• This drunk driver (video below) only broke a wrist—and collected multiple DUI charges. (Second City Cop)
• Want to make range training more challenging? Check out these four tips. (Trigger Pull Tactical)
• Buckman upsets colleagues, clarifies his EMS bubble commentary. (Gomerville)
• Momma Fargo meets … the Red Baron? (The Boogie Man Is My Friend)
• When common sense isn’t so common: Five social networking tips. (Social Media Five-O)
• A great love story to one day tell the kids… (Burned-Out Medic)
• How to make a Photoshop reference book. (Ask A Forensic Artist)
• Wanna see Chronicles of EMS on Oprah? Vote now. (Everyday EMS Tips)
• Pop the champagne for the last day of school. (Kindergarten Cop)

When Facebook switched “become a fan” to “like,” we were admittedly devastated.

Becoming a fan of utterly random things such as ice cubes, bookmobiles and mustaches is what social networking is all about. Sure, it’s great to connect with new-to-the-Internet relatives and hi-remember-me folks, but we prefer pure irreverence. And declaring fandom of intimate objects seems too ridiculously pointless to be ignored.

If you’re an LEO or a just a huge LEO supporter, get your mouse clicker ready to “like” the following pages. But we’re going to still refer to you as a “fan.” So there.

1. Handcuffs – It’s no surprise this popular restraint devise has garnered 930 fans. While those who wear ‘em might not ‘like’ it, others surrounding them probably do. Latest post: “Cops never think it’s as funny as you do. They sent me a picture of me speeding, so I sent a picture of a check… so they sent me a picture of handcuffs.”

2. Canine Police Unit – Life on the canine police unit isn’t easy street. And with zero fans currently, it’s up to you to show this page some love. Latest post: “Just passed a police training seminar in the parking lot of the scottish right building parking lot, a police station and a cop canine unit. Scottish rite? Seriously? Yes.”

3. Badges – Flash this page to your friends, and they’ll think you’re really something. With a respectable 412 fans, you might become the only fan who actually owns one. Latest post: “Badges dress up day today at Hooter’s! I’ll be Mrs. Officer tonight…come see me lol!!!”

4. Parking tickets – Truthfully there were two fan pages for these little love notes. We chose the page with 70 fans because of its page description: “Parking tickets are the roads way of suggesting to idiots to learn how to read. Pictures make it so you don’t even need to know the language!” And you thought getting a ticket was shameful enough.

5. Police officers – Only 240 fans?! Come on LEO world, represent! Latest post: “169 dollar speeding ticket grrr.. God Bless Eagle County for having the most polite and HOT police officers in all the land…at least it wasn’t all bad.”

6. Dunkin’ Donuts – OK, OK … totally stereotypical. However, who doesn’t like donuts? They have more than 1.4 million fans. Hello, it’s time to join the crowd. Latest post: “I Found a Dunkin Donuts in Kuwait Got pics of me in front of it. there should be one on Sabattus st in Lewiston Maine so I wont have to go that far anymore )”

7. Flashlight – Nothing will equip you better in the heat of the night than this handheld light, which is apparently called “torch” outside of the U.S. Latest post: “Crazy morning today! The kid’s school had no electricity and I was sent back and asked to come back with a flashlight among more crazyness!”

8. Tactical Pants – Betcha didn’t see this one coming! The one and only spot on the ‘Book that celebrates uniform pants. Latest post: Reader’s Poll: ‘How much are you willing to spend on tactical pants?’”

9. Police Baton – Another essential piece of equipment. Unfortunately this page only has one fan! C’mon, doesn’t anyone else out there like twirling a baton? Latest post: “I <3 my police baton. The end.”

10. Gun Holsters – We admit to making this page ourselves specifically for this post. But gun holsters are awesome, so can you blame us? Latest post: “Gun Holster Basics: The basic function of a holster is to secure and hold a firearm, or another object, in a location where it can be easily accessed.”

11. Guns – To go along with gun holsters, of course. Except this page has 38,632 fans. Very impressive. And a little scary. Latest post: “Guns are safe, smart, and fun for the whole family.”

