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Spread the word: Firefighters need cancer screenings
Sam DiGiovanna Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityIt's been just over five years now since my good friend Captain Andy Troncale of the Arcadia (Calif.) Fire Department passed away. Andy and I grew up together and played Little League in West Covina, Calif. We joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department as Explorers at age 15. We would ditch school and ride along at every fire station we could.
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Body cameras for police: A win-win situation?
Ryan Diller Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityIn this time of bitter political polarization, bipartisanship can appear to be a lost cause. It can be difficult to find common ground in debates as heated as the ones surrounding law enforcement and accountability. Thus, the idea of a "win-win" situation — especially on a heated social issue — may seem impossible.
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Talkin’ ‘bout my generation: Recruiting millennials to the…
Sam DiGiovanna Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityIn my last article, I detailed some of the characteristics that mark the millennial generation. Many of these characteristics — such as difficulty accepting orders or the desire to communicate electronically vs. face-to-face contact — don’t translate well to the fire station environment. But new recruits are the lifeblood of the organization; we can’t just avoid hiring young people. So, what to do about this generational issue?
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Signs of the times: Trends in law enforcement training
Keith Funderburk Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityI am currently the training coordinator for my department and have observed a push towards officer training that enhances verbal skills. This is a result of current trends and high-profile incidents that are being aired on every major network. Policing as a profession has always flowed with societal tendencies, so things are not too different from the past. I make every attempt to offer the most up-to-date training that encompasses current trends, but I make sure to not forget the tactical aspects of our jobs.
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When is travel time compensable under the FLSA?
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementTravel-time issues are some of the most difficult of all hours-worked questions for non-exempt employees. Whether and to what extent travel time counts as hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act depends on the specific facts and circumstances presented. Below are some broad rules of thumb that apply to the most common kinds of travel. The rules vary depending on whether the travel is local, out of town with same-day return, or out of town with an overnight stay.
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How to combine live and dry fire at the range
Mike Ox Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityAs shooters begin dry firing more and more, it's common to get in a habit of doing dry fire at home and only doing live fire when they go to the range. By simply doing dry fire at the range in addition to live fire, you can maximize the effectiveness of your range time and spend less money.
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Police departments partnering with Nextdoor to fight crime
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityA 2016 Neilson report shows Americans spend more than 10 hours a day looking at screens, most of it on the Internet. So it makes sense that our police departments are taking note of the fact and trying to connect with their communities online. One social platform that is helping them do that with success is Nextdoor.com. Operating as a private social network, Nextdoor connects neighbors. It helps them find a handyman or a babysitter, watch out for lost pets, sell old toys, books or bikes, organize a neighborhood watch group or quickly spread the word about a break-in or suspicious people in the area.
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Talkin’ ‘bout my generation: Dealing with millennials in the…
Sam DiGiovanna Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityI've seen a lot of new recruits come through the training center over the past several years. Although I always get excited about welcoming new recruits, the new generation seems to present some unique challenges and training needs. Nothing against them; it's more of a sign of the times. Do you recognize any of these characteristics?
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Critical research begins on veterans and marijuana use
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Mental HealthcareMany veterans are suffering from mental disorders, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And an estimated 20 veterans commit suicide each day in the U.S. Research is definitely needed to explore all avenues of treatment and prevention to better improve the quality of the lives for our veterans. After years of delays, the first participants have enrolled in a research study investigating marijuana use and PTSD.
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The evolving role of police in schools
Brian Stack EducationIt is just another typical day at work for police officer Emmanuel "Manny" Fardella, a member of the Cheyenne Police Department in Wyoming. Fardella serves as the school resource officer (SRO) at Cheyenne's South High School. His day, like many who serve in similar roles in schools across America, begins by being visible as kids first enter the school in the morning. He walks the halls, saying hello to staff and students, working to develop positive relationships.
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