• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Our Most Dangerous Days Are Here

Christmas marks the most dangerous time of the year for line of duty deaths

December 23, 2022
Travis YatesbyTravis Yates
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

Historically, New Years Day had more line of duty deaths than any other day but that now stands well behind Christmas Eve and Christmas. While September 11th remains at the top of line of duty deaths for the profession, the unique nature of 9/11 makes it an outlier and our attention should be drawn to the next two days. One-hundred eleven (111) police officers have died on December 24th and 107 on December 25th.The deadliest 48 hours for law enforcement historically are upon us.

There are many factors that have likely created this phenomenon and while there is no shortage of drinking, domestics, and alcohol related crashes, it serves us all to remember a few things as we go on shift this weekend.

Staffing Is Low

Agencies are no doubt working at a minimum staffing level but that doesn’t mean you have to do more with less safety. If a call requires a backer or you need a backer, just take it. Remember, if you wait until you get there “to advise” on a backer, help could be further away than usual and time is never on your side if you are there alone.

Less Traffic May Fool You

While the highways will be busy with travelers, most cities will look like a ghost town and the streets are wide open. This not only promotes “speeding” cops but fast (and drunk) citizens. Take your time and don’t let the Christmas spirit push your guard down.

Get Your Mind Right

I know it’s tough working the holidays and I did it for many years. There’s a lot going on at home and it’s easy to let your focus stray from the task at hand. If I could summon my good friend, Brian Willis, I’d tell you to adopt W.I.N. – “What’s Important Now” – and what is important today, tomorrow, and every day after is to take every precaution and use every tactic at your disposal to go home at the end of the shift.

Not Every Call Is The Same

I know most of you have been and done just about anything. You’ve been to a hundred wrecks, taken thousands of reports and it feels like you’ve been to a million domestics but this weekend is different. Not everything is as it seems and unfortunately, the data from ODMP bears that out. Keep that in mind every minute of each shift.

Go Home…No Matter What

It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, law enforcement went 66 days without a felonious death but the world (and the profession) has changed dramatically since then. Law enforcement has so much more to worry about that’s not related to criminals and as I say in my seminars, if we are more worried about YouTube than the criminals, we have a problem.

You know the law and you know policy. More importantly, you understand the United States Constitution and you certainly understand how use of force is judged using the standards set forth in Graham v. Connor (1989). You have everything you need to go home at night and it doesn’t matter what someone says, does, or threatens. Do you job within the confines of that standard, protect yourself, and go home to your family…No Matter What.


Travis Yates is a commander with a large municipal police department and author of “The Courageous Police Leader: A Survival Guide for Combating Cowards, Chaos & Lies.” His risk management and leadership seminars have been taught to thousands of professionals across the world. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Doctoral Candidate in Strategic Leadership. You can follow his writing on his SubStack. 


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: line of dutyodmpOfficer Downtravis yates
Travis Yates

Travis Yates

Travis Yates has three decades of law enforcement experience and currently holds the rank of Major. One of the most prolific trainers and writers in the profession, he has trained and consulted with thousands of law enforcement professionals across the globe and has authored hundreds of articles for various publications. He is a past recipient of the ILEETA Police Trainer of the Year and and CEP of The Courageous Police Leadership Alliance (www.CPLalliance.org). Travis is a graduate of the 227th Session of the FBI National Academy and has a doctorate degree in Strategic Leadership. He is the author of the best selling book, “The Courageous Police Leader: A Survival Guide for Combating Cowards, Chaos & Lies.“ His writings and podcast can be located at: www.TravisYates.org

Related Posts

Ryan Clinkunbroomer

Los Angeles County Deputy Ambushed, Killed In Patrol Car

September 17, 2023
Denver Public Schools

Police Leaders Must Remove Officers From Minnesota Schools

September 3, 2023

The Nail In A Needed Coffin

September 2, 2023

Saying The Quiet Part ‘Out Loud’

August 18, 2023

Kansas police officer killed in shooting at QuikTrip

August 7, 2023
Philadelphia police

Recruiting Police Candidates Is Not Enough

August 6, 2023
Load More

Latest Articles

small town police departments

Losing Small Town Police Departments

September 22, 2023
street racer

Street racer who killed young couple to be released after 8 months

September 22, 2023
Anthony Sanchez

Man executed for 1996 rape/murder of University of Oklahoma dance student

September 21, 2023
bus carrying high school band

Bus carrying high school band crashes, rolls down embankment; 2 dead, 4 critical, dozens injured

September 21, 2023
Billy Chemirmir

Convicted murderer believed to be responsible for 22 homicides killed by cellmate

September 21, 2023
Darrin McMichael

Texas motorcycle officer killed in hit-and-run collision

September 21, 2023
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com