12. COPS – It’s everybody’s favorite TV show. And it’s one of the longest-running shows in American history. Latest post: “cops raided, plants pulled!!! ”

13. Police Scanner – How can a cop not like the police scanner? OK, don’t answer that… Latest post: “my mom just tolld me the police scanner was blowing up during the parade most streets we were on had atleast one person call the cops they were trying to track us down with calls”

Next week we’ll follow up this post with the top 10 Facebook pages for police departments and law enforcement-related foundations… promising to be a little more useful but a little less fun.

Did we leave any pages out? Let us know what Facebook pages are your favorite in the comment section below!

(Images via Wikimedia)

• A German insurance commercial (below) is sure to bring a smile to your face. (Medic 999)
• How much do you make a year? The salary report is out. (Happy Medic)
• TLC’s Police Women of Memphis are lookin’ pretty hott. (Hott Cops)
• What is the best martial art for police officers? Hiyah! (Spartan Cops)
• Handover Blog Carnival: Discussing that moment of clarity when it all came together. (The EMT Spot)
• How a cup of yogurt can land you behind bars. (Marco News)
• Another laugh-out-loud commercial, this one from an LEO perspective. (Motorcop)
• Second City Cop celebrates five years. Congrats and happy birthday! (SCC)
• Greg Friese shows the world how to insert a Combitube. (Everyday EMS Tips)
• Stay alert and prepare for the calls that matter. (Random Acts of Reality)
• Monitor the U.S. wildfire season at a new spot. (Fire Daily)
• Check out some powerful poetry about everyday decisions. (The Insomniac’s Guide to Ambulances)

No police blog lays down the law quite like Second City Cop.

Better known as SCC, the blog has made a name for itself by exposing the corrupt underbelly of Windy City politics and police. Run by a group of anonymous Chicago police officers since May 2005, the scathing commentary has become more than just a way to vent.

In addition to giving the world a realistic glimpse into the Chicago Police Department, SCC has been hailed as the voice for the beat cop. Because of its provocative nature, it’s not uncommon for a single post to garner more than 130 comments. Typically anonymous and sprinkled with curse words, the comments only add to SCC’s in-your-face allure.

Why is SCC is written by multiple people? How did you find each other?

We feel multiple points of view and input contribute to a well-rounded blog. We are friends and acquaintances of many years, districts and units.

Do you think SCC would be the same if it wasn’t anonymous?

Definitely not. We’d all be on midnight foot posts guarding abandoned factories or something nonsensical. The politicians and bosses would have us strung up by our ankles.

You told The Chicagoist the blog was started “to entertain ourselves” … What’s been the most entertaining aspect of it all in the past five years?

Most entertaining? The shenanigans of the politically connected being brought to light, the current and constant missteps of the current superintendent and his staff who have never been the police, never will be the police and look down at police as a bunch of provincial hicks.

Do you feel like blogging is therapeutic as well?

We certainly feel a bit better after getting some rants off our chests. We feel better when some positive change comes out of it, too.

Did you ever imagine the blog becoming so popular or influential?

Nope. It’s flattering that people think we matter that much. We’re just regular cops doing the job by day and typing sarcasm and silliness on off hours.

Do you truly feel like the “voice of the beat cop”?

We don’t consider ourselves the “voice of the beat cop” — that would be arrogant. We’re simply people with opinions sharing with mostly like-minded people who happen to be cops. The “beat cop” thing is secondary to us exercising our wit.

What’s the best thing about being a cop in Chicago?

Chicago cops, by and large, are the best people in the world. Frank, honest, generous to a fault, brave beyond belief, dedicated to a city that treats them badly, a Chicago cop is an amazing individual. They are the best people we have ever known.

And the worst?

The worst is the politics that has infected this job, and the politically connected who erode what is left of morale.

What’s something all LEOs have in common no matter where they work?

