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
From political violence and immigration enforcement to shifting criminal justice policy, 2025 forced local law enforcement to absorb the consequences of national decisions — regardless of ideology
Through hard lessons learned, IACP presenters advocate for changing the culture of the dynamic ballistic shield
A handcuffed man threw himself over a second-floor railing, forcing officers into a life-or-death rescue and raising fears about how the incident might be portrayed
A strange call behind an NYU dorm turns into an unexpected moment of connection on a rookie’s night foot post
IMPD officers overwhelmingly supported a test of the 5 on, 3 off, 4 on, 4 off schedule, which would allow officers 37 more days off per year than their previous schedule
A growing trend has officers driving with emergency lights on during routine patrol. Critics say it confuses the public, kills tactics and lacks any data to support it. What do you think?
A chief’s poem captures the quiet sacrifice of the officers who spend Thanksgiving on duty