The Department of Homeland Security recently announced major policy changes around worksite immigration enforcement. Senior Policy Analyst Michele Waslin of the Immigration Policy Center (IPC) issued the following statement: “IPC is encouraged by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to refocus its worksite enforcement on those employers who are exploiting the broken immigration system. This is a good first step in realigning enforcement priorities.

In Dallas, Texas, the $10,000 recruiting bonuses for incoming police officers could be coming to an end as the city tries to find ways to make up a budget shortfall. Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle says the bonuses may no longer be necessary, saying that the applicant pool is the largest since the 1980s. "We don't think it will affect our ability to recruit additional police officers," Kunkle told the Dallas Morning News recently.

Mug Shots: An Archive of the Famous, Infamous, and Most Wanted by Raynal Pellicer includes over 250 mug shots of some of the most infamous suspects in modern history, from mafia bosses and cold-blooded killers, to spies and prominent political activists. At the end of the 19th century, French law enforcement officer Alphonse Bertillon created the first police laboratory for the scientific identification of criminals and developed the “anthropometric photo,” with which the accused were inventoried by their measurements and physical markings.

A USA Today article recently pointed out that a new study claims that one in ten kids who play video games are probably psychologically addicted to what is commonly referred to as “gaming.” Another activity that might just be habit forming is police impersonation. Some folks just can’t seem to get that cop monkey off their back. An Elmhurst, Illinois man claiming to be a lawyer and private investigator with a history of impersonating police was arrested recently and charged with impersonating an officer, according to Chicago police. It’s his second such arrest in a one-month period.

As we continue on in our personal career path, it’s important for each of us to remember to keep the “spirit of a good police officer” in mind. This mantra is something I have followed during my 16 years on the job.  Before I was elected president of my local FOP Lodge, I worked third shift, 11 precinct “C” company, in a very busy area in the inner city of Columbus, Ohio. I always started my shift by going over several things in my head, no matter what bad news came down: from the administration above; that the division of police may have delivered more policies/procedures to follow etc.; or gossip among the sarge and other coppers.