No two days are ever the same
A day in the life of a police psychologist
People ask me all the time what I do for a living. The short answer is that I’m a police psychologist. The longer answer is that even after I explain […] Read More
July 2026
Training dipshittery, Part 2
The stupidity continues
Last October, I wrote Part 1 of “Training dipshittery” (apbweb.com/2025/10/training-dipshittery). After much fanfare, ticker-tape parades and a couple emails of support, it’s time for Part 2 of what is quickly […] Read More
Surviving internal affairs investigations
What every officer and family should know
I still remember the first time I faced an internal affairs investigation and had to surrender my badge and gun. That first time, it honestly felt like, along with the […] Read More
The relentless pursuit of excellence
An attitude that transforms leaders, teams and organizations
“The only comparison I should be making is with myself. Will I be better tomorrow than I am today?” — Ryan Hawk Answer this question: I’m not where I would […] Read More
Fighting human trafficking at the local level
A primer to help law enforcement speak with authority on the issue
Human trafficking is a crime in which people are forced, manipulated or coerced into labor, services or sexual acts. Coercion may be physical or psychological, direct or subtle. Any commercial […] Read More
Tactical medicine for cops
What the Civil War can teach today’s police officers
Tactical medicine is “good medicine in bad places.” It is a specialized medical discipline that provides immediate, lifesaving care to personnel in high-threat environments — officer-down situations, active shooter scenes, […] Read More
An effective strategy for difficult discussions
Over decades at the executive level and through scores of discussions, I have stumbled across a strategy that I have found to be especially helpful in addressing contentious issues, sometimes […] Read More
Get the most out of simulation training
Five things you should be using your simulator for (but probably aren’t)
Your simulator is capable of far more than most agencies ask of it. Most agencies that invest in simulation start in the same place: the time-honored shoot/no-shoot scenarios. That’s a […] Read More
9/11 Victim Compensation Fund: A journey to coverage
Remembering 9/11, 25 years later — Part 7
Editor’s note: This is Part 7 of a nine-part series reflecting on the September 11, 2001, terror attacks ahead of their 25th remembrance this year. Retired Port Authority Police Officer […] Read More
Why good cops quit
And what you should know before you hang it up
A veteran patrol officer sits in a squad car at the end of another 12-hour shift. The officer is not thinking about the arrest that was made, the report waiting […] Read More
Changing the narrative
From “I’m broken” to “I’m human”
Law enforcement work exposes officers to situations that can have a lasting impact. The uncomfortable emotional and physiological responses that can develop are not evidence of defectiveness; they are deeply […] Read More
Succession planning
Prepare future labor leaders to build something greater
It was a call from one of our city officials. Yeah, I picked up. After all, I’m an elected LEO labor leader, and officials like him have the power to […] Read More
Training like the pros
This time of year, NFL teams are gearing up for the season with camps that involve intense scrutiny on training regimens to ensure players are in peak physical condition before […] Read More
