November 2022

Training & Education November 30, 2022

Drone Piloting Proficiency Takes Flight with Certification Course

It’s a hot August day at the Maryland State Police Training Academy. The sun is shining bright and there’s a constant buzzing in the air. It’s not insects – although those are certainly out and about as well – it’s small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), also known as drones.  Dozens of officials from across the country, spanning a variety of different federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, have gathered together for intensive training. The “Advanced Open/Obstructed Test Proctor Course for…

News November 30, 2022

NIJ Brief: Five Facts About Mass Shootings in K-12 Schools

Published by the National Institute of Justice, this brief discusses evidence for detecting, preventing and responding to school shootings through NIJ-sponsored research. Preventing mass shootings in the United States, particularly those occurring in school settings, is an important priority for families, government leaders and officials, public safety agencies, mental health professionals, educators, and local communities. The brief provides potential solutions for preventing these shootings, as well as additional NIJ reports related to school shootings. A copy of the brief can…

News November 29, 2022

New National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Toolkit Available

Published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this toolkit helps government agencies promote the new National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Number, 988. SAMHSA recognizes the need for governments, states, territories, tribes, crisis centers, and partners to speak with one voice to ensure that there is a clear understanding about what 988 is and how it will work. They encourage you to use these communication outreach materials and build on them with your community coalitions to meet…

Equipment & Apparel November 21, 2022

Promoting and Supporting Your Important Cause

Earby Markham This past October marked the annual observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since 1985, this month has been dedicated to educating the public and promoting the screening and prevention of breast cancer. If you mention police charities or fundraising to members of your community, you’ll probably hear moans and groans along with stories of telemarketers who persistently call during dinnertime. Some may talk about the abuses of using telemarketing groups as the means to request donations in support…

Hand holding a mobile device with an 8 ball image inside it

Busted November 21, 2022

BUSTED! Real Stories of Genuine Absurdity November/December 2022

James L. McClinton, Ph. D. He needs to rethink his mass marketing strategy… An 18-year-old suspected drug dealer in Florida was arrested after asking a county commissioner if he wanted to buy cocaine in a “random text message.” The Flagler County Commissioner alerted the sheriff’s office that he received a text from someone offering to sell him an “eight ball” of cocaine. Detectives took screenshots of the text conversation between him and the suspect, then traced his number. The Commissioner…

....and nothing but the truth November 10, 2022

…AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH November/December 2022

Ramesh Nyberg The Misery of the Aftermath As I write this, it has been just 26 days since Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s southwestern coast just north of Sanibel Island. I spent a good deal of time in that area as a youngster. We were close friends with a family who lived in Fort Myers and we visited often. They lived right on the Caloosahatchee River which flowed across the north end of town into the Gulf of Mexico….