Public safety agencies don’t get to choose when the spotlight turns their way – a single incident can take over the headlines without warning.

In those moments, leaders often ask: What do we say? What don’t we say? When do we say it? And, how do we balance maintaining trust with protecting the integrity of the investigation?

As former Chief of External Engagement for the US Attorney’s Office, and as an advisor to schools, nonprofits and public leaders, I have learned that successful crisis communication comes down to three fundamentals.

Lesson 1: Speed Matters, but Clarity and Control Amid the Chaos Matters More

In a crisis, silence creates a vacuum which will be filled by speculation. However, issuing a statement before everyone is aligned only creates confusion. The balance is speed with clarity and control: Acknowledge the issue, commit to transparency and promise updates as facts develop.

One of the strongest models I have seen in practice is directing reporters to a centralized, secure briefing location during an emergency. This approach serves two purposes: It protects both responders and journalists and it ensures updates are delivered consistently. If the media is already gathered, agencies can go a step further by offering a short, factual briefing. Even a few lines can calm speculation and keep coverage anchored to facts.

Strong communication is not only about messaging; it is about establishing order in the middle of chaos. The same principle applies beyond policing, whether it is a nonprofit under scrutiny, a school navigating a crisis or a company responding to a high-profile incident. Leaders who project calm, provide clarity and control the flow of information set the tone for trust.

Lesson 2:  Message to Your Key Audience

When drafting crisis communications, leaders often focus on what the media will say. The real test, however, is whether your stakeholders (parents, donors, employees, and community partners) hear what they need. Communications should be written for them first; the press, second.

This means considering the lived experience of your audience. A parent wants reassurance that his/her child is safe. A donor wants confidence that his/her contribution is being protected. An employee wants to know that his/her leadership is steady and reliable.

Leaders who pause and ask themselves, “If I were a parent, funder, or staff member, does this answer my biggest concern?” are far more likely to communicate in a way which builds trust with the audiences who matter most.

Lesson 3: Build Trust Before You Need It

The strongest crisis strategies begin long before the crisis itself. Leaders who already communicate consistently, transparently and credibly will find stakeholders far more forgiving when things go wrong. Trust is earned in the everyday updates, newsletters and community engagement long before the breaking news headline.

I once saw a public safety leader use short monthly video updates to keep staff informed on priorities and challenges. Those updates made the leader more approachable. Staff had a natural way to connect, often saying, “I liked what you shared in your video last week.” By creating that baseline of familiarity, the leader built credibility which carried into more difficult moments.

The same principle applies to media relationships. Even if a reporter has published unflattering coverage in the past, leaders should not shy away from building rapport. Meet with them directly, set clear ground rules and be candid: “I will share what I can, when I can. In return, I ask that you honor when I say something is on background or off the record. Please only use the statements I explicitly agree to give you.” Reporters value access and consistent, respectful engagement often yields more balanced coverage over time.

Trust with both stakeholders and the press is cumulative. Leaders who invest in it early will find they have far more control over the narrative when a crisis eventually comes.

The End Result

Crisis is inevitable. Loss of trust is not. Mission-driven organizations, whether schools, nonprofits or public safety agencies, do not have the luxury of waiting until the storm hits to figure out their playbook. The leaders who succeed are not the ones who avoid crises altogether. They are the ones who prepare, communicate with clarity and stay visible when it matters most.

The good news is that these fundamentals are teachable and repeatable. With preparation, clear messaging and a commitment to trust building, organizations can emerge from crises not weaker, but stronger, with stakeholders who feel reassured rather than abandoned.

Jessica A. Kuron is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Belvedere Consulting Group where she helps public-facing organizations strengthen communications, strategy and engagement. She has served as Chief of External Engagement for the US Attorney’s Office, directed crisis communications for schools and nonprofits, and was recognized as one of New Hampshire’s Top 40 Under Forty in 2025. She can be reached at jessica@belvedereconsult.com.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United States Department of Justice.

Several states are warning of pink cocaine – a powdered mixture of substances which is dyed pink; may have a sweet smell; and typically produces mind-altering, hallucinogenic effects.

DEA laboratory testing has identified pink powders containing ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and xylazine.

Effects of pink cocaine can vary greatly as many seizures contain mixtures of a variety of dangerous drugs, but much like MDMA or ecstasy, pink cocaine is a mind-altering psychedelic drug. Ingesting an unknown substance or drug cocktail is dangerous and can be deadly.

Since 2020, the DEA has seized a total of 960 pink powders – four exhibits contained 2C-B and 956 exhibits of “other” substances. To put that into perspective, within that same time, the DEA has seized 180 million fentanyl pills.

To learn more about pink cocaine, visit dea.gov/pink-cocaine

We must be geniuses.

We, who labor in uniform, in plainclothes, or in tactical armor, are not merely figures of authority – we are reasoning beings, operating with disciplined intelligence.      

OR…

High school juniors are complete, empty-headed lamebrains. Now, before all of you with high school children out there get your city-issued knickers in a twist, let me tell you that I have raised six kids, all of them having stumbled through their 11th grades with various levels of incompetence, and I openly admit to having been a 17-year -old lamebrain myself.

Specifically, I’m talking about some simple concepts. Here’s an example: What is a lead? It’s something which needs to be followed up on, right? It’s a piece of information, a tip, a hint of information which might promise more. It’s something you need to get done. My detective friends out there know that you should maintain a “lead sheet,” a to-do list which keeps you organized: What have I completed and what tasks still need to be completed. A witness named Frank tells us that Mario, who works at the pastry shop on 19^th Street, knows something about the murder. Your lead sheet should have an entry which says something like, “Identify and interview Mario from the pastry shop on 19^th Street.” Right? It seems very simple. I taught my students what a lead is back in September and, as I write this, I’ve spent the last month reminding them how important it is to keep track of and prioritize their leads. I created lead sheets and gave one to every group of three students each – a “squad.” The other day, two students told me, “I have no idea what any of this means.”

