Police Tactics

Tactics

Trainin

Sunday, May 23, 2004

Over Committing

This is an issue that should be talked about more. Over committing is when an officer goes to far into a situation for which he or she is not prepared.

An example would be when the officer is the first to arrive at a domestic and, instead of waiting for more assistance, the officer goes inside, lets the door shut behind him or her, and moves into an area of the dwelling where retreat is not readily available.

Over committing is when an officer makes an MV stop and orders all four occupants to exit the car with no other officers present.

Over committing is when an officer is alone and goes out with a subject who has a warrant and signals an intention to arrest without having backup on the scene or close.

For every call, for every investigative detention, for every MV stop, the words "Do not over commit" should be floating around every officer's head.

Sunday, May 9, 2004

HANDCUFF UM ALREADY!

The television show COPS is an excellent training tool for both what to do and what not to do.

It is mind boggling that in this day and age we still search people who are under arrest before handcuffing them. As soon as arrest PC rears its head, the cuffs should go on immediately.

More importantly, the United States Supreme Court has upheld law officers handcuffing persons during investigative detentions even when they are not under arrest when the officer can articulate why he or she felt there was a danger.

This should be used! If you are getting the slightest bad vibe from a suspect, put him or her in handcuffs, then conduct the frisk or search.

Once a suspect is in handcuffs, the risk of injury to officers significantly decreases.

CUFF UM ALREADY!

Of course, all officers are subject to the rules of their agency, district

attorney or prosecutor, State, Attorney General and other sources of law. All

should be checked prior to following any outside advice or recommendations.

Sunday, April 18, 2004

Stopping Motorcycles

You have probably seen reality law enforcement programs on television where a motorcycle is stopped by an officer, and as the officer approaches, the motorcycle speeds off from the stop.

Here is a technique that can help you avoid getting duped in a situation like this.

After executing the stop, order the rider to turn off his bike, remove his helmet, and stand next to the motorcycle. You might need to do this over the PA system so he or she can hear you.

Do this from inside your patrol car. After he complies, then make the approach.

Wednesday, April 7, 2004

Fill in the Gaps

Your radio crackles. One of your fellow officers is going out with a suspicious subject. You respond to assist. Where should you position yourself?

Often, the second officer to arrive approaches and stands right next to the first officer. Minutes later a third officer responds. He or she then stands next to the first two. Additional officers respond, and the shoulder to shoulder action continues.

Too often the above scenario is the case.

When a second officer arrives, he or she take a position directly behind the suspect. This way, the most obvious path of flight is now blocked. If a third officer responds, he or she should take a position to the left or the right of the suspect. The other two officer should re-position themselves, so they are forming a triangle around the suspect. With each responding officer filling in an empty gap, the chances of flight significantly reduce.

When responding to back up a fellow officer, FILL IN THE GAP!

Sunday, March 21, 2004

Passenger Side Approach

Using the passenger side approach of a stopped vehicle is something we all know about but rarely employ. You shouldn't use it just for high-risk situations. As with everything else, it is necessary to practice and be familiar with this technique as there are new considerations. For example, when making such an approach in an area where there is a curb, you don't want to stand on the roadway between the passenger door and the curb. You should stand on top of the curb. Otherwise, if the passenger door suddenly opens, you would be pushed back and could trip over the curb. The same applies with a drainage ditch.

To become more familiar with this technique, use a passenger side approach on a more frequent basis when circumstances allow. Use this approach every other stop for the next few weeks until you are completely comfortable with it. After that, use it every fifth stop to maintain your familiarity.

Sunday, March 14, 2004

Training

Realistic scenario training is the most effective method of training for law officers new and old.

More and more agencies that utilize scenario training are inserting Simunition rounds into the program. These are non-lethal rounds that can be used in actual service weapons (after they are temporarily converted to avoid inadvertent loading of real ammunition) so scenario participants face the actual danger of getting hit. After being fired, the cartridges leave a detergent-based, water soluble inert color mark to denote hits.

The possibility of being struck changes the whole feeling of scenario training. The result, hopefully, is a better trained officer.

Click here to visit the website for Simunition.

Note: No agency or officer should begin using Simunition until receiving complete training in all aspects of the rounds, conversion of weapons, and all other related areas. Consult the manufacturer.

Sunday, March 7, 2004

MV Stops

On occasion, you walk up on a car you have stopped, you immediately get a feeling that something is wrong. Sometimes it is best not to reveal your hand until you have backup. However, you want to maintain control over the situation.

A good tactic and bluff would be to tell the occupants (before returning to your car) "Okay, my partner is going to write you out a warning. He'll be with you in a second." Here, you suggest that a second officer is already present. This technique works best at night when their visibility is limited.

Monday, March 1, 2004

Tools

The tool you carry that is usually made by Peerless or Smith and Wesson is as important as any other you carry. You should carry two sets, and they should be well-oiled and in good condition.

There is a second tool you carry that opens this Peerless or Smith and Wesson product. You should have at least one or two extra of this tool on your person in case a situation arises where this Peerless or Smith and Wesson product is ever be used on you. If you carry two of this other object, keep one in your back pocket and one somewhere on the front of your belt or in your breast pocket.

Sunday, February 22, 2004

Handling Bank Alarms - Send them out to us...

Bank alarms are the bane of those trying to enjoy an otherwise pleasant dayshift. While most are set off in error, ALL have to be treated as the real thing.

When a bank alarm comes in, the OIC should instruct the dispatcher to first call the bank and ask if everything is okay. Many agencies will ask the bank employee for a previously given code which would indicate that there is no problem. Use caution with this practice as, more often than not, the employees are not properly trained and do not know the code.

If this checks out, officers should pull up out of the view of the bank's windows. The OIC should have the dispatcher direct the bank employee to walk out to the location of the patrol car. If the bank employee seems okay, the officers should first try and assess the situation inside through the windows. If everything still seems okay, officers should escort the bank employee back inside and make their own determination.

There is no reason that officers should blindly walk into a bank upon responding to a bank alarm. Pre-designated meeting areas should also be avoided as they are too difficult to remember for officers who work in towns with many banks, and if the bank employees weren't properly trained in the designated area, their walking out to the wrong location could send false alarms.

Obviously, the rules and procedures of your agency supercede anything written here.

March 1, 2004

MV Stops at Night

When effecting nighttime motor vehicle stops, upon approaching the stopped vehicle, start making a habit of always asking the driver to turn on the interior light. This serves several purposes. First, it illuminates the vehicle interior for you observation. Second, should the driver come out of the car for any reason, he or she will have reduced night vision which always occurs when someone goes from a well-lit environment to a dark environment.

February, 2004

Patrol

A good place to store you hat is above the passenger seat against the cage. If situated correctly, from the vantage point of a stopped vehicle, it will appear as if the hat is the head of a second officer.

February, 2004

Handling Calls

When handling calls involving any type of dispute, it is advisable to separate the parties. However, when this is done, it should be done in a way where the officers on the scene still have each other in sight.

February, 2004

MV Stops

If you seek to remove the driver from a stopped vehicle containing multiple occupants, always request additional officers. The number of officers outside the car should always be greater than the number of occupants inside the car.