Letter From the Editor - June 2022
June—How can we be halfway through 2022 already? The year seems to be flying by—but we have to make sure we keep up! Change is the only constant of life, and in our industry it’s very real. Laws change. General Orders change. Equipment and technology change. If you started your career 10-plus years ago, how policing is done today is already vastly different. But one thing never changes: No amount of technology handcuffs bad guys. Compassionate warriors—law enforcement professionals driven by a caring heart—have to do that job. It’s our hope that this publication provides you valuable information to support you as you do that job.
In this issue we have an introduction from Lindsey Bertomen to the new Federal .30 Super Carry cartridge and one of the handguns chambering it, the S&W Shield EZ. While the jury is still out on the ultimate ballistic value of the .30SC, it seems to make some sense. .30 caliber (ish) weapons have existed for a long time and done fairly well when paired with a decent weapon system and good marksmanship. (I can’t emphasize that “good marksmanship” part enough). Some folks are making comparisons between it and the .45ACP which is unrealistic. Compare it to the 9mm or .380ACP and you’ll see where it fits. Time will tell as to how well it grows a following and what the most popular applications will be. For a self-defense cartridge, it looks to have potential: better penetration and energy delivery than the .380ACP. Not quite the same energy delivery as the 9mm, but better reported penetration.
Virtual Reality training is a growing tool law enforcement should embrace as deeply as budgets permit. Projected simulation training has proven to be a great training tool across the past few decades. Virtual Reality is the next evolution. Check out the article from Joe Vince about VR and some pending advancements.
With summer upon us, it’s inevitable that more officers will be out of their patrol vehicles either walking foot patrols or riding bicycle patrols. In this issue you’ll find an article discussing the pros and cons of each and how best to leverage them both. And speaking of bicycle patrols, we also have an article about how they’re being used to advantage in coastal jurisdictions.
We have an excellent article from Chief Harvey that everyone in a command position should read. You don’t have to agree but there’s value in the wisdom of a man who did the job for about 40 years. And we couldn’t let June pass without taking a quick look back at Police Week 2022. Having it (almost) back to normal is a good thing—except for how many names were added to the wall and read at the Candlelight Vigil. Remember them with honor.
Stay safe.
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].