As 2025 comes to a close, I had the privilege of teaching the Developing and Managing Informants class at the Arlington Heights Police Department. Standing in front of a room filled with patrol officers, detectives, and tactical team members from twenty Chicagoland...

Recently, over lunch, Bobby Byrnes and I got to talking about our careers, both starting as police officers in the early 1990’s.  We had 25 years plus of teaching together and also worked on many cases from investigation to prosecution-murders, cartel level drug...

Effective policing in the United States depends not only on the professionalism of individual officers but also on the systems that guide their actions. Among the most important of these systems are comprehensive training programs and regularly updated high‑risk...

After filming an episode of Wearing the Badge, Garry McCarthy , Robert Toerpe , Brian Strockis and I sat down for dinner. What started as a casual conversation quickly turned into something far more meaningful. We began talking about the one factor that consistently...

Explore how facial recognition and surveillance technology are solving Chicago’s most violent crimes and why new Illinois legislation seeking to ban these biometric tools could jeopardize public safety and justice for victims.

In the realm of public safety and crime prevention, few technologies have sparked as much debate as ShotSpotter. Critics often focus on its cost and efficiency, but the most crucial aspect remains underreported: ShotSpotter saves lives.

View Police training as an investment rather than an expense, you can help build stronger, more resilient law enforcement agencies that are equipped to meet the evolving needs of your community.

At McCarthy Byrnes, our team of subject matter experts specializes in conducting comprehensive assessments to unlock the full potential of police departments across the nation.

In today’s competitive landscape, law enforcement agencies face significant challenges in recruiting and retaining top talent. At McCarthy Byrnes, we understand the critical importance of attracting skilled professionals and fostering a culture of retention within police departments.

In the realm of law enforcement, the importance of police leaders and supervisors cannot be overstated. They are not just administrators; they are the guardians of their officers’ well-being, both physical and mental. In recent times, as the spotlight on mental health grows brighter, it’s imperative for these leaders to step up efforts to implement comprehensive wellness programs, addressing the unique stressors faced by police officers