Betsy Brantner Smith - Survival Insights

Survival Insights
with Betsy Brantner Smith

Sergeant Betsy Smith has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, retiring as a patrol supervisor in a large Chicago suburb. A graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety's School of Staff and Command and a Street Survival seminar instructor for more than 9 years, Betsy is now a speaker, author and a primary PoliceOne Academy consultant. Visit Betsy's website at www.femaleforces.com.

Contact Betsy Smith and Follow Betsy on Twitter

3 keys to improve your safety and success - 02/28/2013 Comments

Is your life really balanced? - 11/08/2012 Comments

Unleashing her inner warrior: Ariz. cop beats a would-be cop killer - 08/30/2012 Comments

Following your gut: Officer's hunch saves kidnapping victim - 05/22/2012 Comments

Officer Brandy Roell: Always a fighter, forever a warrior - 03/29/2012 Comments

A behind-the-scenes warrior: Amy Peterson-Uribe and the TAPS Foundation - 02/03/2012

Drug wars: This isn't your mother's cartel - 12/01/2011 Comments

Police leadership: Becoming a 'cop whisperer' - 11/04/2011 Comments

Officer Brandy Roell: 'You never give up, no matter what!' - 08/11/2011 Comments

Using social networking sites as an investigative tool - 08/05/2011

Women in law enforcement: How gender differences enable new police leaders - 05/17/2011

What do our 'cop dreams' tell us? - 04/29/2011 Comments

Motivated to learn, train, and pass the torch - 04/13/2011 Comments

Protecting yourself and your family from predatory criminals - 03/07/2011 Comments

Responding appropriately when a cop is killed - 02/22/2011 Comments

What do you do with a pregnant cop? - 02/15/2011 Comments

The 'conspiracy of safety' continues - 01/31/2011 Comments

What really makes someone a leader? - 01/07/2011 Comments

Guns and kids: Safety is a family affair - 10/26/2010 Comments

Going home rituals for cops - 08/26/2010 Comments

Keys to successful parenting for police officers - 07/16/2010 Comments

88 LEOs killed in line of duty in just six months - 07/01/2010 Comments

Are we being used (again)? - 05/28/2010 Comments

Cops and kids: 3 keys to dealing with "out of control" children - 05/14/2010 Comments

The forgotten first responders - 04/29/2010 Comments

5 tips for female leaders in a paramilitary organization - 03/11/2010 Comments

Becoming a better police trainer - 02/08/2010 Comments

Learn from their sacrifice: A deadly two weeks for LEOs - 01/15/2010 Comments

Officer Benjamin Kelly: The mindset to win a split-second confrontation - 12/02/2009 Comments

Why conflict between officers helps the team - 11/23/2009 Comments

The supervisor's role in officer survival - 11/02/2009 Comments

Keys to surviving high-risk traffic stops - 09/10/2009

Fatal fatigue - 08/21/2009

Fatal Fatigue - 08/20/2009 Comments

Conflict resolution, being a team player, and other stupid cliches - 07/31/2009 Comments

Edged weapons, bullets, and blunt trauma - 07/17/2009 Comments

On July 4th, a wake up call for American cops - 07/01/2009 Comments

Trainer's reflection: Who is it really all about? - 06/12/2009 Comments

National Police Week: Taking time to remember - 05/11/2009 Comments

The last call: Reflections on retirement - 05/08/2009 Comments

News from ILEETA: A week of teaching and learning - 04/26/2009

News from ILEETA: Street Survival instructors in action - 04/25/2009

News from ILEETA: Train your troops with Federal stimulus funds - 04/24/2009

News from ILEETA: Police Trainer of the Year is Chief Jeff Chudwin - 04/23/2009

News from ILEETA: Lou Ann Hamblin is the Iron Cop - 04/22/2009

News from ILEETA: Starting before it starts - 04/21/2009

News from TREXPO: A patrol officer's guide to terrorism prevention - 04/02/2009 Comments

News from TREXPO: Teaching at TREXPO - 04/02/2009

News from TREXPO: A day of training, information, and camaraderie - 04/02/2009

News from TREXPO: Tips to stay at your peak - 04/01/2009

News from TREXPO: Field trauma care for LEOs - 04/01/2009

News from TREXPO: Day one was BIG! - 04/01/2009

Questions to ask yourself in the wake of the N.C. active shooter incident - 03/30/2009 Comments

I cried: One community’s tragedy is a profound loss for us all - 03/23/2009 Comments

