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.
When poor practices are modeled, the consequences can be long-lasting; here’s how leadership can step in early to set new officers up for success
In United States v. Giambro, the 1st Circuit ruled officers unlawfully entered a home without a warrant under the emergency aid doctrine
Unlike a physical injury, a mental traumatic injury like police PTSD can happen almost daily
As agencies suffer from diminished personnel numbers, technology can help enforce the actions needed to ‘flatten the curve’
Can a uniformed officer remain silent and go about a duty that is repugnant to the Constitution?
Officer Richie Plunkett works on the front line with homeless and disadvantaged individuals to help them get resources during COVID-19
Whether your shotgun is used to launch buckshot or beanbags, you need to keep it clean and ready for service
The Santa Rosa Police Department’s pandemic staffing plan could be a model for other agencies across the country
Law enforcement may encounter this phenomenon more frequently in the coming weeks as people seek ways to deal with COVID-19 illness or catastrophic financial losses
Allowing the public to file low priority crime or incident reports online or by phone facilitates social distancing
Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene asked county leaders to allow him to institute a curfew to help curb the spread of COVID-19
Police in Daytona Beach and Elizabeth have been using drones with automated messages designed to disperse crowds while maintaining social distancing
At issue was a motor vehicle stop by a deputy sheriff based on a license plate check showing the registered owner’s driver’s license was revoked
Industry association websites, webinars and resources offer training, procedures and advocacy for their members who are on the frontline pandemic response
LE should consider de-prioritizing the use of chemical agents if the benefit of using these tools is outweighed by the risk of spreading COVID-19
Social distancing not only prevents transmission of disease, but it also maintains a recommended reactionary gap for officers
Multiple police officers who patrol areas populated with homeless individuals have already tested positive for the coronavirus
Machine learning can offer an extra pair of hands to do a repetitive task, or provide an extra pair of eyes and ears
The man told police at the hospital that he was diagnosed the previous night and wanted to die
The establishment of Law Enforcement Alternative Report Call Centers would allow LEOs to respond to essential calls for service while civilian personnel address calls from the community
Many agencies still require sworn officers to perform tasks that could be handled equally well by others
From delaying noncritical arrests to monitoring officer health, here’s how agencies nationwide are responding during the COVID-19 pandemic
A BOLO for five call types officers may respond to during the current national emergency
Officers are used to risk, but at a time when Americans are being advised to stay six feet from each other, the perils and anxieties are new
The move is being undertaken to convey messages of peace, security and reassurance during the current COVID-19 pandemic
Thirty-five years ago, Tennessee v. Garner drastically changed the legal landscape concerning the use of deadly force by LEOs, paving the way for a unified standard
The tool provides real-time critical insights to assess and monitor the impact of COVID-19 on our nation’s first responders
The war against COVID-19 calls for a new approach to achieving compliance where logic and words may trump a pen and citation book
It is not always easy for officers to compartmentalize all the hurt they have encountered on calls without it having an effect on their own psyches
Steps to keep officers safe, healthy on the frontlines while serving their communities
Homeless service providers are scaling back operations in many communities leaving significant gaps in assistance for the homeless
Santa Clara County has decided to expedite COVID-19 testing for emergency personnel in the hopes of avoiding staffing shortages
Public messaging includes warnings that enforcement includes a misdemeanor penalty for disobedience to the order
