Street survival: tactics for armed encounters

'Key* (^u>art

Street Survival

P r e p a r a t i o n , n o t p a r a n o i a , is t h e n a m e o f t h e g a m e . Deputy Chief R. "Zip"Zbinden Pomona, California shooting survivor

Street Survivel TACTICS for ARMED ENCOUNTERS A? .

II I

1

I

Special Agent

Ronald J . Adams Lieutenant

Thomas M. McTernan Charles Remsberg

C A L I B R E

P R E S S

•

N O R T H B R O O K ,

I L L I N O I S

C o p y r i g h t © 1 9 8 0 by C h a r l e s R e m s b e r g

First Printing: M a r c h , 1 9 8 0 Second Printing: July, 1 9 8 0 T h i r d Printing: D e c e m b e r , 1 9 8 0 F o u r t h Printing: June, 1 9 8 1

All r i g h t s r e s e r v e d . It is a F e d e r a l o f f e n s e t o r e p r o d u c e o r t r a n s m i t t h i s b o o k in a n y f o r m b y a n y m e a n s , e l e c t r o n i c o r m e c h a n i c a l , i n c l u d i n g p h o t o c o p y i n g a n d recording, or by a n y i n f o r m a t i o n storage or retrieval s y s t e m w i t h o u t p e r m i s s i o n in w r i t i n g f r o m t h e p u b l i s h e r . Published by: CALIBRE PRESS, I N C .

6 6 6 D u n d e e Road Suite 1 6 0 7 N o r t h b r o o k , Illinois 6 0 0 6 2 (312) 328-4411

L i b r a r y of C o n g r e s s C a t a l o g C a r d N u m b e r : 7 9 - 5 7 1 9 6 ISBN N u m b e r : 0 - 9 3 5 8 7 8 - 0 0 - 9 The authors, advisors and publisher accept no liability whatsoever for any injuries to person or property resulting from the application or adoption of any of the procedures, tactics or considerations presented or implied in this book. P r i n t e d in t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s of A m e r i c a

CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ix

INTRODUCTION

1

I.

TACTICS FOR SURVIVAL

1. T H E M A N D U S

13

2. C O N F R O N T A T I O N

24

P a t t e r n s of E n c o u n t e r . . . S u s p e c t s W h o A t t i t u d e s . . . T h e S u r v i v a l S t a t e of M i n d

Shoot...Officer

3. APPROACH T O D A N G E R Building Approach...Room Approach...Field gation.. .Traffic Stops.. .Firearms Readiness

45 Interro-

4. L I G H T C O N T R O L

98

B u i l d i n g L i g h t s ... F l a s h l i g h t . . . V e h i c l e L i g h t s ... I m proving Night Vision 5. VERBAL C H A L L E N G E

109

S u s p e c t C o n t r o l ... O f f i c e r I d e n t i f i c a t i o n . . . A p o l o g i e s 6. U S E O F S U R P R I S E

125

Exiting the Kill Z o n e . . . M o v e m e n t Inside the Kill Zone ...Close-up Surprise...Firearm Retention...Disarming ...Practice 7. C O V E R A W A R E N E S S C o v e r and C o n c e a l m e n t ... Evaluating C h o i c e s Changing Cover...Position and Grips...Patrol C a r Cover.. .Penetration Power... " B l o w i n g ' ' Cover

154 ... as

8. S H O O T I N G T E C H N I Q U E S I n s t i n c t S h o o t i n g ... M u l t i p l e A d v e r s a r i e s . . . C e n t e r M a s s . . . R i c o c h e t S h o o t i n g ... M u z z l e F l a s h . . . U n p r e dictable Reactions

190

9. R E L O A D I N G U N D E R FIRE

219

Efficient R e c o v e r y ... R e v o l v e r ... S e m i - A u t o m a t i c Shotgun...Back-up Gun

...

10. FINAL A P P R O A C H

237

D i s a r m i n g ... I n c a p a c i t a t i o n . . . A p p r o a c h P o s i t i o n ... H a n d c u f f i n g . . . S e a r c h i n g f o r F i r e a r m s ... R e m a i n i n g Alert ... Recovering F i r e a r m s ... D e p a r t i n g t h e S c e n e 11. A F T E R - B U R N

283

Passages.. .Self-Help.. .Therapy.. .Helping O t h e r s

II.

BASICS T H A T STRENGTHEN

TACTICS

12. P R O T E C T I V E E Q U I P M E N T

299

B o d y A r m o r ... S e r v i c e H o l s t e r s . . . C r o s s - D r a w H o l sters...Back-up/Off-duty Holsters...Cartridge Carriers ...Leather Care 13. FIREARMS C O N T R O L

319

Basic Safety...Transporting Firearms...Wild Shots... Ammunition Control...Customizing...Handling with Care...Correcting Malfunctions...Home Security 14. C L E A N I N G

370

P r e l i m i n a r i e s ... R e v o l v e r ... S e m i - A u t o m a t i c ... S h o t g u n ... A m m u n i t i o n P r e c a u t i o n s 15. SERVICEABILITY C H E C K LIST

385

R e v o l v e r ... S e m i - A u t o m a t i c ... S h o t g u n ... A N o t e on Dry Firing 16. P H Y S I C A L F I T N E S S

390

Exercises...Sports

viii

ADDITIONAL READING

397

PHOTO CREDITS

400

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

402

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS T h i s b o o k deals w i t h positive tactics officers can employ on the street to effectively use their own f i r e a r m s t o d e f e a t t h o s e of a s s a i l a n t s . It is d e v o t e d exclusively to understanding and mastering techn i q u e s t h a t w o r k for s u r v i v a l i n real life situations— n o t w h a t w o r k s i n r a n g e c o m p e t i t i o n a g a i n s t paper t a r g e t s or w h a t s o m e a c a d e m i c i a n i n a c l a s s r o o m speculates m i g h t w o r k in s o m e h y p o t h e t i c a l encounter. U n f o r t u n a t e l y , m o s t of t h e c u r r e n t l i t e r a t u r e on so-called " c o m b a t s h o o t i n g " falls into t h e s e l a t t e r c a t e g o r i e s . F e w s t r e e t - w i s e e x p e r t s or t r u l y c o n t e m p o r a r y a r t i c l e s h a v e e m e r g e d o n s t r e e t survival, although deadly assaults on t h e police cont i n u e t o o c c u r y e a r a f t e r y e a r , w i t h a l a r m i n g freq u e n c y . W h i l e officers are dying, w e l l - m e a n i n g training authorities too often s e e m obsessed w i t h d i s c u s s i n g s u c h f i r e a r m s e s o t e r i c a as c u s t o m i z e d grips, r i b b e d b a r r e l s , f a n c y l e a t h e r gear a n d o t h e r i r r e l e v a n t s u b j e c t s , r a t h e r t h a n t h e r e a l i s s u e s of tactics to help officers survive in a r m e d confrontations. W e began our research by analyzing m o r e than 4 0 0 d e t a i l e d r e p o r t s of o f f i c e r - i n v o l v e d s h o o t i n g s and by surveying s o m e 5 0 law e n f o r c e m e n t agencies about the firearms instructions they offer...the major problems their officers e n c o u n t e r on the s t r e e t . . . a n d w h a t t h e i r g r e a t e s t s u r v i v a l n e e d s appear to be. For m o r e t h a n a year, our research t e a m t h e n searched coast to coast to identify practical, realistic tactics to m e e t those needs. M o r e t h a n 3 0 street-wise authorities who have devoted their careers to officer survival and nearly a dozen police

