As you conclude your shift, chances are you will be tired, hungry and thinking about your bed. In other words, your guard is down. Something you will probably not be thinking about is being ambushed in your own driveway.
Don’t get mentally cozy until you are in your home. It may sound a little paranoid, but try thinking like a criminal that intends to attack an unsuspecting officer going home and you will see just how easy of a target you can allow yourself to be. Consider all the criminals that have sworn revenge as you drove them to jail. With the availability of Internet information, a criminal can find out where you live in approximately 5 minutes complete with turn-by-turn directions (thanks to Google).
To counter my own complacency, I have developed a short, simple routine that maximizes my safety when going home. I encourage other officers to develop a routine that works for them. At the end of the day, you owe it to your loved ones to be extra vigilant on your last stop of your shift…your home.
Related article by Chuck Remsberg: How to protect yourself and your family against revenge threats