Interior lighting tips for your cruiser
In this tactical video tip, police trainer Lou Ann Hamblin talks about a few small things that might make a big difference when it comes to protecting yourself while sitting in your patrol car. She focuses on how the...
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Tips to remember for driving safely in winter weather
This Law Enforcement Training Network (LETN) video offers some timeless and important reminders on this first Friday in December. LETN trainers review driving techniques that will help you avoid losing control of your...
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Crown Vic trunk alert
PoliceOne trainer Gary Klugiewicz received the following alert through a law enforcement list serve. It’s advisable to check with your fleet manager or agency mechanic to discuss possible ways to safeguard against...
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Chevy Impala safety alert
During our in-service training this year we included High Risk Vehicle Stops. Our Officer Cameron Gales played the role of one of our suspects during the scenarios. Officer Gales made an observation that we need to be...
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Check the back seat
When you remove a subject from the back seat of your squad, be sure to check the back seat. Although you should have searched the individual thoroughly before transport, it’s always a good idea to double check to be sure...
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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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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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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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Familiarize yourself with other local squad cars
How many times have we backed up or assisted a sister agency? Almost every day, right? But how familiar are you with their patrol cars? The local PD ended a pursuit next to my house while I was home and off-duty. After a...
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Hit the surplus store to prevent gun rust
No officer in his/her right mind would allow their duty weapon to collect rust, but that's precisely what many shotguns and rifles do when stored in a duty vehicle for any length of time. While there is no substitute for...
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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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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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Seating suspects to increase reaction time
If you have multiple subjects on a detention, have them sit down on something (curb, grass, bench, etc.) which adds time for you to react to any movement. If you have subjects sit on the curb while filling out FI cards...
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Anticipate addresses when responding to domestics
We all know it's not safe to park in front of the residence at a domestic disturbance, but how often have you found yourself searching for house numbers to locate the residence? Teamwork between patrol and dispatch can...
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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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Facilitating speedy backup
For those conducting traffic stops out on divided highways, try to make the stop just beyond the open crossovers. If your backup is coming from the opposite direction, he or she can use the crossover to quickly pull in...
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