Articles

The Wheels of Justice June 2, 2026

Why Police Fleets Should Take Hybrids Seriously

By Sergeant James Post Patrol vehicles don’t live the same life as civilian cars. For many agencies, that makes hybrids less of a compromise and more of a practical fleet tool. One of the most encouraging things for any writer is learning that people are actually reading their work and, better yet, putting some of those ideas to use. I have been writing about police vehicles and, more recently, the EV debate, for years. During that time, the discussion has…

News May 28, 2026

BJS Releases Hiring and Retention of State and Local Law Enforcement Officers, 2020 – Statistical Tables

The Bureau of Justice Statistics, in the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, released Hiring and Retention of State and Local Law Enforcement Officers, 2020 – Statistical Tables recently. This report presents statistics on the hires and separations of full-time sworn personnel by general-purpose law enforcement agencies and the incentives offered to retain them.  Findings in the report are based on BJS’s 2020 Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) survey. Conducted periodically since 1987, the LEMAS survey collects…

Technology May 26, 2026

Video Doesn’t Lie? The Dangerous Myth Behind Camera Evidence

By John G. Peters, Jr., Ph.D. and John Black, D.B.A. Copyright 2026. A.R.R. Video can persuade, but it cannot capture everything. Technical limits, perception gaps and framing effects make camera evidence far less objective than many people assume.  “Video doesn’t lie.” “You can’t cross‑examine a camera.” These claims still echo through courtrooms, police briefings and public debate, even though they sometimes collapse under scientific scrutiny. Peer‑reviewed research has repeatedly shown that such confidence is misplaced, yet the myths endure, an…

Weaponry May 21, 2026

Balancing the Load

By Mike Boyle External vest carriers can reduce duty belt weight, improve comfort and keep critical gear within reach – but only when the vest and belt are set up with purpose. When I started out, my duty belt included my service revolver, a holster, a dual dump pouch for spare ammunition, and a handcuff case. This whole rig was secured to my inner garrison belt by a trio of keepers and a baton ring and I felt I was…

Training & Education May 19, 2026

An Overlooked Occupational Hazard

Why Lead Exposure Belongs in Every Firearms Training Conversation Firearms qualification is usually discussed in terms of readiness, policy compliance and officer proficiency. Yet, one of the most persistent risks tied to range work often receives far less attention: lead exposure. For rangemasters, firearms instructors and police officers who train regularly, lead contamination is a real occupational health concern. The hazard is shaped by how often personnel shoot, the type of ammunition being used and the conditions at the range…

News May 14, 2026

Best & Worst States to Be a Police Officer – 2026

WalletHub has released its 2026 report on the Best & Worst States to Be a Police Officer, highlighting where a law enforcement career may offer the strongest combination of compensation, safety, training, and overall working conditions. WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 30 key indicators of police friendliness. Metrics included median income for law enforcement officers, police deaths per 1,000 officers, state and local police spending, training requirements, and other factors tied to officer safety…

Training & Education April 23, 2026

When the Spotlight Finds You: Three Lessons in Crisis Communications for Mission-driven Leaders

Jessica A. Kuron Public safety agencies don’t get to choose when the spotlight turns their way – a single incident can take over the headlines without warning. In those moments, leaders often ask: What do we say? What don’t we say? When do we say it? And, how do we balance maintaining trust with protecting the integrity of the investigation? As former Chief of External Engagement for the US Attorney’s Office, and as an advisor to schools, nonprofits and public…

News April 16, 2026

Pink Cocaine Hitting American Communities

The drug landscape has changed. Drug use is more dangerous than ever before with the advent of fentanyl and the deceptive tactics used by drug organizations to drive dependency which can eventually lead to addiction. Several states are warning of pink cocaine – a powdered mixture of substances which is dyed pink; may have a sweet smell; and typically produces mind-altering, hallucinogenic effects. DEA laboratory testing has identified pink powders containing ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and xylazine. Effects of…

....and nothing but the truth April 9, 2026

…AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

Ramesh Nyberg We must be geniuses. We, who labor in uniform, in plainclothes, or in tactical armor, are not merely figures of authority – we are reasoning beings, operating with disciplined intelligence.       OR… High school juniors are complete, empty-headed lamebrains. Now, before all of you with high school children out there get your city-issued knickers in a twist, let me tell you that I have raised six kids, all of them having stumbled through their 11th grades with various levels…

News April 2, 2026

National Playbook for States to Keep Youth Out of the Justice System

Children, teens and young adults often enter the justice system because their health, education and safety needs aren’t met. As a result, justice systems are dealing with challenges they were never designed to address. The CSG Justice Center’s new research-based guide can help states prevent violence, expand opportunities and keep youth out of the justice system. The Youth Safety Playbook for States includes: a community-based service continuum; strategies for financing, infrastructure, policy, service, and workforce; and a checklist for implementing each strategy. The playbook…