and killed climbs along with COVID-19 fatalities
Last year, law enforcement lost hundreds of officers. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP), 281 law enforcement professionals died by December 18, which includes deaths from shooting, motorcycle and vehicle accidents, […] Read More
Flashlights and low-light training
In police work, the flashlight is an essential device. But depending on its use, it can be an asset or a liability. Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) studies conducted by the […] Read More