An innate ability to sense and recognize BS, no matter the source. Some people mistake it for cynicism, which does exist, but cops see the real results of misshapen political decisions, failed social programs, hopelessness, despair, etc. We see people at their worst, and we see it long before the politicians try to cure it.

Do Chicago cops sport tactical pants? What are your uniform pants like?

If we aren’t wearing our regular 80/20 polyester blends, we have the cargo pants with roomy side pockets and a more breathable fabric. They wear better than the old pants, but if you try to carry anything in the pockets, it looks like you just came from riding in the Kentucky Derby .

(Image via Flickr)

• Ready, aim and watch Top Shot on the History Channel June 6. (Trigger Pull Tactical)
• Need to track your patient’s vital signs? There’s an app for that. (Everyday EMS Tips)
• The tactical approach to staircase maneuvers. (The Things Worth Believing In)
• No shirt, no education? Such a philosophical question… (Gomerville)
• Grossest story of the week by about a million. (Burned-Out Medic)
• It’s a rainy day in EMS land. (Notes from Mosquito Hill)
• There’s a new cop show in town: Good Guys. (Hott Cops)
• Dude, really? Quite an interesting take on bike racks. (Thoughts from Behind the Badge)

• Happy National EMS Week to all! (Medic 999)
• A non-LEO documentary recommendation. (Grits for Breakfast)
• Where new media and law enforcement collide. (Michael Vallez)
• The art of talking to crazies. (Leatherhead Firefighter)
• Quiz: How close are you to the edge of reality? (Public Safety Parody)
• And now for some junk research on dangerous cities for drivers. (The Chief’s Corner)
• That’s Hot: Sneak peek of Firehouse Doll’s 2011 calendar. (The Fire Critic)
• Put the donuts down please! (Trigger Pull Tactical)

SRO and blogger Dustin Brock with his family

Patrolling the streets can be tough, but at times dealing with the woes that befall adolescents can pale in comparison.

Dustin Brock knows firsthand. He deals with middle schoolers (and, by default, their parents) day in and day out as a law enforcement and school resource officer.

On his blog Kindergarten Cop, he describes his run-ins with disrespectful students, maniacal parents and we promise there are some nice folks in the mix. Brock paused his hallway watch to fill us in on kids these days.

And a special tip o’ the hat goes to Rebecca at Hott Cops for pointing us to Brock’s blog. Thank you!

Why did you choose to become a school resource officer?

I chose to become a SRO for several reasons. Part of my passion is teaching. I love to teach. But I also love law enforcement more. So, getting a chance to affect kids for good is a big reason I chose SRO. It combines the best of both worlds.

Also, to be honest, another reason is the work hours. I have a family and am also the sole income provider in my home. I have four great young kids under the age of seven, and spending time with them and attending church services on Sunday are paramount for me and our family’s happiness.

Does working with middle schoolers ever bring back memories of your own middle school experiences?

Working with middle school aged kids does bring back memories good and bad. It also reminds me of how much things have changed over the years. The challenges they face today and the ones I faced as a child are very different or more difficult. They have drugs, sex and now disrespect for authority as some of their top challenges.

What do you find the most baffling about kids that age?

The thing that is most baffling to me is the sheer disrespect of authority, entitlement thinking and lack of taking responsibility. When I was in middle school I hardly saw my SRO. But when I did I had the utmost respect for him. It was always,”Yes sir and no sir.” Nowadays, kids try to talk on my level and speak to me like I was their peer, and that is not the way it’s gonna be. They even try my words, and I have to show them instead of talking to them to get their attention sometimes.

You recently wrote about a bullying case. This seems to be the most problematic with kids in their early teens. Is there anything LEOs can do to prevent this type of bullying?

I think the most important thing an LEO can do is be available, let the kids know that you are there to help. Also, for me, I get so many bullying reports that they are mostly trivial and some unfounded.