Huh? We’ve been doing a mock investigation for the better part of three weeks and now you tell me you don’t know what we’re doing? So, I tried to walk it back. “What is a lead?” I asked. I got blank stares and shrugs. “I dunno,” one girl said. I could tell from polling the rest of my four junior classes that many of them shared her lack of comprehension (forgive my clenching jaw and the clumps of my own hair in my fist). I was bordering on distraught. If they haven’t been able to divine what a “lead” is, what hope do I have for them to grasp ideas like the Sixth Amendment right to confront your accusers, or what it means to appeal a case on judicial error? Have I failed them as a teacher?

I love doing the mock investigations. It’s fun – maybe more fun for me than most of them – and I get to challenge them to try and connect information, evidence and use critical thinking as a foundation to grasp investigative principles. And, to be fair, not all my students give me blank looks and make me doubt my teaching skills. There are some who truly get it, who embrace the process; they are, however, the exception rather than the rule. This is a struggle for the vast majority of them.

Why?

I’ve been grappling with that question for a while. I’ve been doing these mock investigations, teaching them about leads and the concept of “motive, means and opportunity,” since 2009. Over the years, I’ve noticed a change in the students’ ability to understand the things which you and I, as law enforcement professionals (retired or otherwise), consider second nature. The students of 2009 caught on with the concepts much faster and remembered how to integrate them when we started doing these mock cases. Again, why? The answer is probably multilayered, but here are some facts. High school students’ reading and language arts scores have been on a steady decline for the last two decades, but getting significantly worse the last five years. What’s my theory? Young people aren’t reading anymore. Maybe a small segment of them break the mold and have a love of reading, but, for the most part, they spend hours thumbing through TikTok videos, Instagram and Snapchat posts, and chatting with their friends (and not about Mr. Nyberg’s Criminal Justice class, to be sure).

So far, I’ve been talking only about the student’s inability to understand what a lead is. Imagine now the culmination of this project: Write a report. Here are some of the reactions I got when I announced this: “Huh?” “Wait – what?” (one of my all-time favorites), and “How do you do that?”

They stopped short of asking, “What’s a report?” but that’s what I heard in their anxious tones. Understand that we spent a solid week on how to write reports and I gave them a couple of assignments on it: one was to write a report on a simple investigative task which they conducted, and the second was to identify certain elements from a sample report I provided for them, and answer some questions about the report (basically, comprehensive reading). I coached them, telling them that details are important, such as when you interviewed someone and where. I told them not to ever refer to players in a case by first name only; if they knew their full name, they had to use it. Be detailed and don’t assume the reader knows about your case. It may well end up in the hands of a prosecutor who has no idea about any of it. It’s chronological and it’s informative and it’s in past tense. A report, I told them, is them telling their story about what part they played in the case. What did you do?

This turned out to be more confounding for them than their struggles with leads.  

As we concluded this three week project, I told them that less than 5% of them would ever become criminal investigators. But, I also told them that there is a very good chance that they will have situations in their careers which will require them to document things and to prepare some type of report to submit to someone. As far as leads, I explained to them that learning to prioritize tasks would help them in daily life. Living involves meeting the challenges of schedules, expectations and things which need to get done. I won’t tell you that I’m on the verge of despair, but I will tell you that we have legions of young people pouring into the ranks of adulthood in June and, next June, and the June after that, who are increasingly deficient in being able to describe things and events using written communications. It’s not a good look for the future of law enforcement, for the legal system and maybe for society in general.

Are we law enforcement folks geniuses? Nah. But, we should count our lucky stars if our young years developed in an environment which valued the written word, the questioning mind, and desire to learn new ideas.

Ramesh Nyberg retired from law enforcement in November 2006 after 27 years of police work. He lives in Miami and teaches criminal justice at a local high school. He also teaches regional law enforcement courses through Training Force, USA. He enjoys getting feedback from readers and can be reached at ramesh.nyberg@gmail.com. Also, Ram has written a new book, Badge, Tie and Gun: Life and Death Journeys of a Miami Detective,which is available on Amazon in both Kindle eBook and paperback. You can find it by visiting amazon.com/dp/B0CTQQKQTV

The CSG Justice Center’s new research-based guide can help states prevent violence, expand opportunities and keep youth out of the justice system.

The Youth Safety Playbook for States includes: a community-based service continuum; strategies for financing, infrastructure, policy, service, and workforce; and a checklist for implementing each strategy.

The playbook also includes real-world examples of these strategies in action. In Illinois, for instance, interventions and investments helped spur an80% decline in gun violence in the communities with the most firearm victims.

This playbook is a product of the CSG Justice Center’s Collaborating for Youth and Public Safety Initiative (CYPSI) which partners with states to strengthen and scale research-based services and supports for youth and their families.

To view the playbook, visit https://tinyurl.com/evxc56d8

P&SN Presents Its 35^th Annual Roundup Covering New Firearms and Equipment of Most Interest to Law Enforcement

For almost 50 years, the SHOT Show has served as the launching pad for new firearms and related gear. This year’s installment was once again held in the Venetian Expo and Convention Center and Caesar’s Forum in Las Vegas and included over 2,700 different exhibitors. With over 13 miles of aisles, it is impossible to take it all in and I try to stay focused on products of interest to the law enforcement professional.

As in recent years, law enforcement saw little in the way of entirely new firearm offerings; however, I noted the improvement and refining of a number of proven designs. The field of optics, lights and suppressors has exploded and performance of this critical gear is better than ever. One could spend the entire four days of the show checking out those new offerings. As we all know, ammunition is once again readily available as manufacturers have caught up with demand; however, prices are high and will continue to creep higher.

What follows is a rundown of a number of products which caught my eye and may appeal to the discriminating user. Perhaps, there is something here which might strike a chord with you.

Aimpoint^®

Last year, Aimpoint rocked the world with their revolutionary COA^® optic and A-CUT^® system, a direct mount solution which offered unprecedented durability and consistency to the end user. The Achilles’ heel of red dot optics had long been mounting plates and the Aimpoint direct mount system simply takes this out of the equation. Initially, GLOCK^® had an exclusive lock on the COA optic and this factory installed package was a huge success. By the end of 2025, demand exceeded the supply.

This exclusive arrangement has now expired and Aimpoint has now licensed other firearms and accessory manufacturers to market this product. In short, the A-CUT is an integrated mounting system which mechanically locks the optic to the slide, eliminating shear forces on the plate and screws which can lead to failure. Instead, the A-CUT/COA combo uses a front hook and rear locking wedge to secure the optic to the slide. The end result is a lower profile mount which is extremely durable.

