Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This area contains all of the questions I have recently received from you and the police community. If you have another question not answered here, contact me.
Question: What is Video Central? How do I get access?
Answer: Video Central is a new training platform that will allow you to watch short (~ 5-10 min. each) videos about specific LODDs in different categories such as: Assassinations, Vehicle Enforcement, Foot Pursuits, etc.
Using Video Central, you will be able to learn more about what happened to a fallen officer and what you can do to prevent a similar incident. Think of it as a private YouTube channel for our site.
You can get access by purchasing access as a law enforcement member on the Books & CDs page. Due to content, access is limited to law enforcement members only. Video Central is currently in development, but look for more training videos to be added each month.
Using Video Central, you will be able to learn more about what happened to a fallen officer and what you can do to prevent a similar incident. Think of it as a private YouTube channel for our site.
You can get access by purchasing access as a law enforcement member on the Books & CDs page. Due to content, access is limited to law enforcement members only. Video Central is currently in development, but look for more training videos to be added each month.
Question: What is Officer Down Online? How do I get access?
Answer: Officer Down Online is our new training platform that allows you, the student, to walk in the shoes of fallen officers and make the decisions in the same situations they faced. It is now out of BETA testing and in final development. When it is finished, it will be a complete collection of all of the incidents contained in the books I have written about fallen officers. You will be able to train for 200+ separate and unique LODD incidents.
These story-driven scenarios are not designed to make you fail or be "killed"; they are designed to let you experience the same set of circumstances as fallen officers did. Once you work through the scenario by making choices, you have the opportunity to learn more about the fallen officer and the LODD incident. Hopefully, you will learn more about how and why officers are killed through this program.
You can try it out for free right now under the Train Online tab. If you like what you see, you can purchase an individual or departmental membership at a 50-90% discount to access the entire project as it is being built while the program is in BETA.
These story-driven scenarios are not designed to make you fail or be "killed"; they are designed to let you experience the same set of circumstances as fallen officers did. Once you work through the scenario by making choices, you have the opportunity to learn more about the fallen officer and the LODD incident. Hopefully, you will learn more about how and why officers are killed through this program.
You can try it out for free right now under the Train Online tab. If you like what you see, you can purchase an individual or departmental membership at a 50-90% discount to access the entire project as it is being built while the program is in BETA.
Question: How does the online training work? Can I try it for free?
Answer: Thanks for asking about this. I've been working for two years to come up with a simple, robust platform for e-learning that is scenario-based and not too cumbersome for the users. Many programs require you, the user, to download a plug-in (which we often can't do on police equipment) or track your location, identity, make you login, etc. I wanted to find a system that would let you access this training from anywhere in the world on even the crappiest computer/phone/tablet and provide you with a seamless experience that can be replayed or shared without all of the garbage.
My customers are mostly cops. I didn't want your data or the choices you make in the training system to be compromised, tracked or collected by anyone. I wanted you to be completely free to play with the system. I also didn't want these scenarios to be sitting in the public domain for anyone (e.g. non-law enforcement) to easily access. So, I have formed a partnership with a UK-based company called Inkle that will allow me to do exactly what I want to do for you.
Dynamic Police Training Online works like this: you read about an on- or off-duty situation and you make decisions to affect what happens in the "story". Do you remember those "choose your own adventure" books from when you were a kid? It's like that, but these "adventures" are not for your entertainment. DPT Online scenarios are the true stories of fallen officers and the situations they faced.
After traveling so much and presenting my work to police department audiences in the past five years, I learned that reading books or hearing lectures about LODDs are not the ideal solution for every cop out there. Most of the cops I know would rather DO something than just HEAR ABOUT or READ something. Even classroom training can miss the mark. DPT Online meets the need of police officers to DO something interactive and, hopefully, learn something..
Try out the free version and see what you think. It's now live (in BETA) but still in development as of July 2016.
My customers are mostly cops. I didn't want your data or the choices you make in the training system to be compromised, tracked or collected by anyone. I wanted you to be completely free to play with the system. I also didn't want these scenarios to be sitting in the public domain for anyone (e.g. non-law enforcement) to easily access. So, I have formed a partnership with a UK-based company called Inkle that will allow me to do exactly what I want to do for you.
