Hypothetical: (Sergeant should use names of officers at the roll-call to emphasize the reality of such hypothetical situations): Officer X, let’s suppose we have a high-speed pursuit this evening. The pursuit travels some distance and the suspect makes several aggressive actions toward police cruisers. Let’s further suppose that the suspect finally bails out of his vehicle and proceeds to flee on ...

Around ten years ago, as a patrol division deputy sheriff with the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I walked up some porch stairs to knock on the door of a mobile home. Suddenly, I was tackled on the front porch by a 175-pound sheet rock hanger who was annoyed that I responded to the repeat domestic ...

An individual officer’s greatest shield in a lawsuit that alleges a violation of civil rights is qualified immunity. A decision by the United States Supreme Court in December, further clarified the strength of this immunity. In Brosseau v.Haugen, 543 U.S.___; 2004 U.S. LEXIS 8275 (2004), the United States Supreme Court examined a case involving the use of deadly force by Officer ...

h4. Description The major or chief deputy is the second-in command in generally has the entire agency to oversee. They are the chief or sheriff’s right hand person and are often the “hatchet” person. They make things happen and take on unpleasant duties for the agency’s chief executive. They oversee the captains and report directly to the police chief or sheriff. ...

Hello, and welcome to the Chaplain’s Corner. I believe that God is to be revered, respected, and worshiped in keeping with His awesome majesty. But I also believe that He has a sense of humor and that He doesn’t mind if we take a light-hearted look at Bible characters as long as we’re respectful. I’d been thinking about God understanding the ...

When responding to calls for police service, children can at times be our best sources for information. Whether they are sought out as the only English speaker in a foreign language speaking household to give an account of an incident or they're a victim you need to speak with, the junior members of our society can be a powerful addition to ...

On Duty Tactics Officers responding to a call of an active shooter must realize they have been thrust into a position that calls for decisive action and what they decide to do can save lives and minimize casualties. Training can help prepare the first responding officers for the moment they arrive at the scene of such an incident. This is a ...

Alcohol intoxication is a leading factor in motorcycle accidents and fatalities. Law enforcement officers have been trained to identify driving patterns that indicate a probability that a motorcyclist is driving while intoxicated. The driving patterns that police typically look for have been outlined by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA has delineated a number of "cues" that police ...

Much has been said about the Tueller drill which addressed the reactionary gap and how a subject could succeed from a distance of 21 feet when assaulting an officer. The reality is that a person attacking an officer can cover 21 feet in less time than the officer could draw and fire two aimed rounds from a holstered weapon. It is ...

Last March I wrote about the importance of having a quality light source or illumination device in addition to the other pieces of equipment we carry on our utility belts when we go out on patrol. A good flashlight will not only help you to do your job effectively but can aid in your survival should things take a turn for ...

“Not if, but when.” A statement meant as a warning, it is one that even my mother would use to inform me of my impending doom for some scholastic or social infraction. “When, not if, I decide your punishment, you’re going to wish that you had behaved like an angel.” It sent a shiver up my spine then, and the thought ...

Vehicle searches are conducted on a daily basis by police officers, deputy sheriffs, and state troopers on roadways throughout the country. And every day defense lawyers are successful in getting judges to suppress evidence obtained by showing that the vehicle operator's consent to search was not voluntary. In order to keep the Exclusionary Rule at bay, law enforcers requesting consent need ...

Hello, and welcome back to the Chaplain’s Corner. Just _how_ did it get to be July 2009?!?! On the 29th of June, our daughter successfully defended her dissertation and we now have a “doctor” in our family. WooHoo! (Nah, I ain’t a proud Dad. Sic ’em, Bears!) And a trip back to Waco in August for the graduation ceremonies is on ...

Stephen Prescott believes that parents may think twice about attending their children’s school events if the law prevents them from successfully suing the school corporation after being injured on school property. The Connecticut Supreme Court recently heard and rejected Prescott’s argument, finding that schools owed students’ parents no special duty of care. Prescott was injured after his son’s Thanksgiving 1998 football ...

Golphin v. Florida, No. SC03-554 (December 14, 2006) The Supreme Court of Florida recently decided an important case regarding consensual encounters. In Golphin v. Florida , two police officers were on patrol in an area of Daytona Beach that is known for prostitution and narcotics traffic. The police officers were specifically in that area to conduct field interviews with individuals in ...

In Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968), the United States Supreme Court authorized police officers to stop and detain individuals where the officer had reasonable suspicion (some facts and circumstance but less than probable cause) to believe that the person to be stopped was involved in criminal activity. Officers were authorized to use force, short of deadly force to accomplish ...

Hello, and welcome back to the Chaplain’s Corner. I think I’ve probably mentioned that I don’t like preaching the same sermon twice and as always, I’ve kicked around a few ideas trying to find the right fit for this month. As I sat down to start writing I reviewed a number of prior Chaplain’s Corners, and this one about freedom just ...

Signs and Symptoms of Police Stress: Headaches - Fatigue - Pounding Heart - Digestive Upsets Teeth Grinding - Light Headedness - Lowered Sex Drive Irritability - Short-tempered Backaches - Muscle Aches - Over-eating - Insomnia Restlessness - Muscle Tics - Rashes - Drinking too Much These are all common physical, behavioral and emotional reactions to prolonged stress. The stress that causes ...

The potential for high risk situations is becoming more common as our society continues to deal with an increasing crime rate. As a dog handler, you will be at greater risk for lethal confrontations as a direct result of your K9 applications. There are a number of things that you can do to help you survive such encounters. Many of those ...

Hello, and welcome to the Chaplain’s Corner. Ready or not, 2011 is here! (I almost wish we could skip 2011 and jump straight to 2012, though.) As I’m wont to do, I’m looking at the new year with mixed emotions. I’m sure events will come into our lives in the next 12 months that will be fond memories years down the ...