If I Knew Then… Insights & Lessons for Rookies, Veterans, and Trainers

So often we try to make police work harder than it is. The more than two dozen short articles and stories that make up “If I Knew Then 2” are all chock-full of valuable gold nuggets of wisdom that will benefit anyone in the law enforcement community – especially rookies and trainers. We can quickly forget our stumbles along the way to what became a successful career in policing, but we all had them. If you were an impatient, idealistic, and sincere cop like I was then you made quite a few. But those are the greatest lessons for others if you are humble enough to share them. The authors of “If I Knew Then 2” are not only humble but sincere in their commitment to improve the safety and quality of life for law enforcers everywhere.

The well known father of Street Survival, Charles Remsberg, starts off the book’s foreword with: “Face-in-the-mirror introspection is a tough activity, because done honestly it usually involves admissions that can be painful.” It would serve as a great motto to hang in a roll-call room or academy class, but it is a warning for the readers of this book that it will not only provide you with valuable lessons to share with others but cause you to look deep within yourself. It is not just a story book but a collection of mentoring articles that share life lessons that the authors learned on the streets – some good some bad – but you will probably relate to all of them as I did.

Brian Willis opens up by sharing the “Trainer’s Creed” from an anonymous author that should be used at the start of any basic instructional skills course for police instructors. A short exerpt from the Creed reads: “In our positive attitude and training, we leave our legacy. Those we train will keep to the path and high expectations. And we hope those who follow will remember us well and find no fault. For in the end, we can only, and will only, do our best.”

Ron Scheidt, on of the authors I had the privelege of meeting at the ILEETA conference shared how people influence him to become the man, officer, and trainer he is today. He challenges the reader: “Find that special person in your life. Those relationships – more than any career accomplishments – are what you will never forget.” Something we all need to remember and share with those we mentor as an FTO or instruct in the classroom.

Timothy Patton reminds us: “We must individually and collectively recognize what we don’t know. We must seek and accept feedback, and remain committed to growth over time. It is our collective culture of training that determines how we will resond and what our capacity is to meet the challenges of our ever-changing field.”

Jim Nieman points out one of the difficulties of being in law enforcement: “The critics would rather we hide in the shadows so as not to interfere with the harmony of their existence until they need us. But then, when the time comes, when the evil they deny enters their peaceful existence, we had best be there to do that which they cannot, and our appearance must be immediate. For now we are their best friends…”

Ed Nowicki explains what being “tough” really means: “Tough does not mean being brutal, mean, or having the ability to shut of your emotions under all circumstances. Don’t equate being tough with being hard. If you are hard, you are rigid, and you will break. Tough means being like your body armor, which has the ability to bend, yet you can’t tear it apart. Being tough protects you, and being you allows you to do the job.”

The entire handbook is filled with these insights and lessons that will not only benefit your safety but nurture your soul as a cop. The authors didn’t shy away from the tough topics that we find hard to discuss and do so with humility and honesty. Not preaching that they have all the answers, but sharing the lessons they have learned while reminding the reader that the knowledge we gain sometimes came at an awful price.

This is a great gift to give if you know someone in law enforcement – especially someone new to the field, and will serve as a valuable resource for rookies, veterans, and trainers alike.

Albert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” Thanks to all the authors for showing us how to life a life worthwhile.

Richard Neil,  www.LEO-Trainer.com, author of “Police Instructor: Deliver Dynamic Presentations, Create Engaging Slides, & Increase Active Learning”

Principles – How Cops & Cadets Learn Better

       Cops & Cadets learn better when they are given the opportunity to talk and not forced to only listen.

       Cops & Cadets learn better when you present information as if you were having a conversation with a friend instead of lecturing a class.

       Cops & Cadets learn better when you use pictures and images on your slides and not just text and bullet points.

       Cops & Cadets learn better when they write down information instead of just hearing it.

       Cops & Cadets learn better when they are given small chunks of wisdom instead of an iceberg of information.

