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

Traffic stop trunk tactic: When approaching a vehicle on a traffic stop, particularly one you may consider high-risk, push down on the trunk as you walk up from the rear. This can serve two purposes: First, it ...
Tactical passenger side approach: If you typically approach on the driver's side during traffic stops, consider approaching on the passenger side instead. You might be surprised, and even saved, by what you see. Occupants ...
WEAPON RETENTION: iknow this is common knowledge for most but if a suspects attempts to disarm you force your weapon straight down into the holster and make distance if you can. remember 110% its your life ...
Eliminating Excess Print Dust: When dusting a horizontal surface, the dust can become too heavy on the surface. I use a can of compressed air to gently blow away any excess dust. Due to this, my lifts are usually clear ...
Photographing Latent Prints on Glasses: Be sure to keep white and black colored ballons in your photo kit. If you dust a bottle or glass and you need to photo the print, I recommend doing the following. Blow up a contrasting ...
Victim Assistance at Crime Scenes: In a small department, where you may be the only one at a crime scene, I have learned to use the victim (when appropriate) to assist with my photo collecting. I ask for their help and then ...
Glue Sticks and Evidence Envelopes: It can be helpful to carry a glue stick in your evidence bag. If you put evidence in a small envelope use the glue stick to seal the envelop instead of licking it. The glue stick can also ...
Marijuana Key: While on a traffic stop and searching the vehicle, I noticed a key that didnt look right. It looks like a normal key but when you squeeze the top part (what you hold on to, to use) it ...
Training Tips: Passenger Side Approach If you typically approach on the driver's side during traffic stops, consider approaching on the passenger side instead. You might be surprised, and even saved, ...
Latent Dust Tip: Carry plastic cups for use of latent dust at scenes and in the field. Place a small amount of dust in the cup and after use discard the cup along with the remaining dust.
Evidence Collection Bag: By using a medium-size soft cooler, you can place your Polaroid camera, a 35mm camera and your cassette recorder with film in one easy-to-carry container. The benefits of this is that when ...
Glass Prints: When trying to photograph a latent print on a glass surface: press a balloon of opposite color into the glass to both dust and photograph the print.
Officer Safety: Never cross draw x-26 taser.cartridge will not stay attached in skeloton holster.
Shell Casings: During a routine DUI stop the suspect dropped a shell casing on the ground; further investigation revealed a small amount of marijuana in a 308 Winchester shell.
Switchblade Lighter: Our department recently has seen a lighter that doubles as a switchblade. The blade is about 1.5 to 2 inches in length and is spring loaded. They have been found in the flea markets in ...
Accidental Handgun Discharge: Always assume your weapon is loaded, and always visually inspect the chamber if you need to handle your weapon. Luckily no one was seriously injured.Officer's Gun Goes Off During ...
Terry Stop Position Change: I work in a drug/prostitution area where I make numerous terry stop interviews with possible suspects. I have found that it really throws possible criminals off and adds a slight advantage ...
Right Side Approach: When making a traffic stop, especially at night, try approaching the stopped vehicle from the right side after going around the back of your unit. I've stood there at many a traffic stop ...
Needles: A fellow officer arrested a suspect for possession of cocaine. While doing a search of the vehicle he found a needle in between the seats. As the needles was removed by the safe end, the ...
Officer Safety: We recentally had a accident involving two cars responding to a "officer needs assistance" call. During the accident investigation it was discovered that one of the shotguns was dislodged ...