The Most Dangerous Era In Policing
As a trainer and consultant, I’ve been following the line-of-duty death trends for decades, and I’ve noticed something alarming in recent years: felonious deaths and attacks continue to increase as action seems to decrease.
When I say “action,” I mean doing something about it rather than talking. There’s no shortage of organizations and individuals telling us there is a “war against cops,” but what about the resources and the training to address it?
From 2020 to 2024, law enforcement experienced more felonious deaths than any four years in the last 20 years, and 2025 is on pace to be higher than the previous year. That only tells part of the story. In 2024, the profession saw the highest assault rate in the last decade (85,730), and that is with only half of the agencies reporting the data.
When I began teaching, the highest in history was around 60,000, so the rise is dramatic, and no one seems to be discussing how to turn this around.
Why Is It Happening
The answer to the increase is not complicated. In the last decade, law enforcement has seen more reforms than at any time in history, and often, those reforms have made the job more dangerous. Mix in rogue prosecutors and countless cops getting arrested for legal use of force. The recipe is created for a criminal element as violent as ever and a profession that is more worried about the perception of force than surviving their shift.
Of course, I’m speaking in general terms. There are plenty of agencies and officers placing the correct emphasis on officer safety, but if you are in the profession, you know what I’m saying is true, and it’s time to do more.
Seconds For Survival
I know the sentiment in the profession has changed for the worse because I’ve been teaching a seminar on this very topic for over a decade. Seconds For Survival instructs attendees on the concept of “pre-incident” indicators to help officers react before an attack occurs. I learned these concepts in the academy, but that was 1993, and today, many cops are telling me they have never heard of it. I used to shake my head when I heard that, but with the level of tragedy we are seeing, it’s time to do more.
The Next Evolution
I’ve been in discussions with a team of esteemed trainers and experts in recent months, and while I can’t yet share what is coming, I’ll tell you this…Within a few months, we will be presenting the training and resources that will bring this profession back to a safety-first mindset.
It will be available to everyone, and it will be the most comprehensive training program available on the topic.
Leadership
My passion is leadership, and leadership has failed our profession in multiple areas. But more importantly, they have failed in the most critical area…safety. While there are many taking this seriously, it is not at critical mass and certainly not at a level that prevents records from being broken…in the wrong direction.
I will keep you informed here, but until then, you can see upcoming dates of Seconds For Survival here.
Dr. Travis Yates retired as a commander with a large municipal police department after 30 years of service. He is the 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 with a Doctorate Degree in Strategic Leadership and the CEO of the Courageous Police Leadership Alliance.
We are seeing criminals act with impunity. Years ago, dumping water on NYPD. This week, Police Law News reposted a video of San Francisco cops being attacked in their car by a pedestrian. As per usual, this post by Dr. Travis Yates was right on the money.
i fear it will only get worse. Institutional amnesia is real.
the reality is over the next 3-5 years we, as a country, are facing an unprecedented level of attrition as cops hired in late 90s- early 00s with COPS grants retire.
additionally, agencies are seeing high levels of attrition through voluntary separations. many of these agencies are like J-Lo. in the 90s & early 00s, they had more suitors than they needed and they assumed it didn't matter how many resigned.
perhaps that was the reality then, but today resignations & retirements are skyrocketing while applications are at all time lows. for now its being hidden by politicians by budgeting away open positions --allowing honest, if misleading, statements that they are well staffed.
the rug is getting pulled. as exp retires, and the mid-range ranks get hollow, you'll see a natural increase in LODDs, serious injuries, and unnecessary critical incidents.
agencies that address the issue soonest will be best positioned but I think nationwide itll sting.