Spike Strips – Are They Worth It?
One phrase we see in both criminal and civil proceedings is “officer created danger.” It also appears in the legislative attacks on the Graham standard and other legal precedents that provide policing’s legal framework. [...]
Hypocrisy: Hazardous To Your Health
Buckle Up For Safety. Click It Or Ticket. Protected Or Ejected. No matter what clichéd phrase you want to throw out, the message is always clear — seatbelts save lives. Not wearing one has consequences, [...]
Code 3 vs. Pursuit Driving: Is There A Difference?
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure most of us became cops so we could drive fast legally. Who can deny the attraction of having droves of people get out of your way [...]
OFFICER SURVIVAL | What If Grasshoppers Had Machine Guns?
I often flashback to certain past events in my life, like Marine Corps School of Infantry (SOI), circa 1989. I was an 18-year-old Private sitting with the others in my platoon, paying close attention to [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
COOL ON THE RANGE DEAD ON THE STREET | A Hard Look at Shooting Techniques
This first technique is one that seems to have, just in the last year or so, become very popular amongst; shall I say; “tactical youtubers”. (Those who make “how to” tactical shooting videos). Just [...]
WHEELGUN WISDOM | Running Double-Action Revolvers
I had the privilege of instructing the "revolver day" of a New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy's Firearms Instructor Course recently. There were 14 cops in the class and experience ranged from a few years [...]
PUTTING LEARNED SKILLS TO USE | Gunsight And Dunton Ranch
Back in the early 1970s Colonel Jeff Cooper started the American Pistol Institute, now known as Gunsite Academy. Today Gunsite is known worldwide for firearms training, from a quality facility with top notch instructors [...]
TERMINATING TERRORISTS | The Head-Shot Triad
In my years of firearms training, I have frequently encountered failure, Mozambique, or standard response (two to the body, one to the head) drills in the private training sector and as part of some [...]
CHASING THE DOT | Training With Bushnell’s Red Dot Sights
Mounting red dot sights (RDS) on handgun is nothing new, it’s been done for at least a couple of decades. In the beginning it was first widely accepted by competitors in the shooting sports. [...]