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.
Most police officers dodge the “worst call” question. Here’s what happened the day I didn’t — and why it stayed with me
The 5th Circuit upheld a human trafficking conviction after ruling a deputy’s detention and search were supported by reasonable suspicion
Court upholds qualified immunity, ruling blurry video evidence didn’t disprove officers’ reasonable belief a suspect posed a deadly threat
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
Bots, deepfakes and foreign influence are driving false narratives that target personnel and disrupt operations — making early detection, rapid comms and digital footprint defense essential
NFL great Tamba Hali and Jiu-Jitsu black belt David Smarr demonstrate a simple, effective tactic for responding when a subject grabs an officer’s outer vest
At NASRO’s National School Safety Conference, a new checklist and real-world lessons gave schools and police practical tools to respond to threats
Here is a short list of how life will now change
Patrol officers are uniquely positioned to take the first investigative step in threat assessment, turning early warning signs into prevention
After attending “too many” police funerals, LAPD homicide detective Pierce Brooks compiled a list of errors that were being repeatedly committed in officer-down cases
While there isn’t a safe place to stand when dealing with vehicles, there are tactics you can use to reduce risk
The difference between a lawful seizure and unconstitutional conduct often hinges on how courts view an officer’s intent in high-risk vehicle encounters
In U.S. v. Walker, the 7th Circuit ruled a lifted mattress was unjustified under the protective sweep doctrine exemption in Maryland v. Buie
Untraceable firearms are endangering officers and communities, requiring stronger regulation, smarter detection and coordinated enforcement to improve safety
Expert strategies for optimizing your Drone as First Responder program as it scales, from staffing and policy to technology integration and community engagement
MOST POPULAR
- Why are some cops patrolling with steady-burn lights?
- Guardians of the Ground: How to escape the mounted position
- Before gossiping about a co-worker, ask yourself these 3 questions
- Stop ‘othering’ to connect with your community
- Case study: How Elk Grove PD is pushing the boundaries of DFR and real time information center integration