Articles

Cover of the DEA’s 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment report, highlighting U.S. and global drug trafficking threats and enforcement priorities.

News August 4, 2025

2025 National Drug Threat Assessment

The US Drug Enforcement Administration recently released the 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA), the DEA’s comprehensive review of the threats posed to the United States by deadly illicit drugs and the violent domestic and international drug trafficking organizations responsible for producing and trafficking the drugs poisoning our communities. In addition to highlighting current trends and emerging threats, this year’s NDTA includes overviews of the cartels and criminal organizations which were designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated…

Blurred view of police cars with emergency lights at night, representing the high-stakes environment central to the Supreme Court’s 'moment of threat' decision.

Legal Update July 30, 2025

Legal Update: Supreme Court Rejects the “Moment of Threat” Rule

Larry E. Holtz, Esq. In Barnes v. Felix, 605 U.S. ___ (5/15/2025), the United States Supreme Court determined that, in assessing whether an officer acted reasonably in using force, a court may not simply consider the precise moment of the threat. According to the Court, the “moment-of-threat” rule improperly narrows the proper Fourth Amendment analysis. “To assess whether an officer acted reasonably in using force, a court must consider all the relevant circumstances, including facts and events leading up to…

Two tactical officers in full ballistic gear kneeling behind cover during a training exercise, showcasing modern body armor and protective equipment.

Equipment & Apparel July 25, 2025

Ballistic Armor Update: 2025

P&SN Staff The ballistic protection industry has seen steady advancements over the past year, with new upgrades and design enhancements improving armor effectiveness. Here’s a look at some of the latest developments. Adept Armor Armorfoam is Adept Armor’s new protective material which is a self-bonded hybrid of ultralight Ivoryguard™ elastomer foam with high tenacity ballistic fibers. Weighing only 0.2 g/cc, these flexible pads are lightweight, yet deliver protection beyond what most foams can offer. A 10″ x 12″ ballistic trauma pad…

Uniformed police officer riding a small children’s bike with emergency lights, illustrating the unexpected and sometimes humorous moments in police work.

Busted July 23, 2025

Busted!

James L. McClinton, Ph.D. The budget cuts are starting to show… In Lone Tree, Colorado, a police officer was busy arresting a suspect in a theft when the perp decided he didn’t want to go to jail and first took off on foot before grabbing a nearby motorized scooter. Thinking fast on his feet, the police officer commandeered a kid’s bike to pick up on the chase, police said. “The suspect might’ve had a scooter, but [the police officer] had…

Female law enforcement officer practicing firearm skills under supervision during tactical training exercise, using a metal barrel for cover.

Training & Education July 18, 2025

Teaching Female Law Enforcement Officers How to Shoot

Larry J. Nichols As instructors, it’s important to understand the substantial differences in how males and females think and process information. Years ago, I was commissioned to instruct actress Debbie Reynolds (1932-2016) on how to handle and fire a Smith & Wesson® Model 15 revolver for a movie she would be starring in as a policewoman. Later, I also taught actress Lucy Liu how to handle and fire an H&K MP5 submachine gun for an action movie in which she…

Police officers in riot gear forming a line during a protest, highlighting the tense balance law enforcement faces in crowd control situations.

....and nothing but the truth July 15, 2025

And Nothing But the Truth

Ramesh Nyberg There’s something happening here…what it is ain’t exactly clear There’s a man with a gun over there, telling me I got to beware…  “For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound)” – Buffalo Springfield, 1967 If any profession can consistently claim the phrase “damned if you do and damned if you don’t” as their own, it’s we in law enforcement. A year and a half ago, I published my memoir and one of the main reasons I…

Yellow warning sign with circular arrows symbol and the word 'Danger'—used to represent the dangers of circular reasoning or cyclical logic.

Training & Education July 11, 2025

The Dangers of Circular Reasoning in Police Investigations

Eugene Nielsen Circular reasoning, a logical fallacy in which an argument’s conclusion is used as a premise, is especially dangerous in investigations where objective reasoning and evidence-based decision-making are critical. When circular reasoning infiltrates the investigative process, it undermines the accuracy and fairness of investigations, resulting in flawed conclusions, wrongful convictions and eroded confidence in law enforcement. By understanding this fallacy, its implications and how it can manifest in investigations, law enforcement agencies can take proactive steps to improve their…

Springfield Armory® Echelon™ 4.0C

Weaponry June 24, 2025

Springfield Armory® Echelon™ 4.0C

Mike Boyle For either uniform or plainclothes carry, the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C sits squarelyin the winner’s circle. Much has changed since the 1980s when law enforcement agencies began the mass transition away from traditional revolvers to semiautomatic pistols. At the time, double-action pistols ruled and that trend continued for many years. Double-action pistols had evolved to a point where earlier reliability issues had been resolved and, because of the fact that the US Armed Services had gone down that…

News June 24, 2025

Swatting Awareness for Law Enforcement

In collaboration with the FBI, the FPS, the Major County Sheriffs of America, and numerous state and local law enforcement partners, the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement (OSLLE) has developed a series of swatting awareness videos specifically for law enforcement. Swatting is a dangerous and malicious act in which individuals place false emergency calls to police or emergency services, falsely reporting an active, severe crisis at a specific location. These incidents are increasingly straining emergency services and helplines,…

cover of publication

News June 24, 2025

National Law Enforcement Museum Launches Podcast Series on Law Enforcement Think Tanks

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) today announced the launch of a new podcast series, titled “Law Enforcement Think Tanks: Shaping the Future of Policing.” The series is hosted by Thomas Canavan, Executive Director of the National Law Enforcement Museum. Through interviews with scholars, practitioners and policy leaders, the podcast explores how law enforcement think tanks and academic centers contribute to shaping modern policing strategy and public safety policy. Featured guests include representatives from The Curve, the Miller Center on Policing…