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Crisis intervention training becomes a crucial tool for law enforcement

Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

The news sometimes features stories of wrongful shootings by police officers, and many of these cases involve a victim with a mental health crisis. The officers' misunderstanding of the situation can be partly to blame in these scenarios. But it is a lot more than that. We need to revisit their training before criticizing them. Most experts say that it is lack of specialized training and knowledge that lead to these inappropriate responses. Most of them react out of fear and frustration. This is where crisis intervention training (CIT) will help.

3 tips for hiring general counsel

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Every organization can benefit from a formal relationship with general counsel. But how do you know what type of general counsel to get? Are they all the same? Should they be staff or on retainer? What about personality: should they be the same or serve as checks and balances to the team? Getting clear on the reasons it is good for the organization, the purpose the attorney will serve, and the associated costs are necessary steps to ensure a proper vetting process and a successful partnership going forward.

California fires still burning, new report anticipates more

Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & Environmental

As California fires still burn, the state has released its fourth Climate Change Assessment, a report that surveys the scientific data and governmental action on climate change preparedness. While today’s environmental news sounds terrible, there’s more to come. By the end of the century, we will witness a 77 percent increase in volume of burning acres. These are just wildfire predictions. There are also anticipated problems with drought, beach erosion, and rising ocean levels to contend with — according to the report.

Marijuana breathalyzer technology remains elusive, despite progress

Dr. Denise A. Valenti Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

Currently, there are no roadside breath tests when marijuana-influenced driving impairment is suspected. Canada recently approved use of a roadside test using saliva, but a sensitive test using breath has yet to be available. Dr. Tara Lovestead, a research chemical engineer for the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the U.S., described one of the problems with this goal, "Picture cutting a raisin into a trillion parts and trying to detect one of them."

North American prisoner strike begins in 17 states and Canada

Michelle R. Matisons Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

Regardless of where you stand on mass incarceration, the number of Americans locked up — 2.3 million — is large enough that divergent forces are paying attention as a National Prisoner Strike, which began Aug. 21 and will end Sept. 9, unfolds. Why now? Some inmates would answer, "Because it’s August." The phrase "Black August" may not have been included in your high school history course, but anyone following U.S. prison reform has heard of it, and more specifically of a man named George Jackson.

Are you prepared for retirement? What can you expect?

Frank R. Myers Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

Everyone at some point in their life looks forward to retiring. The issue facing some is what we do with our time if we’re still productive. We need to occupy our time by having activity in our lives, both mentally and physically. I started my career as a firefighter when I was 21 years old. I served 32 years and retired at age 54. I know that may sound too early, but 32 years was plenty since the municipality I served for carried a heavy run load. It takes its toll on you mentally and physically because, believe it or not, firefighting is a high-performance job.

Nebraska conducts first execution in the US to use fentanyl

Michelle R. Matisons Pharmaceutical

The death penalty is a very divisive political issue. Recently, even Pope Francis condemned the practice as "inadmissable." Acquiring the drugs used for lethal injection is a huge problem, and some suggest this is leading to some very problematic developments — like the use of the popular opioid fentanyl in executions. Nebraska recently used fentanyl to execute Carey Dean Moore. This is the first time ever in the U.S. that fentanyl has been used in an inmate’s execution, and the move has caused much controversy.

Dying man awarded $289 million as Monsanto faces more lawsuits

Michelle R. Matisons Science & Technology

Over the years, more and more people have come to know the name "Monsanto" as synonymous with new industrial agriculture and genetically modified food. As a company, it is responsible for many products perceived as dangerous, including Roundup, the notorious weedkiller. Lawsuits have always grown around Monsanto like untreated weeds, but the courtroom tide is turning in favor of the public. Recently, a 46-year-old California school pest control manager with non-Hodgkin lymphoma won a $289 million settlement against the company.

Modern crime fighting needs deeper tech utilization

Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

A recent report stated that the size of the global law enforcement software market will grow to $18.13 billion by 2023. This should not come as a surprise, since criminals have been quick to adopt the latest technologies, which means police must as well. The pervasive influence of social media and Internet of Things-enabled devices demand mobile-based law enforcement software. But law enforcement officers are still facing questions about regulations.

Florida database integration law aims to stop school shootings

Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

In Florida, database integration will be the new tool to combat school shootings. Following the Parkland tragedy, state authorities convened and passed a law to this effect. A centralized database will be created to help officers and school authorities prevent such shootings in future. One of the significant catalysts for this move was the fact that the Parkland shooter had left many warning signs in his social media posts that were overlooked.

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