2018

Weaponry March 19, 2018

What’s Hot from SHOT?

Mike Boyle One of my favorite annual rituals is attending the SHOT Show. This event might be best described as the world’s largest firearms bazaar where manufacturers, large and small, display their wares and introduce new products. This year’s event was held January 23-26, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. A couple of days of hard touring will put even the most jaded firearms enthusiast into sensory overload. It’s just impossible to take it all in! There are, of course, thousands…

Training & Education March 19, 2018

Training for Off-Duty and Plainclothes Carry

Todd Fletcher After recognizing a training deficiency about eight years ago, I began teaching a class called, “Off-Duty & Concealed Carry Tactics for Law Enforcement.”  The class covered equipment selection, marksmanship and live-fire exercises specific to the types of situations law enforcement officers could face. To this day, I am still amazed by the number of officers who tell me this was the first time they had ever trained using everyday clothing and concealed carry equipment. While frustrating, this is…

Law Enforcement Leadership March 19, 2018

Law Enforcement Leadership March April 2018

Mike Carpenter  “Hey, Boss, Where Are We Going?” There are many definitions of the word “leadership” and there are many books to read and many Web pages to click on to learn about this skill. But, let’s keep this simple and look at a very basic (but very powerful) definition of leadership which I like: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.” (John C. Maxwell) Where Are You Going? Do you know…

Busted March 19, 2018

BUSTED! – Real Stories of Genuine Absurdity March April 2018

James L. McClinton, Ph.D Can you hear me now?… A 69-year-old woman in Goodyear, Arizona, finally succumbed to a frustration many wives suffer. As her husband sat on the toilet, she barged in and “shot two bullets at the wall above his head to make him listen to me,” she told Goodyear police when they were called to the scene. The woman said her husband “would have had to be ten feet tall to be hit by the bullets,” but…

Swat Team in action

....and nothing but the truth March 19, 2018

…AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH March/April 2018

Ramesh Nyberg I was an investigator for 22 years in homicide, working death scenes of all kinds, but I’ve never been to a scene littered with the bodies of innocent schoolkids. I’m thankful for that. And, so, on the very day I am writing this latest column, it is the same day that the students, faculty and staff of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas are returning to school for the first time since the shooting. I dedicate this column not only to…

Inside of a church

News February 8, 2018

JTIC Releases Desktop Version of Safeguarding Houses of Worship Tool

In addition to the popular iOS and Android versions of the Justice Technology Information Center (JTIC) Safeguarding Houses of Worship security planning app, vetted public safety professionals now can also request a new desktop version of the tool. To request access to the new fillable PDF version or the download instructions for either of the apps, send an E-mail to asknlectc@justnet.org from an agency E-mail address (not a personal E-mail).

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News February 8, 2018

New JTIC Video Series on Evidence-based Policing Available on YouTube

“Examining Evidence-based Policing Practices and Programs” is available to watch on the JUSTNET YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/yazlcs77. This new Justice Technology Information Center-produced video series features interviews with speakers from the first-ever conference held by the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing. Topics covered include: • Collecting Near Miss Data to Improve Training; • Reducing Call Loads Through Evidence-based Policing; • Engaging Officers for Effective Evidence-based Policing; • The Link Between Emotional Intelligence, Evidence-based Policing and Trust; and • A Look…

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News February 8, 2018

Spotlight on Safety Highlights Cybersecurity and Officer Safety

The Bureau of Justice Assistance VALOR Program has released the latest Spotlight on Safety, “Cybersecurity and Officer Safety: Increase Awareness, Assess Your Information, and Protect Your Digital Footprint.” It provides information to help law enforcement personnel stay safe in today’s digital climate. Resources include an article, resources and printable posters. You can access the spotlight at https://tinyurl.com/yabtq88b.

News January 24, 2018

Most Americans Want to Interact Online with Law Enforcement, with Nearly 90 Percent Open to Sharing Evidence via Digital Channels  

Unisys study finds US city dwellers will provide photos, text messages, video, and audio evidence to police as long as privacy concerns are addressed. PR Newswire RESTON, Va., Jan. 9, 2018 Nearly 90 percent of residents of four major US cities are willing to use online digital media to submit evidence to law enforcement agencies, suggesting the need for more interactive platforms to promote the exchange of information between police and citizens, according to a new “Safe Cities” survey sponsored…

Weaponry January 24, 2018

Looking to the Future: Duty Guns and Firearms Training

Todd Fletcher When I started out as a young, wet behind the ears police officer, I never imagined many of the advancements in technology and training which are available today. Back in “the good old days,” in-car computers were a distant dream. Cell phones were bulky and expensive. Firearms training was nothing more than static shooting on stationary paper targets. Patrol rifles were unheard of outside of special teams and assignments, and the only optics anyone talked about were the…