The Aimpoint COA is a compact, enclosed pistol optic with a crisp 3.5 MOA dot. Aimpoint wrote the book on extended battery life and the COA can yield up to five years of service. When that time comes, a side loading battery compartment makes swapping out the battery a piece of cake. Windage and elevation are easily adjusted with a T10 TORX tool. Best of all, the A-CUT will allow the user to co-witness standard height sights on most pistols.

While walking the aisles of the SHOT Show, I did note an Archon Type B pistol outfitted with the Aimpoint COA and A-CUT. I would expect by the time you read this, a number of major manufacturers will be offering this as a factory direct option.

Beretta

In the police world, traditional double-action pistols have fallen from favor as striker-fired pistols have become king of the hill. Entire lines of DA pistols from major manufacturers have disappeared; however, Beretta’s classic M92 is still going strong. Rather than rest on their laurels, Beretta continues to upgrade the iconic M92 with features much in demand from law enforcement.

Among the many M92 variants on hand, there were indeed a few which I felt were standouts. I was especially impressed by the 92G Elite LTT II which features a number of enhancements made in collaboration with Langdon Tactical Technology. This pistol features improved frame ergonomics, a Vertec grip, an Inox barrel with a combat crown, and the LTT Low Mount Solution for fitting a red dot optic. If you favor a DA pistol, this one is top-shelf.

Beretta struck gold with the A300 Ultima Patrol shotgun a few years back and this 12-gauge autoloader quickly developed a legion of followers. While perusing the shotguns on display, I couldn’t help noticing one which was a little trimmer. On closer examination, I noted it was an Ultima Patrol in 20-gauge.

This is indeed a product which can fill a very useful niche. The 20-gauge variant offers lighter weight, a slightly reduced length of pull and reduced recoil. In the era of the patrol rifle, shotguns still have a great deal to offer and this new spin on the Ultima Patrol is easy to manipulate and well suited for anyone seeking greater comfort and control. This is especially true for small stature users.

Dead Air

In the not so distant past, suppressors were an exotic tool only seen in some spy thriller movie or in the hands of the tactical specialist. That is no longer the case and suppressors have now become mainstream. So, why the big flip?

I have been involved in firearms instruction for over four decades and spent roughly 100 work days per year on both indoor and outdoor ranges. To cut right to the chase, despite always using ear protection, my hearing has been severely impacted. This is certainly a road you don’t want to go down.

Like many outfits, we slowly bought into the concept of patrol rifles and we are now at a point where every officer other than the command staff is issued a rifle and a shotgun. Our training is probably more frequent and intense than many departments and I can assure you that having a full line of officers launching a high number of 5.56mm rounds downrange gets pretty loud. Over time, this takes a toll, especially if range duties are a big part of the job.

In the interest of hearing conservation, we purchased a number of Dead Air Lazarus 6 Sound Suppressors to use in training. To date, our experience has been very positive. For those unfamiliar with this technology, the report isn’t anything like what is portrayed in the latest action flick, but similar to that of a rimfire cartridge. When you are exposed to thousands of rifle reports per day, this is a huge difference.

New from Dead Air is the CT5P Patrol Silencer, an ultralight gas regulated, Triskellion baffled 5.56 NATO suppressor. This ultralight silencer builds on the lessons learned from the earlier Lazarus 6 and Sandman series and is designed for flawless operation in either direct impingement or gas piston guns. The CT5P measures 5.49 inches in length, generates low back pressure and minimizes muzzle flash and spark to nearly undetectable levels. In addition to 5.56 NATO rifles, the CT5P can also be used with those chambered for 6mm ARC. Needless to say, the CP5T would also be very useful in the tactical environment, particularly in confined spaces indoors. In my part of the world, noise complaints from homeowners in close proximity to the police range are hardly uncommon. Be a good neighbor and affix a CT5P to your rifle!

EOTECH

EOTECH has been turning out quality optics for many years and they remain one of the premier manufacturers in the industry. While visiting with EOTECH, I noted a few new products which would hold wide appeal.

Low power variable optics have come on very strong in recent years and can offer capabilities beyond that of a red dot. Brand new from EOTECH are the Vudu^® 3-9×32 SFP and the 4-12×36 FFP. Both are short, lightweight optics crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum with an illuminated reticle and ten brightness settings. A CR2032 battery will provide 300 hours of runtime when set at level five. One can also mount an EFLX^® on the front of the tube or in a 45 degree mount for close range threats.

The new EFLX CE also looks like a solid bet. This design is a fully enclosed optic complete with fully programmable sleep and shake awake modes. A switchable reticle can be set to either a 3 MOA dot, 42 MOA circle or a combination. The EFLX is rendered from heavy-duty 7075 aluminum to stand up to hard knocks and runs on a single, side loading 2032 battery offering 25,000 hours of runtime. The EFLX CE is configured for the Leupold Delta or Shield RMSc footprint.

FN^® America, LLC

One of the few totally new pistols I saw at the SHOT Show was the FN 309, a compact size 9mm with a very different trigger system. Although it does resemble the FN 509^®, the new 309 is not striker-fired, but instead utilizes an internal hammer similar to the FN Reflex^®. The single-action trigger trips when about five pounds of rearward pressure is applied and I would expect many users to be very pleased with it. The slide is very easy to rack with 25% less resistance compared to the FN 509.

 The barrel on the FN 309 measures 3.8 inches in length and wears a target crown. At 7.4 inches in length and 5.4 inches tall, it is well within the limit for discreet concealed carry. The FN 309 is optics ready and the standard sights consist of a U-shaped rear notch and a green fiber-optic front. This pistol will ship with a 16 round and a 20 round extended magazine.

The FN SCAR^® has been the Cadillac of gas-operated rifles for many years and this unique, modular semi-auto has been given 25+ upgrades for 2026. SCAR packages are available in light and heavy configurations and chambering includes 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm and 6.5 Creedmoor.