       Cops & Cadets learn better when they are moving around and not constantly sitting.

       Cops & Cadets learn better when they are shown how the knowledge being taught will be of value to them.

       Cops & Cadets learn better when they are challenged to think critically, be creative, and communicate with others.

       Cops & Cadets learn better when you incorporate a variety of techniques and create an atmosphere of active learning.

Some may not like investing the time that active methods require, but we train warriors, not scholars. When confronted, our students have no time for debate, only action, if they are to survive.

 “Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is a beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is life, fight for it!”

 ~Mother Teresa

Phalanx Law Enforcement – Standing Shoulder to Shoulder to Build a Strong Foundation for Law Enforcement Trainers

“Choose to ‘Do Something’ for law enforcement rather than just ‘Be Someone’ in law enforcement.” ~Richard Neil

http://www.LEO-Trainer.com/blog

Not too long ago, I was developing a new program, Police Instructor 201: Train-the-Trainer, as a companion resource for our Police Instructor handbook. I wanted to create a sensible lesson plan that included audience participation, an interactive slide show to pass along to trainers, and an overall design that would be easily understood by any instructor who was passionate about training.

Teaching other trainers was not an area that I had concentrated on, or had loads of experience with.  I was sure that the trainers attending the program would benefit from the thoughts and insights of those who have developed similar programs before me. So that is when I decided to ask Jim Fraser for his help.

Jim is internationally recognized as the developer of the Master Instructor Training Program for California POST’s Instructor Development Institute. The highly regarded program is one of the most challenging and demanding instructor programs in the world. His training development expertise started in the U.S. Army where he rose to the rank of Colonel and ran the office that was a proponent for antiterrorism training world-wide.  He would go on to develop and facilitate training programs for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, the 1986 Pan American Games, and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. His diverse background in military and public safety training is a benefit to anyone who comes in contact with him, but there are a large number of law enforcement trainers who are not good at sharing.  Luckily for me, Jim Fraser is not one of those people. He is a Jedi Master when it comes to developing and facilitating training for law enforcement instructors, and just like Yoda (no family relation), he is happy to pass his wisdom on to anyone who is passionate about improving our craft.

I met Jim in 2011, in one of the police training forums on the LinkedIn network. He had mentioned  RIDEM©, an acronym he developed in 2000 that deals with the key elements of experience-based learning. It stands for Relevance, Involvement, Discovery, Experience, and Modeling. I was intrigued with the idea and asked him more about the method. Without hesitation, Jim emailed me a 13 page description of the model that is an excellent way to teach the principles of adult learning. He not only believed in many of the concepts and techniques I had been writing about, but had facilitated them for decades in several different training environments. I still value the first advice Jim offered me through an email after I replied to his RIDEM paper. He said:

“I learned long ago there are few new problems. The same ones merely resurface. We in law enforcement do not have a sterling reputation for sharing. Sadly it is not how the community was brought up. I was fortunate to have studied adult learning under the Master- Malcolm Knowles. I also get to work in a learning lab every day- and have for 30 years. Few get those kinds of opportunities. I also appreciate your passion for what you do—don’t let the consumers get you down. Continue to be a PRODUCER regardless of the obstacles. There will always be obstacles but overcoming them is part of the fun and challenge. Please do keep in touch. ~Jim”

When I looked at the vast collection of experiences on Jim’s LinkedIn profile, I was a bit intimidated, but I asked if he would consider reviewing my book when it was completed. I explained how I had just finished writing Police Instructor, and it was currently being edited so it didn’t sound like a country boy became a city cop and wrote a book. Even though he was trying to enjoy retirement and the holidays with his family he agreed to read a handbook, and it was on a subject that he has been intimate with since the 1970’s. I was eager to hear his thoughts and insights, but I was also hesitant knowing he would be honest and critical of any shortcomings. He is not the type of person who will put his stamp of approval on something that would not benefit the law enforcement training community.

