Patrol Issues
The Patrol Issues topic page offers news, commentary, analysis, and tactical tips that will help prepare police officers for life on the thin blue line.
The emergency-aid exception is neither a Terry stop nor a criminal investigation. It has its own standard: objective reasonableness based on the totality of circumstances
If you are a law enforcement leader — or aspire to be — here is an experience-proven list of what cops want from their leaders
Eight facts that gave officers reasonable suspicion to extend the scope of a traffic stop
Lieutenant Matt Barter shares what happened when data-driven hotspot patrols met the realities of a busy shift – and why “no impact” is still a valuable result
From joining the force in the 1970s to serving in witness and dignitary protection, a retired Pittsburgh detective reflects on a pioneering career
An NYPD detective who hit the streets in 1990 explains how the city turned the corner — and what today’s cops should understand about it
When friends or third parties consent to entry, officers must still navigate common authority, scope limits and arrest warrant requirements
This episode uses side mount to highlight awareness, balance and posture as foundational skills for ground control — regardless of size
This case examines how courts evaluate reasonable suspicion tied to proximity and association
As online grooming reshapes missing-child cases, the National Child Protection Task Force is helping agencies use technology and legal tools to locate endangered children
Dealers make everyone wait. Research and field experience show that timing is often used to manage risk, underscoring the importance of patience supported by good intelligence
Police TV shows in the 1960s tried to balance authenticity, entertainment and the shifting expectations of what police work should look like
In a profession defined by crisis and action, it’s the calm, compassionate responses that leave the deepest marks on the people we serve
The inmate housing experiment is featured in Netflix’s “Unlocked: A Jail Experiment” and offers lessons in risk leadership, supervision and re-entry
How a routine littering complaint led to a lawful police encounter and broader legal implications for officers and communities
A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper reflects on how coaching young athletes reshaped his leadership, communication and calm under pressure on the street.
A shocking Greenville S.C. police officer ambush video leads to a discussion on staying alert without letting anxiety take over
Emily Hitchings and Greg Friese break down a viral coffee cup incident and the emotional choices that protect community trust
A police chief’s poem captures the hollow hours of night shift and the duty most never see
When does a pursuit become constitutionally dangerous? A 39-second chase forces the court to decide when the clock really starts
BWC captures the startling moment a suspect attempted to kill a police officer and the beginning of trauma recovery a few minutes later
Public reaction to the Minneapolis ICE shooting reflects widespread misunderstandings of how deadly force in vehicle encounters is evaluated under law, policy and training
Why I didn’t — and what happened when I chose empathy over efficiency
A court’s decision to suppress evidence raises practical policy questions about officer reporting, training and agency liability
LAPD Commander Randy Goddard examines communication challenges during a historic fire and the technologies and planning strategies shaping future responses
Proposals addressing housing, childcare, healthcare and collective bargaining remain stalled, despite their potential impact on retention and job satisfaction
What FBI data shows about coordinated retail theft and how it differs from typical shoplifting
It’s not about being funny. It’s about reading the room, adapting under pressure and saying the right thing when scripts fail
Third-party verification confirms the shield’s ability to stop edge and clustered rifle threats under the ASTM E3347 standard
MOST POPULAR
- Massachusetts State Police officer files 27 reasons for clocking $350K in overtime
- 1 simple strategy for dealing with a driver who refuses to give you their license
- 15 years later, a film retells the West Memphis police murders — and why they still matter
- What Trump’s executive order delivers for law enforcement
- Indianapolis PD to pilot 10-hour shift schedule with alternating 3- and 4-day weekends