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.
BWC captures the startling moment a suspect attempted to kill a police officer and the beginning of trauma recovery a few minutes later
Public reaction to the Minneapolis ICE shooting reflects widespread misunderstandings of how deadly force in vehicle encounters is evaluated under law, policy and training
Why I didn’t — and what happened when I chose empathy over efficiency
A court’s decision to suppress evidence raises practical policy questions about officer reporting, training and agency liability
LAPD Commander Randy Goddard examines communication challenges during a historic fire and the technologies and planning strategies shaping future responses
Proposals addressing housing, childcare, healthcare and collective bargaining remain stalled, despite their potential impact on retention and job satisfaction
What FBI data shows about coordinated retail theft and how it differs from typical shoplifting
It’s not about being funny. It’s about reading the room, adapting under pressure and saying the right thing when scripts fail
Third-party verification confirms the shield’s ability to stop edge and clustered rifle threats under the ASTM E3347 standard
A veteran officer’s perspective on perception, movement and survival when a vehicle accelerates toward police
Some adrenaline rushes fade. Others stay with you for life. A veteran cop explains which moments never leave — and why they matter
Excessive radio chatter isn’t harmless — it clogs dispatch, weakens decision-making and can put officers at risk when the air should be clear
As one St. Paul officer exited the cruiser, the other fired through the windshield when the armed man pointed a gun at them
Effective instructors require ongoing development, real-world problem-solving skills and legal articulation — not just a certificate on file
A retired patrol officer breaks down the gear he carried on duty — and explains how preparation, not equipment, still makes the difference on the street
Prosper Police Department’s CAD-integrated DFR program shows how early aerial perspective — paired with patrol drones and grant-supported partnerships — can help growing agencies adjust response in real time
Former National Park Service ranger Andrea Lankford explains why missing hiker cases unravel quickly and how drones, digital clues and volunteer searchers are reshaping investigations
In an evolving field where seconds matter, RTIC experts from two California agencies explain how they turn high-tech information into real-time action to stop crime and save lives
From political violence and immigration enforcement to shifting criminal justice policy, 2025 forced local law enforcement to absorb the consequences of national decisions — regardless of ideology
On-duty workouts boost officer strength, health and morale
Bold public support shows how leadership fuels officer morale and commitment to following policy
Ohio DPS Director Andy Wilson on how intelligence-led policing, statewide resources and transparency with courts are helping agencies target violent criminals
Learn quick resets to use during and after a profanity-laced command confrontation
A real-world law enforcement test of Rocky’s Jump Boot Pro — long shifts, wet conditions, hard pavement and zero break-in time
With longer wait times for backup and fewer basic technologies, rural officers face safety risks that often go unnoticed outside their communities
Survey responses show officers want existing situational awareness tools to work consistently, seamlessly and intuitively before agencies invest in anything new
Furtive movements, gang affiliation and parole status created reasonable suspicion for vehicle frisk in U.S. v. McGregor
New research from Texas State University’s ALERRT Center examines whether VR can elicit stress responses similar to live scenarios — and what that means for modern police training
Graham factors and qualified immunity shield most officers but allow excessive force claim after one officer’s two final shots
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- Indianapolis PD to pilot 10-hour shift schedule with alternating 3- and 4-day weekends