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Major security ramp-up following Manchester blast
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityIt's a sad world where innocent kids must fear going to a concert. But the rise of terror attacks that target concerts and events with large crowds is now a constant threat. The latest example was the bombing on May 21 when attendees of an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, saw a violent end to their fun evening. The blast killed 22 people and injured more than 100.
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How are airports handling the electronics ban?
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveHomeland Security Secretary John Kelly announced Sunday the news travelers have been hoping to avoid: that the ban on carrying laptops and larger electronic items in the aircraft cabin may be extended to all international flights in and out of the United States.
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States waking up to spike in marijuana‑related crash fatalities
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityResearch shows that increasing rates of marijuana use have resulted in an increased rate of car crash fatalities. It is a problem that many proponents for legal adult use of recreational marijuana wish to pretend does not exist. In fact, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a marijuana legalization bill today with concerns about public safety on his mind. Scott is sending the bill back to the state legislature, asking for harsher penalties for those who drive under the influence.
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Visual perception delay and its effect on shooting
Mike Ox Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityIn April 2015, there was a horrible story about an officer shooting a man eight times in the back while fleeing on foot after a traffic stop. What I've seen and read about the case is not good — simply by the number of shots the officer fired. But do you know why that is?
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Violence against nurses caps off National Nurses Week
Joan Spitrey Healthcare AdministrationNational Nurses Week is a time of fun, festivities, celebrations and socialization. However, this past week's news of tragic, violent situations surrounding nurses and healthcare workers brings much-needed attention to the dirty little secret of violence against healthcare workers.
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Keeping the chief in check
Sam DiGiovanna Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityBeing a chief officer is a rewarding position. But the saying "to whom much is given, much is expected" holds true as a fire chief. The job can take its toll on you and be extremely challenging, leading to stress and burnout. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it's important to set some boundaries and keep yourself in check to avoid mental burnout and stress.
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Is social media helping or harming police work?
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityWe can no longer think of life without instant connectivity and social media. A vast majority of us spend a good portion of our days online, for personal as well as professional needs. Social media is an intrinsic part of our online lives and has become an important channel of communication. For law enforcement agencies, social content now plays an important role in solving and preventing crimes.
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Get to know your SCBA — it may save your life
Frank R. Myers Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityBesides our protective firefighting/turnout/bunker gear, our SCBAs are probably our most important piece of protective equipment. There is no doubt that protecting our respiratory system is invaluable. We have come a long way from the days when we were taught to "conserve" our air or be classified as a "smoke eater." These were no doubt poor decisions that came with the honor of being a firefighter. Nowadays, it is smart and prudent to don your SCBA and begin respiratory protection prior to getting out of the truck or before crossing the "threshold" of the hazardous environment/situation.
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Speed kills at the PRS
Joshua Fry Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityHow hard can it be? This was the question I asked myself as I contemplated trying my hand at the Precision Rifle Series (PRS). On a regular basis, I compete in 3-Gun events with shots out to 500 yards all while running and shooting my pistol and shotgun before attempting to regain my breathing and composure to make hits with a 6x scope. If I can make hits under those conditions, then subtracting two guns and adding a 25x scope seemed like child's play.
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High-tech tools now a regular part of police work
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThere was a time when body cameras were met with a lot of resistance. Now we are looking at a future when videos captured by these cameras could potentially replace traditional written reports. Soon there may be facial recognition software built into these body cameras as well. The rise in crime and terrorism has necessitated the growing use of technology for law enforcement work. Proponents stress how officers find it difficult to fight crime, quite understandably, without the right resources at hand.
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