From pre-shift setup to end-of-day reset, this practical checklist helps officers build safer, more consistent patrol habits from inside the vehicle
PATROL FOCUS
Wichita Police officer and FTO Jennifer Zinkhon shares practical advice on how officers can use in-car time between calls to write reports, stay alert, manage distractions and make safer decisions on patrol
From managing radio traffic to weighing pursuit risks, officers must balance speed, safety and situational awareness on every call for service
FROM SEAT TO STREET: PATROL LESSONS FOR OFFICERS
From calm presence on scene to shared accountability, patrol officers quickly recognize leadership that supports rather than disrupts
Follow these steps to prioritize officer safety on every shift
Fight complacency caused by the “routine” by establishing a “tactical routine” oriented toward personal survival
Regardless of how long you’ve been doing traffic stops, no two are the same
A volatile roadside encounter turns into a fight inside a moving vehicle — where instinct and decision-making collide
Police1’s exclusive companion report to the “What Cops Want in 2025" survey reveals how officers combine awareness skills and new tools to stay safe
ADDITIONAL PATROL NEWS & INSIGHTS
Pre-action “jitters” aren’t fear — they’re a biological signal that the body is primed for performance, and leaders who understand it can turn stress into an operational advantage
The questions asked, evidence captured and details documented in the moments after arrest often determine whether a case grows or stalls
A supervisor’s focus on containment, communication and time helped officers manage a knife-wielding man making bomb threats
A shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shows how fast a high-profile event can turn into a critical incident — and what officers must do to be ready
The consensus is there, but the same three excuses are still keeping agencies from acting
The six-month program at Arizona State University’s PD evaluates whether EVs can match gas-powered units in performance, durability and response readiness
In small and mid-sized agencies, drug enforcement isn’t about dismantling cartels — it’s about reducing the everyday harms that destabilize communities