I valued his insights and review of Police Instructor and recently asked for his help once again. I wanted to get his ideas on the train-the-trainer program to make sure it was active and engaging. I wanted the input from someone who had developed the model program now followed by California POST and others around the globe. Once again Jim was quick to offer his advice as I asked him question after question for the better part of an hour. He could have been fly fishing, or working on one of his many projects, but he made time to help another instructor who is passionate about preparing the future guardians of justice. Jim is just one example of what I refer to as – Phalanx Law Enforcement.

http://www.LEO-Trainer.com/mpr

Phalanx Law Enforcement

The Phalanx is a formation credited to the Spartans that we still use today in law enforcement for crowd control. The Spartan soldiers would stand shoulder to shoulder forming a strong foundation that could withstand a formidable attack. Each soldier was responsible for the safety of their comrades on either side. Their shield protected the soldier on their left and their spear protected the soldier on their right. They may have used the same cliché’ that we do, “I’ve got your back.”

Phalanx Law Enforcement is my take on the values that were handed down by the Spartans that lived and died inside the formation. As instructors, we should be willing to stand shoulder to shoulder in our common cause – to train the finest guardians possible. By aiding those instructors around us, we build a strong foundation of knowledge that develops into wisdom for our students. They will stand strong against evil because of our guidance and example as a police instructor.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed. It is the only thing that ever has.” ~Margaret Mead

Why Did You Become a Police Instructor?

We can get overwhelmed and caught up in the liabilities, learning theories, and complex world of law enforcement training. We can forget why we first decided to share our wisdom and experience with others. Instructors are sincere about policing, and we care about the society our families reside in.

I am a firm believer that only a guardian can train and fully prepare another guardian. This generation of instructors can do better than our predecessors did – all of society is counting on us. Why is it that you are an instructor? What is your passion? How can you transfer your experience and wisdom to others?  Why do you care about your students and how well they learn your topic?

Police instructors have the power to make a crucial upgrade for law enforcement – one cop or cadet at a time. Each instructor impacts the lives of countless law enforcers who in-turn influence many others throughout their careers. What greater calling is there? Not many come to mind, but I am a little biased.

Forget the Pessimists

Don’t let the pessimistic naysayers get you down. They will always scowl at you from the fringe while you continue to struggle to improve our craft through loyalty and determination. They wish they had the intestinal fortitude that is part of your character but that is something they will likely never possess. I had people tell me that a free website filled with resources for police trainers would never be visited. The LEO-Trainer.com site has been viewed by over 30,000 law enforcement officers during the first five months. All I was trying to do was share some free resources with other instructors from Ohio but it has grown to be much more than that. We all can benefit from sharing our best work with each other.

Never apologize for being a law enforcement officer, and never feel that you have to. We are not perfect, but I can think of no better profession on earth.  When things look their worst, we need each other the most – especially trainers. I believe in the noble profession of law enforcement and the devoted men and women that protect society from evil, but it is the police instructor who has the best opportunity to keep them safe.

Show Passion when Training

Without passion our training may fall on deaf ears; you cannot inspire others unless you are first inspired. An engaging presentation will go a long way to gaining attention, but only the police instructor can take the presentation to a dynamic level that compels a student to act upon what they have learned.

Be passionate in discovering new methods to train law enforcers. By changing your perspective, you expand your possibilities to see something you were unable to see before. New ideas and unique insights will come from such a change, and they will benefit your students, your training, and your community.

Be passionate about sharing your expertise and materials with other instructors. When I first started developing my own slide shows and lesson plans I would say to myself, “this PowerPoint is too good and it took me way too long to make. There is no way I am going to share it with anyone else.” But I finally reached the point in my life where I now say, “this PowerPoint is awesome, and it took me way too long to make it for me not to share it with anyone else who trains the future guardians of justice.”  Our students become safer when we form a strong foundation of learning for them through a Phalanx – Law Enforcement style. And that in turn, makes the communities where our families live safer as well.

