February 2026: Contemporary Issues in Policing

Today’s policing environment demands agility and innovation as agencies confront increasingly complex criminal, technological, and social challenges. This issue examines strategies for addressing cross-border crime, combating technology-facilitated child exploitation, protecting vulnerable populations, and understanding the psychology behind investment romance scams—critical insights for leaders shaping the future of law enforcement. 

Articles

• Cross-Border Crime Demands Cross-Border Reach

  By Bill Brooks, Chief (Ret.), Norwood Police Department, Massachusetts; Ray Guidetti, Deputy Superintendent (Ret.), New Jersey State Police; and Pete Gagliardi, Special Agent in Charge (Ret.), New York Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
  Imagine a crime scene where a fired bullet or cartridge case could unlock the entire story, linking a local homicide to a drug cartel across the border or even tying together a transnational network o...

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• Reclaiming Digital Spaces for Child Safety

  By Eileen Dong, Former United Nations Global Goals Ambassador; Executive Director, Hope Pyx Global
  As digital platforms, artificial intelligence (AI), and encrypted networks become increasingly embedded in everyday life, they have also emerged as powerful tools in the hands of human traffickers, ex...

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• Inclusive Policing Through Innovation

  By Amy Holmes, Trauma Prevention Coordinator, and Tracy Swan, Public Safety Reform Strategist, Community Justice Unit, Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey
  The sirens wail, and a blue-and-red flash fills the rearview mirror. For most drivers, a traffic stop is routine. For someone with autism, it can be a storm of confusion, anxiety, and misinterpreted s...

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• The Psychology of Investment-Romance Scams

  By Priscilla Oh, Police Psychology Research Analyst; Tan Wei Liang, Forensic Psychologist; Carolyn Misir, Principal Psychologist, Police Psychological Services Department; and Jansen Ang, PhD, Chief Psychologist, Singapore Police Force
  Investment scams are deceptive practices that attempt to persuade individuals to invest using false or misleading information. Victims are often e...

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