Policing Matters

Jim and Doug discuss how misguided proposals put predators in closer proximity to potential victims, and how this kind of “harm reduction strategy” can actually have an adverse effect on public safety.

Following the PERF report “30 Guiding Principles,” many people outside of law enforcement were left to believe that de-escalation tactics and techniques are only now being introduced to police, when in fact, de-escalation has been taught and used by police officers for many years. Doug and Jim discuss how cops have used “Verbal Judo” and address when de-escalation tactics can (and cannot) be succe...

The stress of police work can take an emotional toll on officers, and sadly, sometimes that can adversely impact the relationships they have with their spouses, partners, and friends outside of law enforcement. Jim and Doug discuss what cops can do to try to minimize the negativity they might accidentally be bringing home.

Our podcast discussing the fact that cops are increasingly being asked to carry and administer Narcan — the drug that saves the lives of individuals overdosing on opioids — promoted an enthusiastic discussion in the comments section below that segment. Jim and Doug read some of the comments and speak to what those individuals were saying.

Jim and Doug discuss how police officers need to be extra vigilant toward signs that a kid is being abused (behaviors, appearance, etc.) and how police should take time whenever they can to reinforce to mandatory reporters that it is not only their duty to report abuse, but in many cases it is a misdemeanor to fail to report.

Increasingly it would seem that the general public has a higher level of tolerance of visible tattoos on officers than many police leaders do. When in uniform, cops are (according to most policies) supposed to all have a “uniform” appearance — no additional or special adornments. Jim and Doug discuss no-tattoo policies, as well as the rare cases when police officers get tattoos indicating particip...

People with autism — children and adults alike — as well as people with other cognitive or developmental disabilities are less likely to commit a crime than others, but they are likely to come into contact with police due to a variety of reasons. For example, ASD individuals may be bullied or victimized, they may go missing (especially ASD children), and might be prone to have emotional outbreaks....

Jim and Doug discuss the hot-button issue of no-pursuit policies, highlight some of the ways in which LEOs can bring a pursuit to a safe and successful conclusion, and explore some of the issues related to officer contact with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) subjects.

Increasingly, law enforcement agencies are utilizing social media to solve (and in some cases, prevent) crime. Whether via automated software tools or individual investigators and detectives digging into the internet manually, social media has become an invaluable investigative resource.

Jim and Doug offer key tips for making the jump up to the next level in the chain of command.

Doug and Jim discuss the impact officers can have in saving lives as the country faces a growing heroin epidemic, keys that allow cops to make the jump up to the next level in the chain of command, and how police use social media to solve crimes.

In what can be charitably called an innovative approach, police in Richmond (Calif.) and other places across the country are paying monthly stipends to known criminals in return for the promise that they not commit crimes. Jim and Doug examine how the program came to be.

Social media sites have claimed the job of more than one police officer — even a chief can get bagged for their “free speech” on the Internet. Jim and Doug discuss where things can go wrong, as well as positive ways in which police are utilizing these web-based instant communications tools.

Jim and Doug discuss how the first responder disciplines can work better together, and just as importantly, train together for more effective multi-disciplinary response.

Jim and Doug discuss law enforcement's role in preventing and responding to terror attacks, how the first responder disciplines can work better together, crime prevention, and the use of social media in law enforcement.

With four states — Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington — and the District of Columbia allowing individuals to possess and consume marijuana for recreational purposes, as well as other states allowing for its medical use, officers are tasked with keeping the roads safe and free from drivers impaired by the drug. While companies like Hound Labs are working toward developing breathalyzers to det...

Critics of the so-called “Stop and Frisk” have effectively ended the practice in places like New York City. But the fact is that when an officer conducts a field interview or makes contact with an individual who they reasonably suspect to possess a weapon, conducing that search is an officer safety issue. The tactic has been held to be Constitutional in the 1968 case Terry v. Ohio, which was based...

Doug and Jim discuss why it’s critical to achieve a fine balance of having an adequate level (and type) of presence without creating more tension between opposing groups in a crowd control situation, how the stop-and-frisk tactic is used, and issues related to the legal availability of pot in an increasing number of states.

Jim and Doug discuss issues related to suicide by cop, from recognizing the warning signs to dealing with the psychological aftermath.

Doug Wyllie and Jim Dudley discuss the ongoing battle between Apple and the FBI, discuss issues related to suicide by cop, and offer tactics for conducting safe traffic stops.

Conducting a traffic stop entails a good amount of forethought. Officers have to be tactical about the location of the stop, and calling in the stop to dispatch. Another consideration is whether you are going to use a passenger-side approach. Note what’s happening with the tail lights. The right turn signal still blinking could be an indicator that the driver is thinking so hard about what he’s go...

Doug and Jim offer lessons from law enforcement’s handling of Super Bowl 50 that agencies can use when preparing for their own large scale event, analyze PERF’s controversial new report on police use of force, and discuss some ideas for better educating the public on use of force.

How can law enforcement better educate the public about police use of force? There continues to be a widespread lack of understanding among citizens about police work despite moves by many departments to redouble their efforts in hosting Citizens' Academies and working with local media. What more can be done? Jim and Doug discuss some ideas that may help have an impact for the future.

In Episode 4 of 'Policing Matters', we tackle use of force reform concerns, lessons learned from an attack on a Philly cop, and the threat of terrorism to officer safety.

In our special year-end episode of Policing Matters, PoliceOne Editor in Chief Doug Wyllie and retired San Francisco Deputy Chief Jim Dudley take a look back at 2015 and discuss trends.