With this last case of bullying where I arrested a girl for a severe case of it occurring over a period of months and every afternoon until it became physical, I initially did not take it to heart. I guess that is my fault initially due to be inundated with it on a daily basis . You kind of build a tolerance for it. But in this case I learned that just because it was reported to me once, and then the second time was several weeks later, I felt it wasn’t a real danger. However, my inaction — though it hadn’t got to the criminal level — did bear some responsibility to the problem aggravating further.

So, all in all, take each case seriously and communicate with your administration for intervention where applicable. I would take that a step further an keep the “triangle of success” open involving parents, admin and student in the communication process.

Aside from the bullying, what’s the worst thing you’ve seen as a SRO?

Actually, the worst thing I have seen as an SRO happened just a few months ago of which I wrote a detailed summary of in my “Kindergarten Cop” blog article entitled, “Oh, What Did Yesterday Bring?”.

This incident was twofold in outcomes. First, a mother fed up with her daughter’s misbehavior comes to the school and literally beats her down onto the ground. It was an old-fashioned street brawl in front of school while classes were changing and other parents and school staff were about. After arresting the mother, I had several teachers tell me this was a “cultural” thing and nothing bad or criminal was done to the child. I arrest the mother for child abuse due to it being caught all on camera (luckily). While I am depositing the mother into the jail booking area, my Sergeant calls and tells me my school principal banned me from the campus. Never in a million years would I have seen this day coming. There is a first time for everything.

When you wake up in the morning, what’s the part of your job that really excites you?

The thing that excites me about putting my uniform on is knowing that I represent freedom and protection for the citizens of the county and school. There are not many good examples out there in our society, or the media has them covered up with negative press. So, I feel it a challenge to set the bar high, and try to aid someone in getting through middle school since it’s an awkward time. I love the challenges that befall me, and the ever-changing issues that come my way. There is never a dull moment. I mean NEVER.

Tell us about the SRO uniform. Does it include tactical pants?

I wish my uniform involved tactical pants! I work for an old school, old-fashioned Southern sheriff. While a lot of these characteristics of a sheriff are great, and I love working for him, the traditional dark green sheriff’s polyester-blend uniform with polished leather, metal badges and pins is what I am told to wear. So, while it has its initial on-the-scene effect of gaining respect and knowing who is the authority when arriving on scene with polished boots, shiny pins, and dark green fabric…it is still hot and not as easy to work in.

In the school I work in, I wish I had BDU’s bloused, ball cap (maybe)and a polo to right honest with you. My middle school is in the heart of the city and is primarily urban in nature. Its like patrolling the streets. There is nothing tactical about squeaking leather and shiny pins that can cut me or another. Sorry for rambling but I wish this could change.

Mark your calendars because in two weeks the follow-up to TLC’s Police Women franchise hits the airwaves.

Police Women of Memphis, a 12-part series, will track four female officers with the Memphis Police Department, one of the nation’s largest police departments, as they cruise the South’s mean streets. For fans of TLC’s Police Women of Broward County and Maricopa County, this reality series will be a continuation of celebrating women in law enforcement.

While Officers Aubrey Olson, Arica Logan, Joy Jefferson and Virginia Awkward have already filmed the series, there’s still a thing or two these ladies can glean by watching some former TV policewomen.

We looked back to find the most infamous TV moments and documented what they have taught us all. That way, when Police Women of Memphis premiers Thursday, May 27 at 9 p.m. EST, we’ll see if they should heed the following advice…

1. Cagney & Lacey’s Mary Beth Lacey (Tyne Daly): Don’t let your partner get away with anything.

2. T.J. Hooker’s Officer Stacey Sheridan (Heather Locklear): Don’t go undercover as an exotic dancer unless you look like Heather Locklear.

3. The Sheild’s Captain Monica Rawling (Glenn Close): Never let a boy into the girl’s bathroom.

4. Police Women of Broward County’s Andrea Penoyer: Be able to switch from mommy mode into badass-cop mode within a moment’s notice.

