During an interrogation, an investigator attempts to persuade a suspect to tell the truth, oftentimes to provide incriminating evidence that will be used in a subsequent prosecution. Further, interrogations are generally conducted in situations where there is insufficient evidence to assure a conviction and, in many cases, the suspect's actual guilt may not be 100% certain. If an investigator was required ...

Having described the types of behaviors and techniques associated with riot behavior, both group and individual, it is now important to discuss those techniques that law enforcement must employ if it is to successfully contain and control this behavior. Like the individual and group activities that are a part of riot behavior, riot control involves actions both by the individual police ...

“That’s the way we’ve always done it” It's an all too common answer to a rookie officer’s inquiries about policy, procedure, and unfortunately, even officer survival. An “artifact” is defined by Webster’s as “something in a biological specimen that is not present naturally but has been introduced or produced during a procedure,” and we have plenty of artifacts in police work ...

“Hurry up and wait” is one sure thing that can be counted on in almost every tactical operation. Knowing when to wait and how to best utilize that time will help secure success and, most importantly, keep team members and the innocent safe. Aside from that, there are a few things every operator would like his administration to know… (Don’t worry; ...

Gone are the days of a county sheriff handing his buddy a badge and gun and “Deputizing” him to go out on the street and enforce laws that he/she had never been trained in. In today’s modern law enforcement world, police training is as important as doctors attending medical school or lawyers passing the bar exam. Without properly trained police officers, ...

Presently the law enforcement community is very concerned about certifications. Agencies must insure that their officers maintain certification in everything from defensive driving to use of deadly physical force. Yet, these same agencies do not require certification for their hostage/crisis negotiating teams. Or perhaps they are under the mistaken belief that a certificate of attendance at an FBI Basic Negotiation Course ...

When a drug like methamphetamine ("meth") hits an area, all rules are thrown out the window. Meth use and abuse will ultimately result in delinquent and criminal behavior, often in the form of secondary crimes to fuel the use/addiction. Families are usually the first victims out of convenience, but after awhile, general crime (including violent offenses) will be the end result. ...

I admit it, I love knives. There are just so many cool ones out there, it’s hard to choose. But while most us crimefighters carry a knife of some sort, many of us have never trained – mentally or physically – to use our knives as anything more than a basic utility tool. Here are a few things to think about ...

There are several important signs to help police officers recognize the possibility that they are dealing with a psychopath. 1.**Review the arrest record.** Psychopaths' rap sheets will reflect a variety of crimes. Because of their immature need for immediate gratification, these persons' crimes are extremely unpredictable. Unlike other criminals, who tend to develop a specialty and stick with it, psychopaths may ...

Paying last respects to the ones who wore the uniform before us is one the highest honors the Fairfax County Police Department Honor Guard carries out as team members. I want to discuss what we do to render honors to a fallen or retired officer at the time of their viewing. In this article I will discuss the topic of casket ...

High Risk Security Patrol Here's an exercise for all you corrections news junkies out there: Google search the news headlines for the past month. You'll quickly pick up on a theme that is alarming corrections professionals nationally and internationally: Increasing escapes, disturbances, and inmate on staff attacks. Don't think this stuff happens in a vacuum: The public knows what's happening (thankfully, ...

Back in 1985, when I was a not-so-young U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant, I found myself attending a grueling two week school called the “Army Air Loader” course. As I originally understood it, this course would teach me all about loading my battalion’s equipment on to an airplane for deployment somewhere overseas. To this day, I am still trying to figure out ...

*Islamic Terrorists and American Extremists May Share More than Just Ideology!* The attacks of September 11th, 2001, have forced us to expose the threat of Islamic terrorists throughout the world and within the borders of the United States. But is our search overlooking an interesting, but deadly, coalition? We all understand the ideology that links many radical groups, across the world, ...

Room entries, officers do it every day, but how do we train for this common action? It seems so routine, yet like a motor vehicle stop, is far from routine. The common denominators of any room entry is a point of entry to gain access, the other side of the entry point, (the room) which is really an unknown, and ...

I had no idea it could get so hot in Maine. It has to be near 100 degrees. The sun is beating down hard on my salty back and red neck as I stare at my target. I’m rubbing my blistered finger tips together listening to the monkeys in my head. My back is sore as hell and I can feel ...

“Police misconduct” is always a favorite topic of the media, and who can blame them? Exposing the dark side of those who are supposed to serve and protect makes for fascinating reading and viewing by the general public. And let’s face it; there is no shortage of fodder when it comes to our own bad behavior. Cops make mistakes, just like ...

It's Not About You. Regardless of whether you are pursuing the chief of police position for an agency of 15, 150, or 1500, the over-arching theme is the same.  Yes, you should be quite proud that you are in the final three, and yes attaining the chief of police position will be the icing on the cake for your police career; ...

"We will win this struggle not for glory, nor wealth, nor power, but for justice, for freedom, and for peace; So help us God."- Tom Harkin "You can be sure that the American spirit will prevail over this tragedy."- Colin Powell View September 11th Tribute Videos → [page] Remembering that Fateful Day Next → [page] Remember Our Fallen Next → ...

We all know the type in policing. The guy or gal who is never happy. They manage to find fault with the administration, the public, and even fellow crime fighters. It’s an “Us vs. Them” world in their eyes. In a nutshell, this frowny-faced person is a downer and could be crowned the king or queen of morale busting. They practice ...

Prayer is the theme in concluding this article on uncertainty and chaos in the law enforcement profession. As I indicated previously, I’ve been intrigued by [gate] the comments in our social networking and online writing communities that refer to prayer by asking us to do so on behalf of deceased officers, families, and friends as well as those who live in ...