Articles by publisher

Weaponry June 11, 2026

Off Duty Carry: Risks, Realities and Readiness

By Mike Boyle Off duty carry offers critical protection, but safe, effective use depends on judgment, training and knowing when to intervene. A unique aspect of American law enforcement is that officers may carry a firearm while off duty. This practice has long been supported by police unions, administrators and officers themselves. Unions back it because officers may be called upon to take enforcement action even when off the clock. Administrators have also favored the idea, recognizing the value of…

News June 9, 2026

BJS Releases Two New Publications

The Bureau of Justice Statistics, in the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, released Crime Known to Law Enforcement, 2024 and The Nation’s Two Crime Measures, 2015–2024 recently. Crime Known to Law Enforcement, 2024 presents national and subnational estimates of crime offenses and victimizations for violent and property crime. Findings in this report, the second in an annual series, are based on BJS’s and the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) Estimation Program. NIBRS collects detailed information on crime…

Training & Education June 4, 2026

The Limits of Qualification: Preparing Officers for Real Gunfights

By Larry J. Nichols Too often, law enforcement firearms training is built around passing a test instead of surviving a violent encounter. Protection means shielding yourself from injury, danger or loss. For many people, that means buying a firearm, installing cameras or reinforcing a home. Those measures may create a sense of security, but they require limited skill. Defense is different. Defense is active. It means responding to a real attack and fighting through a violent encounter. To survive that…

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…