|
|
Secrets of Successful Highway Interdiction |
|
|
Click image for more information |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change is Inevitable - Roll with It |
|
|
|
|
|
Sergeant Andrew G. Hawkes
As officer's age and gain more experience they
often find themselves in the midst of an ever
changing world of technology, laws, training
and equipment. I remember when I first started
out we were the first real generation that did
not even consider carrying a wheel gun as a
duty weapon. We would look at veteran officers
and their revolvers as dinosaurs that needed to
change. I told myself that I would never have a
problem with adapting to innovations and new
things because we had the latest and greatest
equipment and little would change over the
course of my career. Boy was I wrong!
Since my rookie year, I have seen the likes of
major adaptations to the job. Now we have
computers in the cars, our pistols have "rails"
on them to add laser sights and flashlights, we
have GPS in our cars that tell dispatch were we
are at all times, and the innovative "OC Spray"
is fast becoming obsolete with the invention of
the TASER™. Racial profiling stats, civil
liability and the end or at least the beginning
of the end of "professional courtesy" is upon
us as well.
Young, educated, already technology advanced
recruits are looking at my generation thinking
the same thing I thought so many years ago. But
it's important to realize that all these
changes are not only inevitable, but good for
our profession and good for our safety. We must
always look toward the future and be able
change as things improve.
I didn't realize that little things, such as
ASP batons had even changed so much until one
of my rookie's ask me if mine still worked. I
didn't realize that batons had almost morphed
in some type of space age light saber looking
gadget. Mine, well it’s mostly chipped-up metal
with quite a bit of DNA on it. Don't become a
dinosaur; make the little changes necessary to
keep up with the learning curve - you will be
glad you did.
Training is the key to maintaining a long and
worthwhile career. At retirement you can look
back at a successful career and many
accomplishments, that you had in year one or
year eighteen. Don't become "retired on duty"
but do whatever it takes to maintain that edge
as an officer, whether it is studying up on the
newest laws in the classroom or getting the
latest certification on the newest piece of
equipment out there.
I’ve got to run now - I have to enter racial
profiling on my laptop while my camera records
my every move and my GPS tells me how to get to
the next call.
About the Author
Sergeant Andrew G. Hawkes has over 17 years of law enforcement experience. He has a BA in Criminal Justice and is currently completing his master’s degree
in Public Administration. Additionally,
he is a graduate of the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas; has a Master Police Peace Officer Certificate from
the State of Texas; and, has a Police Instructor’s Licenses from the State of Texas.
Currently, Sergeant Andrew G. Hawkes is a member of the Collin County Sheriff’s Office (Texas) where he is a
senior sergeant in the patrol operations. Sergeant Andrew G. Hawkes is the author
of Secrets of Successful
Highway Interdiction. According to
Sergeant Andrew G. Hawkes, “After 17 years of highway drug interdiction, 500 felony arrests, 5,100 pounds in drug seizures,
and over $20 million (drugs, cash and vehicles), I have learned a lot of drug-busting techniques that I want to share with
you.” His book, Secrets of Successful Highway Interdiction, contains eleven chapters on Highway Drug Interdiction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