d e p a r t m e n t s on the c u t t i n g edge of survival training w e r e c o n s u l t e d f o r t h e i r b e s t t a c t i c a l p r o c e d u r e s . T h e i r contribution, plus the authors' cumulative 2 6 y e a r s ' e x p e r i e n c e , m o s t of it i n h i g h - r i s k or survival-oriented assignments, have formed the b a s i s of w h a t y o u w i l l r e a d h e r e . W i t h o u t t h e h e l p a n d k n o w l e d g e of m a n y p e o p l e , t h i s b o o k c o u l d n o t h a v e b e c o m e w h a t it i s : t h e m o s t c o m p r e h e n s i v e c o m p i l a t i o n of s t r e e t relevant survival m e t h o d s ever available. For their special assistance, w e w a n t to acknowledge: L i e u t e n a n t F r a n c i s J . M c G e e of t h e F i r e a r m s a n d T a c t i c s S e c t i o n of t h e N e w Y o r k C i t y P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t , c o n s i d e r e d b y m a n y t o b e t h e " f a t h e r " of t h e s t r e e t s u r v i v a l m o v e m e n t ; P i e r c e R. B r o o k s , c h i e f investigator in C a l i f o r n i a ' s i n f a m o u s " O n i o n F i e l d " c a s e ; O f f i c e r J o h n S . F a r n a m of t h e E l r o y (WI) P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t , a c o m b a t veteran and leading on-site c o n s u l t a n t o n w e a p o n s t r a i n i n g p r o g r a m s for l a w e n f o r c e m e n t agencies, and Lieutenant T h a d C. C u r t i s , C o m m a n d e r o f T e c h n i c a l S e r v i c e s for t h e P i m a C o u n t y (AZ) S h e r i f f ' s D e p a r t m e n t , a n e n t h u s i a s t i c p r o s e l y t i z e r a n d p r a c t i t i o n e r of s u r v i v a l a w a r e n e s s . T h e s e officers r e v i e w e d t h e m a n u s c r i p t in draft f o r m a n d o f f e r e d i n n u m e r a b l e c o n s t r u c t i v e comments. T h o s e t o w h o m w e a r e g r a t e f u l for h e l p w i t h research include: James Daugherty, Senior Police Firearms Instructor, and Herb C h a m b e r s , Education a n d T r a i n i n g D i v i s i o n , N a t i o n a l R i f l e A s s o c i a t i o n of America; Inspector Robert W . Martin, Supervisor of F i r e a r m s T r a i n i n g , P h i l a d e l p h i a P o l i c e A c a d e m y ; Sergeant Ray King, R a n g e m a s t e r (ret.), and Sergeant D o n a l d E. S m i t h , C h i e f Firearms E x a m i n e r , C h i c a g o P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t ; W . Fred P i c k l e r , specialist in high risk patrol t a c t i c s and c h e m i c a l m u n i t i o n s and P r e s i d e n t of F r e d P i c k l e r & A s s o c i a t e s ; L i e u t e n a n t W . L . D i c k e y , C o m m a n d e r of the O r d n a n c e Division, M e m p h i s P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t ; Al B u r n e t t and L e n R o s s , F i r e a r m s T r a i n e r s , D e p a r t m e n t of t h e Treasury, Federal Law E n f o r c e m e n t Training Center; J a m e s W h i t m o r e , A s s i s t a n t Professor, U n i v e r s i t y of I l l i n o i s , P o l i c e T r a i n i n g I n s t i t u t e ; C h i e f E u g e n e F e r r a r a , U n i v e r s i t y of C i n c i n n a t i P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t ; Robert L. M o n r o e , former Instructor, FBI National Academy; Joseph H. Chernicoff, D i r e c t o r of T r a i n i n g , U . S . A s s o c i a t i o n of F i r e a r m s I n s t r u c t o r s a n d C o a c h e s ; E d L o v e t t e , D i r e c t o r of Training, New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy; Sergeant Robert Givan, Instructor, Advanced C o m bat Training, Indianapolis Police D e p a r t m e n t ; Paul A. Z o l b e , Chief, U n i f o r m C r i m e Reports S e c t i o n , F.B.I.; and Sergeant D i c k Newell, Officer-inCharge, Ordnance Unit, Los Angeles Police Academy.

W e are a l s o a p p r e c i a t i v e of t h e c a n d o r w i t h w h i c h certain officers shared their m e m o r i e s and e m o t i o n s about personal armed encounters. T h e s e i n c l u d e : D e p u t y C h i e f R. " Z i p " Z b i n d e n , P o m o n a (CA) P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t ; D e t e c t i v e J a c k F i s h e r , S a n B e r n a r d i n o C o u n t y (CA) S h e r i f f ' s O f f i c e , a n d S e r g e a n t Jerry D u n n a n d D e t e c t i v e J i m R o w e , R i v e r s i d e (CA) P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t . V a l u a b l e i n sights into officers' psychological reactions to shooting situations were gained from interviews with Walter Gorski, a psychological consultant to P e n n s y l v a n i a law e n f o r c e m e n t agencies, and D r . N a h m a n Greenberg, a C h i c a g o p s y c h o a n a l y s t and authority on stress behavior. Finally, w e w a n t to t h a n k D e n n i s Anderson, w h o conceived, produced and directed t h e awardw i n n i n g instructional f i l m s , Survival Shooting Techniques and Handling Firearms for M T I T e l e p r o g r a m s I n c . , of S c h i l l e r P a r k , I l l i n o i s . H i s u n i q u e m o t i o n pictures have pioneered in c o m m u n i c a t i n g t h e s t a t e of t h e art of s u r v i v a l t r a i n i n g . W i t h o u t h i s tireless collaboration, c o n s t a n t support, astute insights and high professional standards, this b o o k would not have been written.