Dynamic Police Training Online works like this: you read about an on- or off-duty situation and you make decisions to affect what happens in the "story". Do you remember those "choose your own adventure" books from when you were a kid? It's like that, but these "adventures" are not for your entertainment. DPT Online scenarios are the true stories of fallen officers and the situations they faced.
After traveling so much and presenting my work to police department audiences in the past five years, I learned that reading books or hearing lectures about LODDs are not the ideal solution for every cop out there. Most of the cops I know would rather DO something than just HEAR ABOUT or READ something. Even classroom training can miss the mark. DPT Online meets the need of police officers to DO something interactive and, hopefully, learn something..
Try out the free version and see what you think. It's now live (in BETA) but still in development as of July 2016.
Question: Officer Down 2014 is being released after all. What happened?
Answer: I was going to combine two years of incidents into one edition. My readers have let me know they want the stand-alone edition. So, I have listened to you all and am releasing the stand-alone version of the book in July 2016. It is available here.
Question: Why is there no "Officer Down 2014" book? Isn't this a work you have published yearly?
***Updated July 2016: Officer Down 2014 is now available on this site and on Amazon.
Answer: Yes, the Officer Down books have previously been a yearly publication. This year, I made the difficult decision to extend my research time frame to cover two years' worth of incidents. One reason for this decision was that fewer officers met the criteria for inclusion in the study, which is excellent news for police officers in the United States. However, these officers are not going to be forgotten or omitted from my work. 2013 and 2014 incidents will be examined together in Officer Down 2015, which will include computer-based learning access.
***Updated July 2016: Officer Down 2014 is now available on this site and on Amazon.
Answer: Yes, the Officer Down books have previously been a yearly publication. This year, I made the difficult decision to extend my research time frame to cover two years' worth of incidents. One reason for this decision was that fewer officers met the criteria for inclusion in the study, which is excellent news for police officers in the United States. However, these officers are not going to be forgotten or omitted from my work. 2013 and 2014 incidents will be examined together in Officer Down 2015, which will include computer-based learning access.
Question: What is the difference between the upcoming 2015 e-learning product and the 2013 training package? Which one should I buy?
Answer: The 2015 program is an e-learning product, designed to be used by a single officer at a time, at a computer. It takes you through scenarios and lets you make decisions, such as ‘wait for cover’ or ‘pursue on foot’ and to see what happens as a result. Then, you can compare your decisions to those made by fallen officers who faced identical circumstances and examine a condensed account of their LODD incident. This is a good product for officers who wish to learn at their own pace or use technology to learn.
The 2013 program is an instructor-led training package, designed to be delivered in a traditional classroom. The full 8-hour course goes through lessons learned from 2012 LODDs in six categories, has instructor notes, and includes videos for presentation, etc. It has been presented to hundreds of officers around the country and is highly-rated. Both packages include the Officer Down 2013 book in an electronic format.
Answer: The 2015 program is an e-learning product, designed to be used by a single officer at a time, at a computer. It takes you through scenarios and lets you make decisions, such as ‘wait for cover’ or ‘pursue on foot’ and to see what happens as a result. Then, you can compare your decisions to those made by fallen officers who faced identical circumstances and examine a condensed account of their LODD incident. This is a good product for officers who wish to learn at their own pace or use technology to learn.
The 2013 program is an instructor-led training package, designed to be delivered in a traditional classroom. The full 8-hour course goes through lessons learned from 2012 LODDs in six categories, has instructor notes, and includes videos for presentation, etc. It has been presented to hundreds of officers around the country and is highly-rated. Both packages include the Officer Down 2013 book in an electronic format.
Question: Are you researching 2013 line-of-duty deaths?
Answer: Yes. I began writing about 2013 deaths in October 2013. Officer Down 2014 will be available in summer 2014.
Answer: Yes. I began writing about 2013 deaths in October 2013. Officer Down 2014 will be available in summer 2014.
Question: Do you criticize fallen officers in your books or seminars?
Answer: Absolutely not. I do not believe in Monday morning quarterbacking in the study of these incidents. The officers in my books are not just fallen officers, they are fallen heroes. They deserve our unconditional respect because of their sacrifices. I think that each of these officers still have the ability to teach us something incredibly valuable, if we will take the time to understand what they knew and what they did in their final moments.
