APB American Police Beat

Uniformed patrol can be a thankless job, but many cops find that the occasional dose of adventure makes it worthwhile. In Watertown, South Dakota, a couple of officers stepped into […]

The rookie of today faces a host of challenges that weren’t necessarily present for their forebears. Body cameras, activist groups and ever-present cellphone cameras make for an especially challenging career […]

On November 5, Texas law enforcement officers took Bobby Michael Dennis into custody on charges of attempted capital murder of a peace officer, interference with a police service animal and […]

In recent years, police officer wellness has rightfully taken center stage in conversations about reform, retention and leadership. Much of this attention has focused on the mental health crisis within […]

On December 22, 1980, 6-year-old Brian Perry and his younger sister were at their grandmother’s house with their mother, busy with holiday preparations. Brian and his sister were filled with […]

Engaged in a foot pursuit of an alleged shoplifter, Slidell, Louisiana, Police Sergeant Jeff Kahrs caught a ride from an unexpected source — a 46-year-old preschool teacher. The November 1 […]

NYPD 32nd Precinct Officers Wilmer Guerrero, Ankit Gupta and Shuaibul Amine are being hailed as heroes after saving a 16-year-old who jumped into the Harlem River in an attempt to […]

In a dramatic incident captured on dashcam video, a Maine police officer recently saved the life of a woman who was preparing to jump off a bridge into the Androscoggin […]

“Our first responders are uniquely strong, brave, and emotionally flexible. They are called upon to support us on the worst days of our lives. They hear and see things that […]

The profession is telling us that wellness is a real operational issue. In Police1’s 2024 “What Cops Want” research, 83% of officers said their mental health affects their work, with […]

by Sherri Martin, MA, LPCA Editor’s note: This article is reprinted with permission from the September 2025 issue of the FOP Journal, the official publication of the National Fraternal Order […]

When I needed a job and applied to become a Los Angeles police officer, benefits were a factor in my decision. A steady paycheck and medical insurance were considerations, but […]

“One of the most important things any police organization and its supervisors do is take care of their people.” — San Diego County Sheriff William Gore (ret.) In my 40 […]

Every law enforcement agency across the U.S. has its own unique challenges. However, policing in areas associated with tourism and seasonal population increases presents obstacles and issues that many other […]

Dave, I need your help.” A lieutenant had me on the horn, and I was intrigued by this hint of an opportunity to assist police management. He explained that one […]

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund on November 19 Sergeant James Shields of the North Port (Florida) Police Department as the Officer of the Month for October 2025. Sergeant […]

Fitness may not be mandatory for every task in policing, yet there are situations where officers must be physically prepared to act, sometimes with little warning. In these moments, physical […]

Among the images burned into my mind are those of innocent persons who have been killed or maimed, and the multiple families that have been destroyed as the result of […]

The primary difference between the best shooters in the world and us mere mortals is the speed at which we process visual information. Our trigger fingers can only move so […]

Let’s stop pretending. You already know sleep matters. You’ve read the articles, heard the podcasts, maybe even sat through a PowerPoint or two. You’ve nodded along while sipping your third […]