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.
This case examines how courts evaluate reasonable suspicion tied to proximity and association
As online grooming reshapes missing-child cases, the National Child Protection Task Force is helping agencies use technology and legal tools to locate endangered children
Dealers make everyone wait. Research and field experience show that timing is often used to manage risk, underscoring the importance of patience supported by good intelligence
Police TV shows in the 1960s tried to balance authenticity, entertainment and the shifting expectations of what police work should look like
In a profession defined by crisis and action, it’s the calm, compassionate responses that leave the deepest marks on the people we serve
The inmate housing experiment is featured in Netflix’s “Unlocked: A Jail Experiment” and offers lessons in risk leadership, supervision and re-entry
How a routine littering complaint led to a lawful police encounter and broader legal implications for officers and communities
A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper reflects on how coaching young athletes reshaped his leadership, communication and calm under pressure on the street.
A shocking Greenville S.C. police officer ambush video leads to a discussion on staying alert without letting anxiety take over
Emily Hitchings and Greg Friese break down a viral coffee cup incident and the emotional choices that protect community trust
A police chief’s poem captures the hollow hours of night shift and the duty most never see
When does a pursuit become constitutionally dangerous? A 39-second chase forces the court to decide when the clock really starts
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
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- Massachusetts State Police officer files 27 reasons for clocking $350K in overtime
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- 15 years later, a film retells the West Memphis police murders — and why they still matter
- What Trump’s executive order delivers for law enforcement
- Indianapolis PD to pilot 10-hour shift schedule with alternating 3- and 4-day weekends