5. The Closer’s Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick): Do whatever it takes to get your point across.

6. Third Watch’s Sergeant Maritza Cruz (Tia Texada): Talk to whoever you need to talk to get the job done.

7. The Mod Squad’s Julie Barnes (Peggy Lipton): Always let your partners know when you have a hunch.

8. Southland’s Lydia Adams (Regina King): Be vocal about your likes and dislikes.

(Image via TLC)

Cst. Sandra Glendinning and police service dog (PSD) Hondo

Finding a police blog that’s anonymous is easy. But one that’s not? Now that’s a challenge.

When Cst. Sandra Glendinning decided to write about her life as a police officer, she picked the road less traveled. As a member of The Vancouver Police Department’s Dog Squad, she chose to reveal her professional life and represent her department publically online.

Launched in 2008, Behind the Blue Line has a devout following of LEO, retired LEO and non-LEO folks from across the globe. Glendinning discusses everything from suicide negotiations to computer woes. And, of course, she often mentions her partner Hondo, a pure bred German Shepherd police service dog.

We caught up with her this week via e-mail to learn more about her blog, her future novel and her dream pair of tactical pants.

Your blog is one of the few “official” police department blogs out there. When did it start?

The idea for authoring a blog about policing lingered through the first half of 2008. There was so much to say about the job, but I needed to have a reason to write about it. Also, I did not want to remain anonymous, because if anyone was going to believe anything I had to say, it was important they know I was an actual officer.

There are many police blogs out there, but the majority are authored by officers who chose to remain anonymous. Even after extensive searching, there were only a few blogs authored by officers willing to identify themselves. That said, I totally understand why most would want to remain anonymous—being a sleuth gives a police writer the ability to rant without getting in trouble or running the risk of their department not approving of the blog and shutting it down.

I’ve been a writer for years but never tried to publish anything. But as with most things that are a passion, the writer in me was getting angry at being hidden away. The blog was a natural progression as one of the fundamental rules for an unknown/unpublished author is to ‘write what you know.’ Well, I know policing. A little bit, anyways.

By mid-2008 the blog idea wouldn’t go away, so I sought permission from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) to write it. In all honesty I expected to be told ‘No,’ so I was very excited when the department embraced the idea and asked when I would start. The department even helped with the design and layout, working closely with me to get the right look.

Why blog from a department standpoint?

The reasons for writing the blog are quite simple:

1. It shows the general public what law enforcement is really like. The life of an officer is not anything like what is shown on television and in movies (for the most part).
2. If the general public begins to understand the ups and downs of policing as well as the wonderful and sometimes horrific things officers are subjected to, then perhaps the public will be more accepting of law enforcement as a whole.
3. I hope the blog shows that officers are just regular people who have chosen a demanding career. Inside our uniforms we are still mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, spouses and friends.
4. The biggest audience at this point are regular people at with no affiliation to police.

When did Behind the Blue Line launch? Have you been maintaining it the whole time?
The official launch was in November 2008, and yes, I’ve been maintaining it the entire time. The department computer guy helps if I have a technical question, but that’s about it. The VPD does not vet my writing, nor does it tell me what or when to cover something—they leave it up to me, which is a huge show of trust. I stay away from hot topics (politics, current investigations) as my allegiance is to my fellow officers, and I will not compromise their safety by writing something I shouldn’t. Even though sometimes I really want to.

What are some pros and cons for having an official blog for a police department?

The pros: Everything. The blog put a few noses out of joint, and my reasons for writing the blog were challenged at the beginning—both from other officers and from citizens. But that’s human nature, and the challenge was not unexpected. Most of the unease seemed to stem from the fear I was going to share tactics, inside operations, training or other top secret stuff, because now that everyone has seen I refuse to do that no one seems to mind. Also, if someone disagrees with a post, they bring it up, and we deal with it.

The cons: Some of the stuff officers are exposed to is very funny, amazing and disgusting but at the same time not suitable to be talked about in this blog format.

As for the VPD benefiting from the blog? I hope it makes their job easier.

What’s the biggest challenge working on the Dog Squad? How is it different than other units?

