I am tired of the "bad cop" narrative. I have seen far too much of this narrative over the past few years and it is time for us to step back and rationally reflect on why so many folks are willing to perpetuate it, or conversely, are not willing to rebut it. Regardless of what others [...]
Let me say at the outset that I do not draw conclusions about the actions of law enforcement officers from videos posted on social media. I learned long ago that it is prudent to wait to hear all the facts before coming to any conclusion about whether an officer's actions were lawful and justified. The split-second decisions [...]
I have watched the events after Michael Brown's shooting unfold. I have been purposeful in refraining from comment on social media sites and in groups, but I have been listening. I have heard two versions of the story surrounding Michael Brown's death. In one version, an unarmed black teenager was murdered by a white officer. [...]
Our community lost a law enforcement officer today. Lt. Jeff Skuza passed in the early morning hours. His loss is tragic for his family, his law enforcement brethren, and the community he served for over 20 years. Law enforcement is a tough field. The things law enforcement officers see and have to deal with can [...]
I am becoming a tad exasperated with the discussion of the young KVLY reporter, Mellaney Moore, who was able to enter and walk around three area elementary schools with little or no interference from school staff. The point of Moore's efforts was to illustrate the vulnerabilities of school security. The recent article in The Forum [...]
When I lived in Southern California I became aware of the notion of professional courtesy for the friends and family of law enforcement. You just kept that officer's card next to your driver's license and miraculously you received warnings instead of tickets - or so I was told by my law enforcement friends and their [...]
Today a group of my students helped with active shooter exercises for Cass County Sheriff deputies. The deputies were put through multiple scenarios. I watched the deputies go through a shooter scenario in the large lunch room area. One student played the shooter each time while the others simulated students in a chaotic situation. The [...]
THE NEW FORTY 