Articles

Man sitting in interrogation room

....and nothing but the truth September 16, 2016

…AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH Sept/Oct 2016

“…exposing the tactics that law enforcement uses to make confessions happen.” Just when you didn’t think another punch or kick was coming, here it comes, late – after the whistle – and even from someone who was on your side. I’m talking about James L. Trainum’s new book, How the Police Generate False Confessions: An Inside Look at the Interrogation Room (Rowman and Littlefield). There’s so much to say about the timing, the title and the tone of the arrival…

Man holding a gun

Weaponry September 10, 2016

Dealing with On Duty Responders: How to Not Get Shot by Other Officers During Off Duty Incidents

Confrontations in which officers do not recognize others as police occur more often than most realize. As if the stress, confusion and general chaos which will probably define the environment immediately after you either use your weapon to defend yourself or your family or intervene in a situation, there is a very real danger – very, very real – of you being mistaken for a perp yourself by the responding on duty officers – and shot as a result. Here’s…

Transition Lead

Weaponry September 7, 2016

Primary to Secondary: An Easy Transition

When forced to switch from primary to secondary, speed is imperative. Some instructors will tell you to clear the malfunction on your rifle rather than automatically transitioning over to your handgun. Others will tell you to automatically transition over to your handgun and not worry about what’s going on with the rifle. They’re both right – depending on the circumstances. Quick Decision When considering making the switch from your primary weapon system (your rifle) to your secondary weapon system (your…

Thirty Years of ALPR

Technology September 5, 2016

Collecting and Analyzing Digital Forensics

Investigations now often include evidence gathered from such sources as social media, Web sites and cloud services. Pointing the way toward the best methods to collect and properly handle such information were team members from TransPerfect Legal Solutions. Andrew Neal, Director, Forensic Technology and Consulting; Daniel Andriulli, Digital Forensics, Manager; and Joe Pochron, Digital Forensics, presented their ideas at the 61st Annual Meeting of ASIS, the world’s leading security organization. Fundamentals Andrew Neal said forensic science is not new, having…

Law Enforcement Leadership September 3, 2016

Law Enforcement Leadership Sept/Oct 2016

Michael Carpenter Maintaining High Standards Sometimes, it seems that when police commanders get into trouble, it’s for what they don’t do. The duties and responsibilities of a police commander – at any level and in any size agency – are so numerous and diverse that it can be easy to overlook something – even the little things. And, sometimes, the one thing you overlook could be the one thing which will get you and your department on the six o’clock…

Police car

Technology September 2, 2016

Thirty Years of ALPR

Three decades after its invention, where does ALPR technology stand and what do you need for effective implementation? Since Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems first gained recognition as “force multipliers” for North American law enforcement, they’ve enabled significant improvements in everything from stolen vehicle recoveries to criminal intelligence gathering. As a 2014 RAND report noted, however, expiring grant funds, privacy related criticism and a lack of research are all causing police administrators to reevaluate ALPRs which compete for other…

Law Enforcement Leadership August 3, 2016

Law Enforcement Leadership July/August 2016

Michael Carpenter “The Times They Are A-Changin’ ” Do you remember who sang that song? (Or, maybe you’re old enough to remember listening to that song on a transistor radio!) Either way, even though it was written more than 50 years ago, the fact is that the times are still changing…and, in some cases, changing very quickly. In the private sector, if a store doesn’t continually change by updating its inventory regularly based on customer needs, then it will lose…

Don't Shoot Sign

....and nothing but the truth July 1, 2016

…AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH July/August 2016

“Nyberg for the State, Your Honor” I’ve been told by four different people that I should have gone, or should go, to law school. I don’t know. What would I do? Criminal defense? No. Civil? Ugh, maybe. Prosecutor? My heart would be in it, but it would have to be in the right jurisdiction. I was very lucky during my two plus decades in homicide to have worked with some truly outstanding prosecutors, many of whom are judges now, but…