GLOCK

For 2026, GLOCK has totally overhauled their line and discontinued many of their popular pistols and added some new ones. This rebooting of the line started a few months ago with the launch of the V Series which is designed primarily for the commercial market. A short while later, we got wind of Gen6 which may be the most advanced pistol GLOCK has produced. To the casual observer, things don’t seem very different, but there are a number of very subtle improvements which will certainly make for a better shooting experience.

The grip frame features a palm swell, thumb rest and an improved texture which reminded me of a cat’s tongue. An extended beavertail is a bonus for shooters with large, fleshy hands and protects one from “slide bite.” There is also a slight flare to the magazine well for more efficient reloads. The Gen6 comes standard with a flat-faced trigger for consistent finger placement.

I had the opportunity to fire a Gen6 GLOCK 19 and 17 at the Las Vegas Metro Police Department range the day before the show. I can’t say the Earth moved when I pressed the trigger, as performance was straight-ahead GLOCK. However, they did indeed feel very different in the hand and the texture was a big improvement over my first issue “pebble grip” GLOCK 17 39 years ago.

Kimber^®

Kimber is one of the world’s foremost manufacturers of 1911 pistols and showcased what I felt was the “sleeper” of the show. I picked up a Kimber Desert Warrior over 20 years ago when it made its debut and that pistol has never disappointed. I can’t ever remember having a stoppage of any type with it and, while some may feel it’s a bit old-school, the all steel construction tames even the hottest .45 ACP loads.

While perusing the wares at the Kimber exhibit, I stumbled across the new Warrior 1911DS which, to my thinking, represents a great value. As the name implies, the DS Warrior is a double-stack, high capacity variant built around the John Browning classic. It merges the classic Kimber design with other in demand qualities to create a pistol born to perform.

The DS Warrior is crafted entirely of stainless steel and wears a tough black DLC finish. Each DS Warrior is assembled by a single firearms technician who pays particular attention to the details. The frame, slide and barrel are made in Kimber’s state-of-the-art plant in Troy, Alabama, and the final product is held to very tight tolerances. The barrel is ramped and crowned and a MIL-SPEC guide rod, which I prefer, is standard. Like most modern service pistols, the DS Warrior is optics ready. Other desirable features include an ambidextrous frame mounted safety and an accessory rail. A proprietary carbon fiber and glass filled grip completes the package. 

The Kimber DS Warrior is available in 9mm, .38 Super, .45 ACP, and 10mm all boasting generous magazine capacities. Best of all, the price point is significantly less than the 2011 variants available from other premium manufacturers.

Mossberg^®

To my thinking, the Mossberg 590^® is the best pump-action police shotgun in today’s market. Years ago, I ran a 590 as a training gun and also as a loaner and rounds digested equaled that of a high mileage pistol – and it kept working!

Last year, Mossberg introduced the 590R variant which uses a receiver mounted, ambidextrous rotary safety instead of the tang safety found on the original. This new combination is optimum for the latest variant, the 590R Chisel. The Chisel stock affords the end user eight different adjustments to fine-tune the length of pull and the stock can be folded when the gun is not in use. Magpul^® MBUS^® adjustable sights are standard and a top mounted Picatinny rail accepts optics. Models with an 18.5 inch barrel and a Class 3 11.5 inch barrel are available.

Mossberg hit a home run with their 940^® Pro Tactical SPX autoloader, but this year they have followed up with something a bit different. The new 990 SPX Magpul uses a completely different gas system and comes with a wide range of features in demand from law enforcement. First of all, consider the Magpul SGA adjustable LOP stock with spacers, a QD port and M-LOK slots. A ghost ring rear sight is standard and a direct cut allows the mounting of RMSc footprint micro dots. Additional adapter plates are available for the mounting of other popular optics.

Ruger^®

The Ruger RXM^® has been on the market for a little more than a year now and it is the best centerfire pistol the company has ever made. Ruger collaborated with Magpul to create a pistol with very wide appeal and met with great success in the marketplace. Although its similarity to a Gen3 GLOCK is obvious, it does have a few key features of its own. The biggest difference is the removable Fire Control Insert which can be switched to another Magpul EHG RG9 grip to create a larger or smaller pistol.

For this year, Ruger has expanded the RXM family and is now offering a full-size GLOCK 17-size pistol along with another variant with a compact-sized slide and barrel mated to a full-size frame. Both of these new pistols are outfitted with 17 round magazines. By the time you read this, Magpul will have a subcompact GLOCK grip frame available for more mix and match.

Ruger has also launched a couple of new rifles which will no doubt hold some appeal. The Harrier is a completely new spin on the AR pattern modern sporting rifle loaded with features such as a nitride bolt with a staked gas key, Magpul M-LOK accessory slots and a partial Picatinny rail. Best of all, the Harrier is available at a very attractive price.

Smith & Wesson

One Smith & Wesson’s bigger success stories is the rise of the M&P^® pistol. I frequently encounter M&P pistols in my classes and the 2.0 version is indeed a proven commodity.

Recently, S&W^® began offering variants of the M&P with a metal versus a polymer frame. Although this variant was developed for competitive shooters, it may also generate some interest among law enforcement professionals who, for whatever reason, are adverse to polymer frames and prefer the additional weight and control of a heavier pistol. The M&P 2.0 Full Size Series does indeed have a very different feel than my polymer frame copy and the additional weight of this five inch copy would no doubt dampen muzzle flip and recoil.

Two new models of the M&P FPC are now available. The FPC is a very handy carbine which can be folded to an overall length of 16 3/8 inches for storage. New variants include 10mm and 5.7x28mm and these new spins on the FPC take the same magazines as like caliber M&P pistols.

In police duty handguns, pistols are now the universal choice, but revolvers are often encountered for backup and off duty carry. This year, S&W is reintroducing two much improved versions on the Night Guard, built on a scandium alloy L-frame with a three inch barrel. The M386 is a seven shot .357 Magnum, while the M396 is a five shot .44 Special. Sights and trigger action are much improved over the original Night Guards and I’ve got my fingers crossed that we might see a smaller K-frame variant down the road.

