DUI tools can turn dangerous
Most officers end up pulling over an impaired driver at some point during their shift. As soon as they see signs of impairment, the routine questions start and the routine Standardized Field Sobriety Tests are performed,...
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"What?"
From: No One Trips Over a Mountain: Enhancing Officer Safety By Doing the Little Things RightThe most important word in a roadside interview is “What.” When he says, “What?” you got him and he is...
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Stop reminders
I recently went from running as a single officer car to having a partner. Riding with another officer for the first time in a long while I was surprised to see the differences in how we both handle something as simple...
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Vehicle extraction technique
I don't let any suspects out of the car during a traffic stop, even when prepping for a custodial arrest. With their feet on the ground, any lucky suspect has a good chance of winning a fight. With them inside the car,...
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Motorcycle traffic stops
After stopping a motorcyclist, approach the rider from the right hand side of the bike. Some gangs have installed shotgun shells in the left side handlebars which can be fired at an approaching officer. The handlebars...
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Improving your roadside visibility
Driver inattention is one of the leading causes of vehicular accidents in the U.S. As officers we are more at risk than most due to the "routine traffic stop." Traffic stops are one of the most basic and dangerous things...
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Stay alert to soft CD cases
We have all seen them or have them. Those soft nylon CD cases that are just big enough to hold a single stack of your favorite CD's. Well those cases are just big enough to also conceal small pistols. Recently we had a...
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Watch for loose car stereos
One of our department's two-officer units stopped a vehicle for reckless driving/DUI. While searching the vehicle incident to the driver's arrest, one of the officers noticed a piece of tissue shoved in a space between...
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Consider where you carry your duty bag
I know that we all like to have our duty bags with all of our forms and goodies in them. Many officers, myself included, carry this bag on the front passenger seat of our patrol cars, but from a tactical standpoint, this...
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Make sure you've got a quick exit
During a traffic stop, keep your car door ajar. If an occupant of the vehicle you have stopped gets out and points a gun at you, or begins running at you, you only need to push your door open. The extra time it takes to...
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More on seating suspects to increase reaction time
When you have suspect(s) sit on a curb, have them extend their legs and cross their ankles. Before they can get up, the suspect needs to uncross his/her legs and bend at the knees. Either of these actions are easily...
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Getting into a malfunctioning shotgun rack
I am sure most of you know this...I didn't. The Pro-Gard Industries shotgun mount in my patrol car will open with a handcuff key if for some reason the button malfunctions.
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Safe police driving
I frequently see local law enforcement officers driving with one hand draped over the top of the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position. It concerns me that they clearly think they're in control of their vehicle, but...
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Preventing cruiser theft
I always make sure the parking brake is activated anytime my patrol car is in park and running. If by chance a suspect wanted to take the car, he'd first have to figure out how to take the brake off, possibly affording...
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Emergency First Aid: Stopping extremity bleeding
Video: Broadband Dialup Download Windows Media Player In this week's PoliceOne Video Tip, Emergency Physician Dr. Rick Tovar with the New Berlin (WI) Police Department shows you a simple yet potentially life-saving way...
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Gang gun-hiding tactic
The trend in Miami, Florida for gangs are to hide their weapons in the front or rear bumpers of their vehicles. They also hind weapons under the hood in the engine area. They know that officers will only check the inside...
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Training for touch during emergency driving
While training new recruits about emergency/pursuit driving, park your patrol unit, blindfold the recruit and have him/her practice turning on various emergency lights and equipment by touch, without looking down at the...
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Using radar during foggy weather
When it is so foggy out you can't see 20 feet from your vehicle, turn your radar on. That way you will get advance warning a vehicle is approaching. Related tip
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More on convenience store safety
Adding to the convenience store awareness & safety tip submitted by Officer Larrick Winslow, Ferndale (WA) PD: My town is small enough that we only have two stores open inside the city limits. I've taken the time to...
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Convenience store awareness
If you're an officer like me you probably visit the local convenience store throughout your shift to get a cup of coffee. Do you just park in front of the window and walk right in? If there is a robbery in progress you...
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Using your radar to keep you safe
If you have stopped a violator or are directing traffic around an accident scene, consider leaving your radar unit on. Many drivers still rely on their radar detector to tell them when the police are watching. This same...
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Seat belt safety
When on patrol, I always wear my seatbelt. However, there are times when it is tactically necessary to take it off. I take it off whenever I am checking behind a business or going through an alley in case I am surprised...
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Lifeloc Technologies
Blauer
Kustom Signals
Digital Ally, Inc.
Laser Technology, Inc.
MPH Industries
Stalker Radar
Intoximeters, Inc.
