Situational Awareness is Critical in Law Enforcement

ARE YOU AWARE OF THE SITUATION?

Well it happened to me again. I was starting my shift on the road with a stop for the bathroom and I made an embarrassing discovery. I put my long johns on backwards.

Oh… stop laughing as I am sure many of you as LEOs have encountered situations such as mine. It is these situations which reminds us of our vulnerability to distractions on and off duty.

Now I am not going make excuses or place the blame on my age or memory. I can admit in my rush to get dressed and inattention to details which placed me into this dilemma.
I’d like to take a moment to bring up the topic of SITUATIONAL AWARENESS especially in law enforcement.

Situational awareness is critical to officer survival in law enforcement.

One of the ways I can describe Situational Awareness is this: You need to be emotionally, cognitively and physically present when you are working. Aware of what is happening around you at this moment. Preparing to meet the challenges presented to us… Continue reading

How Comprehensive are Your Officer Survival Skills?

John Marx along with three other speakers have been invited to present an eight hour program on Comprehensive Survival Skills at the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) conference this April 11-16, 2011 in Chicago Illinois.  This conference is huge, offering more than 150 courses (including more than two dozen instructor certification/armorer courses) with up to 20 sessions running simultaneously!

John Marx, Christian Dobratz, Lisa Wimberger and Dale Graff will present four two-hour blocks entitled:
“Tactical Wellness: To Serve with Valor, Protect Yourself Now” (Marx);
“The Cumulative Effects of Stress – Recognition, Intervention and Survival” (Dobratz);
“Emotional Survival and Stress Management” (Wimberger); and
“Optimizing Survival: Enhancing External and Internal Awareness” (Graff).

Please join us for what is going to be an eye-opening discussion on Law Enforcement Wellness and Career Survival.

John S. Marx, CPP is Executive Director of The Law Enforcement Survival Institute;
Lisa Wimberger is the CEO of Trance Personnel Consulting Group;
Christian Dobratz is a retired police officer and an Assistant Professor at  Minnesota State University at Mankato;
Dale Graff is a Facilitator, author and former Director of the U.S. military’s Stargate Project.

In John’s Tactical Wellness for law Enforcement session he will show… Continue reading

Welcome to CopsAlive.com

CopsAlive works in cooperation with The Law Enforcement Survival Institute to bring useful tools, ideas and strategies to police professionals who want to plan happy, healthy and successful lives and careers.
Law enforcement is the most noble profession in the world.  Police officers deserve the very best the world has to offer as thanks for their valuable service to the world.  Lots of money, time and resources are spent to help cops protect themselves on the job.  Most of it is focused upon “officer survival” strategies that protect officers, deputies, constables, and correctional officers from armed assaults.  A true threat assessment of a career in law enforcement reveals that there are many other threats and some of them are more serious.  This site is dedicated to finding anything that will help cops successfully navigate their careers and survive in mind, body and spirit to enjoy the rest of their lives in peace no matter when the end of their career arrives.
I had a friend and fellow retired officer commit suicide last year.  I didn’t realize how bad the police suicide stats were until I started doing some research.  cops have very high suicide rates and lots of other health challenges.  I think we would all acknowledge that we as a group have a high rate of alcoholism and divorce and maybe even financial problems.  CopsAlive.com is here to work with you and to help you plan to have happy, healthy and successful lives and careers.

Good luck and stay safe!