In Burlington, Vermont, a once-peaceful town now overwhelmed by rising crime, homelessness, and drug addiction, city leaders are finally realizing that defunding the police was a grave mistake. This small city, nestled against the stunning backdrop of Lake Champlain, faces an unprecedented spike in violent crime, aggravated assault, and drug overdoses. These are problems that Read more »
Month: October 2024
Before the Badge: Math Teacher Becomes School Resource Officer at Same School
By Stephen Owsinski Key West High School once had a beloved math teacher named Michael Caldwell who the student population and colleagues loved on campus. After a brief hiatus from being on campus as a teacher, the students who addressed their math guru as “Mr. Caldwell” altered their convos and accolades by adapting to his Read more »
FL State Attorney’s Office Still Persecuting Three Falsely Charged Cops
By Steve Pomper Okaloosa County Courthouse, Crestview, Florida Photo: (Hoteltwo, CC Wikimedia 4.0) When I investigate stories about cops being wrongly prosecuted, normally, I furrow my brow, scratch my head, and ask, where’s the crime? After reading and watching a video about the ordeal of three Florida cops, Ofc. Brandon Hardaway, Ofc. William Johns, and Cpl. Read more »
The National Police Association Supports the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act
INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 28, 2024 / — The National Police Association (NPA) has announced support for the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act (H.R. 7909), a federal bill that strengthens the terms for deporting, or making inadmissible, illegal aliens who have committed sex and domestic violence offenses. This bill, introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01), Read more »
‘Thankfully, Police Were There’: Cops Overseeing Sporting Event Crowds
By Stephen Owsinski In major athletic events with gobs of fans in massive arenas and stadiums, law enforcement officers are among the spectators who naturally want to rally their fave teams and players while also expecting safety in the stands. Hence, police officers, deputies, and state troopers are always assigned to work at athletic competitions…and Read more »
The National Police Association’s Thank a Cop Billboard Campaign in Ohio
(INDIANAPOLIS, IN) October 24, 2024 — The National Police Association announced Ohio was added to its national billboard campaign asking people to support the police by thanking a cop. Trumbull County, located in northeastern Ohio, is a vibrant and diverse region at the heart of the Mahoning Valley. Known for its rich history, natural Read more »
Fall Follies
By Chief Joel F. Shults, Ed.D S’mores, apple cider, shelves ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The first snowfall, adjusting the thermostat for chilly mornings, and finding all those sweaters that were stored away just a few months ago. Between raking leaves and finding a creative Halloween costume, your local police department is ready for Read more »
Sometimes, You Just Gotta Laugh
By Steve Pomper There’s so much negative stuff out there for cops, but most of us are nevertheless happy warriors. So, the adage, laughter is the best medicine, applies. Here are three stories that may tickle your funny bone. The first two stories are from my career, which I’ve written about in two of my books. Read more »
A Normal Day in a Non-Normal Profession
By Chief Joel F. Shults, Ed.D Almost everyone being interviewed for a job claims that “I am good with people.” That’s not enough for the law enforcement officer. For most people being “good with people” means knowing how to engage in polite conversation, handling occasions when people are mildly upset, or dealing with occasional conflict. Read more »
After Departure Prayers, Scores of Police Reinforcements from Florida Head to Tampa Bay
By Stephen Owsinski Scrolling social media while sitting in a candlelit room after Hurricane Milton knocked out my power in Tampa Bay, I was uplifted to see many posts from scores of South Florida law enforcement agencies holding prayer sessions before departing for my region. These observations of prayerful backup officers departing from afar were Read more »