In this video tip, Police1 Contributor Dave Smith discusses the importance of making thoughtful, conscious decisions about you actions on the job as well as off duty. Every time an officer acts carelessly or foolishly — whether that be driving too quickly through an intersection without ensuring a clear path, or posting something on social media that reflects poorly on the law enforcement profession — all they’re really doing is gambling with their careers.
Video: Don’t play “You bet your badge”
Dave Smith is an internationally known motivational speaker, writer and law enforcement trainer who has been an integral part of the Calibre Press family for over 20 years. As a career police officer, Dave held positions in patrol, training, narcotics, SWAT, and management. In 1980 he developed the popular “Buck Savage” survival series videos and was the lead instructor for the Calibre Press “Street Survival” seminar from 1983 to 1985. He was a contributor to Calibre’'s popular “Tactical Edge” handbook and helped pave the way for what “Street Survival” is today. Dave joined the Law Enforcement Training Network in 1989 and was the general manager of Calibre Press until January of 2002. Now president of Dave Smith & Associates, a law enforcement & management consulting company based in Illinois, Dave has developed hundreds of programs across the spectrum of police & security training needs.
Dave is now a Calibre-Press Street Survival instructor and his experiences as officer, trainer, manager, and police spouse lend a unique perspective to the “Street Survival” experience.