Michael Burgess

Sound familiar? Every police officer knows the frustration of responding to the same problems over and over again. We handle the call, address the immediate issue, and move on. But before long, we’re right back dealing with the same thing. What if we could break that cycle? That’s where the SARA Model comes in. SARA (Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment) is a proven problem-solving approach that helps law enforcement identify recurring problems, understand what’s causing them, develop...

My Latest Article Published in American Police Beat I'm pleased to share that my latest article, Every Great Sports Team Has a Playbook: Shouldn't Every Police Department?, has been published in the American Police Beat publication. In law enforcement, we spend a tremendous amount of time responding to calls for service, investigating incidents, and addressing problems as they arise. While these responsibilities are essential, they often leave little time to step back and consider whether...

1. The Problem Isn’t Always What It Appears to Be The same downtown block generates another complaint. Officers respond, outreach workers offer assistance, and a cleanup addresses the immediate conditions. A few days later, many of the same concerns return. Residents and businesses are frustrated, municipal leaders face pressure to act, and police find themselves responding to a problem that never seems fully resolved. After 24 years in law enforcement, I understand that frustration. I've...