Working as a police dog handler is definitely the highlight of my career. The initial challenge was learning to trust my dog and his incredible sense of smell. When all my senses were telling me, “The bad guy went that way!” my dog’s behavior would tell me, “No, silly human, the bad guy went THAT way,” and we would go in the opposite direction to where I would have gone if by myself. And you know what? The dogs don’t lie. They find the bad guys.

Now the biggest challenge is to enjoy every day working with PSD Hondo and to not worry about the future. You see, our dog handler positions are tenured. So once your dog is retired, you must leave the section. I try not to think about it too much because I know I am doing what I was made to do. So, while Hondo is able, we are going to do it well.

The bond with a K9 partner is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing to know and work with such magnificent animals and a curse because dogs simply do not live as long as we do.

On your blog you write “You can still be a cop and be a girl.” What advice can you give to young females interested in law enforcement?

If you are serious about becoming a police officer then do it. Do not let anyone tell you can’t, or you shouldn’t, or that you’re too short or too small. You will know, deep within that secret part of yourself, if you are right for the job.

We hear that you’re wrapping up your first novel. Will this book be based at all on your experience on the force?

Ah, yes. The novel. Familiarity with the inner workings of a police agency definitely helped the plot, but all I’m going to say for now is the first and second drafts are complete, and I’m currently working my way through the final edit, which is taking forever, before I start sending queries to prospective agents. It’s in the mystery/crime-fiction/thriller/suspense genre.

We’ve exchanged emails about female tactical pants (or, rather, lack thereof). Can you describe the perfect tactical pant for you?

The women’s 5.11 EMS pant with the following modifications (I wish!):

• Raise the waist line by about an inch (or two) to accommodate a police duty belt.
• Put BDU style pockets on the backside.
• BDU style cargo pockets instead of EMS style cargo pockets on the legs.
• Offered in 32″, 33″ and 34″ inseams.

These pants fit like a dream—they are slimmer in the waist, so they don’t gap in the back, they are slightly tapered at the knee and slightly flared at the ankle so they are flattering on just about every figure.

They are also very functional—built in knee pads and triple stitched at stress points. The only issue for a police officer is the pants are only offered in a low rise. This is great if all you have to do is carry your gun in a hidden/plain-clothes holster, but they do not fit a general duty/patrol belt.

Now that Sandra shared her views on blogging as an official LEO, tell us what you think. Should police officers be encouraged to blog officially for their departments? Do you know of any other “official” police blogs out there that you enjoy reading?

We all make on-the-job blunders. But when that oh-no moment occurs and the cameras are rolling—that’s the real mistake. Witness more than a dozen law enforcement officers have that similar stomach-dropping experience, especially when they discover someone is watching.

1. The Dancing Cop – You know you’ve done it to … just when you think nobody’s watching.

2. Where’d the Bad Guys Go? – These thieves almost get caught, but the key word here is *almost*. UPDATE: Scratch that. We hear this footage is actually from a movie. What a relief!

3. Boo! – We guess this trick would scare the bejesus out of anyone—even a law enforcement officer.

4. Police Bust Fail – Just like they say, nothing beats a rookie’s first day.

5. Insane Parking Job – There’s not much a cop can do when in pursuit of speed racer.

6. Cop vs. Cop – This really is no laughing matter though nobody was seriously injured.

7. Gun Pro – Ah, an infamous video with those ironic last words: “I’m the only one in the room professional enough that I know of to carry this Glock.”

8. Parking Break Fail – Instead of hunting down criminals, this cop is chasing after his patrol car. Warning: This has NSFW language.

9. Cat vs. Cop – We don’t know who deserves more sympathy—the annoyed cop or the needy kitty.

10. The Jogger – If you escape from prison and tell a cop you’re just out for a run, clearly you’re a criminal mastermind.

11. Dog vs. Cop Car – We posted this one a few weeks ago and obviously cannot get enough.

12. The Nonchalant Car Thief – Never assume that someone won’t steal something just because a cop is standing nearby.

13. Bike Cop – This one borders on pathetic. Sorry!

Did we leave one out? Share your favorite links to other police bloopers in the comments section.