NJCOPS ARTICLE FOR JANUARY 2014 Welcome to 2014! In 2013 we saw an increase in murders, carjackings and we had two mall shootings! Although police officer deaths were down in 2013 there are plenty of reasons not to get complacent. This year, just like any other year there are resolutions to be made…and broken. One resolution that should not be broken is to refocus and rededicate yourself to your craft. We can all look back on that one stop or that one call that stood out in 2013. In 2014 we should look to cut down on those tactical mistakes that put us too close to the bad guy or exposed our weapon during a call. Make 2014 the year that you take an outside course and get out of your comfort zone. As a police officer mindset is key, and you can create a better mindset by doing more training and jumping out of your comfort zone once in a while. Being a police officer is unlike any other job in the world and although the public historically does not like us we have to be ready to serve and protect the public at a moments notice. So what makes a good training course? First and foremost the instructors. Any instructor that says he has all the answers and his way is “the way” should be discounted. Any instructors that constantly yells and belittles the students should also be discounted and probably slapped. A good training course should also be current. Many instructors get set in their ways and are presenting methods that were used when ADAM 12 was on TV. Now I am not sayings that tried and true tactics are not current, but most of us do not care how to speed load our revolvers. The last thing that I good training course need is for “you” to have a positive attitude and be willing to learn. As a cop, I get it…we know it all! Do not be hesitant to learn something new or to be critiqued on something that you are currently doing. A true warrior will be constantly looking to better his craft and will always re-evaluate his methods. Any good training course should be able to offer you extra tools for your tactical tool box. Make 2014 the year that you add more tools to your tool box.