Springfield Armory

Springfield Armory introduced the Echelon pistol a few years back and, since that time, it has played to very positive reviews. I picked up an Echelon 4.0C which is the compact version and it quickly became a personal favorite. New this year is the Echelon 4.0FC which combines a full-size grip module with a compact slide assembly. It may not sound like a big deal, but this combo is ideal for either duty or plainclothes carry. The slightly reduced slide and barrel length are a moot point, particularly if you are running an optic. Drawing from the holster might also prove faster than with the original service-size Echelon.

For those who favor premium grade 1911s, check out the new 10-8 Performance Master Class pistol. Developed in collaboration with retired FBI Agent Hilton Yam, founder of 10-8 Performance, this pistol includes premium grade components and is built on specially selected forged carbon steel slides and frames. The Agency optics system, which includes an integrated rear sight and series of plates for popular optics, is part of the package. Models will be available in both 9mm and .45 ACP

The micro-compact Hellcat^® has been a very hot ticket in the Springfield line and new this year is a variant in .380 ACP. The .380 copy offers a softer shooting impulse and incorporates all the positive features of the original 9mm Hellcat. The Hellcat OSP .380 is purpose-built for optics with a direct-mount RMSc/SMSc footprint which allows true co-witness with its U-Dot sights. It offers class leading capacity with an 11+1 flush magazine and an included 13+1 extended option.

Steiner

Steiner enjoys a well-deserved reputation for turning out some of the world’s finest riflescopes, binoculars and spotting guns and they have now entered the red dot sweepstakes with the MPS-C micro pistol sight. The MPS-C is an enclosed optic created for concealed carry and is roughly 40% lighter than comparable optics from other firms.

The fully sealed optical system which resists sweat, dirt and moisture is designed to stand up to the rigors of everyday carry. As expected from Steiner, quality is top-shelf and I was able to quickly define the 1.6 MOA dot against different background conditions. When the stakes are high, a “hobby grade” optic doesn’t make the cut and it pays to go with quality like the MPS-C.

Staccato

More than any other firm, Staccato has been the prime mover in the surge of double-stack 2011-style pistols for personal defense. High capacity 2011 pistols have been around for well over 30 years, but were primarily used by competitive shooters. Staccato flipped the paradigm and their pistols are in use by a number of elite law enforcement agencies.

New this year is the Staccato HD C4X, an all steel compact-size pistol perfect for concealed carry. The HD C4X features a four inch barrel, a single port compensator and ambidextrous controls. Staccato’s HD optics mounting system is included in the mix and the pistol feeds off of a GLOCK pattern 15 round magazine. Considering that a great many cops have a bunch of these on hand, that is a big plus. It is indeed a great gun, but a MSRP of $3,499 will limit its appeal.

Captain Mike Boyle served with New Jersey Fish & Wildlife, Bureau of Law Enforcement, and has been active in use-of-force instruction for over 40 years. He is an instructor in multiple firearms and less-lethal disciplines and has been a police academy assistant director, instructor and rangemaster. He is the author of three books; three training videos; and hundreds of magazine articles on firearms, training and tactics. Mike served 21 years on the Board of Directors of IALEFI and is a member of NLEFIA and ILEETA. He continues to work part-time as a law enforcement training specialist and resides in Forked River, NJ.

The findings are from BJS’s 2022 Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) Post-Academy Training and Officer Wellness (PATOW) supplemental survey. Administered for the first time in 2023, this survey collected data from a nationally representative sample of general-purpose state and local law enforcement agencies.

To download a PDF of the full report, visit https://tinyurl.com/mv3rdz4e

It’s nice to see wigs making a comeback in the courtroom… A St. Charles County (Missouri) Circuit judge has been suspended and will be banned from holding judicial offices in Missouri. The judge was found to have engaged in several acts of misconduct, including discussing politics from the bench, but his most notable overstep was occasionally wearing a large Elvis wig and sunglasses while presiding over the court. The judge said he was trying to “add levity” and relax people, but he can see how his actions affected the solemnity of the proceedings. He admitted to the charges against him and waived his right to an appeal. (And, with that, Elvis has left the bench.)

This is why I don’t “Kermit” crimes – that was a tad polarizing… A Utah police department’s use of artificial intelligence led to a police report stating – falsely – that an officer had been transformed into a frog. The Heber City Police Department started using a pair of AI programs to automatically generate police reports from body camera footage. A report generated mistakenly reported that an officer had been turned into a frog. “The body cam software and the AI report writing software picked up on a movie which was playing in the background which happened to be ‘The Princess and the Frog,’ said a police sergeant. “That’s when we learned the importance of correcting these AI-generated reports.” He said the department will continue using the AI programs, but with more oversight. (The officer turned into a frog and then he had my vehicle toad!)

A different version of “Naked Gun”… A 25-year-old North Florida man is accused of robbing a meat market while wearing nothing but a face covering. The man was carrying an object in his hand which employees believed was a weapon. The Lake City Police Department said the Lake City man was arrested and charged with armed robbery, indecent exposure, grand theft, and criminal mischief. The accused allegedly broke into a cash box in the market and took more than $1,000 from the store before he fled the scene. Employees told responding officers the suspect was nude except for a covering over his face. A description of the suspect and direction of travel were disseminated and officers quickly located and detained the suspect. (“Ma’am, can you identify the suspect?”)

Allow me to introduce you to an actual cat burglar… A woman of Lakewood, California, didn’t even realize her pet cat, Piper, was gone until she happened to look at her doorbell camera video. The video revealed an Amazon Flex driver delivering a package to her front door, then stooping over to pet Piper who was sitting on the porch. The man then proceeded to pick Piper up by her scruff and carried her off to his vehicle. An Amazon spokesperson called the act “horrible” and said the delivery person is no longer “eligible to deliver to our customers.” Police said the driver had been identified and charges are pending, but Piper is still missing. “I don’t know where she is or if she’s okay,” the owner said. (Attn: Catnapper – you take my Nine Lives and I’ll take your one!)

