Gordon Graham
Category: Public Safety

Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is useful for my friends in every segment of public safety. I want to discuss the importance of using special units and resources when you have them. 

Specially trained individuals and teams come with tools, equipment, skills, and knowledge to apply.

Sometimes there are those situations we face that are custom made for a special resource. Many of our agencies have individuals and teams that are uniquely qualified for situations requiring a specialized or elevated response. 

It can be challenging, if not impossible, for all of us to be experts who are proficient at everything. 

Specially trained individuals and teams come with tools, equipment, skills, and knowledge to apply. Utilizing special resources can raise the probability of successful outcomes for these out of the ordinary situations.  

Understanding their capabilities is important when requesting or utilizing a special resource.  

These special resources can take on many shapes and sizes. For my law enforcement friends, the resource may be anything from a drug recognition expert, or trained negotiator, to a fully equipped and staffed tactical team.  

The fire service may use a special apparatus, or team, for battling a specific type of fire. They may also utilize any air resources they have available to minimize the risk of those on the ground.   

Those in a custody setting may need to request the use of an extraction team, or they may utilize a less-lethal resource to manage an unruly situation.   

I’m sure you don’t call the plumber when you need your refrigerator fixed. Applying the right solution and the correct tools, in each of our disciplines, makes it that much more efficient and safer for all of us.   

Special resources. Use ‘em if you got ‘em!  

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Gordon Graham signing off.