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

Free training on handling epileptic subjects3: A free training program about 45 minutes long can help you avoid a tragic misreading of circumstances that could result in a subject’s unwarranted injury or death and lawsuit problems ...
Derailing a subject’s pre-rehearsed lie 8: If you’re dealing with a suspect who you think may be giving you a false account of something that happened — presenting you with a pre-rehearsed story — consider using an ...
Considerations on where to carry a backup gun 54: As a road officer for over 23 years, I began my career with the attitude of: “It’s better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.” Therefore, from the ...
Video: Defending against side control with edged weapons 10: Acie Mitchell, founder and chief trainer for TNT Defense, demonstrates how to defend yourself when you’ve been forced to the ground, placed into a side control by the subject, and then have ...
Use 'outside-of-the-box' thinking in contraband searches9: A recent PoliceOne news report told of a woman being busted for trying to smuggle her common-law-husband out of a Mexican prison in a large, wheeled suitcase following a conjugal visit. The ...
Check every tool on your belt9: I just watched the video by Lt. Dan Marcou on speed cuffing, so I thought it might be a good idea to share some information, and ask the question, “How is your tool belt?”1.) ...
Video: Double wrist grab to a straight armbar takedown 7: In an earlier video tactical tip, PoliceOne Contributor Joe Ferrera demonstrated a tactic to escape from a violator’s wrist grab. Here, Ferrera expounds on that scenario by adding the ...
Keep an eye on 'household items'5: When you enter a residence or a person’s garage in response to a trouble call, be sure that in addition to watching for “typical” weapons like firearms you stay alert for ...
Tactics for foot approach to calls 7: Never approach a call with your cover officer in a single file line. I’ve seen it many times as we approach the residence or business entrance on a call—usually it’s for ...
Video: Speed-cuffing tactic to keep you safe 39: Subjects can pose a serious hazard to an arresting officer when they know they’re being taken into custody, but are not yet hooked up. Lt. Dan Marcou demonstrates an excellent speed-cuffing technique which can help keep you safe. It’s simple and yet can be employed when the subject is in four different (and commonly used) positions.
Car stop safety and back seat windows 7: Always... ask the occupants to lower the rear windows before you approach so you have clear view of the back seat and all occupants. In all cases, if it doesn't "feel" right, then ...
Can you be 'too accurate' on the range? 10: Editor’s Note: PoliceOne Member and renowned instructor John Farnam of Defense Training International sent out the following message in a recent mailing of Farnam’s Quips. As ...
Eyewear and sunglasses 29: When you are getting involved in what may look like it’s about to turn into a confrontational situation, remove your glasses from your face if possible. Things can go bad on any call no ...
Video: Disarming an assailant who has taken you hostage 12: Acie Mitchell, founder and chief trainer for TNT Defense, addresses what to do when an assailant comes up quickly from the rear, points a gun to your head, and takes you ...
Leave your wallet in your locker13: I was speaking with a friend of mine from San Francisco Police Department last week, and during our discussion we came up with a great — albeit somewhat simple — tactical tip ...
Single officer patrol tactic: Use your voice 17: In a tip a couple of weeks ago, I shared the idea of using the sound of two closing car doors as a trick to convince the occupants of a stopped vehicle you’re about to approach as a ...
On patrol, forget the perfume, aftershave, and cologne 23: The other day I was in the locker room when a young patrolman came in. I immediately smelled the heavy odor of his aftershave. I thought, "If I can smell him across a locker room, a ...
Video: Cross grab to straight armbar takedown 18: In this video tactical tip, Joe Ferrera expounds on some of his earlier tips about “answering the phone” to get out of a cross grab. PoliceOne Members sent Joe some excellent emails ...
Contact and cover: No time for tactical complacency11: Driving through a suburban intersection the other day, I saw this scene:Parked a few yards into a cul-de-sac street were three squad cars. Behind them was a suspect vehicle, its trunk lid ...
When in doubt, prone em out 20: I had the urge to submit this tip after an officer from a neighboring agency criticized our proning out of a 12-year-old male. In our area, it is not uncommon for neighboring agencies to ...