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You are here: Home / 2013 / Archives for March 2013

Archives for March 2013

Trends in Law Enforcement Mobile Technology

By Aaron Leave a Comment

The government has increasingly been accepting technology as a way to improve performance, deliver better service, and connect with citizens more often and more efficiently. Law enforcement is no different, and mobile technology is the latest wave in technology adoption that police are incorporating innovation into their everyday operations.

Fighting Crime

Law enforcement has embraced the trend of connecting with citizens on their terms, even when that means Facebook and Twitter.  Mobile apps are now helping citizens be more engaged in crime fighting, with applications such as Coplogic where users can report thefts and criminal mischief information direction from their phones. The big improvement in doing this electronically is that the submitter receives a PDF copy by email more quickly than the standard one-month turnaround for paper filing.

ASSET App opt

Promoting Accuracy

One of the critical things to remember when deploying technology is that law enforcement officers still must be in compliance with proper procedures and ethics while on the go. A new technology tool is helping officers complete their tasks more efficiently while ensuring accuracy on all levels. An app known as ASSET (which stands for Arrest, Search and Seizure Electronic Tool) was created by a professor at the UNC School of Government. The app is an easy reference for law enforcement on the go to verify information and get answers in real time. Perhaps the most exciting part of the application is that it can be used with or without an Internet connection, so officers can literally use it anywhere and at anytime.

Must Have Information

The PoliceOne application for the iPhone has capabilities for photo reports, archives of expert articles, and breaking police news information. The Spanish for police app helps officers with 200 terms and questions to assist when there’s a language barrier. Finally, Police Logger Plus is perfect for officers tired of hunting for pen and paper to record information and events, as it records whatever they need directly onto the phone for review later.

Reaching Citizens

Since most social media is used to engage others and share information, it’s no surprise that social media sites are becoming a hotbed for law enforcement to connect with citizens. Each social media site has different purposes and ways that it is used, so law enforcement agencies will benefit from using only those programs that most suit their interests. A blog, for example, is a great way to provide content, but if the department is looking for immediate responses or ability to share information quickly, Twitter would be a better platform for short messages.  The best way to connect with an audience on social media, regardless of the size, is to determine which information belongs on which sites; and to plan in advance the guidelines under which each would be used. Each message or share should be targeted to a specific audience.  For example, the Kansas City Police Department provides up to the minute crime alerts on their Twitter account, but uses Pinterest to put a personal face on the department. When used properly, these social media sites can help improve relationships and engage more users.

This is an ideal time to begin syncing departments up with the technology tools that help them do their jobs and relate with citizens on an immediate basis. New developments are making it easier than ever to integrate these strategies into any department.

—

About the Author:

Logan Harper is the community relations for UNC-Chapel Hill’s MPA@UNC, a highly ranked Masters of Public Administration program delivered online. In addition to public service and higher education, he is also passionate about travel, cooking, and international politics. Connect with Logan on Twitter @harperlogan.

 

Firearms Training – Have You Hit the Range Lately?

By Richard 1 Comment

Law Enforcement Firearms Training

When is the last time you carried yourself out to the range for some firearms training?

For many of us, it probably has been a while.  Things like family obligations, the cost of the range time and even just finding some ammunition to shoot might all be holding you back.  I’ve been there myself, and I know know how each one can help prevent you from getting some training time with your guns.  But, they are all just excuses for not investing more time into your own survival.

Spending time with my family is extremely important to me, but getting killed because I am inefficient with my pistol or shotgun will prevent me from spending any time ever again with my kids and wife.

[Read more…]

CAA Tactical Training Mags

By Richard Leave a Comment

CAA Tactical Training MagThe MAG30BLK is a training magazine from CAA Tactical that allows for the use of blank ammunition in an AR-style rifle.  The magazine allows blank 5.56 ammo to be inserted and cycled normally through the mag, but makes it physically impossible to load or chamber a live cartridge.

With the unfortunate number of accidental shootings in training in both law enforcement and the military, such a magazine could be very helpful in minimizing needless deaths.  The mag allows trainers to maintain a high degree of realism, but removes one potential source of unintended, tragic consequence.

The CAA Tactical training mags hold 30 blank rounds (5.56 or .223) and is made the same high strength polymer used in the company’s other magazines.

KCPD Badge Placement Study 2011-2012

By Aaron 5 Comments

In the last few months I was made aware of an incredibly important study conducted by the Firearms Section of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.  The results of that study should have far-reaching implications for any officer who engages in enforcement action during an undercover assignment or while off-duty in plain clothes.

KCPD Shooting Study

The Background for Testing

Unfortunately there are several tragic cases in the history of law enforcement where a responding on-duty officer mistakes an undercover or off-duty officer for an armed subject and shoots the other officer.  The National Law Enforcement Memorial has recorded over 100 undercover officers killed in the line of duty, some of whom were unintentionally killed by other officers.  This does not take into account probably hundreds of more officers that have been wounded by friendly fire, or “blue on blue”.  

A recent example was when undercover Oakland, CA police officer William Wilkins had cornered a suspect in a stolen vehicle and had him at gun point.  Two rookie patrol officers arrived on scene and mistakenly shot Officer Wilkins killing him.

[Read more…]

Newhall Shooting Book Available

By Richard Leave a Comment

I just discovered that a new book on the Newhall Shooting has been published.  The new book, Newhall Shooting: A Tactical Analysis, is a fresh look at this tragic incident and turning point in law enforcement training.

The book was written by a veteran combat pilot and son of a law enforcement officer Michael E. Wood.  While some might question why a non-cop is qualified to analyze a law enforcement incident, I would argue he is exceptionally qualified.  As a combat pilot, he has certainly gone into harm’s way and is not likely to apply unrealistic expectations of human performance on the incident.

[Read more…]

PoliceOne Gun Control Survey

By Richard Leave a Comment

I don’t know about you, but I am a little tired of appointed political hacks in uniform claiming new restrictions on the rights of law abiding citizens somehow makes street cops safer.  Frankly, most of these guys haven’t walked up to a domestic or ran code to an emergency this century.  What they would know about police work couldn’t fill a thimble.

Regardless of your views, PoliceOne is running a survey on gun control from the perspective of police officers – the actual guys and gals who are making a difference.  I checked in with my views, and you might want to leave your own.  Click here to get it done.

Using Ballistic Shields in CQB Environments

By Police and Security News 12 Comments

ballistic shield cqb train

I am an advocate of ballistic shields. They are not only appropriate for law enforcement clearing (slow methodical mode) or safety clears, but, with current weight reductions, can be employed in the slow dynamic technique mode which is a bridge technique between dynamic entries and law enforcement clears.

Slow Dynamic Technique Explained

Today’s Level IIIA shields are lighter and more maneuverable. Shield drivers can move rapidly with them and teams can engage in a bridge technique between the two opposite ends of the maneuver spectrum which I call the “Slow Dynamic” technique.

This method of offensive shield tactics was developed by a former member of the FBI’s HRT and is based on the “heavy/light side” of dynamic room entries.

Movement is conducted in a “careful hurry” manner and usually does not exceed the speed of a fast walk. I like to get the shields into a room first.

[Read more…]

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