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
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
A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper reflects on how coaching young athletes reshaped his leadership, communication and calm under pressure on the street.
A police chief’s poem captures the hollow hours of night shift and the duty most never see
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