The Phalanx Challenge 

Star Wars – Lucas Films

Remember that we are not the stars of our presentations. The audience members are. Like Jim, you are Master Yoda, not Luke Skywalker. You are the balding green guy, riding on Luke’s back while directing him through his training (hopefully that doesn’t actually resemble many of you). It is your mission to help our cops and cadets through the mazes of law enforcement training, so they can develop into worthy guardians to protect our society. Make sure your students always understand that you are not training them because you are important. You have been chosen to train them because they are important.

I want to challenge you, like Jim Fraser would, to be a producer of knowledge for fellow instructors – not just a consumer. Creativity does not happen by accident; you must intentionally pursue unique and innovative methods to enhance your craft. Combine your creativity and passion to write a better book than Police Instructor, or design a more engaging website than LEO-Trainer.com. Show your passion for training and join our mission to build a strong Phalanx – law enforcement style.

Richard Neil is the author of “Police Instructor: Deliver Dynamic Presentations, Create Engaging Slides, & Increase Active Learning.” He is a retired city cop, and instructs for several of Ohio’s criminal justice training academies. He can be contacted through his website that is dedicated to law enforcement training resources – http://www.leotrainer.com.

http://www.LEO-Trainer.com/training

 

The Foundation of Survival is Attitude

Why is it, that something disastrous can have a completely different impact on two people? One falls apart while the other grows stronger from the experience? One has faith that their best days are ahead and a belief that life is a gift, while the other sees life as a constant struggle with one hurdle after another. Their individual mind-set determines how they will deal with the crisis. I have not only seen it, I have lived it.

I asked, “Would you like to repeat that again.”  The dispatcher came across speaking slower and louder, “Danny Williams wants you to meet him at Greenlee and Jefferson Avenue.  He said he is going to kill you.”  Yep, that is exactly what I heard the first time; apparently it wasn’t a joke.  How lucky was I to be on duty when someone called wanting to kill me.  I was afraid because I knew what Danny was capable of doing.

Our previous meeting was for a parole violation arrest stemming from a murder he committed when I was a middle school student.  Danny had shot a man in the back after a bar fight and the plea bargain resulted in a 7 year sentence Soon after being released he violated parole and was once again wanted.  I spotted him walking down the street and called out for backup.  He noticed me and took off running.  I chased him into his apartment and tackled him in the bedroom where I found a sawed-off shotgun.  Not a nice guy!  I took him to jail and assumed that was the last time I would see him but he was released on his own recognizance – go figure.  

It was 3 a.m. when the call came in to dispatch.  I wasn’t a rookie with anything to prove so I took plenty of backup with me to the intersection.  We parked a block away so he couldn’t see our cars, and brought along our patrol rifles for good measure.

Frank, Dan, Doug, and I coordinated our approach on the radio – two officers would approach from the north, the other two from the south.  As we approached the area I expected Danny to be hiding from us, but he was right out in the open – naked!  Danny was standing directly below the streetlight with everything in plain sight.  He was holding a beer in his left hand and a rifle in his right.  I thought, “Great I’m gonna get killed by a naked dude.  That will look good on my tombstone.”  Frank, a cantankerous old veteran, leaned over and said, “You have a funny way of making friends.” 

Once we were all in position, I called out commands to Danny, who called back with a few colorful metaphors of his own.  Frank then yelled back, “We’ll turn you into Swiss cheese you derelict piece of sh@#!”  Danny realized he was surrounded and outgunned and threw the rifle down the street towards us, but he kept on drinking the beer.  When we approached, he resisted; we had the satisfaction that only comes from fighting a drunk, sweaty, and nude felon.  What a messed-up night shift.

I left the encounter ready for the next, but one of our new recruits heard about the call and had a different reaction. He told me the idea of a suspect wanting to kill an officer, they had only met once, was shocking to him. He was having second thoughts about his career choice. He wasn’t even there that night and the encounter affected him more than it did me. Our attitudes and mindset were quite different. I did not like being threatened but I found more humor in the situation than anything. Surviving the incident strengthened my faith that someone was looking over me. When I asked the rookie why he was so negative he explained how his academy commander and several instructors warned him how awful our profession was. He had the most negative outlook I ever heard from a rookie. That is not how to successfully prepare the guardians of tomorrow.