INTRODUCTION 13 05 0 4 . 1 0 / 7 8 TXT A P . ML01K21707 TO

APB

00396

RELAY

CA

TO LOCAL

AGENCIES

MONTANA HIGHWAY PATROL A D V I S E S O F F I C E R , AGED 3 0 , SHOT AND K I L L E D A P P R O X I M A T E L Y 3 0 0 P . M . , 4/8. V I C T I M , WORKING WITH L I N C O L N COUNTY DEPUTY ATTEMPTED TO STOP S U B J E C T WANTED ON FELONY C H A R G E . AFTER HIGH-SPEED CHASE, SUBJECT E X I T E D H I S V E H I C L E AND BEGAN F I R I N G AT PATROL C A R . V I C T I M STRUCK IN CHEST WITH . 3 0 8 - C A L I B E R R I F L E . DEPUTY RETURNED F I R E AND S U B J E C T F L E D TO NEARBY R E S I D E N C E WHERE HE HELD TWO HOSTAGES FOR S E V E R A L HOURS B E F O R E S U R R E N D E R I N G . A U T H O R I T Y - P . ZOLBE F B I - U C R WASH DC

13 5 6 0 4 / 1 7 / 7 8 TXT A P . ML01K23413 TO

APB

00551

-

RELAY

BKR

CA

TO

LOCAL

AGENCIES

CATOOSA COUNTY, G E O R G I A , S . O . A D V I S E S DEPUTY WM AGED 2 4 , SHOT AND K I L L E D A P P R O X I M A T E L Y 1 5 0 P.M., 4 / 1 4 . V I C T I M HAD STOPPED TO A S S I S T ANOTHER O F F I C E R WHO HAD J U S T D E T A I N E D ARMED ROBBERY S U S PECT. WHILE B E I N G SEARCHED BY F I R S T O F F I C E R , S U B J E C T GAINED CONTROL OF V I C T I M ' S . 3 5 7 MAGNUM HANDGUN. V I C T I M SHOT IN NECK AND ABDOMEN. FIRST O F F I C E R , ALSO WOUNDED, RETURNED G U N F I R E AS S U S P E C T FLED S C E N E . A U T H O R I T Y - P . ZOLBE F B I - U C R WASH DC

ACA

1

07 55 0 3 / 9 / 7 7 TXT A P . ML01J54099 TO

APB

00487

-

CA

RELAY

TO LOCAL

AGENCIES

SAN P A B L O , C A L I F O R N I A , PD A D V I S E S O F F I C E R , AGED 4 2 , SHOT AND K I L L E D A P P R O X I M A T E L Y 11 4 8 AM, 8/4. V I C T I M O F F I C E R RESPONDED TO S I L E N T ALARM AT LOCAL J E W E L R Y S T O R E , THE S I T E OF P R E V I O U S UNFOUNDED ALARMS. UPON ENTERING THE STORE HE D I S C O V E R E D R 0 3 B E R Y B E I N G COMMITTED BY TWO NM S . ONE ROBBER F I R E D A SHOT FROM A , 3 8 - C A L I B E R REVOLVER S T R I K I N G O F F I C E R IN HEAD, K I L L I N G HIM I N S T A N T L Y . ONE S U B J E C T APPREHENDED IN IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD. SECOND SUBJECT ESCAPED. A U T H O R I T Y - P . ZOLBE F B I - U C R WASH DC

12 4 9 1 1 / 2 8 / 7 7 TXT A P . ML01J68923 TO

01030

APB-RELAY

JRR

CA

TO

LOCAL

AGENCIES

M I L W A U K E E , W I S C O N S I N , PD A D V I S E S PATROLMAN, AGED 2 7 , SHOT AND K I L L E D A P P R O X I M A T E L Y 5 0 0 PM, 11/25. V I C T I M O F F I C E R AND PARTNER RESPONDED TO F A M I L Y D I S T U R B A N C E CALL AT LOCAL R E S I D E N C E . AS V I C T I M APPROACHED DOOR TO KNOCK, S U B J E C T A P P E A R E D IN DOORWAY AND F I R E D R I F L E S T R I K I N G O F F I C E R IN CHEST. S U B J E C T , NM 3 8 , BARRICADED S E L F IN H O U S E , BUT SHORTLY T H E R E A F T E R S U R R E N D E D . A U T H O R I T Y - P . ZOLBE F B I - U C R WASH DC

RMR

Every three to four days, on t h e average, notification clatters across the teletypes of the National Law Enforcement T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s System t h a t t h e l i f e of a n o t h e r l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i c e r h a s b e e n t a k e n . A n d a f t e r t h e o f f i c i a l r e g r e t s are s p o k e n , t h e taps s o u n d e d , t h e b a d g e r e t i r e d t o a p l a c e o f honor, an unfortunate, brutal truth too often rem a i n s : m o r e effort is l i k e l y t o h a v e g o n e i n t o p l a n n i n g t h e f u n e r a l for t h e s l a i n o f f i c e r t h a n h e o r h i s department devoted to his survival. In s o m e c a s e s , t h e f a u l t l i e s w i t h t h e o f f i c e r failing to practice w h a t he has b e e n taught. O t h e r t i m e s , a d e p a r t m e n t is c u l p a b l e f o r s e n d i n g i t s offic e r s i n t o t h e s t r e e t w i t h l i t t l e a p p r e c i a t i o n or c o n c e r n for w h a t it t a k e s t o s t a y a l i v e . Usually, it's a c o m b i n a t i o n . T h e survival training of t h e c l a s s r o o m , t h e g y m a n d t h e r a n g e , h o w ever earnest, fails in crucial w a y s to reflect t h e c h a l l e n g e s of t h e r e a l w o r l d . A n d t h e o f f i c e r , c o m p l a c e n t in the knowledge that m o s t people in law enforcem e n t r e a c h r e t i r e m e n t w i t h o u t e v e r c o n f r o n t i n g or using deadly force, m a k e s n o effort on his o w n to c o m p e n s a t e f o r t h e s e s h o r t c o m i n g s . D a y i n a n d day out, he a n s w e r s so m a n y calls w h e r e n o t h i n g happens that he c o m e s to assume, insidiously, that n o t h i n g can h a p p e n .

Despite the ceremony attached to an officer's funeral, how many officers have an interest in finding out what really happened during that fatal mistake i

A n d t h e n it d o e s . In t h e l a s t d e c a d e a l o n e , m o r e t h a n 1 , 1 0 0 c i t y , county, state and federal officers have been feloni o u s l y s l a i n i n t h e p e r f o r m a n c e of t h e i r d u t i e s . D u r i n g o n e t y p i c a l y e a r i n t h a t p e r i o d , 1 9 , 0 0 0 officers besides those killed w e r e injured in nearly 5 0 , 0 0 0 assaults on police. T h e deaths and injuries have included both sexes, have c o m e from all sizes a n d t y p e s of c o m m u n i t i e s a n d h a v e r u n t h e g a m u t of officer rank, experience and a s s i g n m e n t . N i n e t y - f i v e p e r c e n t of t h o s e k i l l e d w e r e a t tacked with guns. S o m e v i c t i m officers were excell e n t t a r g e t s h o o t e r s . B u t in n e a r l y 6 0 p e r c e n t of t h e cases, t h e officers involved w e r e so unprepared to r e a c t t h a t t h e y did not even get their guns drawn b e f o r e v i o l e n c e e r u p t e d . O n l y 2 7 per c e n t m a n a g e d t o s h o o t b a c k . O n l y 15 per c e n t w e r e a b l e t o w o u n d or k i l l t h e i r a s s a i l a n t s . 1

T h e r e ' s no denying that an officer faces critical disadvantages in a shooting situation. His u n i f o r m , his marked vehicle, his spoken c o m m a n d s m a k e h i m highly visible and easily identifiable to any would-be assailant—while a potential assailant m a y b e d i f f i c u l t or i m p o s s i b l e f o r a n o f f i c e r t o s e n s e or see in advance.

