The Ketamine Debate You Can’t Ignore

Good Morning! It’s February 16, 2025.

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🗓️ Inside This Issue: What You Need to Know

• Last Week in Policing: Key takeaways (Feb 10–16, 2025)

• Legal Update: TN court upholds plain smell as probable cause

• EMS & Ketamine: Who’s in charge when sedation is used?

• Leadership Mindset: Stepping up when no supervisor is on duty

Check out Eric Tung’s new Newsletter
Blue Grit Newsletter

 📚 Weekly Law Enforcement Recap
(February 10th - 16th, 2025)

👮‍♂️ Weekly line of duty deaths: 0 | Yearly Line of Duty Death Total: 8

🕵️ NYPD Commissioner’s Twin Impersonates Him – Former NYPD top cop Edward Caban’s twin allegedly posed as him to shield nightclubs from investigations, triggering a federal corruption probe. Read More

💰 Florida Governor Pushes Major Pay Raises for Law Enforcement – Gov. Ron DeSantis proposes up to a 25% salary increase for officers and firefighters, strengthening state support for first responders. Read More

🚁 Congress Introduces Bill to Expand Police Drone Funding – The DRONE Act of 2025 aims to boost federal funding for law enforcement drone programs to enhance public safety and emergency response. Read More

🛑 CHP Cracks Down on Retail Theft – $13M in stolen goods recovered, 1,400+ arrests in 2024. Read More

📊 Data Sharing is Key – 89% of officers focus on investigations (up from 37% in 2019). Read More

🔐 Cybersecurity Threats on the Rise – 2025 Public Safety Report calls for better tech solutions. Read More

🏛 Legal Update: State v. Jones (Tenn. Crim.App. 2025)
Can Smell Alone Can Be Probable Cause?

Key Takeaway: The plain smell of marijuana can still establish probable cause, even if the officer can’t visually distinguish hemp from marijuana.

Case Summary:

• An officer stopped a driver asleep at an intersection, citing community caretaking.

• Upon approaching the car, the officer smelled marijuana and conducted a search.

• The defendant argued that since hemp and marijuana smell the same, the officer lacked probable cause.

• The court disagreed—the plain smell doctrine still applies.

Why It Matters:

• Officers don’t need to visually confirm marijuana—plain smell can justify a search.

• Community caretaking stops can lead to lawful searches if other factors establish probable cause.

CYA Tip: If a stop is based on odor alone, document everything—driver behavior, additional observations, and officer experience with drug detection.

Disclaimer: This ruling is from the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and applies only in Tennessee. Other jurisdictions may have different rulings on the plain smell doctrine.

🗳 Working closely with EMS
🛑 EMS, Ketamine & Your Role as an Officer

❓Who's in Charge When EMS Administers Ketamine?
You control the scene—until a medical emergency arises. Then, it's shared responsibility.

Why It Matters:

• 94 deaths linked to sedative use during police interactions (2012-2021)

• Reports of officers pressuring EMS to administer ketamine—raising legal & ethical concerns

⚠ Critical Safety Considerations:

🚨 Face-down restraint + sedation = higher respiratory risk
🚨 Ketamine slows breathing—especially w/ drugs, alcohol, or physical struggle

👮 Best Practices for Officers:

✔ Secure the scene while EMS handles medical care
✔ Document everything—body cam rolling, detailed reports
✔ Watch for distress signs post-sedation
✔ Call for backup if needed

💡 Pro Tip: Build strong ties with local EMS teams. Trust = Better Outcomes.

For Leadership:

• Set clear protocols for ketamine-related calls

• Host joint training for officers & EMS

• Define command roles to avoid confusion

 Bottom Line: Once ketamine is involved, EMS leads medical care—you ensure safety & documentation.

 CYA Corner: Does your department have a ketamine policy? If not—push for one.

 💪🏽 Training
The Leadership Mindset

In many departments, there’s no supervisor on duty—which means YOU step up.

💡 Leadership isn’t about rank—it’s about mindset.

✔ Great cops develop leadership skills early—not after a promotion
✔ Tactical awareness, decision-making, and scene control matter at every rank
✔ A strong command presence + clear communication keeps chaos under control
✔ Knowing department policies makes you a more confident, effective leader

Preparation is Key:

🔹 Know your team – Who’s best at de-escalation? Tactics? Plan ahead.
🔹 Train beyond the basics – Prep for active shooters, barricades, and major incidents before they happen.
🔹 Communicate with confidence – No sergeant on scene? People look to you for leadership.
🔹 Own your development – Leadership is built, not given.

👉 Listen to our podcast for deeper insights on building a leadership mindset.

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