Primary & Secondary

Expertise Explains; Insecurity Repeats Phrases

March 16, 2026

How many genuinely knowledgeable people rely on catchphrases? Most explain concepts instead. That is precisely what makes them valuable sources of information. Is there a time for a phrase? Absolutely. But it is less effective because it requires the other side to understand both the application and the message. Two is one. Tueller drill. (Partially… read more »

Minimum Standards vs Professional Development

March 9, 2026

Training is both a guide and a shortcut to skill development. It accelerates the path to higher proficiency. When individuals are left to figure out their own way of doing things, their progress is not only slower but may veer off in an unintended direction. For a police officer, that training can be mentorship with… read more »

Muzzle Discipline and Judgment in Modern Policing

March 7, 2026

There is a troubling mindset issue in law enforcement regarding muzzle orientation during room clearing and encounters with unknowns. Officers point guns at people far too often. Pointing firearms at unknowns is an unacceptable practice. Even pointing a muzzle at a suspect is not always justified or prudent. This is a rule 2 violation. Those… read more »

Informal Leadership

February 22, 2026

One of my favorite topics is leadership, more specifically, informal leadership. It can be a powerful means of strengthening an organization, and it might be more common than you think. My interest in this topic grew as I had multiple discussions about it on my podcast with Chuck Haggard. He was able to define what… read more »

Moral Strength but Tactical Disadvantage

February 10, 2026

I read an astute observation concerning the conflict between the liberal and conservative sides that made me think about the concept for a while. “The side that follows rules loses. Especially, when that side follows rules made by their enemies.” – shared by Rhett Neumayer The following are my observations and opinions as a conservative-leaning… read more »

Qualified Immunity Explained: Law, Limits, and Misconceptions

February 6, 2026

Qualified Immunity is a concept that is greatly misunderstood. Qualified Immunity is not a free pass for murder, law-breaking, or misconduct, despite what many people believe and share. A foundational case I’ve referenced often over the past couple of weeks is Graham v. Connor, which establishes the Fourth Amendment framework for evaluating use of force… read more »

Police Use of Force and the 4th Amendment

February 4, 2026

There are some common concerns expressed about the Pretti shooting, one being that it was an “execution.” Additional concerns include officers having no justification in shooting because there is a belief Pretti was completely unarmed and harmless, and he being shot in the back is exceptionally egregious. Let’s review the standard and then delve into… read more »

Is Web Gear Still Relevant?

February 2, 2026

Do you really need a plate carrier? Are there times when older load bearing equipment like web gear can be superior? Web gear of sorts has been in use since the Oliver Pattern Equipment from the Boer War. The first webbing that most would recognize to be, at least, the distant cousin of British 1908… read more »

Understanding LE Use of Sprays

January 30, 2026

If you have had some form of training with the use of defensive sprays, you know there are tactics used with them as well as specific distances for the products to be effective as well as ranges where they become potentially dangerous. Within these guidelines are minimum safe distances. Using the products too close to… read more »

Assessing the Pretti Incident

January 27, 2026

Before I get into the post, let’s establish the standard of lawful use of deadly force. Deadly force is lawful when one perceives an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury to oneself or another. This determination is reviewed judicially as in the moment, without the benefit of hindsight, and within the scope of… read more »

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