Those close to the victim officer express grief in different ways. The officer in this case died from a "routine" traffic stop.

FBI " L a w Enforcement Officers Killed" Summaries.

3

An assailant can decide w h e n , where and w h o m t o s h o o t , o n g r o u n d s t h a t a r e p u r e l y s e l f i s h or t o t a l l y i r r a t i o n a l a n d i n d i s c r i m i n a t e ; if h i s g u n i s a i m e d a n d c o c k e d it t a k e s h i m o n l y h a l f a s e c o n d t o g e t off a c c u r a t e f i r e . A n o f f i c e r is u s u a l l y i n f l u e n c e d by m o r a l and p s y c h o l o g i c a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s that i n h i b i t i n s t a n t , i m p u l s i v e a c t i o n . E v e n if h e h a s n o personal qualms about killing, he m u s t evaluate w h e t h e r the c i r c u m s t a n c e s legally justify his using deadly force and w h e t h e r i n n o c e n t bystanders m i g h t b e h a r m e d . If h i s g u n is h o l s t e r e d , h e n e e d s a m i n i m u m of 1 t o 1 . 2 s e c o n d s t o d r a w a n d f i r e , a s s u m i n g h e is extremely skilled. However, he m a y not be t h o r o u g h l y f a m i l i a r or c o m f o r t a b l e w i t h t h e f i r e a r m t h a t c o u l d s a v e h i s l i f e . T h e m y t h p e r s i s t s t h a t officers tend to b e " g u n n u t s , " b o t h before and after they join law e n f o r c e m e n t . In truth, an e s t i m a t e d 7 0 per c e n t of l a w e n f o r c e m e n t r e c r u i t s h a v e no p r e vious e x p e r i e n c e w i t h firearms, and even after i n s t r u c t i o n , m a n y are n o t proficient e n o u g h w i t h their guns to adequately defend t h e m s e l v e s . In o n e major city, until recently, recruits were assigned to the field after l i m i t e d target practice and only four h o u r s of o r i e n t a t i o n . I n m a n y s m a l l e r c o m m u n i t i e s , o f f i c e r s r e c e i v e n o t r a i n i n g at a l l ; t h e y a r e expected to p i c k up w h a t e v e r they need to k n o w on the job. 2

3

*• " S o m e C o m m e n t s on the Hostage Situation," by J.C. Muirhead,

The

Police Chief, February, 1978. ^•Police Use of Deadly Poice, Catherine Milton, et al., Police Foundation,

1977.

Tribute to a comrade. Highway patrol men fill church pews during services for a veteran officer, killed with his own revolver during a traffic stop. 4

Rescue workers try in vain to save the life of a highway patrolman shot while stopping a driver for running a toll booth.

This officer was talking on the phone at his precinct when an armed assailant entered and fired three times. The officer died unarmed.

A .357 Magnum round was fired at this officer after he and his partner responded to a domestic disturbance call. The bullet hit the officer's nameplate {held in his right hand], twisting the metal and ripping two holes in his leather jacket. His only injury was a bruise on one arm.

A m o n g officers w h o have managed to survive shooting attacks, more than one has admitted, " I was just l u c k y . " W i t h equal candor, m a n y concede that despite a close call w i t h death, they still w o u l d n o t k n o w w h a t t o do d i f f e r e n t l y t h e n e x t time around. L u c k is a f r a i l r e e d o n w h i c h t o h a n g y o u r l i f e — e s p e c i a l l y if o t h e r a l t e r n a t i v e s a r e a v a i l a b l e . A n d d i s m a l a s t h e p o l i c e p o s i t i o n m a y a p p e a r , t h e r e are a l t e r n a t i v e s for handling m o s t v i o l e n t e n c o u n t e r s . I n d e e d , w i t h t h e k n o w l e d g e of s u r v i v a l m e t h o d s n o w a v a i l a b l e , y o u r o p p o r t u n i t i e s for s t a y i n g a l i v e on the street have never been greater. S o m e s t u d i e s of c o n f r o n t a t i o n s h a v e r e v e a l e d t h a t i n as f e w as 1 p e r c e n t of s h o o t i n g s a r e o f f i c e r s g e n u i n e l y a m b u s h e d w i t h o u t w a r n i n g or f i r e d at for n o apparent r e a s o n . M o s t t i m e s , t h e y h a v e prior k n o w l e d g e of p r o s p e c t i v e d a n g e r . E v e n w h e n v i o l e n c e d o e s e x p l o d e s u d d e n l y , t h e i r f a t e is n o t a l w a y s i n n a t e l y h o p e l e s s . The overwhelming majority of officers killed in gunfights most likely could have emerged alive—if: 4

1) t h e y h a d u n d e r s t o o d t h e d y n a m i c s of a r m e d confrontations; 2) t h e y h a d p r o p e r l y e v a l u a t e d t h e r i s k s t h e y w e r e facing; 3) t h e y h a d p l a n n e d w h a t t o do i n t h e e v e n t of a deadly threat, and 4) t h e y h a d k n o w n a n d , t h r o u g h p r a c t i c e , h a d mastered appropriate survival t a c t i c s . • "Analysis of Police Combat Situations," New York City Police Department, 1974.

6

T h i s b o o k c a n h e l p m a k e y o u survival sensitive. T h e t e c h n i q u e s it e m p h a s i z e s a r e d e s i g n e d t o a f f e c t the way you prepare, plan and react, to k e e p y o u a l i v e i n real s i t u a t i o n s . T h e y are n o t h y p o t h e s e s , b u t p r o v e n p r o c e d u r e s , b a s e d o n t h e i n s i g h t s of o f f i c e r s w h o have experienced gun battles and survived— and on the lessons left b e h i n d by t h o s e w h o h a v e died. T h e s e t a c t i c s fall i n t o t w o broad categories: 1) t h o s e t h a t w i l l h e l p y o u prevent risky situations from escalating into life-threatening encounters, a n d 2) t h o s e t h a t c a n h e l p y o u survive if, d e s p i t e your best efforts, violence does erupt. Procedures from b o t h categories are integrated t h r o u g h o u t , so that while each chapter relates to firearms, the e m p h a s i s is n o t a l w a y s o n a c t u a l s h o o t i n g performance. Among other things, you will c o m e to understand the c o m m o n attitudes that lead suspects to engage t h e p o l i c e i n g u n f i g h t s . . . o f f i c e r a t t i t u d e s that hamper response...the circumstances likely to i n f l u e n c e c o n f r o n t a t i o n s . . . s a f e m e t h o d s f o r approaching high-risk situations...ways to use light, verbal c o m m a n d s , surprise, m o v e m e n t and protect i v e c o v e r , c o n c e a l m e n t a n d e q u i p m e n t t o r e d u c e or o v e r c o m e a s u s p e c t ' s a d v a n t a g e . . . a s w e l l as p r o c e dures to assure that your gun will w o r k w h e n y o u need i t . . . a n d the latest, practical t e c h n i q u e s for delivering swift, accurate, deadly fire. B y studying t h e t a b l e of c o n t e n t s y o u c a n r e v i e w , i n s u m m a r y f o r m , t h e e l e m e n t s of a n y a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n , f r o m t h e t h i n g s y o u n e e d t o k n o w a n d do b e f o r e firearms are used to t h e p s y c h o l o g i c a l pressures y o u m a y feel afterward. In effect, the chapter headings encapsulate the factors you should be continually c o n c e r n e d a b o u t , for t h e s e m o s t l i k e l y w i l l d e t e r m i n e your ability to survive, w h e t h e r you acknowledge t h a t t o b e t h e c a s e or n o t . T h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h t h e u s e of d e a d l y f o r c e is p e r m i t t e d v a r y c o n s i d e r a b l y w i t h s t a t e l a w s and d e p a r t m e n t a l p o l i c i e s . H o w e v e r , all j u r i s d i c tions permit an officer to shoot to protect his own l i f e o r t h e l i v e s of o t h e r i n n o c e n t p e r s o n s f r o m i m m i n e n t d a n g e r . W h e r e s h o o t i n g is c a l l e d for i n t h e tactics presented here, we have considered those to be t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s . T h i s h e l p s u n d e r s c o r e t h e f a c t t h a t l a w e n f o r c e m e n t f i r e a r m s a r e defensive tools, not to be used offensively. T h e u s e a n d h a n d l i n g of r e v o l v e r s , s e m i a u t o m a t i c pistols and shotguns are referenced t h r o u g h o u t b e c a u s e t h e y are t h e m o s t c o m m o n l a w e n f o r c e m e n t f i r e a r m s . If y o u ' r e l i k e t h e v a s t m a j o r i t y of o f f i c e r s , y o u c a r r y a . 3 8 c a l . r e v o l v e r a s y o u r regulation on-duty weapon. But you m a y use a semia u t o m a t i c o f f - d u t y o r as a b a c k - u p g u n , a n d if