This is your brain on drugs… A 46-year-old Ohio man was arrested after authorities said he mistakenly sent a “baggie” of crystal meth through a tube at a bank drive-thru. He “unknowingly” deposited “a baggie containing a crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine” into the pneumatic tube during a simple transaction at the drive-thru bank, then drove away without ever realizing his snafu. A by the book employee at the bank flagged the bizarre “deposit” and notified law enforcement who quickly tracked him to Wayne Township. A dutiful K9 sniffed his truck and uncovered “suspected drugs and drug-related items,” the sheriff’s office said. (“Putting the HIGH in Ohio…”)

Santa on the naughty list?… An older couple dressed as St. Nick and Mrs. Claus were pulled over for speeding in Ohio while traveling to visit their daughter for Christmas. When a Fulton County Sheriff’s deputy approached, Santa announced he had a concealed carry permit, prompting the deputy to laugh and ask, “Santa has a CCW?” Santa replied, “Times are rough – you’ve got to protect yourself.” The deputy explained the stop was for speeding and asked for Santa’s license, as Santa stepped out of the vehicle, noting he was “100 years old” while struggling to exit. “Santa, slow your speed down,” the deputy said, to which Mrs. Claus chimed in from the passenger seat, “It’s Nick, you know!” Santa added, “I’ll get Rudolph on you!” The deputy asked for a photo, everyone exchanged Merry Christmas wishes and no coal was issued – just a friendly reminder that even sleighs need to slow down. (Cop: “Well there goes MY present!”)

The suspect claims it wasn’t assault – it was a “food delivery with attitude.”… A 26-year-old former strip club employee has been arrested for a drive-by shooting outside the Florida establishment. Actually, the incident should be classified as a drive-by “cheeseburgering.” Investigators allege that he showed up at the Atlantis Gentlemen’s Club “to speak with management,” but “got into a verbal argument.” During the dispute, the accused allegedly “grabbed a cheeseburger from his vehicle” and threw the delicacy, striking a male victim on the shoulder and causing him “bodily harm.” When questioned by police, he reportedly confessed to the crime and showed no remorse for the incident. “The defendant stated he did throw a cheeseburger from his vehicle” and said “he would do it again,” according to a criminal complaint. No weapon was seized (or eaten), police reported. He was arrested for battery, a misdemeanor, and booked into the county jail. (How on Earth can a cheeseburger striking your shoulder cause “bodily harm”?)

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A veteran SWAT leader shares proven tactics for assessing risk, managing stress and making the right call under pressure.

In law enforcement, the difference between a good outcome and a disaster can come down to making the right decision under extreme pressure. Inspector Kevin Cyr is the Commander of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Emergency Response Team (ERT) for British Columbia. This is one of North America’s largest tactical units and Cyr lives this reality every day. His approach to decision-making offers practical lessons for every law enforcement professional who has to think clearly when the stakes are high.

Despite what folks see on TV, real SWAT operations aren’t about dramatic heroics. They’re about careful preparation, reducing risk and making smart decisions. As Cyr puts it, “My job is to make my job boring, painfully boring. I want to mitigate as much risk as possible.” This focus on avoiding problems rather than just responding to them is something every professional in our field can learn from.

Cyr leads a full-time team of more than 60 elite officers who respond to scores of high-risk situations every year. Through years of experience and training, he’s developed a practical framework for making tough decisions when lives are on the line. His approach can benefit any law enforcement manager, supervisor or administrator who needs to make clear judgments when time is short and the pressure is on.

This article explores three essential questions designed to help you recognize when a decision truly needs to be made and how to make it effectively.

Recognizing When You Actually Need to Make a Decision

Here’s something which might surprise you: Figuring out when you need to make a decision is often harder than making the decision itself. We’ve all been in situations where we act too quickly before we have enough information, or we wait too long and miss our opportunity to control the situation.

According to Cyr, a real decision point has three things happening at the same time. You need multiple clear options to choose from. You need some way to decide between them. And, there needs to be someone who has the authority to make the call and act on it. This simple framework turns a confusing problem into something you can actually work with.

This leads to three fundamental questions Cyr uses in every critical situation. These questions work whether you’re handling a tactical operation or making any call where the outcome really matters.

Question 1: What Are Your Real Options?

The first step is identifying options which are actually different from each other in a meaningful way. “Decision-making becomes much harder when your alternatives are too similar,” Cyr points out. Sometimes, what looks like different choices is really just small variations of the same basic approach.

Think about the difference between these two scenarios. Deciding whether to negotiate with a barricaded subject versus going in with a tactical entry is a clear choice with very different risk profiles. You can weigh the options and make a real decision. But, if you’re debating whether to deliver food to that same barricaded subject in ten minutes versus 20 minutes, you’re looking at such similar options that the decision becomes unnecessarily complicated.

Here’s an interesting point: Cyr actually advises against getting too detailed when planning your options. While detailed plans might make you feel more in control, they don’t account for the reality that situations change. In both tactical operations and security work, things you can’t control will always affect how your plan actually plays out.

“Acknowledging that you’ll need to be flexible during execution allows you to make faster decisions,” Cyr explains. This is smart thinking. Decisions are rarely “fire and forget.” You make the call, then you keep adjusting as the situation develops.

This shows up clearly in Cyr’s operational philosophy: “If I try to reduce risk by making my action less aggressive, it’s the worst of both worlds. You’re taking all the risk of taking action, but you’re not taking action which you know is going to work.” In other words, if you’re going to commit to a course of action, commit to one which is actually effective.

Question 2: What Will Make You Say Yes?

Even with all his training and experience, Cyr admits that his first instinct when someone proposes action is often to say no. If you’re a thoughtful person who takes your responsibilities seriously, you probably have the same tendency. But, in critical situations, the most dangerous mistake isn’t choosing the wrong option. It’s not making any decision at all.

To counter this natural hesitation, Cyr uses a powerful technique: Whenever he rejects a proposed action, he immediately asks himself what would need to happen for him to approve it. If he can’t identify those conditions, he realizes his “no” isn’t really a decision. He’s just putting off making one.

“If you don’t know what would make you say ‘yes,’ then you can’t make that decision,” Cyr says plainly. “You’re not making a decision; you’re just procrastinating and hoping the problem goes away on its own.”

Here’s how this works in practice. In armed standoffs, Cyr always prefers negotiated surrender because it’s much safer for everyone. When team members suggest escalating to chemical agents like tear gas, his gut reaction is to resist: “Can’t we just keep trying to talk him out?” But he’s learned to recognize when this impulse is conflict avoidance rather than smart tactics.

