Banning Targets?
Since at least 2013, a tremendous number of agencies have suffered from “Good Idea Fairy” visits. I’m specifically addressing those “good ideas” that will reportedly fix society’s ills but have little to no factual foundation. [...]
Giving Commands
Recently, body-worn camera (BWC) footage from a police department on the West Coast was sent to me. While the sender wanted to discuss something else, the commands given were of interest to me. Or, I [...]
It Has Happened Before — Norco
Today, patrol rifles are common in patrol cars. They are routinely issued to patrol, and often, most officers in an agency have a rifle. This was not the case in the 1980s. Back then, most [...]
Police Week — Our Losses From 2023
This is the yearly Police Week, which includes honoring those officers we have lost. Across the country, there are countless events commemorating officers who have died on duty or were murdered because of their chosen [...]
Six Shots For Six Sergeants
This came out of a scratch gathering of sergeants, discussing the drumbeat of petty details, the constant “white noise” and perpetual distractions that plague the job, and their worst effect: distracting them from the core [...]
Teacher Or Instructor … Which Are You?
Look back to your youth and ponder your school days. Did you have teachers you admired, who made the learning process fun and exciting? Could you see their passion for the subject and did they [...]
Some Simple Sergeant’s Rules
I was asked if I had some “simple rules” for success as a sergeant; dealing with issues other than training, tactics or administrative stuff. Many years ago, after reading Benjamin Franklin’s personal rules, I came [...]
LEARN TO LOVE THAT RUSH | Inoculate Yourself From STRESS
Stress is stress, though people look at it and handle it very differently. For many, stress limits their ability to perform. How can a pro golfer, who never misses a 3-foot putt in practice, not [...]
What’s Your Hurry?
Let me be the first to admit — I’m guilty. We’re all guilty of it. The “it” I’m referring to is stupid or perhaps more aptly, arrogant driving. This term covers a broad spectrum of [...]
Shooting in Virtual Reality
Scenario-based training in my academy class involved role players – often more than one - and evaluators spread out across the grounds of the academy. In addition to those people were the scenario coordinators, a [...]
Self-Defense
The term "self-defense" means different things to different people. To a police officer, self-defense differs significantly from defensive tactics or DT, as it is known in the law enforcement training community. From a civilian perspective, [...]
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. [...]
A SILENT KILLER | Mitigating Exposure Risks from Lead at Shooting Ranges
The risk of lead poisoning is a very real safety hazard that every agency and officer needs to take heed of and take steps to mitigate. Every shooter does, as well. It’s a hidden [...]
SEAL THE BOX | Treating Sucking Chest Wounds
With an open chest wound, the victim may develop tension pneumothorax. Tension pneumothorax is the second leading cause of preventable trauma deaths on the battlefield. It is the progressive build-up of air within the [...]
STOP THE BLEED, SAVE A LIFE | An Overview of Hemostatic Agents for Tactical Field Use
Trauma is the leading cause of death for Americans age 45 or younger. Hemorrhage Is the leading cause of preventable death in combat trauma. It is the secondary cause of death in civilian trauma. [...]
THE TOURNIQUET An Essential Component of EDC
Is a tourniquet part of your everyday carry (EDC)? If not, it should be. The capability of being able to take a life with the moral responsibility of being able to save a life. And [...]
Mantis Blackbeard AR-15 Dry Fire Training System: Now Available with Integrated MantisX
Although dry fire training is essential to improving one's skills as a shooter, dry fire with most semi-autos has its issues. Racking the slide or charging handle after every trigger press to reset the hammer [...]
A Practical Reload – topping off your pistol while retaining rounds
This third article will cover the mechanics of a tactical reload in both forms. The desired end state is a pistol, carbine, or sub-gun with a round in the chamber, a full magazine in the [...]
Working the Thumb Safety for new 1911/2011 Shooters
It has been interesting to watch the re-invention of STI into Staccato and, simultaneously, see the resurrection of a 1911-style pistol into the police duty-use world. I used a 1911 pistol on patrol and in [...]
Roka Arms’ Downrange Tab and Training for Off-body Carry
Most of us carry concealed firearms in or on our beltline, whether with a strong side hip holster, inside the waistband, or “appendix-ish” carry. At least one American Cop writer advocates for carrying smaller revolvers [...]