you're assigned to street patrol you m a y have a shotgun in your patrol car. T h e m o r e proficient y o u b e c o m e w i t h both the m e c h a n i c a l and tactical use of t h e s e f i r e a r m s , t h e h i g h e r y o u r s u r v i v a l q u o t i e n t , for y o u c a n n e v e r b e c e r t a i n w h i c h y o u w i l l h a v e at h a n d at t h e c r u c i a l m o m e n t . Y o u r f i r e a r m , of c o u r s e , is a l w a y s t h e t o o l of l a s t r e s o r t . S u r v i v a l s h o u l d b e g i n l o n g before the mom e n t y o u n e e d t o f i r e , a n d if y o u w a i t u n t i l t h e n t o t h i n k a b o u t it, y o u are d e p e n d i n g o n l u c k , w h e t h e r y o u r e a l i z e it or n o t . T r u e s u r v i v a l r e a d i n e s s is l i k e a n e q u i l a t e r a l triangle involving:

A l l c o r n e r s a r e of e q u a l i m p o r t a n c e t o t h e w h o l e , a n d t h e o m i s s i o n of a n y e l e m e n t l e a v e s a p o t e n t i a l l y lethal gap. For a defense structure that will enable y o u t o c o n t r o l t h e o u t c o m e of m o s t l i f e - o r - d e a t h encounters, your m i n d , your body and your gun m u s t be molded into a combined, coordinated "weapons system.'' T h e s y s t e m a p p r o a c h is t h e c o r e of t h i s b o o k . It r e q u i r e s t h a t y o u d e v e l o p s k i l l at a v a r i e t y of d i s t i n c t b u t r e l a t e d p r o c e d u r e s of a n t i c i p a t i o n a n d r e s p o n s e . S o m e involve shooting, the instant delivery and a c c u r a t e p l a c e m e n t of r o u n d s . S o m e c o n c e r n f o r e s t a l l i n g or a v o i d i n g a n a s s a i l a n t ' s s h o t s , m a k i n g y o u r s e l f a h a r d t a r g e t . All can be learned. S o m e s u r v i v a l p r i n c i p l e s m a y appear h a r s h . S u r v i v a l is n o t c o m m u n i t y r e l a t i o n s , c o n c e r n e d w i t h c o u r t e s y a n d c o d e s of fair c o n d u c t ; t h e r e are n o " g e n t l e m e n ' s r u l e s " i n a g u n f i g h t . S o m e of t h e e s t i m a t e d one to four m i l l i o n people carrying con-

c e a l e d g u n s i l l e g a l l y i n t h i s c o u n t r y (and s o m e w h o o w n t h e m l e g a l l y , as w e l l ) are w i l l i n g t o t a k e o n t h e police o n incredibly brutal t e r m s . T o save your life or s o m e o n e e l s e ' s , y o u m a y s o m e t i m e s n e e d t h e ultimate responses. T h e ability to use decisive tactics successfully, however, does not equate w i t h recklessness. A c t u a l l y , it is t h e u n s k i l l e d o f f i c e r w h o is l i k e l i e s t t o be r e c k l e s s , a n d t h u s a d a n g e r n o t o n l y t o h i m s e l f a n d f e l l o w o f f i c e r s , b u t t o t h e p u b l i c h e is s w o r n t o p r o t e c t . B e c a u s e o f h i s l a c k of c o n f i d e n c e i n h i s ability to protect h i m s e l f in risky s i t u a t i o n s , he will r e a c t t o t h r e a t s of v i o l e n c e w i t h p a n i c b o r n of d e s p e r a t i o n . A t r a i n e d o f f i c e r , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , is c o n f i d e n t b e c a u s e h e is r e a d y , a n d h i s c o n t r o l l e d s k i l l s c a n h e l p h i m k e e p v i o l e n c e t o a m i n i m u m or s t o p it i n s t a n t l y . R e a l i s t i c t a c t i c s c a n r e d u c e t h e n u m b e r of i n c i d e n t s t h a t e s c a l a t e t o t h e p o i n t of g u n f i r e , r e d u c e t h e n u m b e r of s u s p e c t s s h o t or k i l l e d b y p o l i c e , r e d u c e t h e n u m b e r of t r a g e d i e s w h e r e i n n o c e n t p a r t i e s a r e s h o t b e c a u s e of m i s t a k e n i d e n t i t y , as w e l l as s u b s t a n t i a l l y r e d u c e t h e n u m b e r of o f f i c e r s w o u n d e d or s l a i n — e v e n t h o u g h t h e n u m b e r o f contacts b e t w e e n police and criminals r e m a i n s undiminished. N o t h i n g set forth in t h e pages that follow s h o u l d b e regarded as T h e A b s o l u t e A n s w e r t o a l l s u r v i v a l p r o b l e m s . There are no absolutes in tactics. N o t w o s i t u a t i o n s a r e e v e r e x a c t l y a l i k e , n o s e t of procedures always effective. W h a t ' s offered are options t h a t are v a l u a b l e f o r y o u r r e p e r t o i r e of s k i l l s b e c a u s e t h e y w i l l w o r k for m o s t o f f i c e r s i n m o s t s i t u a t i o n s m o s t of t h e t i m e . M o s t survival t e c h n i q u e s are s i m p l e , based on c o m m o n s e n s e . B u t t h e y r e q u i r e extensive practice to be used successfully. Y o u need to k n o w what w o r k s for y o u , and t h e t a c t i c s y o u f a v o r n e e d t o b e honed until they b e c o m e natural and reflexive. F O R , U N D E R S T R E S S , IN A CRISIS, Y O U W I L L INSTINCTIVELY REVERT T O T H E WAY Y O U HAVE TRAINED. T r a i n i n g to face reality takes extra t i m e , extra e n e r g y , e x t r a c r e a t i v i t y . It r e q u i r e s t h a t you a c c e p t t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for a s s u r i n g y o u r s u r v i v a l e d u c a t i o n . Y o u n e e d t o w o r k c o n s t a n t l y at r e f i n i n g , adapting a n d s u p p l e m e n t i n g y o u r s u r v i v a l c a p a b i l i t i e s , n o t o n l y in f o r m a l a n d i n f o r m a l t r a i n i n g s e s s i o n s , but, m o s t important, on a daily basis in t h e course of y o u r p a t r o l d u t i e s . I t ' s e a s i e r , of c o u r s e , t o p l a y t h e odds t h a t y o u will be among the fortunate majority w h o s e lives are n e v e r c h a l l e n g e d . B u t t h a t ' s a g a m e of R u s s i a n roulette that too m a n y officers have lost. T h e r e are n o g u a r a n t e e s i n l a w e n f o r c e m e n t . T h e o n l y p r e d i c t a b l e is t h e u n p r e d i c t a b l e . Y o u r n e x t