For example, some of the officers I have studied chose not the wear their vests. While I do present that information in my books, I do not judge them for this decision. Had they known they would be shot, they would have chosen differently. This doesn't give anyone the right to criticize them. It's one of the facts of what happened, but it is not the only reason for what happened to them. Understand also that officers who are killed while not wearing a vest may have been in plainclothes or off-duty at the time of their murders. "They" are not always that different from the rest of us when you learn all the facts.
Answer: Absolutely not. I do not believe in Monday morning quarterbacking in the study of these incidents. The officers in my books are not just fallen officers, they are fallen heroes. They deserve our unconditional respect because of their sacrifices. I think that each of these officers still have the ability to teach us something incredibly valuable, if we will take the time to understand what they knew and what they did in their final moments.
For example, some of the officers I have studied chose not the wear their vests. While I do present that information in my books, I do not judge them for this decision. Had they known they would be shot, they would have chosen differently. This doesn't give anyone the right to criticize them. It's one of the facts of what happened, but it is not the only reason for what happened to them. Understand also that officers who are killed while not wearing a vest may have been in plainclothes or off-duty at the time of their murders. "They" are not always that different from the rest of us when you learn all the facts.
Question: Do you support cop-killers?
Answer: No. I am a former police officer and do not support cop-killers. I think cop-killers are entitled to a fair trial, but that justice often means giving them the death penalty or whatever maximum punishment is acceptable in their jurisdiction. The penalty for killing a police officer should be the harshest penalty available under the law.
Answer: No. I am a former police officer and do not support cop-killers. I think cop-killers are entitled to a fair trial, but that justice often means giving them the death penalty or whatever maximum punishment is acceptable in their jurisdiction. The penalty for killing a police officer should be the harshest penalty available under the law.
Question: You wrote that you sustained a career-ending injury in 2004. Were you shot?
Answer: Thank God, no. I sustained a complex lateral tibia plateau fracture of my left leg at the knee joint during a training event. After I had surgery, I spent a year learning to walk again. My orthopedic surgeon told me I would never run again. Ever. I refused to accept that and have continued to serve the law enforcement community in other ways, as a police trainer and author. My injury was nothing when compared with the officers I write about in my books.
Never let anyone tell you that you are broken forever. I don't run fast, but I do run.
Answer: Thank God, no. I sustained a complex lateral tibia plateau fracture of my left leg at the knee joint during a training event. After I had surgery, I spent a year learning to walk again. My orthopedic surgeon told me I would never run again. Ever. I refused to accept that and have continued to serve the law enforcement community in other ways, as a police trainer and author. My injury was nothing when compared with the officers I write about in my books.
Never let anyone tell you that you are broken forever. I don't run fast, but I do run.
Question: Can you ship to an international address (outside the U.S.) or to Canada?
***Updated July 2016 Answer: Yes. You can now order internationally online with no issues. Contact us if you need assistance.
Answer: Yes. We have been getting inquiries from abroad and Canada about the Officer Down books. Unfortunately, you cannot use Google Checkout with international addresses, so please contact us for a quote. We can make it happen.
Answer: Yes. We have been getting inquiries from abroad and Canada about the Officer Down books. Unfortunately, you cannot use Google Checkout with international addresses, so please contact us for a quote. We can make it happen.
Question: Are you researching 2012 line-of-duty deaths?
Answer: Yes. Work has already begun on the next edition of the book, Officer Down 2013 (OD13). As of September 15, 2012, we have thirty officers already included in the study. God willing, not another officer will be lost to gunfire this year. However, if last year's numbers are any indication of what we can expect, there could be fifty or more officers in next year's edition. OD13 will launch by June 1, 2013. Look for updates on the release on the home page, as we get closer to that date.
Question: Can I use another method like an invoice or paper check to purchase?
Answer: Yes. Use the contact form to request an electronic invoice to suit your needs. You can pay by check or via invoice. Once we receive your payment, your order will ship.
Question: Can my department purchase Officer Down training materials?
Answer: Yes. I am now offering the OD12 PPT presentations, instructor notes, video/audio links, and more to departments who have skilled instructors capable of delivering the same great class. After all, as one person, I can only teach one class at a time and in one place. With the OD12 materials, your department can teach the same dynamic class to an unlimited number of your officers with same great results. Your audience, your instructors and your equipment with our great training materials-- a great win-win combination.
