About Author

Meet Rick Anderson, a seasoned law enforcement veteran who retired after an impressive 35-year career, including 27 years as a S.W.A.T. operator, Team Leader, and Senior Team Sergeant. Rick’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his educational pursuits, holding a B.S. in Organizational Leadership and working towards an M.S. in the same field.

Since retirement, Rick has conducted Leadership and Safety consultations on leadership development, situational awareness, risk management, safety and security, team building, and Performance improvement. Rick is married to a Family Practice Doctor, has two grown daughters, and loves to travel the world and experience what it has to offer.

  • Concealed Carry: Knowing the Responsibilities and Consequences – Part Two

    Concealed Carry: Knowing the Responsibilities and Consequences – Part Two

    I hope you find Part Two of Concealed Carry: Knowing the Responsibilities and Consequences a good and important read. Training and knowledge make us all safer.

  • Staying Safe in Public Spaces During Uncertain Times

    Staying Safe in Public Spaces During Uncertain Times

    By Sgt. (Ret) Rick Anderson During my 35 years in law enforcement, I spent decades teaching officer safety and survival. I drove the “be situationally aware” train all the time. So I’m going to take one more drive here.  Situational awareness isn’t just for police officers; it’s for everyone, young and old. It’s a mindset…

  • Resilience is not creating neat little boxes and locking them away!

    Resilience is not creating neat little boxes and locking them away!

    By Rick Anderson, MScOL Recently, I had the distinct honor to speak with a former Special Forces member whom I have known for only a short period of time after being introduced by a buddy of mine. Our conversation was raw, it was real, and it was authentic. As a result, it had a profound…

  • How Situational Awareness and Curiosity Work Together to Keep Officers Safe

    How Situational Awareness and Curiosity Work Together to Keep Officers Safe

    By Sgt Rick Anderson (ret), MScOL In the ever-evolving landscape of law enforcement, two often-underestimated traits can make the difference between life and death: situational awareness and curiosity. While the former is widely taught and emphasized in police training, the latter, curiosity, is rarely acknowledged as the powerful tactical asset it truly is. But when…

  • Incorporating OPSEC into Personal Safety: A Guide for a Safer You

    Incorporating OPSEC into Personal Safety: A Guide for a Safer You

    By Rick Anderson When we think about personal safety, we often think of situational awareness, self-defense skills, and emergency preparedness. However, a crucial concept civilians can integrate into their safety strategy is the practice of Operational Security (OPSEC). Originally developed by the military to protect sensitive information related to military activities and operations, OPSEC principles…

  • Facing Cancer with Strength: Unleashing Your Warface

    Facing Cancer with Strength: Unleashing Your Warface

    Dedicated to my amazing daughter, Sara, whose courage and resilience inspire me every day. When life throws its toughest challenges at you, like the terrifying diagnosis of cancer, it can feel as though the world has stopped spinning. Fear, uncertainty, and helplessness can grip your heart. But in moments like these, where the weight of…

  • Intellectual Dishonesty: The slippery Slope to Insanity

    Intellectual Dishonesty: The slippery Slope to Insanity

    If you are like me, your brain is probably starting to hurt with everything going on today. So, I just had to address some of the insanity and intellectually dishonest people throwing out rhetoric lately to gain political and personal relevance. Regardless of where you stand politically, this transcends politics and must be said.

  • Mastering the Basics: The Key to Improved Officer Safety

    Mastering the Basics: The Key to Improved Officer Safety

    In law enforcement, officer safety is of paramount concern, and rightfully so. Officers face a myriad of potential threats each day, ranging from unknown-risk traffic stops to high-stakes confrontations with armed and violent suspects.  I do not believe, and I always teach, that there is no such thing as “routine” in traffic stops or any…

  • Police Brutality: I Do Not Think That Means What You Think It Means!

    Police Brutality: I Do Not Think That Means What You Think It Means!

    Over the last few weeks, I have noted the issue of “police brutality” again making headlines. So, I decided it was time to have a difficult conversation. I am sure many may not like what I have to say, but that is what makes it a difficult conversation. I hope you enjoy the read and…

  • Colorado HB24-1372: Protecting Suspects since 2024

    Colorado HB24-1372: Protecting Suspects since 2024

    This is an important read that follows on the heals of Police Chief Chris Noeller’s article on Colorado HB24-1372. I wrote this follow-up to help support Chief Noeller’s attempt to make everyone aware of this threat and how dangerous it is. Please read, and pass on to as many people as possible, its that important!

  • One of Life’s Hold My Beer Moments

    One of Life’s Hold My Beer Moments

    I posted this in my Linkedin because I thought it would bring a smile to some and I am now putting it into my blog because I think it is blog worthy, so I hope you enjoy the read. Have you ever had one of those moments when you are proud, embarrassingly amused, and sorry…