As some police officers and their agencies try and figure out how to handle changes regarding the law and criminal penalties for low-level drug possession, many others in public safety have turned into unabashed and extremely vocal critics of American drug policy. One such critic is Terry Nelson – a man whose resume leaves little doubt that he knows something about the subjects of narcotics and public safety. Terry Nelson worked in law enforcement for more than 30 years, serving in the U.S. Border Patrol, the U.S. Customs Service, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Local governments all across America are caught in a budget squeeze and looking for something - or someone - to blame. They look for a villain, instead of having an honest conversation with taxpayers about the realities of a weak economy, the impact of a mortgage crisis, and skyrocketing demands for services without revenue streams to pay the costs. On top of our natural disasters, many municipal governments carry the weight of bad decisions made by elected officials whose primary sources of information are their own, often-weak staff. Those who want to roll back the clock on our pensions and benefits have us in their sights and are firing away.

As a young California Highway Patrolman, Joe David never imagined that he would soon be at the forefront of the war on drugs. Nearly 20 years after developing the groundbreaking Desert Snow program, David is considered the leading force in highway interdiction. Just recently, David and his team of experts teamed up with the Pennsylvania National Guard's Northeast Counterdrug Training Center (NCTC) as they rolled into Willow Grove NAS to bring the Desert Snow course to law enforcement agencies from across the country.

It's happened 42 times in the history of Phoenix and it cannot be forgotten. Our first brother fell on February 5, 1925; the last one was on September 18, 2007. We have lost 33 police officers and nine firefighters. The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) and the City have partnered to erect historical markers at or near the locations where Phoenix officers and firefighters have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Facing dramatic shortfalls in tax revenue, cities and counties across the nation are struggling to fund programs including public safety. One of the major factors aggravating the situation is the high cost of gasoline, and law enforcement agencies are looking for ways to reduce the quantity of gas used by cruisers and other vehicles in their fleets. With the cost of gallon now at $4 and quickly escalating to possibly $8 by the end of the year, chiefs and sheriffs are considering some alternatives, although none, on their own, will solve the problems.

It's rare that one person can accomplish change for the greater good on their own. But every once in a while one individual is so courageous that they touch the lives of those around them in ways they don't even realize, enlightening others, providing strength, and renewing our sense of purpose and community. On the night of March 2, 2008, I got a call from PBA President John Rivera that a Miami-Dade officer had been shot, was in critical condition, and that he was on the way to Ryder Trauma Center.

The Mesa Police Association (MPA) has a genuine concern for both Mesa police officers and the public's safety as the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office threatened to enter in the City of Mesa. The Association's distress stems from the dangerous atmosphere created by the Sheriff's publicity of his police operations. "Mesa officers and our citizen's safety are in danger," stated Sgt. Fabian Cota, president of the MPA.

Police officers today have a much more difficult mission than they've had in past decades. Or perhaps it has only become apparent since the devastating attacks of 9-11 – an event that brought about changes unheard of prior to the disaster in New York City. It not only introduced everyday citizens to the concept of international terrorism, but also caused our law enforcement agencies to focus on domestic terrorist groups that are here in the United States.

Twenty-three states presently employ red light cameras, to the dismay of many motorists who have received traffic tickets in the mail. This program, according to the states who participate, is aimed at reducing safety problems at urban and rural intersections. An added advantage, they say, is that the cameras produce monetary gain for the cities and towns. Of the states who have bought the cameras, 23 are facing class-action law suits filed that questions the benefits of the program.

If you were to ask your friends, relatives or co-workers the question, "What do you think defines a persons' success?" you would receive a myriad of responses. But almost inevitably, there will be reference to financial achievements and personal wealth as well as reference to the level of position risen to within an organization. How many times have you heard someone being described as a "highly successful business person" solely on the amount of personal wealth they've acquired?