Writing & commentary

The Euclid Observer

Learning From Those Who Wore a Habit

A personal reflection on the nuns who taught Tom at St. Felicitas School in Euclid, and the values they instilled.

Blue Line Magazine

The Impact of Internal Stress Fractures Within Police Departments

Why the recruitment and retention crisis in policing traces back to leadership, not pay, and how servant leadership can restore departmental health.

Cleveland.com

The Recruitment Crisis Threatening Police Departments Starts at the Top

An opinion piece on why fixing the police staffing shortage starts with leadership, not recruiting budgets.

Police1

Chief's Corner: Policing Is a Love Story

On policing as an act of devotion — to the Constitution, to justice, and to the people officers serve, even at real personal cost.

Police1

When Command Meets Compassion: The Posture That Earns Trust

How officers can move between command presence and genuine compassion to de-escalate situations and build public trust.

Police1

Off-Duty Mistakes That Can End a Police Officer's Career

On the off-duty risks that put careers in jeopardy, and how training and peer mentorship can help officers avoid them.

Police1

Thinking Together: How Regional Police Think Tanks Drive Innovation

How bringing officers from multiple agencies together for structured brainstorming sessions produces better solutions to shared problems.

Cleveland.com

Police Keep the Peace When Protests Ignite

Co-authored with Denise DeBiase, on the role police play in keeping protests peaceful and lawful for everyone involved.

Police1

Cop Scouts Program Inspires Youth and Strengthens Community Bonds

A blend of scouting and police mentoring designed to build trust between officers and kids ages 7–12.

Police1

University Circle Police Department Launches Innovative Police Ambassador Program

On UCPD's pilot program hiring people with intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges as part-time police ambassadors.

Police1

Navigating the Tightrope: Balancing Motivation and Discipline in Law Enforcement

Finding the balance between supporting officers and holding them accountable — without tipping into leniency or rigidity.

Police1

All Squared Away: A Blueprint for Success in Policing

A simple four-part framework — knowledge, accountability, ability, and work ethic — for coaching officers toward excellence.

Police1

How to Move American Law Enforcement From a B- to an A+

On using collaborative think tanks and shared department experience to raise professional standards and rebuild public trust.

Police1

A Letter to the American Public: We Need to Have Police Officers' 'Six'

Co-authored piece on the importance of peer support for officers dealing with trauma, addiction, and PTSD.

Police1

A Letter to the American Public: Public Safety Will Shine During the COVID-19 Pandemic

On the courage and professionalism first responders showed serving their communities through the pandemic's early days.

Police1

7 Police Tenets to Live By in 21 Words

Seven short, grounding principles for staying safe, motivated, and connected to purpose over a long career.

POLICE Magazine

Cleanup on Aisle Four: Policing in America Today

On how media coverage of the rare use-of-force incident crowds out the much larger, quieter work officers do every day.

Police1

4 Ways to Stave Off the 'Ferguson Effect'

Four strategies for countering the pullback toward reactive policing that followed Ferguson, from mission-focus to community engagement.

Police1

How 4 Bold Traffic Enforcement Changes Can Boost Police-Community Relations

Proposed reforms to traffic enforcement aimed at improving road safety and easing the perception of officers as ticket-writers.

Police1

How to Create a Community Mentoring Program

A five-step outline for pairing officers with at-risk youth through roll-call invitations, lunches, and home visits.

POLICE Magazine

Restoring the Dream

On rebuilding trust between police and minority communities through training, transparency, and genuine community policing.

POLICE Magazine

An Empathetic Reminder During Police Week

During National Police Week, a case for leading with empathy as a way to build trust and keep officers safer.

POLICE Magazine

Adding Alley Lights to Police Cruisers

A practical look at an underused piece of cruiser equipment and how it improves officer safety on night patrol.

POLICE Magazine

Last-Ditch Impact Weapon Training

Emergency techniques for close-range confrontations when an officer's primary force tools are unavailable.

POLICE Magazine

How to Honor Fallen Officers

On using the Officer Down Memorial Page during roll call as a teaching tool, honoring fallen officers while improving tactics.

POLICE Magazine

Defense Against Standing Choke Holds

A training breakdown of defensive techniques for front, side, and rear choke attacks.

POLICE Magazine

Four Ways to Build Trust After Trayvon Martin

Four proposed strategies for rebuilding trust with Black communities, from school programs to patrol reform and transparency.

POLICE Magazine

Surviving Foot Patrol

Practical guidance for officers on foot patrol — gear, awareness, and building community relationships safely.

POLICE Magazine

Countering In-Car Attacks

Tactical guidance for staying safe against in-vehicle assaults, from parking choices to defensive positioning.

POLICE Magazine

How to Handle Audio Exclusion

Training exercises to help officers stay effective when hearing loss compromises their situational awareness.

POLICE Magazine

Beware the Restrained Subject

A reminder that handcuffed suspects remain a real threat, with defensive tactics for transport situations.

POLICE Magazine

Just Breathe

A simple controlled-breathing technique officers can use to manage stress and stay sharp under pressure.

POLICE Magazine

Pursuit Training on the Cheap

A low-cost, video-scenario training model for building sound decision-making during vehicle pursuits.

POLICE Magazine

Sightless Training

A case for practicing defensive tactics with limited vision, to prepare officers for night-shift, low-light situations.