It is disappointing to me when I hear a cadet in the academy make a cynical statement about police work. They have not worked one day on the street and they are already complaining about how awful it will be. Where do they get such an attitude? They buy into the crap sold by TV shows depicting all cops as cynical tyrants, and they hear it reinforced by some instructors that complain instead of train.

I feel ill every time I hear a cop tell a new rookie, “Forget everything you learned in the academy,” or “A month in the academy isn’t worth one hour on the street,” or the worst, “The academy is over – now you’ll learn how to be a real cop.”

If done correctly, the academy is crucial to the success of our cadets, and this type of careless statement can cause confusion. Every topic has real-world implications if the instructor puts forth the effort to make it real. Even if you do not like the curriculum, there is always important information you can add. Your personal knowledge and experience is the most valuable teaching resource you have, and those nuggets of wisdom are what your students need the most, and what they look forward to.

Cadets should leave the academy excited to be part of a noble profession, and serving society as a guardian of justice should be a thrill, not an affliction. As police instructors we must understand our duty to act as their trainer, role model, and mentor. We should never forget – we are training our replacements. They will someday protect and serve society, as well as our families when we are gone.

Physical survival tactics are taught throughout the law enforcement community, and that is of great importance, but there is more to teach. Surviving, just to lose their marriage, family, and self-respect is not what cadets have in mind when they join our profession. Help them prepare a positive mindset as their instructor, because there will be those who model the negative.

John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, former pastor, speaker, coach, and author who has sold over 19 million books. He reminds us of the importance of attitude in his book, Today Matters. “The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists. Believing in yourself increases your chances of success. Looking for the positive in every situation helps you see opportunities that you would otherwise miss. Being positive with people prompts them to be positive with you – and individuals who interact well with others have a leg up on people who don’t. I can’t think of one legitimate criticism of positive thinking. It’s all good.”

Our success and worth as an instructor is measured by the performance and abilities of our students. If I don’t believe in the importance of our noble profession neither will my students. If I don’t believe in the capabilities of my students they may question themselves when it matters most. Their survival will be enhanced by the mindset and attitude you instill in each one of your students, and that will enable them to make the sacrifices inherent with a career in law enforcement. Why is that so important?

“Without sacrifice there can be no justice – without justice there can be no society.”

Richard Neil is the author of “Police Instructor: Deliver Dynamic Presentations, Create Engaging Slides, & Increase Active Learning.” He is a retired city cop, and instructs for several of Ohio’s criminal justice training academies. He can be contacted through his website that is dedicated to law enforcement training resources – www.LEOtrainer.com.

By Choice or Fate – Fill Your Role as a Police Instructor with Passion

We do not always get to pick the duties we fill as law enforcers, but I believe they are all important. I recently had an officer complain to me about his training assignment for a basic academy class. He was tasked with training the class about forensics but wanted only to teach defensive tactics to the cadets. He felt his talents were being wasted on a less important topic, and he let everyone know about it.

I have fallen into such a trap myself in the past. My first assignment as an instructor was training a class of one. My agency was filling several Field Training Officer positions and some great cops had put in for the openings – I was not one of them. I had recently left my position as a criminal investigator with another agency that I loved working for, but my family was placed in harm’s way because of a residency rule, and we had to relocate. I had just settled back into being a road patrol officer and did not want to worry about watching over a new recruit, but Sergeant Hilton had a different viewpoint.

The sergeant called me into his office and told me he wanted someone with a diverse law enforcement background to serve as the shift’s next FTO.  I told him I agreed and gave him my perspective on the officers who had applied for the position. He then informed me he had already made his selection and I realized why I was in his office. I respectfully told him I was not interested in filling the duties of an FTO, but I appreciated his confidence in my abilities. I explained that I had no desire or passion for the position and the person responsible for preparing the next generation of law enforcers should be. He agreed and thanked me for being honest and I went back on patrol.