I will win because... - 03/13/2009

Self-talk and your survival - 02/27/2009 Comments

Handling an officer after an officer-involved shooting - 02/06/2009

What Makes a Hero? - 01/02/2009 Comments

Teaching by storytelling - 12/19/2008

“I want to become a trainer” Part 2 - 11/21/2008

A bad year for female officers - 11/07/2008

Politics, terror, and patrol: Time for renewed vigilance - 10/24/2008 Comments

No excuses to not carry - 10/01/2008

"I needed to be able to do something" - 09/11/2008

What do the mid-year stats mean for American cops? - 08/15/2008

"I want to become a trainer" - 07/11/2008 Comments

Are You on Patrol This Weekend? - 07/04/2008

Lessons from the street: “I thought I was dead” Part 2 - 06/05/2008

The healing power of giving ..."It's a matter of honor" - 05/16/2008 Comments

Lessons from the street: “I thought I was dead” - 05/02/2008 Comments

What makes a successful career? - 04/02/2008 Comments

Do you have a life outside law enforcement … really? - 02/29/2008 Comments

Visiting the Wall - 01/21/2008 Comments

In this season of gratitude, I'm grateful for…you! - 12/28/2007

How do you really feel about your job? - 11/21/2007 Comments

The Real Stars - 09/20/2007 Comments

What advice would you give a female rookie? - 09/19/2007 Comments

Surviving your relationships - 08/14/2007 Comments

"Nobody ever said life was going to be fair" - 07/23/2007 Comments

The "love/hate" relationship between cops and their dispatchers - 06/12/2007 Comments

Never let them walk alone: Learning from those who sacrificed - 01/19/2007

Guns & Kids: Feedback from the field - 01/18/2007

Remember that you're included in "To Serve and Protect" - 01/18/2007

Justifying off duty preparedness to your family: A Street Survival Q & A - 01/18/2007 Comments

Guns & Kids - 01/17/2007 Comments

Time to winterize yourself - 12/11/2006 Comments

Eight Officers in Four Days - 10/27/2006

Officer ambush: Risks and awareness - 09/21/2006

Justifying off-duty preparedness to your family - 05/10/2006 Comments

Tip: Video: Dry-fire trigger-pull drill - 05/10/2013

Tip: 5 questions for career self assessment - 11/08/2012

Tip: Don't 'hang' your cuffs - 05/22/2012

Tip: Proper use of weapon-mounted lights - 03/23/2012

Tip: Video: Carrying a second gun - 02/17/2012

Tip: Video: Practicing the 'one-hole drill' - 01/27/2012

Tip: Secure a female subject before a same-sex search - 12/01/2011

Tip: Enhance your career by volunteering - 11/30/2011

Tip: Video: Using social networks for departmental PR - 11/04/2011

Tip: Video: Tech-savvy cops can prevent terrorism - 10/14/2011

Tip: Video: Deadly force cover - 09/30/2011

Tip: Video: Precautions when social networking - 08/12/2011

Tip: Video: Calls involving off-duty officers - 05/27/2011

Tip: Use your capacity to multitask to your advantage - 05/17/2011

Tip: Are you rehearsing the basics? - 03/30/2011

Tip: Make yourself stealthy! - 03/23/2011

Tip: Video: Don't let technology hurt your career - 03/04/2011

Tip: Bringing your family into our world - 02/23/2011

Tip: Is your duty belt designed for women? - 02/15/2011

Tip: Use your computer to maintain your training - 01/26/2011

Tip: Searching suspects for concealed weapons - 10/15/2010

Tip: 3 keys to preparing for the unexpected - 09/01/2010

Tip: Frisk like you mean it - 08/11/2010

Tip: Off duty safety: Working with uniforms - 07/23/2010

Tip: Exiting your squad when a citizen approaches - 04/30/2010

Tip: Navigating the junk food maze - 04/28/2010

Tip: Critical incident debriefing: Don’t forget your civilian employees - 01/25/2010

Tip: Check to see if your body armor really fits - 12/21/2009

Tip: Holiday giving: Look inside the agency - 12/09/2009

Tip: The survivor's rule of three - 11/30/2009

Tip: Technology that helps you catch retail thieves - 07/17/2009

Tip: Off-duty clothing awareness - 07/10/2009

Tip: Off duty belts - 05/08/2009

Tip: Female Challenges: The Uniform - 05/01/2009

Tip: Simulation training with TASERS - 04/24/2009

Tip: Warrior families - 04/10/2009

Tip: Off duty carry - 03/20/2009

Tip: Take 20 minutes - 03/16/2009

Tip: Monitor your habits - 03/02/2009

Tip: Online social networking for LEOs - 01/29/2009

Tip: Gear and career maintenance for the new year - 01/05/2009

Tip: A sergeant's tip for holiday giving - 12/17/2008

Tip: Make sure home gun safety is on your holiday list! - 11/24/2008

Tip: Gear up for winter survival - 11/12/2008

Tip: Capture the moment - 10/28/2008

Tip: Patrol gloves - 10/20/2008

Tip: Cell phone control - 09/10/2008

Tip: Stay hydrated - 08/18/2008

Tip: Check your tac vest - 09/05/2007

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