2018

A pile of newspapers bundled together with string.

News May 23, 2018

Communications Advancement Marches Forward

By Dave George FirstNet™ – The future of critical communications is riding on this network.  Traditionally, first responders are LMR users; however, it’s clear the transition to LTE cellular is on the horizon. A communications app developer recently described smartphones as a “shadow IP” which almost every employee in the U.S. has access to, yet not all businesses take advantage of (though PTT over cellular or PoC multi-functionality is fast replacing LMR in the commercial sector). Luckily for public safety, FirstNet’s…

Police Vehicles May 16, 2018

Transportation 2018

Sergeant James Post TRANSPORTATION 2018  P&SN presents its 20th annual report on the latest technical advances in police vehicles, components and aftermarket equipment. Welcome to our annual transportation issue where we cover all that’s new for the coming year – vehicles, emergency lighting and other accessories, plus all the results from the Michigan State Police (MSP) annual emergency vehicle tests. So, grab a cup of java, sit back and enjoy. Oh, yeah, don’t forget something to write with so you…

Training & Education May 15, 2018

Train for the Fight

Mike Rayburn When the moment of truth has arrived, the time for preparation has passed. Are you training for the fight or are you training for the range? There is a difference, even though there shouldn’t be, but some departments are still doing “range practice” when they should be teaching “street fighting.” In today’s world of touchy-feely PC police departments, where we cry when we retire and can’t wait to show off our latest dance moves on YouTube, God forbid…

Naloxone l

Training & Education May 15, 2018

Police Use of Naloxone

Chris Fleming, Tod W. Burke, Ph.D. and Stephen S. Owen, Ph.D. Implementing overdose reversal programs has provided law enforcement agencies with a number of collateral benefits, including improved community relations. However, it is imperative to weigh both the benefits, as well as any potential drawbacks, before making any commitment. In Wisconsin, police were dispatched to the scene of an unresponsive two-year-old after he allegedly consumed OxyContin® pills, an opioid derivative. Despite interventions from first responders, the toddler was pronounced dead…

Old police car

The Wheels of Justice May 15, 2018

The Wheels of Justice May June 2018

Sergeant James Post A CONDENSED HISTORY OF POLICE CAR ENGINES (AND A FEW COOL CRUISERS, TOO) PART ONE We all think of history in different ways. Your high school history teacher probably traced history by the dates of significant events, while architects categorize history with building styles and sports fans track history by the big (or bad) games of their favorite teams. But, automobile fans (car guys/gals) organize their thinking by favorite years, makes and models. However, performance-minded buffs go…

House

Legal Update May 15, 2018

Legal Update May June 2018

US Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Police in DC House Party Case Larry E. Holtz, Esq. A boisterous, late night Washington, DC, party leads to the arrest of partygoers and, ultimately, to a decision regarding probable cause. Recently, in District of Columbia v. Wesby, 583 U.S. ___ (2018), the United States Supreme Court rejected a claim made by 16 trespassing partygoers that the police lacked probable cause to arrest them. The circumstances unfolded at about 1:00 a.m. in the…

Law Enforcement Leadership May 15, 2018

Law Enforcement Leadership May June 2018

Michael Carpenter Are You a Good Boss? Do You Want to Find Out? The reality is that honestly determining whether or not you are a good police commander can be difficult. There may be people around you who will praise your virtues, no matter what you do. Of course, there will also be those whom you will not be able to satisfy, no matter how good you really are as a commander. Somewhere between those two extremes is the truth…

Equipment & Apparel May 14, 2018

Public Perception

Rebecca Waters How does an officer’s physical appearance influence public opinion? Recent events involving police use of force have compelled law enforcement to spend more time considering their relationship with the communities they serve and how to improve the public’s perception of officers and their role in the community. In addition to public outreach programs designed to bring citizens in contact with officers in constructive, positive ways, recent research suggests that an officer’s appearance can influence public opinion. “It is possible…

Busted May 14, 2018

BUSTED! – Real Stories of Genuine Absurdity May/June 2018

James L. McClinton, Ph.D. He’s an intense man with a busy schedule… Police officers were working a crash in midtown Gainesville, Florida, when a man pulled up and started honking his horn. His honking was not a gentle tap of the horn button, but a rather excessive use of the device. When police approached his vehicle, they immediately noticed the smell of marijuana wafting from the opened car window. Inside the car, they found a handgun, a loaded magazine and…

....and nothing but the truth May 14, 2018

…AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH May/June 2018

Ramesh Nyberg A Master Interviewer – Gregory M. Smith April 19, 1953 – October 27, 2017 You’ve heard it before: Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.             As one who did and one who taught (and still does), I respectfully disagree. But, I won’t use myself as an example because that would be presumptuous. Instead, I’ll use as an example a guy named Greg Smith who just passed away a few months ago. Greg was a really special…