c a l l c o u l d b e a n o t h e r " r o u t i n e " r u n . . . o r it c o u l d b e the one that tests everything you've got. If y o u w o n d e r w h e t h e r y o u ' r e r e a d y , a s k y o u r s e l f : " H o w m a n y p e o p l e c o u l d h a v e h a d m e t o d a y if they'd really wanted m e ? " A n d t h e n a s k : " W h a t w o u l d I h a v e d o n e if they'd tried?"

The body of a man who moments earlier killed one officer, seriously wounded two others, and wounded his wife and a neighbor. The gun in the foreground belonged to one of the officers.

10

I. TACTICS ...for Survival

THEM AND US Most Americans think they know about gun fights. T h e y ' v e seen thousands on T V . During the average h o u r ' s a c t i o n s h o w , n i n e h a n d w e a p o n s are d i s p l a y e d , g u n s m o s t l y , a n d t h e y ' r e u s e d w i t h dram a t i c derring-do. P o l i c e m e n w i t h h a n d g u n s s u c c e s s f u l l y b l a s t a w a y at a d v e r s a r i e s s e v e r a l h u n d r e d yards d i s t a n t . . . a d e t e c t i v e w i t h a t w o - i n c h b a r r e l revolver outshoots a criminal w i t h a scoped rifle... a n a g e n t f i r e s a derringer i n t o t h e air a n d b r i n g s a n airplane crashing down... People believe it's possible, including s o m e cops. M a n y officers truly b e l i e v e t h e y are carrying guns and a m m u n i t i o n w h i c h will literally b l o w people a w a y — e v e n though it's nearly impossible to m o v e a h u m a n body w i t h a bullet from a handgun. A t t h e s a m e t i m e t h e d i s t o r t i o n s of t h i s c u l tural saturation endow guns w i t h super capabilities, t h e y g e n e r a l l y s a n i t i z e t h e i r e f f e c t . E i g h t y - f o u r per c e n t of t h e b u l l e t s fired o n T V m i s s t h e i r t a r g e t s e n tirely, according to one foundation study. O n l y e i g h t per c e n t or l e s s c a u s e i n j u r y or d e a t h , a n d e v e n t h e n , t h e y i n d u c e " l i t t l e b l o o d l e t t i n g or s u f f e r i n g . " T o t h e m e n and w o m e n w h o ' v e b e e n t h e r e , r e a l - l i f e g u n f i g h t s are a l t o g e t h e r d i f f e r e n t . W h a t t h e m o v i e or T V s c r e e n f a n t a s i z e s as e x t e n d e d , e x o t i c , antiseptic episodes, they k n o w in fact to be fast, banal, brutal e n c o u n t e r s , played for k e e p s , often w i t h p a i n and m u c h b l o o d . Indeed, officers suddenly thrust into armed c o n f r o n t a t i o n s often are startled t o discover just h o w different they really are. In i n t e r v i e w s e x c e r p t e d b e l o w , e i g h t v e t e r a n s of officer-involved shootings share their perceptions of w h a t t h e e x p e r i e n c e w a s l i k e . F o u r of t h e s e m e n h a v e b e e n c o n v i c t e d of k i l l i n g l a w e n f o r c e m e n t off i c e r s a n d are s e r v i n g t i m e i n I l l i n o i s c o r r e c t i o n a l

f a c i l i t i e s . T h e o t h e r four are l a w e n f o r c e m e n t officers in C a l i f o r n i a w h o have b e e n critically w o u n d ed—and survived. In m a n y respects, these individuals typify T h e m a n d U s , t h e t w o s i d e s of a n y c o n f r o n t a t i o n . Their c o m m e n t s about their respective tactics, presented in t h e i r e x a c t words, are a fitting prelude to realistic survival education. T h e i r insights regarding a t t i t u d e , preparedness and m i s t a k e s m a d e are particularly i m p o r t a n t . N o factors are m o r e pivotal to t h e o u t b r e a k and o u t c o m e of s h o o t i n g i n c i d e n t s . F e w a r e l e s s w e l l u n d e r s t o o d o n b o t h s i d e s of t h e l a w .

INMATE 1: There was a stick-up that morning. I walked into the store, armed with a .38 revolver. I drew down on the cashier and t o o k $ 3 , 5 0 0 cash m o n e y . T h e n there was a shrill whistle throughout the store, a warning that police were c o m i n g . I started o u t , r u n n i n g t h e l e n g t h of t h e s t o r e , a b o u t 1 0 0 f e e t , at w h i c h t i m e t h e p o l i c e o f f i c e r s t e p p e d i n t h e d o o r way w i t h his revolver drawn, I guess to assess the s i t u a t i o n i n s i d e . It s c a r e d t h e h e l l o u t of m e . A n d I shot him. Q. When you fired, how did you do it! A. I n s t i n c t i v e l y . I was about 15 feet f r o m t h e d o o r . M y p i s t o l w a s at m y s i d e , a n d w h e n I s a w h i m standing in t h e doorway, w e l l , m y gun c a m e up and o n e s h o t w e n t off. R e f l e x . N o t h i n g t h a t w a s a i m e d . Q.

