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
“Our officers are working shoulder to shoulder with the residents, the community leaders and business owners down here on the South Side,” the sergeant in charge of the patrol unit said
In 1987, Tom Weitzel was issuing a parking ticket when he was ambushed and shot by a gang member; the incident taught him the importance of standing by his officers in the best and worst of times
“[Laws decriminalizing drug use are] having a negative impact on public safety. That’s the message I want to get out there,” El Cajon PD Chief Mike Moulton said
Discretion requires officers to think ahead to possible, unintended consequences. Are we adequately training officers in the valor of its use?
The actions of Officer Michael Tschida serve as a valuable case study for officers to learn from and adapt their response strategies in similar high-risk situations
Chief Neil Cervenka outlines key considerations from his agency’s journey toward an electric police fleet
No one can claim policework is boring for the men and women working patrol