Qualification Vs. Training – Part 1
Qualify or Train? Is there one of these that a law enforcement agency is legally required to do? If not, what about ethical or moral requirements? If you said Qualify, well, you would generally [...]
Like a box of chocolates – vehicle stops and approaches
“Life is like a box of chocolate; you never know what you’ll get until you bite into one.” Whether pro-active policing is still a thing or not, working street cops will make traffic stops. [...]
DEADLY DEA
As an FBI agent, I was fortunate to be “loaned” to the DEA for three years in a training capacity. My tactical training and survival unit was supervised and populated by some of the finest [...]
OFFICER SURVIVAL | The Value Of The FTO
We need good cops now more than ever. Unfortunately, with budgets and the political climate being what they are, it’s getting harder than ever to attract quality people to our line of work. Every time [...]
Hands On!
The consummate professional does everything possible to avoid a violent physical altercation. Adopting an appropriate mindset and applying good situational awareness are integral aspects of being prepared. However, applying even the most diligent of proactive [...]
Predictable Patterns
Kidnapping is big business overseas, both inside and outside the continental United States. As a result, predictability is one of the most dangerous behavior characteristics you can exhibit, especially abroad. Customarily, beginning their attack at [...]
STREET LEVEL | Straight Talk On Supervision & Leadership
Recap. “Punishment” is only one of several aspects of discipline — frequently and wrongfully employed. “Context” is important. A violation, appearing clear-cut, may deserve mitigation, exoneration or even commendation. “Ink” should never dictate the level [...]
Grey Looks Great on You
So, what’s with this ‘greyman’ concept? Well, on the surface, it sounds pretty simple – just blend in. When you look deeper and get more into the details, it gets interesting. Subscribing to the [...]
ANOTHER ROUND OF LOW LIGHT CONSIDERATIONS
Low light. It seems either you enjoy working in that environment or you don't. I did, and I still miss the challenges. Anyway. Back when the world was flat and pterodactyls were our air support, [...]
THE COVERED LOW READY
After several decades of managing thousands of people in front of a firearm in high-stress situations, I am a big fan of a hard Low Ready position. Using that traditional Low Ready, no part of [...]
LOW LIGHT CONCERNS | Part 1 – Lighting Conditions
Low light concerns get an awful lot of attention. A fair amount of that could be because of us fearing the unknown. And the dark is definitely an unknown. Also, let's face it, some flashlights [...]
CONCEALMENT GUT-CHECK
Carrying a gun off duty is a prudent practice, now more than ever. Cops should carry guns everywhere they are legally permitted to do so. Some thought, however, needs to go into executing the concept. [...]
Project Triage
By Ben Douglas Life-Saving Tourniquets. On August 18, 2012, St. Croix Police Chief, Christopher Howell and his partner, Officer Elsworth Jones, an experienced SWAT officer, were working a recent armed robbery series when they responded [...]
MAXIMIZING YOUR CCW PRACTICE WITH A CO2 PISTOL
Most of us don’t get to the range as we’d like to or should. I know I don’t. Few of us live where we can just step outside and shoot. Even when we do get [...]
DRY FIRING DONE RIGHT
If you have been shooting for more than a day, chances are you already know, dry firing can improve one’s marksmanship and weapons manipulation. So just how much dry firing does it take? To effect [...]
S&W 3RD GEN DAO’S | Autos For Revolver Guys
Smith and Wesson introduced Double Action Only (DAO) variants of their 3rd generation semiautomatic pistols in the first few years of the 1990’s. They were envisioned as a solution for agencies struggling with transitioning officers [...]
AMERICAN COP | Through The Centuries
My first trip to the American Pistol Institute (now known as Gunsite) was in 1976, shortly after it was founded by Jeff Cooper. When asked how many times I have been there I honestly answer, [...]