Betsy Brantner Smith

Survival Insights

Sergeant Betsy Smith has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, retiring as a patrol supervisor in a large Chicago suburb. A graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety's School of Staff and Command and a Street Survival seminar instructor for more than 9 years, Betsy is now a speaker, author and a primary Police1 Academy consultant. Visit Betsy's website at www.femaleforces.com.

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Full list of Betsy Brantner Smith results

8 'Mom-isms' that can make you a better cop
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If you get hurt at work and have to go to the ER, do you really want the trauma nurses talking about your tattered underwear?
The "love/hate" relationship between cops and their dispatchers
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Having spent time on both sides of the dispatch center, I’d like to make just a few suggestions for making life easier – and safer – for each other
Why conflict between officers helps the team
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Using conflict can reduce the departmental politics that tend to plague our organizations and keep us from getting real work done
What do our 'cop dreams' tell us?
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From syrup bullets to empty holsters, officers have some interesting recurring dreams
How to fight fatal fatigue
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Physically, emotionally, tactically and especially behind the wheel, fatigue can lead to disaster for the average cop
3 keys to planning for retirement after a police career
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I wish I could go back and tell my 21-year-old rookie self, “Hey kid, make sure you start planning for retirement”
How to have a life outside of law enforcement
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Use the 'take-charge' skills you learn as an officer to take control of your personal schedule and enjoy your time away from the job
Police History: The evolution of women in American law enforcement
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The story of women in law enforcement continues to evolve as police departments discover that female officers bring particular gifts and abilities to the profession
What advice would you give a female rookie?
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The youngsters in this brave profession need to hear from the veterans, the ones who have “been there, done that”
5 keys to retiring from police work with a healthy body
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Police work is hard on the body, but you can take preventative measures to help avoid permanent damage
3 safety concerns female cops have (and how to address them)
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Some of the primary concerns of women crimefighters include controlling larger subjects, avoiding a “police brutality” accusation and finding realistic training programs
Ex-cop's absurd "police are racist and violent" claims are dead wrong
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The bottom line is that Redditt Hudson is a wannabe politician who, despicably, seems determined to use the Ferguson situation to try and jump-start his stalled career
27 reasons for women in law enforcement to celebrate
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Have some fun, enjoy a few laughs, and be grateful that you — and your brothers and sisters — are part of greatest profession in the world
Women in policing: 9 tips for mentors and mentees
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With three generations of women firmly established in policing, women mentoring other women should be a given
10 truths of police training
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Police1 Columnist Richard Fairburn’s excellent piece titled 10 truths of police leadership inspired me ponder what “truths” police trainers need to think about
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