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
The difference between control and chaos often comes down to fundamentals—here’s where officers most often go wrong
Situational awareness isn’t just learned over time — it can be trained; here’s how field training officers can accelerate learning through visualization, behavior analysis and scenario-based training
The cop shows of the 1970s were full of Vietnam veterans, college-educated cops and minorities assuming fully integrated roles
For many officers, the last sign-off isn’t just the end of a shift — it’s the moment a career, identity and sense of purpose collide
Choosing the wrong approach wastes time and lets gangs grow, making it critical for officers to match enforcement tactics to the threat from the first contact
SB233 makes fleeing from law enforcement in a vehicle a felony and states that repeat offenders will face mandatory jail time
With rising antisemitism, targeted violence and political polarization, police leaders are aligning across borders to strengthen democratic policing and protect vulnerable communities