Each issue of Law Enforcement Technology (LET), the number one source of information for police management, spotlights yesterday's lessons, today's problems, and tomorrows solutions.
LET May 2015 focuses on Leadership and Disaster Prep & Response. The magazine talks crime-scene clean-up, training on a massive scale, police ethics, and tips from law enforcement management around the country.
Cover Story
The government's plans to bring mobile technologies to the forefront of operations, our cover story this month also informs you how to inform the network build-out in your state. TJ Kennedy defines FirstNet, a brief history, and what it means to the future of law enforcement.
Photos courtesy of the Laurel, Maryland, Police Department.
Features
Tom Pardue, a 18-year law enforcement officer and currently associate dean in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Kaplan University offers his thoughts on the country perceives law enforcement. What role does the major media play in this? And how does that effect the perception of your ethics?
Crime scenes can be horrific places, with blood, body fluids and damage everywhere. When the crime scene tape comes down, what happens next? LET takes a look behind-the-scenes of crime scene cleanup, to see what happens when the police leave.
Down at Texas A&M University holds a massive facility known as Disaster City. Police and first responders visit to train (safely) for disasters. But for all the various scenarios possible, what tech holds all this together? Editor Sara Scullin speaks with the director of the university, Walt Magnussen, to find out.
We asked a few officers in the upper level of law enforcement management about how their management style effects the agency. What we got in return ended up being some great tips on management, leadership, and community relationships.
Column
Well ... is it? Use these two examples from around the country. They might help answer some questions about starting the purchase process - and figuring out what exactly you need. LET talks to Miami PD and the Lexington (Ky) Division of Police about their recent communication purchases.
"Smith & Wesson's M&P Shield...off duty"
LET's Firearm Tactics columnist, Lindsey Bertomen, put the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield concealable handgun in his hands. After testing he asked a few friends to help. They quickly appeared with their own. He then quickly found out what made it so popular.
On Your Watch "A police offender registry?"
Carole Moore came across one article proposing the creation of registry of police offenders. But ... isn't that what they call background checks?
Editor's Log "Hurtling towards new frontiers"
Law enforcement technology has come a long way. Editor Sara Scullin writes, " In fact, most of us have the ability to communicate nearly instantaneously—wherever we are—with whomever we want to talk to." But this wasn't always so, i.e. callboxes, phone booths, etc. With technology moving so fast ... what's next?
"Do shared records equal shared success?"
SunGard Public Sector's Andi Mucklow writes about one idea on cutting costs in agencies: multi-agency consortiums. Allowing agencies "to combine resources and become more than the sum of their parts."
Showcases
Emergency Response: An emergency smartphone, explosive ordnance suit, medial kit, an upgraded search and rescue helmet, and more.
Mapping & Navigation: Crime analytics/predition software, GPS tracking, an e-book on how to use GIS for crime analysis, and more.
Products and Technology: Binoculars that allow you to see through fog, smoke, and darkness, a small device to recharge your smartphone (or any USB-based device) on the fly, and more.
