Training at Distance for Countering an Ambush
As mentioned in our Police Memorial Week article, ambushes are a common way of attacking officers. A number of these occur when officers have just arrived on the scene. These scenes involve calls for service that may not trigger a sense of heightened alert or the need for additional resources. The dispatch information might even lull officers into canceling their cover (or second) units. In Close I’m going to use “we” a bunch because I [...]
What Are We Looking For? Really
By John Thomas Grohn A major aspect of officer safety is the proper and thorough search of suspects. I know a great portion of the basic academy is given to defensive tactics and searches, as it should be. It is that important. For me, officer safety is comprised of these [...]
Do More With Less
By John Thomas Grohn It’s a sad state of affairs. There’s no money for training unless you’re a super secret squirrel uber-detective/deep cover domestic operative with the standard issue scowl, facial hair, greasy mane, mechanic work shirt with the name Bob sewn on the front, and nifty little ball cap [...]
Dapper Dan… Or Stumbling Stan?
When I go to court, I nearly always show up in full uniform. However, sometimes the situation dictates I get all gussied up in my finest suit and most constricting tie, to do battle in the courtroom. Once, at the conclusion of my testimony, a family member of the defendant [...]
What Do I Need Today?
What's My Mission? Picture the scene. It’s a Sunday afternoon in a crowded local arcade/eating establishment, which caters to young children and their families. You’d think it would be a safe place for divorced parents to make the court-ordered exchange of kids, right? So, could anyone have predicted a father [...]
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. Has it really been that long? I was an 18-year-old Private sitting with the others in my platoon, paying close attention to a crusty old Gunny who was going over the [...]
No Excuse!
I recently heard an officer’s rather liberal girlfriend questioning him about why he always has to carry a gun with him everywhere they go. She believed if they were assaulted and a bad guy saw her boyfriend had a gun, they’d be hurt worse. Wait, it gets better. If her [...]
MiDBaR: Minimum Daily Backup Requirements
The importance of carrying a backup and off-duty gun can’t be stressed enough. I’m a firm believer in the adage, “bring enough gun”; and even stronger in, “one in none, two is one.” Many of you subscribe to this philosophy when on-duty, carrying a backup gun in your pocket, vest [...]
The Value Of The FTO
Make 'Em Or Break 'Em Training is the foundation of any police officer, which is why the Field Training Officer’s role is so vital. Regardless of the recruit’s age or background, they’re at an impressionable point in their lives and careers. They’re eager to learn and be successful, so chances [...]
Upper Crust Or Just Crusty?
Detectives are supposed to be the cream of the crop, the senior officers who’ve mastered all facets of patrol and moved on to the world of investigations. Society is so enthralled with it, that at any given time there are literally dozens of movies and TV shows out.based on what [...]
Breaching For Patrol
Not Just For SWAT Guys Some cops equate breaching with a SWAT entry; one definition of “breach” is: to make a hole or opening in (something), which pretty much sums up SWAT. Truth is, patrol officers probably breach more doors on a daily basis than anyone. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until [...]