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.
Accountability isn’t punishment — it’s how police leaders shape culture, strengthen teams and uphold the profession’s integrity
A squared-away appearance sends a message of competence, pride and readiness
How one Pennsylvania agency turned a local registry into a technology tool that speeds response and protects vulnerable community members
Second Amendment auditors intentionally test police reactions. Here’s how officers can stay professional, protect rights and prevent encounters from escalating
Officers tricked into assisting a fraudulent motorcycle repossession were not liable for unlawful search or seizure under Fourth Amendment
Proactive work is how you sharpen your skills, earn respect and move your career forward
Circuit court ruled 20-minute delay nullified the hot pursuit exception, making officers’ warrantless entry into a backyard unlawful
Suspect had no reasonable expectation of privacy in an unlocked, out-of-order public restroom, upholding search as valid
Utah police officers kept their cool and remained professional as a city councilor ranted about their lack of training and conduct
A N.C. deputy creates an impactful moment for a motorist in personal crisis with de-escalation, patience and compassion
As policing came under fire in 2020, Abby Ellsworth launched a podcast to give officers a safe place to tell their stories — and to remind the public of the humanity behind the badge
The Worcester City Council voted 8-2 on a resolution opposing any pursuit or consideration of a 287(g) agreement between the city and ICE
A dissenting judge warned the ruling could undermine road safety, saying, “People who traverse our Florida highways are entitled to share the roads with sober and safe drivers”
Extremist tactics, sniper attacks and online incitement are reshaping the threat landscape, leaving officers with shrinking windows to respond
The 10th Circuit upheld a drug and gun conviction, ruling officers lawfully impounded a vehicle and conducted an inventory search
The 6th Circuit upheld a man’s carjacking conviction, ruling a police photo lineup was not unduly suggestive
At NASRO’s National School Safety Conference, attendees used live exercises — from QR code polls to a shared Google Doc — to surface challenges and capture solutions for school safety
From fit and function to pros and cons, this FAQ answers common questions about police load bearing vests
A new study challenges the assumption that making police body-worn cameras more visible reduces use of force
Court upheld a 15-year sentence after ruling a defendant who claimed he was “saving” minors targeted in a child sex sting
How T4E helps officers train more frequently, with realistic platforms that fit tight budgets
Defense attorneys have no obligation to present the truth and I continuously see officers shocked when they learn this in court
From sleep divorce to sleep apnea, Dr. Leah Kaylor explains how cops can fix hidden sleep killers that put safety and performance at risk
Master the critical skills, tactical strategies and interagency coordination needed to respond effectively to active shooter incidents
Stress inoculation, memory science and scenario realism can reshape how officers perform when it matters most
From room clearing to stress inoculation, these quick, affordable drills help officers build critical skills even when training time is short
Force-on-force training exposes the limits of static drills and builds the confidence and competence officers need to prevail in real encounters
Creative scheduling, partnerships, technology and grants can help agencies train more officers more effectively — even when budgets are tight
The T4E TC 68 rifle mirrors patrol rifle handling, offers flexible power and ammo options, and keeps scenario training safer and more affordable
Veteran firearms instructor Todd Fletcher explains why minimum-standard training is dangerous and how agencies can build realistic, effective police training programs
Any line officer or front-line supervisor arriving first on scene to a multi-vehicle collision is faced with a multitude of initial scene management procedures
In U.S. v. Glover, the D.C. Circuit ruled ambiguous references to “warrants” may have led to involuntary consent for a home search
In United States v. Moses, the 3rd Circuit ruled a police officer did not violate the Fourth Amendment by walking onto a driveway