Would you perceive yourself as being a marksman! A. No, I w o u l d n ' t . I never really had m u c h practice. I think that anyone can point a revolver a n d s h o o t it at a s u b j e c t a n d h i t . Y o u j u s t do l i k e this (quickly points f i n g e r ) — B O O M — a n d shoot to kill.

good

Q. At the moment you squeezed the trigger, thought was going through your mind! A. Escape. T h e officer w a s a threat to m y freed o m and to m y greed for t h e m o n e y . H e w a s in t h e way. Q. What mistakes do you think he made! A. H e should h a v e w a i t e d for a b a c k - u p force. H e could have hidden and issued a verbal challenge: " D r o p your weapon, I've got y o u c o v e r e d ! " . . . " C o m e o u t ! " Anything. He should have never stepped into that doorway, putting h i s body in jeopardy. what

Q. Now, you're a weightlifter, you keep self in good shape. How would you compare physical and mental fitness for dealing with a ing situation versus the officers you knew when were out on the street!

youryour shootyou

A. M o s t p o l i c e o f f i c e r s are n o t c o n d i t i o n e d . T h e y ' r e o v e r w e i g h t , t h e y d r i n k a l o t of b e e r , t h e y s t a y u p at n i g h t a n d t h e y d o n ' t s l e e p v e r y w e l l . I t h i n k m o s t h a v e got u l c e r s , h e a r t t r o u b l e , p r e m a t u r e illnesses. But a person that keeps himself condit i o n e d , h i s m i n d is s t e a d y , h i s e y e s are c l e a r , h i s a i m is g o o d . H e ' s g o t m o r e s t a m i n a , m o r e p a t i e n c e , a sharper perspective on things. Q. Mentally, what kind of preparation do you most guys on the street have, so far as being to take on a cop if they have to! A. I think that most people w h o c o m e from high c r i m e areas, they view the police as the e n e m y , a threat. Obviously, a person w h o carries a concealed weapon, h e ' s not ready to s u b m i t b e c a u s e h e has t h e audacity to possess a firearm in t h e first p l a c e . T h e r e f o r e , i t ' s a m a t t e r of w h o g e t s t h e drop o n w h o . O n c e I p u l l m y p i s t o l , w e l l , y o u r s is c o u n terfeit. T h a t ' s the way it's played. think ready

D E P U T Y C H I E F R. " Z I P " Z B I N D E N : T h e call was a " f a m i l y peace d i s t u r b a n c e , " and m y approach was rather ignorant. I w e n t right up a n d k n o c k e d o n t h e d o o r of t h e h o u s e . T h e m o t h e r of t h e m a n c a u s i n g t h e t r o u b l e l e t m e i n a n d said h e w a s d o w n t h e h a l l w a y off t h e l i v i n g r o o m . I obediently started down the hallway. H e c a m e out of o n e of t h e b e d r o o m s at t h e e n d . In h i s r i g h t h a n d , h e h e l d w h a t a p p e a r e d t o b e a 9 - s h o t , . 2 2 t a r g e t p i s t o l , p o i n t e d d i r e c t l y at m y s t e r n u m . It w a s v e r y s t e a d y i n h i s h a n d . H e h a d a b l a n k s t a r e o n h i s f a c e , a n d h e w a s l o o k i n g j u s t d i r e c t l y at m e . I k n e w I was in a bad p o s i t i o n . . . t h i s long hallway, and m y weapon not drawn. I tried to i n c h up o n h i m very slowly w i t h o u t any sudden m o v e m e n t s , speaking about the weather, a n y t h i n g t h a t c o u l d c o m e t o m y m i n d a n d k e e p h i m f r o m b e c o m i n g f r i g h t e n e d or d i s t u r b e d . T h a t w a s a b o u t a l l I h a d g o i n g for m e . H e w a s i n c o n t r o l of t h e s i t u a t i o n . I h a d n o i d e a w h a t h e w a s g o i n g t o do. I c o u l d p r e d i c t a l o t of a l t e r n a t i v e s , b u t I c o u l d n ' t p r e d i c t e x a c t l y w h a t or w h e n . W h e n I g o t w i t h i n a b o u t f o u r o r f i v e f e e t of h i m , I thought he had relented. His hand w i t h the gun dropped t o h i s s i d e , h i s h e a d d r o p p e d . I s t a r t e d p a t ting m y s e l f on t h e b a c k so hard I about b r o k e m y a r m s . I t h o u g h t I'd s i l v e r - t o n g u e - d e v i l e d h i m r i g h t o u t of h i s o r i g i n a l i n t e n t i o n . I e x t e n d e d m y h a n d t o grab h i s g u n . T h e w e a p o n c a m e up f r o m h i s s i d e . It w a s a n e x t r e m e l y rapid m o v e m e n t . It i m m e d i a t e l y d i s charged, and I was struck right here b e l o w w h e r e the p e n s are in m y p o c k e t .

A w e i r d f e e l i n g w e n t t h r o u g h m e . It w a s n ' t l i k e I'd seen on T V . I felt like s o m e o n e had p u n c h e d m e w i t h a closed fist and t h e n run a hot poker through m y c h e s t . I k n e w it w a s b a d . I grasped his w e a p o n w i t h m y left hand and w h e n I t o o k it a w a y f r o m h i m , h e h a d n o c o n t r o l at all o v e r h i s m o v e m e n t , a c t i o n or a n y t h i n g . H e was just a vegetable standing there. I walked outside to w a i t for m y b a c k - u p and an a m b u l a n c e . Before this happened, I used to think I could s t o p off i n a p h o n e b o o t h a n d c h a n g e c l o t h e s a n d t h e r e ' d b e a big r e d " S " u n d e r n e a t h m y s h i r t . I f o u n d out that I was subject to h u m a n frailties and h u m a n errors and I hurt just l i k e everybody else.

INMATE 2: T h e killing occurred over a traffic ticket. O n e word led to another and the officer hit m e . W h e n he h i t m e , h e w e n t for h i s g u n a n d I w e n t for m i n e . I just beat h i m to t h e s h o t . H e died and I w o u n d e d h i s partner. Q. What kind of a gun did you hovel A. I had a .380 Browning a u t o m a t i c . I w a s n ' t a m a r k s m a n , s o I j u s t h e l d it a n d p u l l e d t h e trigger, a n d t h e g u n t o o k c a r e of i t s e l f . Q. Piioi to that incident, had you given any thought to how you would deal with a police officer if you ever became involved with one! A. O h , y e s sir. A t t h e t i m e , I w a s i n f l u e n c e d b y t h e t e a c h i n g s of t h e B l a c k M u s l i m s , t h e r h e t o r i c of t h e B l a c k P a n t h e r s a n d o t h e r b l a c k r e v o l u t i o n aries. S o I'd given s o m e t h o u g h t to an e n c o u n t e r w i t h t h e p i g s . I h a d a n idea of w h a t I ' d do if I w a s confronted with a belligerent cop. Q. How did you feel the moment you shot the officer! A. I d i d n ' t h a v e a n y f e e l i n g s at a l l . Q. From your experience, how well do you think officers are prepared in shooting situations! A. M e n t a l l y , I d o n ' t t h i n k t h e y are p r e p a r e d t h a t w e l l . A p o l i c e m a n ' s j o b i s n ' t f o r e v e r y o n e . It t a k e s a b i l i t y , it t a k e s c o u r a g e , it t a k e s p a t i e n c e , a feeling for h u m a n i t y . B u t m o s t officers, t h e y ' r e scared, they're nervous, they're prejudiced. T h e y shoot, and then ask questions later. Q. In most shooting situations, where do you think officers are looking just before everything explodes! A. Well, I would say m o s t police, they're trying to view the w h o l e body, w h i c h I don't t h i n k is c o r r e c t . T h e w h o l e b o d y is n o t g o i n g t o h a r m y o u . T h e m o s t d a n g e r o u s p a r t is a m a n ' s h a n d s . If y o u c a n t r y t o get t h e g e n e r a l v i e w of h i s h a n d s , e s p e -

c i a l l y h i s r i g h t h a n d , e v e n if h e ' s g o t h i s b a c k t u r n e d to you, you're pretty safe.

