Patrol Issues
The Patrol Issues topic page offers news, commentary, analysis, and tactical tips that will help prepare police officers for life on the thin blue line.
Nearly half of officers say their safety is frequently or always compromised due to understaffing — and they’re feeling the strain
Download this in-depth analysis of Police1’s State of the Industry survey on the rise in assaults on officers and the operational gaps leaving them exposed
It only takes one ethically flawed decision to devastate your personal life and police career
Training in the top mount position gives officers the skills to stay in control, limit a subject’s access to weapons and respond effectively if a struggle escalates
Crime analyst and former CIA officer Jeff Asher breaks down why FBI crime data falls short, what the Realtime Crime Index can offer and how agencies can improve intelligence with better systems
Citizen police academies are typically offered once a year, free of charge, to civilians 18 and older with no criminal history
Patrol officers’ reports are the foundation of the successful investigation and prosecution of a crime, so make sure you’re giving your report the attention it requires
Many officers tend to rest or conceal their hands in or on their outer vest during non-threatening encounters, but does this impact reaction time?
Do you have a leader within your department that’s capable of turning your team into an elite unit? Try looking in the mirror
This could be the year we finally drop below 100 line-of-duty deaths — a goal many once believed was out of reach
The ambush killings of Officers Anthony Wallace and Matthew Tokuoka gave recruits a sobering introduction to the reality of sacrifice in policing
Resources for a successful start to a law enforcement career, from the academy physical test and beyond
Get your police officers to talk about tactics to keep names off the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall
The April 28 directive expands legal protections, reduces oversight burdens and repositions federal support to strengthen police operations
In U.S. v. Pinder, the 10th Circuit questioned a car search and discovery of evidence under the search-incident-to-arrest doctrine
Choosing the right driver specimen – blood or breath – may be a crucial decision in some cases
Attention to timing, instructions and demonstrations help reveal intoxication clues during pre-arrest screening
Maximize your effectiveness by laying on the charm and practicing patience in this stage
Watching for the little things, patience pays off when building a solid intoxication investigation case
By tracking metrics like use of force, sick leave and highly emotional envents, early intervention systems help agencies spot at-risk officers and provide proactive wellness support
If you feel you are policing in an untenable environment, avoid doing anything rash and irreversible without first considering all your options
A routine traffic stop. A disabled vehicle. A burning car. These everyday scenes can turn deadly in seconds — here’s how two experts say we need to rethink roadside response
Report writing is not a chore, it is the best tool for avoiding lost cases, lost lawsuits and lost careers
Spark discussion in the training room or shift briefing with a quote from “The Art of War”
Officers can’t solve homelessness alone, but smart partnerships and specialized training show a better way forward
Retired Chicago police officer Leatrice Woody’s memoir is a blueprint for law enforcement career success and the importance of love for the job, people and community
When poor practices are modeled, the consequences can be long-lasting; here’s how leadership can step in early to set new officers up for success
In United States v. Giambro, the 1st Circuit ruled officers unlawfully entered a home without a warrant under the emergency aid doctrine
Unlike a physical injury, a mental traumatic injury like police PTSD can happen almost daily
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