OD12 is approximately sixteen hours of instruction with 400+ slides and includes detailed instructor notes. We also offer the shorter NRA edition, which is eight hours. The slides include pictures of the officers, shooters, weapons, scenes and other photos, audio and video to support the content, discussion points, and much more. You can revise the materials to suit your needs for any training time frame you have, from a 2-hour block on traffic stops to an 8-hour block on ambushes only. Or just examine the friendly-fire incidents, K-9 incidents, or the pedestrian stops that were deadly in 2011. It's your decision when you own it.
OD13 materials will become available in late 2013.
OD12 is approximately sixteen hours of instruction with 400+ slides and includes detailed instructor notes. We also offer the shorter NRA edition, which is eight hours. The slides include pictures of the officers, shooters, weapons, scenes and other photos, audio and video to support the content, discussion points, and much more. You can revise the materials to suit your needs for any training time frame you have, from a 2-hour block on traffic stops to an 8-hour block on ambushes only. Or just examine the friendly-fire incidents, K-9 incidents, or the pedestrian stops that were deadly in 2011. It's your decision when you own it.
OD13 materials will become available in late 2013.
Question: What is the difference between the Officer Down seminar and the Officer Down book?
Answer: Good question, thanks for asking. The Officer Down seminar is designed for law enforcement personnel who need the quick-and-dirty information contained in the book condensed into an 8-hour day of training. I will teach you everything you need to know about what I have learned in my study of last year's line-of-duty deaths, and you just have to register and show up.
The Officer Down book is designed for police officers who want all of the information on last year's line-of-duty deaths in one handy place. It contains all of the resources, write-ups, recommendations for training and policy-writing, and conclusions at your fingertips. For those who design and deliver training, it makes an excellent reference guide.
Bottom line: if you would like to hear and see info presented in a dynamic way, come to the seminar. You will receive a take-away guide you can use. If you would like to read all of the info for yourself, buy the book.
The Officer Down book is designed for police officers who want all of the information on last year's line-of-duty deaths in one handy place. It contains all of the resources, write-ups, recommendations for training and policy-writing, and conclusions at your fingertips. For those who design and deliver training, it makes an excellent reference guide.
Bottom line: if you would like to hear and see info presented in a dynamic way, come to the seminar. You will receive a take-away guide you can use. If you would like to read all of the info for yourself, buy the book.
Question: Can I request an Officer Down seminar to be given for my department?
Answer: Absolutely. I always enjoy the opportunity to put on a hosted seminar at your venue. Contact me with what you have in mind. I am not in the business of training police officers in order to get rich and will make it affordable for you and your officers. This work is too important to be stymied by quibbling over cost.
Whenever a venue is provided, as it is in this case, I can reduce the fees for all participants. In certain cases, fees can even be waived for your department's own personnel if we get enough attendees. Let me know what you want to do and we can make it happen.
Whenever a venue is provided, as it is in this case, I can reduce the fees for all participants. In certain cases, fees can even be waived for your department's own personnel if we get enough attendees. Let me know what you want to do and we can make it happen.
Question: Can't police officers already get this same training for free from a large federal agency?
Answer: Any training you can attend on critical incident survival can be valuable. I am familiar with several free offerings on officer survival, tactics and line-of-duty deaths. You will not find me criticizing any of these programs here or in any of my work. My opinion is that no one is teaching what I am, because in-depth research, writing, and teaching on 2011, 2012 and 2013 line-of-duty incidents has not been done by someone like myself, who has worn the badge, answered the calls and taught police officers effectively. It's not about me, it's about my unique shared perspective, as both an experienced cop and as a professional educator.
I began researching this issue because I did not believe the existing training on this topic was adequate. I have made it my mission to deeply understand the journeys of the offenders and the officers in this study. Believe me, I have learned a tremendous lot from my research. Come to my training or read my book and judge for yourself whether my work has been a waste of time. I can assure you that my great passion is this work. I am confident it is ground-breaking and important to the field of policing, but I encourage you to find out for yourself.
I began researching this issue because I did not believe the existing training on this topic was adequate. I have made it my mission to deeply understand the journeys of the offenders and the officers in this study. Believe me, I have learned a tremendous lot from my research. Come to my training or read my book and judge for yourself whether my work has been a waste of time. I can assure you that my great passion is this work. I am confident it is ground-breaking and important to the field of policing, but I encourage you to find out for yourself.
Have another question?
Send it to me and I will put up the answers here for everyone.