By Stephen Owsinski On June 10, 2022, Florida’s pro-police Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law on behalf of the Sunshine State’s retired police K9s, ensuring provisions of care while the furred crimefighters wile away the days. “In Florida, we back the blue, and that includes the K-9s that are often the first to Read more »
By Chief Joel F. Shults, Ed.D Can a police officer get through a shift without making a mistake? If so, can they sustain that perfection for a career? How about a physician, a factory worker, a teacher, or an engineer? We accept mistakes as part of life. That’s why we have so many safeguards in Read more »
By Stephen Owsinski Those interested in law enforcement sometimes take advantage of ride-along programs offered by police agencies, but the reasons for doing so vary. Generally, on paper, the self-explanatory term for ride-along is “civilian observer,” and the applications to partner with a cop in a police cruiser entail the words “Hold-Harmless” in capitalized block Read more »
By Stephen Owsinski In the months preceding December 2014, Tarpon Springs, Florida police Officer Charlie “K” Kondek, Jr. relished the thoughts of a retirement home built somewhere up in the mountains. A humble abode in which he and his beloved family could switch gears and enjoy solitude afforded by nature, leave long burdensome patrol shifts Read more »
By Stephen Owsinski Despite the naysayers who believe “scary” surplus military equipment provided to America’s law enforcement agencies ought to be banned forever, one of the latest barricaded subject standoffs illustrates the usefulness of armored apparatus, especially protecting cops extraordinarily well while they defuse situations. In the San Carlos Park community in Lee County, Florida, Read more »
By Stephen Owsinski I didn’t plan on writing about fresh recruits populating America’s police academies, then writing on veteran law enforcement officers concluding cop careers, but the latter group kept showing up lately. Bravo to all of them! Having been there, handing in their tin shield highlights finales for cops who survived the mean streets Read more »
By Stephen Owsinski “Let’s go to the tape” is a famous line coined by legendary sports broadcaster Howard Cosell. In policing, it has a different tone and meaning. “No one through this tape who doesn’t have an official investigative role” is a line used by police supervisors and/or lead detectives working on horrific events created Read more »
By Stephen Owsinski The most severe facet among America’s law enforcement officers is the constancy of responding to acts of human depravity and absorbing society’s ugly side. If only our species were coated by Teflon… As humans with emotional capacity, events in our lives tend to sway, sometimes making our thoughts seem like cliffhangers…with no Read more »
By Stephen Owsinski Once again, the pro-police Florida Legislature generated a robust bill to back the blue, touting “the most law enforcement-friendly state in the nation” title. This time, it was not only pay raises and $1000 bonuses for Florida law enforcement officers (just like last year), but also $5000 signing on bonuses for cops Read more »
By Chief Joel F. Shults, Ed.D As I review law enforcement news daily I am reminded of the role of the police car in the lives of officers working the streets of America. Just as the steeds of the cavalryman of old were essential to the troopers of the day, so are the glass and Read more »