The next day I was called in to Chief Eldredge’s office. I had taken over the responsibilities of the department’s Forensics Unit, and was expecting to hear the chief’s decision on some of my recent equipment and training requests, I was wrong again. The chief asked me who I thought he should select to fill the FTO position for my shift, and for the other shifts as well. After we discussed the candidates I thought were best suited for the positions, he advised me I would be going to FTO training the following week. I was speechless at first (a rare instance if you ask my wife) but then told him about my previous conversation with Sergeant Hilton. He explained he already talked with Hilton and that is why he was selecting me. He said “you may not want the responsibility but you realize how important it is to ‘want it,’ and do it well. Along with your police experience that is what I am looking for in an FTO.”

I actually argued with him at first but the chief was not the same person as the sergeant. He was not going to thank me for being honest and let me settle back into my comfort zone. Eldredge had served with several agencies during his three decades in law enforcement, was chief at two of them, and had also served as a Marine. He was not requesting me to fill the FTO position as Hilton tried to.

He told me “You can volunteer to be one of my frontline instructors, and FTO, or I can order you to volunteer. Either way you are volunteering before you leave the office.” I wasn’t happy when I left his office but I always had a deep respect for Eldredge as a chief and human being. Not because he shoved his weight around but because he looked for the best people to fill important positions and then inspired them to do it well.

I still wasn’t happy as I sat through the first day of the FTO class but I knew it was important to do it well. I was going to do it well even if it wasn’t fitting into my life plans at that point. I quickly realized that I was training my replacements. These officers would be responsible for serving and protecting my family, and I wanted them to do it well. It can take an extra commitment and sacrifice from an officer to fill the role of an FTO, but I am reminded: Without sacrifice there can be no justice – Without justice there can be no society. None of that can be possible without law enforcement officers, FTOs, and police instructors.

From the first officer I trained to the last, I truly enjoyed the experience of serving as an FTO. It made me a better police officer, and as I worked hard to make their time with me effective and meaningful is where I developed my passion for training. We need trainers who will passionately serve to build the guardians of tomorrow, and help them to understand the importance of their commitment.

The FTO must find methods to successfully mix classroom training along with experience-based techniques to create worthy protectors for our society. They are great candidates to select from to fulfill future instructor positions of all types – even if it is against their will at first.

Police Instructor Handbook – Book Review

An Easy Chair and Coffee

No matter how I’ve changed over the years in my law enforcement career I still read every book in the same, identical manner. I sit in the most comfortable chair I can find, in a quiet secluded room, with a big, very big, mug of hot coffee at my side, and a highlighter marker in my hand. If, perchance, I happen to come across any tidbit of instructional knowledge that’s new to me, I mark away…

 With a skeptical eye, and the critical perspective of a veteran officer who has served in three war zones and as a patrol officer and tactical trainer, I found myself preparing to read just another book on training. However, as the clock hands spun and I sank deeper and deeper in my chair, I came to the realization that I was now working on my second pot of coffee, and was in need of a fresh highlighter marker. Sought after tidbits of knowledge indeed! I found myself literally “painting” the pages of Police Instructor Handbook by Richard Neil with my marker.

The perception of professional awareness is a path on the law enforcement journey that is tragically littered with sad consequences. Failure to know what you are seeing, or failure to understand the repercussions of actions taken and not reacting in a cognitive manner are the direct result of disastrous training. It requires more of the training world than just bringing forth the law or an enforcement concept to the cadet or senior officer. We need to expand the understanding, the very base of knowledge, and The Police Instructor Handbook does just that. It has a depth that is achieved by a myriad of insightful skills and resourceful interactive classroom tactics… Chapter by chapter the book delves into and explains topics that touch the judgment and minds of the dedicated professional on all levels of experience and understanding, not just in the classroom, but out onto the street for a more successful and safer career. All of this critical knowledge and related perspectives are shown to be transferred from instructor to student by means of an insightful interactive methodology that is easily understood as it develops page by page.

