The Failure Drill — What It Is And Why It’s Critical
Recently, the pros and cons of Failure Drill again became a topic of discussion in the firearms training space. I have a good understanding of the subject. Instructor Development In 1989, I was assigned to my agency's SWAT Team as a Firearms Instructor. I was young and knew that, while my level of firearms knowledge was well above that of anyone in my agency, I was underqualified for the task. To fix that, I [...]
Back-Up Guns
I did the cop-thing for about a decade and since then have continued to teach firearms tactics and work with law enforcement officers for an additional 30 years. Over the last 40 years some things have changed, yet many things haven’t. It’s often referred to as “100 years of tradition, [...]
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 misdeeds sometimes committed by the average cop. The kind of driving I’m talking about includes [...]
“I DON’T NEED NO STINKING SEAT BELT” | Playing Crash Test Dummy
The atmosphere in the briefing room was jovial and relaxed. Everyone from the rookies to the salty vets were eager to hit the road and begin their shifts. The old guys liked poking fun at the younger ones and the sergeants made sure it didn’t get too much out of [...]
Sudden Assault: Think Outside The Box
Training and years of experience prepares you for your duty ride, but are you really prepared for what might happen in an instant? Reserve academies do what they can to prepare you with the basics, but sometimes the bad guys know those basics as well as you. A few years [...]
Skills and Mindset — The AUFIRE Trainer
Just before SHOT, a buddy with the LAPD's Metropolitan Division told me I needed to check out the AUFIRE training system and then see it. AUFIRE is short for Actions Under Fire. I'm very glad I listened to him. In the SO Tech booth, I met with the developer, Tim [...]
What’s New At SHOT Show 2023 — Day 2
https://youtu.be/dp08Bfw1DTc A conversation with Mike Wood, author of "The Newhall Shooting — A Tactical Analysis: Survival Lessons from One of Law Enforcement's Deadliest Shootings." Be sure to follow American Cop on Instagram @americancop_magazine.
CARS AND CRASHES | In ‘N Out
I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of cops dying. I hate seeing updates via ODMP.com (Officer Down Memorial Page) every time a cop is killed. In the last decade, I’ve been to 22 funerals. The lion’s share of these has been in the last 7 years, [...]
OFFICER SURVIVAL | Perception
The rain was pouring down on us as we took up positions of cover on the quiet residential street. We’d responded en-masse to deal with a deranged man who’d just stabbed his father — luckily only inflicting minor injuries. The man had then taken every knife in the house and [...]
Avoid Being Complacent
After more than two decades in police work, I sometimes struggle not to get complacent on patrol. After you have conducted thousands of traffic stops and, most of the time, nothing bad has occurred, you may not use as much caution as you once would have. After checking your 500th [...]
SHOOT TO KILL | Explaining Deadly Force Can Be Tricky
This “bad guy” is presenting a very large target, so a center of mass shot would be in order. Kids can ask the damnedest questions. I’ve stood in front of a variety of tiny urchins in my time and I’ve learned the hard way: you have to [...]