Police Tips

The PoliceOne Law Enforcement and Police Tips section provides insight from PoliceOne columnists and members on the things Police Officers can do to increase safety and enhance productivity.

The tips and resources here—ranging from innovations in defensive tactics to new concealment techniques to off duty survival and dozens of other matters critical to law enforcement officers—are updated regularly. Every day, Officers on the streets encounter new information that can help fellow officers, so we encourage you to submit your tips. Help us to help Police Officers better serve and protect our communities.

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Full list of recent and archived Police Tips

Work out wisely before your shift: Heavy lifting, extended cardio or even strenuous aerobics can leave your muscles fatigued for several hours after the activity. "Shakes" commonly associated with this can negatively affect ...
The forgotten piece of equipment: handcuffs: Many of us in law enforcement remember to maintain our firearms. As a firearms instructor, I'm part of that group of trainers that has hammered the message home. Unfortunately, few ...
Your safety: Equipment placement and accessibility: Video: Broadband Dialup Download Windows Media PlayerIn this week's PoliceOne video tip of the week, defensive trainer Robert Hindi illustrates the critical impact equipment ...
Officer is accidently shot when draw string gets lodged in trigger: This incident involves a Sheriff’s Deputy in Louisiana this past week. He went to the range and was shooting with a raid jacket (with a draw string) as their policy dictates. He was using ...
Tips for staying stealth: When stealth is required, secure your keys by wrapping a rubber band around them to keep them quiet. Also, try to avoid keeping too much change in your pocket, which can make a lot of noise ...
Eliminating your blind spot: After working undercover and spending hours in a car for surveillance, I discovered that if you place those small, concaved mirrors on your outside rearview mirrors you can effectively ...
Traffic Stop Arrest: Should the need arise to place the driver of a vehicle under arrest (warrant, DWLSR), I have gotten into the habit of completing the ticket and placing my ticket book (no metal case, just ...
Using a wall as your weapon: Video: Broadband Dialup Download Windows Media PlayerIt can be easy to forget that in any building, a powerful and effective defensive tool may be right behind you...a wall. ...
Faster braking: This technique requires a little practice. Many of us have found ourselves in situations where we've needed to slam on the breaks (on-duty or off) and no matter how much pressure you put on ...
Cruiser tips: When patrolling, I always drop both front windows about 2-3 inches. That way, I can still hear audible noises outside the unit--screams for help, etc.--and not be afraid that if my unit was ...
POSA tip of the month: Training foundation principles: Video: Broadband Dialup Download Windows Media PlayerAt the heart of all force training are two foundational principles. The first is that empty hands skill underlie all ...
Saving Sick Leave: It's winter time and for many this is considered the cold and flu season. To cut down the chances of getting an annoying virus try this: If you share a patrol car or other work space ...
Altered DOB of FL licenses 1: If you find someone who has tried to alter their Florida drivers license by scratching the DOB part to make it unreadable, the year of their birth is in the actual license number itself. ...
Baton Tip: Video: Broadband Dialup Download Windows Media Player If you're forced to engage a suspect with your baton, are you making the most of your first strike? In this PoliceOne ...
Take your time in passive entries 1: On passive building entries where you have approached quietly and have the first entry door opened: stop... listen... and smell the air. After anywhere from 10 seconds to a minute ...
AR-15/M-16 quick deployment: Many officers use a collapsible stock AR-15 or M-16 as a patrol rifle. It is important to have a consistent eye relief and stock weld to make accurate shots with the patrol rifle. If the ...
Keeping patrol rifles sighted: Video: Broadband Dialup Download Windows Media Player Patrol rifles are becoming increasingly common in agencies across the country. Ideally, every officer will have ...
Approaching "off line": Never move in a straight line forward or back. If you are moving forward when approaching a suspect, step to his right or left shoulder. Never come straight in. This makes you a less direct ...
POSA tip of the month: Better gun safety: Video: Broadband Dialup Download Windows Media PlayerIn this PoliceOne video tip of the week, trainer Ralph Mroz, President of the Police Officers Safety Association (POSA), ...
Unloading a firearm: While spending time on the range qualifying members of my department with our Glock 23 duty weapon, I am reminded of a problem I see again and again. As a firearms instructor, you make ...