EPISODE 24

 PROBLEM SOLVING AND TACTICS DEVELOPMENT

Sep 1, 2018 | Podcast

dr vivian

Tactics is chess, not checkers

What is a tactic? How do we come up with them? The word tactical is one of those buzzwords we throw around, but what does it all mean? We are going to talk about how people apply creativity and problem solving to coming up with a list of solutions to situations we face in our professions. That involves several layers: We have to come up with ideas, we have to test them, we have to make sure they are grounded in reality, and ultimately it takes a team of people to make this process work. How do we go from “bar-napkin idea,” to “the way we do business?”

The Ground Truth: The Untold Story of America Under Attack on 9/11

Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. 

Intro music credit Bensound.com

CLICK BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE NOW ON YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! PLEASE GO CHECK THEM OUT

Recent Episodes

Guardians and Warriors: What type of Cop are you?

Guardians and Warriors: What type of Cop are you?

Let’s talk through common policing archetypes—Guardian, Warrior, Enforcer, Crime Fighter, Cynic, Power Seeker, and Pragmatist—not as fixed identities, but as adaptive responses to situational demands. The central argument is simple but challenging: effective policing requires the ability to shift modes deliberately. Leaders must know when to assert force, when to prioritize consent, and when to lean on others to stay grounded. This episode is a call for self-awareness, professional maturity, and dynamic leadership—not slogans, costumes, or rigid identities.

Don’t stand in front of cars! And other Pet Peeves

Don’t stand in front of cars! And other Pet Peeves

Mike talks about tensions such as balancing officer safety with legal justification, the false tradeoff between sound tactics and the pursuit of a “perfect” plan, and how communication quirks can undermine clarity under stress. The discussion also covers practical issues in arresting and searching people, along with how over-technical language or “sounding like a nerd” can erode rapport, credibility, and command presence in the field.

0 Comments