For many years now we’ve closed with a column from veteran writer/officer Carole Moore, called “On Your Watch.” SouthComm Business Media, Law Enforcement Technology and Officer.com would like to extend our appreciation to Carole for her long dedication to the law enforcement community and her contributions to our publications. Just because her column has wound down doesn’t mean you won’t see anything from her. Look for future articles with her byline—and be assured of the value you’ll get reading them.
Now, allow me an introduction: I am Lieutenant Frank Borelli, a veteran of military service (Army MP as well as some years in the Maryland National Guard in the Light Infantry and Combat Engineers), a long time police officer (35+ years now) and Editorial Director for SouthComm’s Law Enforcement Media group. My LE career has spanned patrol, training, administration, investigations, community services and special operations. I’ve been writing since 1999 and have been with SouthComm now for more than 10 years. No doubt some of you have seen my blogs and my more professional writing for equipment reviews and editorial pieces on Officer.com.
Welcome to On Your Six. During my years in the military and time as an officer, “on your six” has always meant that someone was behind me…watching my back. For those who might be unfamiliar, the “six” refers to positioning as referenced by a clock face. Everything directly in front of me is my twelve o’clock. Right is three. Left is nine. Behind me is six. If someone is “on my six,” they are behind me and there to watch my back—unless someone is behind them to watch the team’s back.
I consider myself a police brother to every law enforcement professional I meet, no matter what governmental level (federal, state, county, local, private), no matter what title (officer, trooper, deputy, agent, etc.), and no matter what rank (I’ve held positions from patrolman all the way up to acting chief of police). We’re all brothers and sisters and I will always do what I can to look out for you. Those of you familiar with my online writings have seen my outlook towards the negative impact politics can have on law enforcement and my strong wording against such. Too often it has a negative effect on officer safety and I am intolerant of that. If what we do doesn’t support the men and women working behind the badge, then we shouldn’t be doing it. That’s pretty simple. It’s an outlook I try to keep at the forefront of my writing.
With each column here I will try to focus on something that’s going on in or around the law enforcement community that can affect us, good or bad. Where it might be beneficial, I’ll try to use this column as a mutual voice for our community in the hopes of affecting an executive leader’s outlook or leadership direction. Sometimes a large event occurs and the mainstream coverage of it creates a shift in policy outlook; and sometimes that shift is in the wrong direction—one that threatens the safety and well-being of our on-the-street family. I will do all I can to reverse such trends or shifts when I see them and keep our on-the-street family safe as much as can be expected given the nature of our work.
As you receive and read each copy of LET, please be sure to check in here. Feedback is always appreciated and can be emailed to [email protected].
Stay safe,
Frank
Lt. Frank Borelli (ret), Editorial Director | Editorial Director
Lt. Frank Borelli is the Editorial Director for the Officer Media Group. Frank brings 20+ years of writing and editing experience in addition to 40 years of law enforcement operations, administration and training experience to the team.
Frank has had numerous books published which are available on Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, and other major retail outlets.
If you have any comments or questions, you can contact him via email at [email protected].
