Ralph Mroz did a nice job in his article “Ready Positions: What We Have Here Is A Failure To Differentiate” (January 2014).

The issue (as I see it) is we have folks teaching and their students only learning “techniques” when it’s the concepts behind the techniques that are more important. A technique only applies in limited situations, whereas a concept can be adapted to hundreds of variations. It isn’t about going left or going right, it’s about why you go left or right.

We (LE as a whole) don’t teach concepts with gunfighting and that’s our limitation. We teach techniques but not the real principles that go with them.
Lon Bartel
Peoria, Ariz.

Likes & Dislikes

No magazine is perfect, but American COP has no equal in my opinion. In fact, no other cop mag even comes close. Suzi’s Vantage Point editorial (“America’s Not-So-Funny Cop Bloopers,” February 2014) is perhaps the most important article I’ve ever read in any cop magazine. Please expand on this theme, it’s getting to be a case of cops versus citizens rather than cops versus criminals. Maybe a regular citizen is easier to pick on than a genuine bad ass with a big rap sheet?

Here’s what else I like: AC displays a total disregard for the virus known as political correctness. Thank you! Great product evaluations. Return Fire offers cops plenty of space to sound off, few cop mags do. Jerry Boyd.
What I can do without: All the photographs of cops geared up in 70 pounds of combat gear. At first glance, AC looks like a Marine Corps. combat magazine. All the articles on SWAT and SWAT gear. I may be way off base, but most serious situations are sudden and handled by the regular patrol cop.
Jimmy Johnson
Ret. Sheriff’s Sgt.

As a cop with 35 years experience and being a new chief there are two articles I read first when the new editions come out: your Vantage Point and Jerry Boyd’s From The Chief. Both of you have a solid handle on law enforcement and get to the down and dirty right away. The thing that gets me about what both of you constantly express — and some of the people reading this and working the job don’t understand — is it’s ethics, morals, legal and illegal. It’s the basics. I learned a long time ago you may not get every bad guy every time, but you’ll get them if you keep at it. Pad the report to get them this time and get caught at it, and your reports and word are worthless. A cop without integrity is a hot mess wearing a badge and one of the reasons everything has to be recorded in some fashion or another.
J. Goerke
Via e-mail

I enjoy your publication and appreciate the time, effort and money it takes to put out an actual, physical periodical. I find many of the topics engaging and have applied many ideas into my daily work routines. Many of your articles have forced me to look at how I operate in the field, and to my personal disappointment have found some of my standards to be lacking. Your work is top notch and I urge you to continue — besides, anyone wanting to give me chances to win great gear for free is alright in my book.

I’d like to see more editorial devoted to small agency policing. When I say small I’m not talking about just under 50 officers, I’m talking about being able to count off the entirety of the agency on one hand. My request is somewhat selfish because I happen to work at one such agency, but small town cops face many unique challenges. It just isn’t possible for my agency (or me) to implement many ideas or equipment due to population size, personnel or monetary restrictions (much to my chagrin, we’ll never have a SWAT team or drones). Many agencies such as mine get swept under the rug as being backwards or incompetent, but I would argue the opposite. We have to solve the same crimes other larger jurisdictions have — sexual/violent assaults, drugs, thefts and deaths — alone, and often without a high level of technology (DNA tests are extremely rare due to cost). On top of that, we get thrown much of this as brand new law enforcement officers. Talk about getting in the deep end of the pool.

In spite of all these difficulties, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The limitations become challenges and it’s very satisfying knowing a case was solved because you literally walked it from start to finish and everywhere in between. Many of us strive to be the best and bring a level of service to our community that is as good if not better than our larger agency neighbors. I’d love to see information that aids me in my work with my agency’s limitations in mind.
Deputy K. Ericson
Via e-mail

I’m a retired lieutenant from a small police organization and these are my suggestions for you to consider.
What is your position on “stand your ground” and do we have a problem if more minorities are on the wrong side? What are the benefits of red light cameras? What are the unique problems with being a female or minority police officer? What are the actual benefits of accreditation to the beat cop? Have a column where you analyze an incident. Go over the different skill sets between deputy, street cop and state trooper. Should college be a requirement for selection? Are live-in academies superior to 9:00-5:00? Of the four think tanks (Noble, IACP, PERF, NSA), which group supports the beat cop the most and who gives the best training. Why do all the innovations in law-enforcement appear to come from the west coast before the east coast? Are TASERs taking the place of pepper spray? Should the wearing of vests be mandatory? Are you in favor of straight 20-year retirement and mandatory retirement? Which state has the highest number of officer shootings and is there a relationship to gun control in those states?
Your magazine is worthwhile, though I disagree with 75-percent of it, I do appreciate reading it.
John Lane
Via e-mail

This is just a sample of all the response we received to Roy’s question. I’ve addressed your comments in Vantage Point. Thanks to everyone who responded, your feedback is our best gauge to knowing what you want. SH

American COP ® welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit all published letters for clarity and length. Due to the volume of mail, we are unable to individually answer your letters or e-mail. In sending a letter to American COP, you agree to provide Publishers Development Corp. such copyright as is required for publishing and redistributing the contents of your letter in any format. Send your letters to Speak Out, American COP, 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128; e-mail: editor@americancopmagazine

Email Suzi at the address above, or leave a message in the comment section of this page. All comments can take up to 24 hours before they will be posted. We have the right to edit all comments.

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