Policy Development

Over the last year, there has been a significant increase in use of force incidents involving those who suffer from mental illness. The United States Supreme Court clarified the need for effective training and policy on how your department handles these high risk contacts. In May of 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Sheehan v. City and County of San Francisco[1]. […]

Atty. John M. (Jack) Collins, Police Legal Advisor Martha’s Vineyard, MA Rather than waiting to be asked by a municipal official, community advocate, religious group or member of the press, chiefs have come to anticipate most “hot button” topics and to prepare for such inquiries. Adverse publicity can result quickly when police officers are accused of mishandling a transgender arrestee. Picketers on various “sides”

Prepared by: Officer Jamie Borden, Henderson Police Department As a Use of Force instructor for the past several years, as well as an expert in human factors and an experienced video analyst, I have seen first-hand the disparaging differences between the intended purpose of a policy and how that policy is actually applied in the aftermath of a critical incident, particularly where an officer

Here are the “recommendations” and “action items” from the Interim Report. The whole report is here.[1] 0.1 OVERARCHING RECOMMENDATION: The President should support and provide funding for the creation of a National Crime and Justice Task Force to review and evaluate all components of the criminal justice system for the purpose of making recommendations to the country on comprehensive criminal justice reform. 0.2 OVERARCHING

Necessary Training Required Society’s perception of law enforcement is changing. We see evidence of this change every day across the nation. The first question we must ask, however, is whether this perception is based on truth and facts, or if it based on myths, falsehoods, or innuendos. Unfortunately, in many cases we find it is based on the later and likely fueled through media

By Atty. Eric P. Daigle, Law enforcement standards across this country clearly set forth the need for specific policies to govern the actions and decision-making of officers. In the age of Internet use and online social networking, has law enforcement provided the comprehensive policies and procedures to provide officers with proper guidance regarding appropriate use of social media, and take viable disciplinary action against

Law enforcement agencies around the country find themselves under intense public scrutiny; here in Massachusetts our agencies are no exception. On any given day and on any given call the interaction between our staff and the citizens we serve can find its way to the Internet and local news media with the click of a cell phone. When your agency finds itself in the

Written By: Chief Michael J. Whalen, Esq. (Retired) Law enforcement agencies around the country find themselves under intense public scrutiny. On any given day and on any given call the interaction between our staff and the citizens we serve can find its way to the Internet and local news media with the click of a cell phone. When your agency finds itself in the