As we Launch Into a New Year

I don’t often get called upon to write the Editor’s Log for Law Enforcement Technology, but I have the unique honor of doing it for our January issue. As we launch into a new year—most of us with changes planned and travel coming up (can anyone say SHOT Show?)—those of us who organize and create this publication are looking at a new year with some serious change in the works. We here at LET mark the end of an almost decade long era; the era of having Sara Scullin as our Editor.

Of course, change is inevitable. We have to embrace it and use it as motivation, but that doesn’t mean we always welcome it at first. At first, change can be challenging and worrisome. Believe me when I tell you that Sara’s departure for a greater professional challenge was both challenging and worrisome. She’d been the editor for so long that “doing the job” was almost second nature for her and the little things that make magazine publishing easier are the very things others on the team might forget or overlook. I’d like to thank and commend Sara for having done such a great job over the years, and for delivering us into a situation where we can continue to deliver this publication without pulling our collective hair out (too much). Until we get a new editor on board, we’ll do our best to keep LET timely, relevant and of interest to (as well as entertaining for) our readership.

As we move into 2017, the law enforcement community looks back on a rough year. Felonious violent attacks on our brothers and sisters behind the badge are up. There is a segment of our society that seems empowered to literally hunt law enforcement professionals whether it is by outright attack, ambush attacks or lethal resistance to enforcement efforts. It adds insult to injury that these attacks sometimes occur at or near events where we are protecting those who protest our presence or how we do our job.

LET will continue to bring you columns and information that supports you in the professional performance of our duties. Our personnel will attend the major tradeshows and stay aware of the on-going performance evolution that encompasses policy, protocol, operational standards and more. We are dedicated to doing what we can to insure an informed officer/deputy goes home at the end of each shift, uninjured—mentally, emotionally or physically. We fully support and appreciate our law enforcement professionals nationwide and look forward to any feedback you might have on how we can improve our periodical to better serve your information needs.

Stay safe, brothers and sisters. Move into 2017 with a renewed conviction to deliver professional services in a safe manner.