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Law enforcement stress during lawlessness
Mark Bond Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityWith recent protests that turned into lawlessness in Ferguson, Missouri, officer stress levels are elevated, which can cause mental health problems long after peace has been restored. Law enforcement agencies across the country are now dealing with protesters and trying to work with community organizers to keep the demonstrations peaceful. This is also the holiday time of year when crime rates can rise.
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What’s right with Louisiana’s bail system?
Eric Granof Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThe Shreveport Times recently posted an op-ed article from Marjorie Esman, the executive director of the ACLU in Louisiana. In this article — entitled, "What's wrong with La.'s bail system?" — Esman is not shy in sharing her disgust for the commercial bail bond industry. In fact, the basic theme of her article is that the ills of the criminal justice system in Louisiana are all due to the bail bond industry.
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GPS tracking devices: The benefits and pitfalls for car dealers
Ryan Clark Transportation Technology & AutomotiveLaw enforcement officials recently announced the rescue of Philadelphia nursing assistant Carlesha Freeland-Gaither thanks to the GPS tracking device in her abductor's vehicle. Investigators located Freeland-Gaither and her abductor — Delvin Barnes — after correctly deducing that the auto dealership had planted the GPS device in Barnes' car as a way of ensuring payment due to his history of bad credit.
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Before you hang up your uniform ...
Catherine Iste Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityCertain skills you pick up wearing a uniform can put you ahead in the civilian world. So before you box up everything you earned and learned from your service, make sure to keep these things handy.
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Prevention is key: Workplace violence in the hospital
Keith Carlson Healthcare AdministrationWith the recent news of several nurses in a Minnesota hospital being injured by a patient wielding a metal bar, the issue of healthcare workers facing violence in the workplace is again receiving media scrutiny. Hospitalized individuals are certainly under significant stress when facing recovery and treatment from acute illnesses or injuries, and intense emotions may often be at play.
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The relationship of stress and fatigue on law enforcement officers
Mark Bond Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityLaw enforcement officers recognize that stress is part of the profession and working conditions. In the past, police culture did not even recognize stress as a problem affecting officers. We now know that unmanaged stress can lead to anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What many officers might not be aware of is the long-term effect of chronic fatigue and the relationship between stress and fatigue.
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How to protect your hearing while shooting
John McAdams Recreation & LeisureA good sense of hearing is important during day-to-day living. However, your hearing is also vulnerable to damage from extremely loud noises, which makes hunters and shooters especially vulnerable to hearing loss.
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Court rules that being a jerk is not a disability
Myra Creighton Civil & GovernmentThe 9th Circuit Court of Appeals recently reversed a verdict for a plaintiff police officer on his claim that his employer terminated his employment based on his disability. The court disagreed that the plaintiff had a disability. One jurist summarized the decision as: "[He] isn't disabled, he's just a jerk."
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Washington’s I-594 represents a flawed attempt at gun control
John McAdams Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThe upcoming election in November is shaping up to be an important one for gun owners in Washington state. In addition to the normal elections for candidates running for public office, there is another important measure on the ballot: Initiative 594 (I-594).
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Human trafficking: Local law enforcement awareness
Mark Bond Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityIncidents of human trafficking have occurred in all 50 states, but it can be a difficult crime for local law enforcement to recognize. It is often misidentified during the initial law enforcement encounter as a possible prostitution problem, domestic argument, workplace altercation, etc.
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