Letter From the Editor - July/August 2025

Welcome to our July/August 2025 issue of OFFICER Magazine — the last summer issue and packed full of great information. I’m not sure if our readership realizes it, but in every issue we have articles that cover general segments of law enforcement work: Leadership is covered by Retired Chief William Harvey (usually) who calls on decades of experience to provide insights and good advice for officers of all ranks. Investigations is covered by Sgt. Brendan Rodela who looks back at either cold cases or cases that were solved in some unique way, offering some tips and tricks for detectives and certainly providing entertainment for those of us who simply like to catch criminals. There’s an article in every issue covering tactics, usually provided by Lindsey Bertomen, pulling on his background in military and law enforcement small unit tactics and his expertise with firearms. Sometimes his articles appear in our training category, and some guy named Frank Borelli picks up the tactical column for that issue. There are articles on Vehicles & Fleet topics, Technology topics, and anything applicable to those On the Street. Have you all realized yet that in the months when we don’t publish a magazine, all those columns are on our website as exclusive online content? If not, look for it.

This issue also has a special section on Drones, Duty Cameras and Video Management. We have three articles about related topics composed by our Managing Editor Paul Peluso. In every issue we have a section dedicated to Honoring the Fallen, related to those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice or an organization that supports the surviving family members—either C.O.P.S. or the NLEOMF

In all fairness, for all that, our magazine is but one outlet for all the information we strive to provide. Far more news and information appears on our website (officer.com) and we enjoy producing our weekly podcast “The Lineup,” which reviews hot stories from each week, usually ending with one human interest story (because we cops aren’t just a badge but also human beings) and one dumb criminal story (because let’s face it, that’s just pure entertainment). Our Officer Virtual Academy has about 30 courses available in it (as this is typed) with more coming, and with many of them certified for in-service in Maryland and Oklahoma (with more state certifications being pursued). Our forums stay busy at all hours every day with some thought-provoking conversations cropping up on a regular basis.

So, with all that shared, let me thank you—our readers—for helping us to be successful at providing you with the latest information, best practices and innovations in law enforcement today. Stay safe.