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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
The “Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Toolkit for K-12 Schools” can help K-12 schools and law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to addressing anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The toolkit outlines steps which school leaders can take to assess and respond to anonymous threats and to better prepare for, and prevent, future threats. It also highlights how K-12 schools can work with law enforcement and community partners in addressing these threats. The accompanying…
In 2021, New Jersey implemented new use-of-force policies, including mandatory training in de-escalation and peer intervention. But, how have these initiatives impacted officers and their day-to-day policing practices? The National Policing Institute conducted a multi-year evaluation, surveying over 31,000 officers who completed Integrating Communications, Assessment and Tactics (ICAT) and Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) training to assess the impact. This research offers a rare look into how officers perceive these training efforts and what it means for public safety….
Eugene Nielsen The primary advantage of the DFR model is rapid situational awareness, allowing officers to assess threats, make informed tactical decisions, and allocate resources more effectively – often before the first unit arrives on scene. The concept of Drone as a First Responder (DFR) is rapidly gaining traction in the United States, with companies like Skydio, BRINC, Aerodome, and Flock Safety leading the charge. This technology promises to revolutionize the way law enforcement agencies respond to emergencies, offering faster…