 From one cover to the other this diverse and all inclusive work on the world of police training keeps the reader interested and involved. There are quotes that are carefully interwoven into the outstanding classroom and street level advice that expounds on everything from slide presentations, active learning, dynamic presentations, and many other critical topics for the veteran instructor who is looking for a sharper edge to their skills, or the basic new instructors who are yet building their repertoire. The quotes are culled from everywhere, from the ancient works of the great philosophers to the statements of notables throughout the ages. These selected pearls of wisdom will help establish a point that is time and again well worth the reading and help to bring out a perspective with a growing and developing enforcement philosophy that takes root within the reader.

 As I started delving into the Police Instructor Handbook by Richard Neil, it became obvious to me that this book was something not only new to all levels of the law enforcement community but overwhelmingly inclusive of a dramatically wide range of “how to” information. It has a myriad of wide ranging professional perspectives and personal reflections from the law enforcement point of view. The personal stories and accounts that Richard Neil so honestly bring forth in this book are truly inspiring in their straight forward honestly. From under his badge and from his heart, these stories are of critical value to all of us, and serve well in a powerfully honest, and at times self deprecating, manner that is seldom seen in our profession. The professional perspectives and skills discussed are insightful and creative methodologies that bring out the interest of even the most serious, senior level street officer.

 I do take a critical exception to one of Mr. Neil’s remarks from page 206. He states “I am not a writer”. I do not concur with his observation. He is indeed a writer! If you were to ask of me if this book is worth the time and effort of reading, please allow me to reply in this manner… I look forward to my second reading with my old colleagues, the easy chair and mug of hot coffee.

 Robert R. Rail PhD

“Surviving the International War Zone”

Poetry and Images of Pedestrian Crashes Make Innovative Prevention Campaign

“Curbside Haiku,” is a safety education and public art campaign launched in November 2011, is a set of twelve bright, eye-catching designs by artist John Morse that mimic the style of traditional street safety signs. Each sign is accompanied by a clever haiku poem. See all 12 signs by visiting www.LEOtrainer.com/haiku.

New York City has begun their Curbside Haiku campaign. The signs have drawn some critics, who say that the images are too harsh, and the poems are too explicit. From an officer who has made several trips to the door of an unsuspecting family member, just to notify them their loved one is dead, I think they are a good start.

Placed near eye level in high-crash locations near cultural institutions and schools, the colorful signs draw attention to the critical importance of shared responsibility among pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists in keeping New York City’s streets safe.

This could be a smart investment for other cities as well, and a great tool for officers involved in Crime Prevention or Community Policing. It has similarities to the Below 100 campaign by Law Officer Magazine.

As an instructor it is obvious how well these visuals work with the audience they are trying to reach – they have meaning and relevance. An image can speak volumes to your audience and they are far more effective than using text alone. Think of innovative ways to incorporate pictures and visuals into your next presentation; your students and society will both benefit from your efforts.

Cops are Lion Chasers – Thank You Speech from Academy Graduation

Benaiah was a soldier who performed great exploits. The Bible tells how he struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a stick.

He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. That would be enough to inspire others but Benaiah did more. On a snowy day he chased a lion down into a pit, jumped down in after it, and killed it.

Benaiah not only chased a lion, he jumped into a pit with a lion.

You have chosen the path of a law enforcement officer, a warrior, and have become a Lion Chaser yourself. You have chosen to chase lions and jump into the pit after them – when others will not.

Normal people run the other way if they hear the roar of a lion let alone see one.

Normal people do not chase lions on a snowy day or any other day for that matter.

Normal people do not jump into a pit with a lion…..where there is no escape.

Many people would say that Lion Chasers are insane, but that is okay, my wife has assured me that insanity is a common trait among law enforcers.

You have learned to face your fears and Chase Lions as Benaiah did.

