Calibre Press

Across the nation it appears that shootings are up.  If you listen to some talking heads on TV, you will hear several theories on why this is so. I recently heard COVID get blamed in a roundabout way.  They said that was because people have been cooped up for so long.  First, the “cooping up” that came on last year at this time has slowly eroded away since at least the autumn of 2020, thus that excuse doesn’t hold water. ... Full Article »

The profession of law enforcement is facing unprecedented negative scrutiny. From my perspective as a retired officer and professional in the analysis of police-involved critical incidents, the most prominent issue is the propagation of opinions without foundation.  We have all read posted opinions regarding the actions of officers who are in the spotlight based on the outcome of events that have captured the media’s attention.  These... Full Article »

[Editor's note: If you're new to our site and have not subscribed to our free weekly newsletter, you can sign up HERE.] It’s time to ask, “Who actually understands what it’s like to be a police officer?” TV personalities? Office-bound politicians? Sports figures? They are suddenly all experts on law enforcement, controlling violence and making life or death decisions in an instant. At least they are from their comfortable chai... Full Article »

“When/Then” thinking—when this happens, then I will do this—has been recommended for ages as an effective self-training tool that can help you prepare for prompt, definitive, well thought-out action in a variety of situations. Investing in prior thinking into what you will do when faced with a challenging scenario can prove priceless in several ways…among them enhancing your safety. With that, have you thought about how you would rea... Full Article »

Editor’s note: The following letter was written by Calibre Press instructor Chief Ed Delmore and sent to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker in response to the Illinois General Assembly passing HB 3653. For a summary of the elements of the Bill you can read this statement from the Illinois Police Benevolent and Protective Association. CHIEF DELMORE'S LETTER: February 19, 2021 To: Honorable J. B. Pritzker, Office of the Governor, 207 State ... Full Article »

Dark days lie ahead for law enforcement. LE will continue to be blamed for society’s ills and mistakes. Why? Because LE is the arm of government that is out on the streets interfacing with the public on a daily basis. No other government agency has that task or, more importantly, that duty. LE will continue to be criticized. Officers will be thrown under the bus and prosecuted for performing their lawful duties. The Capitol police will be sc... Full Article »

Not surprisingly, Jim Glennon's commentary Should You Shoot Someone Breaching the U.S. Capitol? drew heavy feedback from scores of officers nationwide representing a broad range of experience at the federal, state and local levels. Here are just a few of the e-mails we received: Daniel Grasso, a former U.S. Capitol Police Captain and retired MSgt. with the U.S. Air Force Security Forces writes: Maybe we need to have a separate category for ... Full Article »

A loaded question and a loaded title, right? Calibre Press articles generally focus on police training and decision-making is an essential part of all training. We also address issues that impact the profession and today we find ourselves with no lack of impactful issues. Should You Shoot Someone Breaching the U.S. Capitol? I repeat the title because decisions to use force, especially deadly force, are unquestionably the most critical an... Full Article »

If You Think So, You’re Out of Your Mind. A Christmas concert outside a Manhattan church this week ended in an encore of gunfire when a gunman with a lengthy criminal record, brandishing two semi-autos—one in each hand—and carrying a backpack with a can of gasoline, rope, wire, tape, knives and a Bible inside, began firing rounds, sending terrified concertgoers scrambling to get out of range or find some kind of cover. One elderly man... Full Article »

[Editor's note: Be sure to check out the new Calibre Press course, "Successfully Interacting With People With Autism"] Imagine you are looking for a missing child and after a lengthy search you locate them.  As you approach the child you learn that they are unable to communicate due to an Autism diagnosis. Are you prepared to handle a situation like this…to communicate with a person who may be nonverbal? An event similar to this jus... Full Article »

I've been out of operational law enforcement for over two decades.  But because my 6 years in the military and my 20+ years as a cop were so significant to me, I stayed in touch with several of my fellow ‘Nam vets as well as a few of my cop buds. Late last year I went up to NY to attend a police function sponsored by our PBA.  Historically, this banquet was always held to honor our retirees as well as thanking a host of local civil... Full Article »

Law enforcement has been on its heels much of 2020.  A lot has changed, and a lot more will change moving forward.  It all matters, regardless who holds the megaphone but perhaps what may matter most is but a few weeks away. As I switch from my law enforcement 8-point cover to my historian cap, I recall that we've had 45 presidents (44 men, to be exact, since Grover Cleveland won two non-consecutive terms).  I mention this be... Full Article »

I’m a real emotional guy. My wife says I live in “full color” with my heart and every other passion on both sleeves. My opinions are shared easily with those I’m close to and they often make it into my columns and books. I’ve been asked by loved ones how I—someone so quick to emotion—could function as a commander of investigations and run a major crimes task force. How could I keep those passions, those emotions, so quick to appe... Full Article »

The Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA decided to boycott their playoff game against the Orlando Magic last week in protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man shot by a white officer in Kenosha, Wis. three days before. “Some things are bigger than basketball.” said Alex Lasry, senior VP of the Bucks showing support and solidarity with his players. While the shooting of Jacob Blake captured on video is disturbing—any shooting i... Full Article »

Virtually every time I step in the shower, I start to have the very same thoughts. It begins, not surprisingly, with the water. Once the liquidized combination of hydrogen and oxygen is warmed to what I deem to be the perfect temperature, I step into the ceramic enclosure, stand directly beneath the shower head, and revel in those few moments of heaven. Eventually my eyes open, and for some reason I look up at the shower head and fixate ... Full Article »

A note from the author: This article was originally written about three months ago and in the midst of a wave of similarly focused articles, was put in the publication queue for future consideration.  By mid-June it looked as though COVID was spiking again and once more, masks were becoming a big issue as well as dealing with people who just refuse to listen to reason.  Combine this with the demonstrations and protests that have also... Full Article »

“DEFUND THE POLICE!”  “ABOLISH THE POLICE!” These are the rallying cries being shouted by many as I sit writing this column. Never in my lifetime did I ever think such demands would be bellowed by so many different people—at least not at the level we’re all hearing it now. Of course, I’ve heard these demands before, but they were always spouted by small, fringe anarchist groups that no one really took seriously. Well, ... Full Article »

When Calibre Press asked officers across the country to share their thoughts on the state and future of the police profession, the response was overwhelming. Here’s what we found: The Participants. Time on the job: Of the more than 10,000 officers who participated in the poll, 44.5% have been on the job for more than 20 years, 28.9% for between 13-20 years, 18.7% for between 6-12 years and the remaining 7.9% for 5 years or less. ... Full Article »

The push from many quarters of this country (both the sane and insane) is that law enforcement as we know it needs to be reformed. I agree. I’m not kidding, I totally agree. And no, I’m not capitulating to the hysterical throngs who have no idea about the realities of law enforcement and the statistical truths regarding use-of-force incidents. I was on the job for over 29 years and have been in the law enforcement business for a l... Full Article »

Calibre Tip of the Week A note from the editor: If you have a tip to share with officers around the country, please feel free to e-mail us at [email protected] Don’t Be a “Target of Opportunity” It’s important to use extra caution when patrolling territory contested by rival gang members. If personnel permit, you want at least three officers involved in gang contacts: one to serve as Contact Officer for dealing with the suspect(s... Full Article »