By explicitly defining what conditions would justify escalation, he creates a clear decision threshold. This turns vague worry into structured thinking. This doesn’t mean you need precise measurements for every decision. Many important calls in our work can’t be reduced to numbers. What matters is having defined criteria, even when those criteria involve your professional judgment.

Question 3: Who Should Make This Call?

The final element in Cyr’s framework addresses a question which causes more problems than you might think. Who should actually make each specific decision? This is often overlooked, but it matters a lot when you’re in a situation where things are moving fast.

“A common mistake in tactical operations is holding on to too much decision-making power,” Cyr observes. Keeping tight control might feel safer, but it often results in slower decisions made with less relevant information, especially when the situation is changing rapidly.

Cyr experiences this tension directly in his command role. From a tactical operations center, he has access to video feeds, intelligence reports and multiple communication channels. This gives him a comprehensive view, but it’s detached. Meanwhile, officers at the actual scene have direct sensory information he can’t access remotely. So, the key question becomes: For this particular decision, who has the advantage?

“When choosing who should make a decision, ask who has the best awareness of what’s actually happening and who has the time to make and implement the decision,” Cyr advises. The answer varies by situation. Tactical entry decisions benefit from the awareness of officers on the ground. Strategic approach decisions need the broader perspective which command has.

This insight has changed how Cyr leads. “One of the most powerful decisions you can make is delegating your authority,” he explains. His team now pre-briefs on what decisions are delegated. “If you encounter a surveillance camera during warrant execution, just neutralize it. Don’t ask me questions I can’t answer effectively from where I’m sitting.”

This applies to supervisors and shift commanders, too. Some decisions need to stay with you because of your experience or perspective. Others should go to the person closest to the situation with the knowledge to handle it.

Putting It All Together

By working through these three questions, you create a solid framework for making decisions under pressure. What real options exist? What criteria will drive your selection? Who should make the call? This structured approach helps you avoid both overthinking things and acting too quickly, while making sure decisions happen at the right level.

What makes Cyr’s approach especially valuable is his recognition that uncertainty and discomfort are normal parts of important decisions. As he puts it, “If you’re looking for 100% confidence in your decisions, there are no worthwhile decisions which require that level of certainty. If you’re 100% sure, then you’re basically a calculator. You haven’t made a real choice.”

This should be reassuring for anyone in law enforcement who feels the weight of difficult decisions. The discomfort you feel when making a tough call isn’t a sign that you’re not up to the job. It’s confirmation that the decision matters and that something real is at stake.

“It’s like a boxer in the ring,” Cyr reflects. “You can only dance around with your back to the ropes for so long. Eventually, you have to be willing to throw a punch and take a punch. That’s the only way you’re going to win the fight. But, that’s hard. It’s scary.”

The real wisdom in Cyr’s approach is understanding that leadership in our profession isn’t about eliminating risk. It’s about creating the mental frameworks and procedures which let you handle risk intelligently. His experience reminds us that effective decision-making under pressure isn’t about having perfect information or nerves of steel. It’s about building thoughtful decision-making processes which acknowledge our human limitations while maximizing what we can accomplish together.

Jon Becker is the Founder/CEO of AARDVARK Tactical and the creator of Project7 Armor. He is also the host of the podcast, The Debrief with Jon Becker, now in its sixth season. Mr. Becker has almost 40 years of experience equipping and training tactical units ranging from small municipal and county law enforcement agencies to federal, military and international counterterrorism units. He can be reached at jbecker@thedebrief.live or by visiting thedebrief.live.

Challenge Your Decision-making Ability

Ready to put your leadership and judgment to the test? These Decision-Making Exercise (DME) videos present real-world tactical scenarios designed to challenge you under pressure.

Created in partnership with CATO Training, these YouTube DMEs let you step into the shoes of various SWAT commanders, confronting the same information and decisions they faced during a critical incident – before each video reveals how the incident actually unfolded.

Three new videos, DME 07 – Bakersfield PD Hostage Rescue, DME 08 – South Davis UT Family Hostage Rescue & HRT, and DME 09 – Barricade Erupts into Urgent HRT, can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/2vmu8e4e along with previous DME installments.

The Black Hills Ammunition HoneyBadger line of defensive ammunition represents a paradigm shift in bullet design.

Named after one of the most “badass” animals on the planet, this ammunition has been engineered to perform under the most demanding conditions faced by law enforcement officers. HoneyBadger was first introduced several years ago, but controversy still exists surrounding it as it challenges many decades of conventional wisdom.

Developed through a collaboration between Jeff Hoffman of Black Hills and Dave Fricke, former owner of Lehigh Defense, the HoneyBadger was created to solve a critical challenge: producing a bullet which can penetrate common barriers (such as auto glass, heavy clothing or drywall) without compromising terminal performance.

Black Hills’ founder Jeff Hoffman brings 38 years of law enforcement experience, including service on a special response team, ensuring the ammunition is designed with police needs in mind.

Let’s start by taking a look at the why behind the development of HoneyBadger ammunition and the science behind it.

Barrier Blind Reliability

For law enforcement officers, confronting threats shielded by barriers such as auto glass or drywall is not an exception, but a common reality. These obstacles often compromise the performance of traditional hollow point bullets which can clog, deform, fragment, or fail to expand as intended when passing through them. When expansion fails, the round may behave more like a Full Metal Jacket (FMJ), increasing the potential for excessive penetration. Such failures reduce their stopping power, diminish wound channel effectiveness and can place officers at greater risk when reliable and controlled terminal performance is essential.

The HoneyBadger addresses this challenge through its solid copper construction. Unlike conventional designs, it does not deform when striking hard barriers, ensuring that the bullet maintains its shape and penetrates as intended. It also resists fragmentation, preserving its mass and energy for maximum impact on the target. Critically, the HoneyBadger does not rely on expansion to achieve terminal performance, allowing it to deliver consistent effects even when traditional hollow points might fail. Together, these qualities make the HoneyBadger truly barrier blind. Whether the round encounters glass, clothing or other intermediate materials, it delivers consistent terminal effects and reliable performance across diverse environments.