Most people will run in times of fear but those of you here today have been built to stand firm. You have not become fearless, but you realize the safety of our society is more important than your individual fear.

You have been built to Chase Lions.

I pray that God protects each one of you as a guardian of His justice and mercy; and that He strengthens your resolve to show bravery in the midst of evil, compassion to those in need, and integrity in everything you do.

Welcome to the Thin Blue Line.

Deputies Helping with Eviction NOT Entitled to Qualified Immunity

Cochran v. Gilliam, September 2, 2011 – 6^th Circuit Court of Appeals COMPLETE COURT RULING CLICK HERE

The court found two Lincoln County, KY deputies, Don & Dan Gilliam, violated Cochran’s Fourth Amendment rights by assisting his landlord in wrongfully seizing all of his personal property during the execution of an eviction order.

Cochran’s landlord obtained an eviction order against him for failure to pay the rent. Deputies went with the landlord to assist him in taking possession of the house. Once at the house, however, the officers also helped the landlord remove all of Cochran’s personal property that was inside so it could be sold to satisfy back-rent that was owed. The eviction order did NOT cover the disposition of Cochran’s personal property inside the house or the issue of back-rent. Deputy Gilliam states that he then contacted the county attorney and was told that Mr. Williams (the landlord) had a “right to sell the property”.  Should they have followed the advice of the county attorney or the court order they had in hand?

It sounds as though the officers were caught in a compromising situation but they went beyond their peace keeping roles and beyond the court order. Deputies Don and Dan Gilliam were both present on the premises during the removal of Cochran’s personal property. Don Gilliam admits that he paid $100 to the landlord for a television that was removed from Cochran’s home. He states that he purchased the television for use at the Sheriff’s office (as if that would make it better). Cochran’s guns and prescription medications were also taken by the deputy sheriffs. At the landlord’s request, the guns were turned over to his uncle, Constable John Williams the next day.

Cochran repeatedly asked the landlord and deputies for the return of his personal property and offered money in exchange for the return of his property. Those requests were denied . To date, none of Cochran’s personal belongings have been returned to him. A big mistake according to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The court indicated when police officers take an active role in a civil seizure or eviction, they are no longer merely passive observers and they may not be entitled to qualified immunity. In this case, there was neither a court order permitting the officers’ conduct nor any exigent circumstances in which the government interest would outweigh Cochran’s interest in his property.

The officers went beyond their role of keeping the peace during the repossession of the house when they interfered with Cochran’s property in violation of the Fourth Amendment. The officers threatened to arrest Cochran if he interfered with the landlord’s removal of his property and
were photographed carrying items out of the house and loading them into the landlord’s truck. The officers’ involvement in assisting the landlord in seizing all of Cochran’s personal property was unreasonable because there was no legal basis for such action.

I’m not sure what the deputies were thinking at the time. Did they think they were home free because it wasn’t a criminal case in which they were seizing property? Did they think getting involved with a civil eviction could never lead to a civil rights violation? Either way it seems like an easy decision for the Sixth Circuit. The case is a good example to use when reminding officers the 4^th Amendment applies to the seizure of all property, whether criminal or civil in nature. There is more to the case you can see by downloading the full decision.

Video of Officer Shooting Knife Weilding Teen

Video of Officer who Shot Teen who Charged at Him with a Knife, This is a great training resource to show cadets what a “Rapidly Evolving” situation looks like.

Officer Krakow of Wisconsin Rapids police was responding to a disturbance in August 2010 when he encountered a suspect who refused to drop his knife. Krakow is seen confronting then-16-year-old Pao Khang. Loudly and clearly -“Get on the ground. Drop the knife,” he says. He is heard repeating the command several times.

Krakow ordered another officer to Taser Khang when the teen charged at Krakow, and was shot twice. Khang, now 18, was charged with reckless endangerment, obstructing an officer, and several other crimes. Found guilty in August, he received a 5-year sentence and is not eligible for early release programs.

Video available at www.leotrainer.com/survival