NPA Report with Guest, Scott Hughes, Chief of Police, Instructor, Expert, Consultant
Sgt. Betsy Smith welcomes back Chief Scott Hughes for a wide-ranging conversation on officer safety. Together, they unpack the risks that are rising (including ambushes) and why fundamentals like seatbelts, vests, and continuous training still matter, especially in an era of short staffing, reduced proactive policing, and heightened scrutiny of law enforcement.
What they cover
1) “Fundamentals win”: the basics that save lives
Chief Hughes and Sgt. Smith return to simple fundamentals:
- Seatbelts (always, not just “on the way to a hot call”)
- Speed discipline and response-mode decision-making
- Body armor/vests
- Tactical repetition: handcuffing, self-defense, and scenario training that reflects reality
2) Cars, crashes, and survivability
They discuss how modern vehicle technology may contribute to better survivability:
- Collision alerts and lane-drift warnings
- Airbags and improved vehicle safety features
At the same time, they warn that driving “lights-and-sirens” too fast to calls that don’t warrant it can create dangerous habits over time.
3) Tactical medicine: tourniquets, kits, and new expectations
Sgt. Smith contrasts earlier generations of policing—when officers were discouraged from using tourniquets—with today’s norm:
- Tourniquets commonly carried on belts
- Patrol medical kits becoming standard
- A more urgent mindset: render aid immediately, and in some cases transport a wounded officer directly rather than waiting for EMS
4) Training from the internet: body cam footage as a “rolling classroom”
They talk about how modern officers learn from:
- Body camera, dash cam, and surveillance video
- YouTube/Rumble as informal training libraries
- Roll call discussions: “What would I do? What would I do differently?”
5) A key mindset change: “Getting shot doesn’t end the fight”
Sgt. Smith notes older scenario training often stopped once someone was “shot,” unintentionally teaching shot = dead.
Chief Hughes describes the updated mindset he teaches: if you’re still alive, keep moving, keep thinking, keep fighting, keep saving lives.
Chief Hughes describes the updated mindset he teaches: if you’re still alive, keep moving, keep thinking, keep fighting, keep saving lives.
6) Using body cams to coach, not just to punish
Chief Hughes describes an internal practice he supports:
- Supervisors regularly reviewing body cam footage
- Using clips to reinforce good tactics (safe approaches, positioning, keeping the weapon hand free, etc.)
- Avoiding “gotcha-only” body cam culture, which undermines learning and trust
7) Proactive policing: uneven recovery and the staffing crisis
They discuss how demonization of police and political pressure contributed to reduced proactive policing and how recovery depends heavily on jurisdiction:
- Some areas remain reluctant due to perceived lack of support (political, administrative, or community)
- Big-city staffing shortages continue to reshape policing
- The downstream impact on communities when proactive policing declines
8) Ambush attacks and “routine” moments that aren’t routine
They discuss a rise in ambush-style attacks and how some tragedies are nearly impossible to “train away,” including being attacked while:
- Eating lunch in a patrol car
- Working traffic details
Their point: some threats don’t come with warning, which makes fundamentals and habits even more important.
9) The training gap: funding, staffing, and personal responsibility
They address a tough reality: agencies often can’t spare officers for training due to staffing and overtime constraints. Their shared message to officers:
- You may need to invest in yourself (range time, defensive tactics, grappling, continuing education)
- If you haven’t practiced critical skills since the academy, those skills may fail you when it counts
Memorable lines
- “If you don’t make it there, you’re no good to anybody.”
- “Your people are the most important thing you’ve got. Without them, you’ve got nothing.”
- “If you’re feeling pain, you’re still alive—so let’s go.” (in the context of fighting through injury)
Links & guest info
