Welcome to the September/October issue of OFFICER Magazine and one of the biggest issues we’ve had to date. While other print publications are cutting page count, here we are offering up an issue full of information you’ll find useful, and maybe some that are entertaining as well.
Since this is the issue we take to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference (in Denver this year), you’ll find information about several companies that will be displaying in the exhibit hall there. Pay attention to those Corporate Profiles, as they probably include companies you want to have on your “must visit” list for the show floor.
You’ll also find a summary report of our annual State of the Industry Projection Survey, wherein we share information gleaned from agencies around the country regarding their budget for the 2026 budget year. We’d like to thank Damascus Gear for being a great sponsor for this program again, and up to 500 people who completed 100% of our survey will be getting a pair of Damascus gloves.
This year we also revived our Innovation Awards program and our eight honorees are listed herein. Be sure to check them out (and then add them to your list of “must visit” for the conference again).
This year we also launched our OFFICER Valor Awards program, and it was both heart-warming and humbling to see some of the nominations we received. While the mainstream media continues to seek, find and report on the smallest of mistakes any officer makes, we’re proud to have seen so much humanity and compassion demonstrated, not to mention courage and sacrifice. Each officer is truly worth recognition, and we’re proud to give it in this fashion.
In our Honoring the Fallen column we take a look back at September 11, 2001, and all the officers lost that day, or since as a result of injuries/illnesses incurred during that response.
After all of that, we also have our usual seven columns that cover On the Street, Tactical, Command/HQ, Vehicles & Fleet, Training and Careers, Technology, and Investigations (I always find that one interesting and entertaining).
So, welcome to fall. As we look ahead to Halloween, Rosh Hashanah, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, I encourage you to get ahead of your holiday scheduling. There are plenty of special activities that require law enforcement involvement and some that may result in being short staffed. See what you can do to head that shortage off at the pass and ensure efficient service to the community you protect.
Stay safe.