Barrier Blind Performance in Action

Imagine a patrol officer engaging an armed suspect inside a vehicle. Traditional hollow points can crush/collapse when passing through windshields, reducing its ability to expand properly once it reaches the target. In some cases, the bullet can also fragment, shedding pieces of its jacket or core as it strikes the barrier. This fragmentation reduces retained mass and energy which can compromise penetration and terminal effectiveness.

The HoneyBadger, however, remains unaffected by the barrier. Its solid copper construction resists deformation and fragmentation, ensuring the round retains its full weight and energy. Once inside the target, its fluted design channels hydraulic energy outward, creating significant wound channels even after penetrating auto glass. In this scenario, the officer can rely on consistent performance, knowing that the round will deliver the intended terminal effect regardless of the obstacle.

The Science Behind HoneyBadger

Fluid Transfer Monolithic^® (FTM^®) Technology is the core innovation behind Black Hills’ HoneyBadger ammunition. Its performance lies in the patented radial flutes which manipulate fluid dynamics upon impact, creating a wounding mechanism fundamentally different from traditional hollow points.

Mechanism of Action

Impact Initiation: Flutes act as low pressure regions when the bullet strikes tissue.

Hydraulic Channeling: Tissue and fluid are drawn into the flutes and redirected along curved paths.

Violent Outward Acceleration: The trailing edges of the flutes accelerate the fluid outward, creating velocity spikes or regions of cavitation.

Tissue Damage Mechanism: These spikes cause massive tearing and cavitation, inflicting trauma without relying on expansion.

Fluid Dynamics vs. Deformation

Traditional hollow points rely on mechanical deformation. The bullet expands outward to increase diameter and transfer energy. Hollow points rely on the cavity at the nose to expand (“mushroom”) when striking soft tissue. If that cavity is blocked by fibers, glass or debris, the bullet may act more like an FMJ – penetrating deeply, but without the intended expansion.

The HoneyBadger, however, leverages fluid dynamics and fluid displacement rather than deformation. By weaponizing fluid flow itself, it produces wound channels which remain consistent across barriers. This makes it unique in the ammunition world: the first widely adopted defensive round to harness hydrodynamic principles instead of physical expansion.

Analogy: A High Pressure Water Nozzle

Imagine a garden hose fitted with a nozzle. When water flows through the nozzle, it is forced into narrow channels and expelled at high speed, producing a powerful jet which can cut through dirt or erode surfaces.

The HoneyBadger’s flutes work in a similar way. As the bullet moves through tissue, the flutes channel fluid into narrow paths and accelerate it outward. Instead of water jets, the result is hydraulic energy spikes which shred tissue around the bullet’s path. Unlike hollow points which depend on the bullet physically “mushrooming,” the HoneyBadger weaponizes fluid flow itself to cause trauma.

Engineering Precision

Each HoneyBadger round has been designed for its specific caliber and velocity profile, ensuring that performance remains consistent across different platforms. This precision engineering allows the bullet to deliver reliable energy transfer, striking the optimal balance between penetration and tissue disruption. The solid copper construction provides exceptional uniformity which translates into high accuracy on the range and in the field.

HoneyBadger Ammunition Evaluation

HoneyBadger ammunition is currently offered in a wide range of calibers, including .32 ACP, .380 ACP, 9mm, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, 10mm, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP, and .45-70. Sometime ago, Black Hills supplied me with 9mm HoneyBadger in 100-grain +P and 125-grain subsonic for evaluation.

100-grain +P load: Listed velocity of 1,250 fps, producing 347 ft-lbs of energy, from a four inch test barrel

125-grain subsonic load: Listed velocity of 1,000 fps, producing 278 ft-lbs of energy, from a four inch test barrel

Although I did not perform gelatin tests, Black Hills has done so. Both loads were tested in accordance with the FBI ballistic testing protocol. The 125-grain subsonic produced a somewhat smaller temporary cavity, but penetrated deeper than the 100-grain +P. The 100-grain +P met the FBI’s penetration standards, while the 125-grain subsonic slightly exceeded the maximum threshold. The 100-grain +P achieved 16 inches of penetration, while the 125-grain subsonic reached 18.625 inches.

The FBI’s ballistic testing protocol established a penetration standard of 12-18 inches in calibrated gelatin, a range designed to balance officer safety with public protection. At least 12 inches of penetration ensures a bullet can reach vital organs even after passing through barriers like clothing, limbs or bone, while capping penetration at 18 inches minimizes the risk of overpenetration. To reflect real-world conditions, the ammunition is also tested against common obstacles such as heavy clothing, wallboard, plywood, sheet metal, and auto glass, ensuring reliable performance in the environments law enforcement officers encounter every day.

Reliability is the foundation of any defensive handgun system. Even the most accurate pistol is of little value if its ammunition fails to function consistently. Because some firearms can be sensitive to ammunition variations, it is essential to conduct thorough range testing before relying on any load for duty or personal defense.

Both the 100-grain +P and 125-grain subsonic HoneyBadger 9mm loads demonstrated flawless performance during my evaluation across a wide spectrum of popular defensive/service pistols. This consistency reflects Black Hills Ammunition’s rigorous quality control standards and underscores the dependability of the HoneyBadger design. The bullet’s profile, closely resembling a Full Metal Jacket Flat Nose (FMJ-FN), contributes to reliable feeding and cycling, while delivering enhanced terminal performance tailored for defensive use. Based on the results, HoneyBadger has become my standard carry ammunition.

Final Thoughts

By moving away from traditional hollow point designs and embracing solid copper projectiles with advanced fluting, Black Hills Ammunition has created a line of ammunition which is operationally reliable and tactically effective. Because the HoneyBadger challenges decades of reliance on hollow point expansion, controversy remains among shooters and professionals. The controversy exists because the HoneyBadger challenges decades of conventional wisdom. Hollow points are well understood, widely tested and deeply trusted. HoneyBadger’s fluid transfer monolithic design is innovative, but it requires law enforcement and civilian shooters to rethink what “effective terminal ballistics” means. It’s all in the science.

Eugene Nielsen is the owner and operator of a firm which provides private intelligence, security consulting and training services. He has a background in law enforcement and a BA degree from the University of California. He has written over 1,500 articles which have been published in various national and international journals and magazines. He was a member of SWAT Magazine’s contributing staff for more than 20 years.