News

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…

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…

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…

The Bureau of Justice Statistics, in the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, released Health and Wellness Resources Available to Law Enforcement, 2022 recently. This report details specific types of formal wellness programs offered to Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) sworn law enforcement personnel and practices adopted by general-purpose law enforcement agencies (municipal, county and regional police departments; most sheriffs’ offices; and primary state and highway patrol agencies). The findings are from BJS’s 2022 Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS)…

This publication illustrates elements of the police staffing challenge and explores how they form a broader ecosystem which agencies should consider when assessing staffing issues, contemplating goals and strategies, and implementing solutions. It presents a six-step approach for police workforce planning and managing workload demand and addresses planning for three common staffing scenarios. To download a copy of this publication, visit https://tinyurl.com/mpmpmwyt

Setina Manufacturing Co., Inc. recently announced the launch of its new law enforcement vehicle console, engineered to deliver unmatched comfort, adaptability and mission-ready performance for today’s patrol vehicles. Designed with direct input from the field, this next-generation console blends ergonomic innovation with rugged durability to support officers through long shifts and demanding operations. At the core of the new console is a focus on officer comfort and efficiency. An integrated swivel armrest provides all-day support while maintaining quick, intuitive access…

The Collaborative Reform Initiative: Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) Spotlight series is committed to advancing knowledge through sharing tools, resources and information developed for the law enforcement field as a result of customized training and technical assistance delivered by CRI-TAC. This publication provides guidance to the law enforcement field on the purpose, structure and goals of law enforcement wellness checks and the different types of wellness checks agencies can establish. A copy of this publication can be downloaded at https://tinyurl.com/36mwh8m8

Springfield Armory reports that its FIRSTLINE program – launched in 2022 to support law enforcement and other first responders – remains active and widely used in 2026. FIRSTLINE was created to give qualified professionals direct access to duty-ready firearms at substantial discounts through a simple, point-of-sale process. “From the start, FIRSTLINE was built around the needs of working officers,” says Fred Mincks, Law Enforcement Sales Manager for Springfield Armory. “We recognize the demands placed on today’s first responders, and this…

One emerging cyber threat which can impact individuals, including law enforcement officers, other criminal justice practitioners and their families, is doxing. Doxing occurs when someone’s personal information is discovered and maliciously exposed online. This can include uncovering someone’s real name, home address, place of employment, and other personal information. It is important to ensure that apps, browsers and devices are set in a way which minimizes the risk of compromise. Our digital footprint consists of a plethora of personal data…

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, or NamUs, connects law enforcement with no-cost tools and resources to resolve missing and unidentified person cases. This includes state-of-the-art technology to securely store, share and compare case information with other criminal justice professionals. Law enforcement personnel can register to become professional NamUs users and search/view case information like dental records, fingerprint cards and other sensitive information. They can also add, edit and track cases through their authorized permissions in the system. Along…