SERGEANT JERRY D U N N : T h e p o s t o f f i c e c a l l e d a n d said a g u y w e w a n t e d for b a n k r o b b e r y w a s t h e r e p i c k i n g u p a p a c k a g e . A s I drove up, I saw h i m w a l k d o w n t h e post office s t e p s a n d h e a d a r o u n d t o w a r d t h e b a c k of t h e b u i l d ing. I c o n f r o n t e d h i m a n d t o l d h i m h e w a s u n d e r a r r e s t . H e s t a r t e d s a y i n g , " N o t m e . I d i d n ' t do a n y t h i n g . " I felt I had the right guy. B u t I'd only seen a p i c t u r e of h i m a n d t h e r e w a s s t i l l t h a t d o u b t . I k e p t saying, " Y o u ' r e under a r r e s t , " and h e started f u m bling w i t h his belt, w i t h his b a c k s o m e w h a t towards me. H e c a m e up w i t h a g u n , t u r n e d a r o u n d a n d s t a r t e d f i r i n g . I t r i e d t o s h o o t b a c k t w i c e as f a s t . W e hit each other. I went down first. H e stood over m e w i t h h i s g u n i n b o t h h a n d s , p o i n t i n g at m e . T h e n h e fell. Q. What kind of impact do you think TV and have had on the way officers perceive themin a shooting! A. Well, in the m o v i e s , an officer gets shot, stuffs a bandana in the w o u n d , goes on and c a t c h e s t h e bad g u y , a n d t h e n h e ' s h o m e i n t h e n e x t s c e n e h a v i n g a d r i n k w i t h a l i t t l e b l o n d e . It d o e s n ' t h a p p e n that way.

films selves

Q. What's different! A. W e l l , i n m y c a s e I got s h o t i n t h e t h i g h . At the t i m e I didn't feel that was a serious w o u n d . B u t I u n d e r s t a n d if I h a d n ' t b e e n c l o s e t o a h o s p i t a l I w o u l d h a v e died w i t h i n f o u r m i n u t e s . Q. How accurate is an officer likely to be in a shooting! A. I t h i n k w e actually hit the target w e ' r e s h o o t i n g at o n l y a b o u t 2 0 p e r c e n t of t h e t i m e . S u s p e c t s h a v e a m u c h b e t t e r a v e r a g e , p r o b a b l y 4 0 per cent. T h e suspect k n o w s w h a t h e ' s doing, but t h e cop c a n ' t take any action until the suspect does. T h e n it m a y b e t o o l a t e . Q. What did you do wrong! A. I d i d n ' t w a i t for a b a c k - u p o f f i c e r . I f e l t t h a t t i m e w a s of t h e e s s e n c e . W i t h h i n d s i g h t , I c a n s e e that the situation could have been resolved better had I kept m y suspect under surveillance and had officers surround the building w i t h m e . Q. Based on your situation, what would you say is the difference between target shooting on a range and being in the real thing on the street! A. T h e y ' r e as d i f f e r e n t as n i g h t a n d d a y . S h o o t i n g t a r g e t s , t h e r e ' s n o p r e s s u r e as s u c h . B u t firing at an i n d i v i d u a l w h o ' s r e t u r n i n g fire is j u s t a n

unbelievable experience. N o m a t t e r h o w m u c h pract i c i n g y o u do o n t h e r a n g e , y o u ' r e n e v e r p r e p a r e d t o h a v e t o f i r e a n d b e fired u p o n b y a n o t h e r i n d i v i d u a l . Q. What was going through your mind at that point I A. Disbelief. I couldn't believe that anyone w o u l d w a n t to shoot m e . H e r e I a m , just an ordinary guy doing h i s job. W h y w o u l d an individual try and kill m e just because I wanted to apprehend him? I ' v e d o n e it d o z e n s a n d d o z e n s of t i m e s . I w a s u n d e r the impression that nothing would ever happen to m e . I b e l i e v e o f f i c e r s , as a r u l e , f e e l t h a t t h e y ' r e i n v i n c i b l e , t h a t t h e y ' r e g o i n g t o do t h e i r j o b , go h o m e a n d s t a r t o v e r t h e n e x t d a y . T h e n a l l of a s u d d e n I f o u n d s o m e o n e w h o ' d r a t h e r die t h a n b e i n c a r cerated. I c o u l d n ' t believe it. Q. At the moment the first round went into the suspect, what was your reaction! A. I d o n ' t k n o w to this day w h i c h round struck h i m . I never saw any look on his face, any r e a c t i o n at a l l f r o m a n y of m y r o u n d s . I h a d n o i d e a w h e t h e r I'd shot h i m . In fact, I didn't even k n o w t h a t I h a d b e e n shot, e x c e p t that I had a pain in m y leg t h a t k n o c k e d m y f e e t o u t f r o m u n d e r m e . Q. How much of your surviving do you think was luck versus your being ready to come out on top! A. A large p o r t i o n of it w a s l u c k . T h e b a d g u y d i d n ' t g e t m e i n a v i t a l s p o t a n d I did h i m . I t c o u l d have been just the other way around.

INMATE 3: M y u n c l e a n d I p u l l e d u p i n f r o n t of t h e l i q u o r store, and h e handed m e t h e gun. H e said, " N o w ' s as g o o d a t i m e a s a n y . ' ' I w a l k e d p a s t t h e p l a c e o n c e , t h e n c a m e through t h e door and pulled out h i s Rossi snub-nose . 3 8 . A guy w a s standing to m y right I hadn't seen. H e just ducked his head down and started toward m e running, trying to get his gun out at t h e s a m e t i m e . I r e a l i z e d h e w a s a c o p . T h e n e x t thing I k n e w , w e b o t h w e n t flying up against the wall and he w a s shot. T h e bullet w e n t right in the t o p of t h e c e n t e r of h i s h e a d a n d c a m e o u t t h e b a c k . Q.

Had

you

had

very

much

experience

with

guns! A. N o , I'd n e v e r s h o t a g u n i n m y l i f e , n o t even a rifle. I had absolutely no experience at all. Q. How prepared do you think he was to fire on you! A. I d o n ' t t h i n k h e w a s p r e p a r e d t o f i r e at a l l . I d o n ' t t h i n k h e r e a l l y w a n t e d t o s h o o t m e , or h e probably would have from the beginning.

Q. Do you think guys on the street are more prepared than police! A. Probably. T h e stick-up m a n realizes w h e n he goes in that t h e situation m i g h t c o m e d o w n to w h e r e h e h a s t o s h o o t , w h e r e a s if a n o f f i c e r ' s c a u g h t in there, h e ' s caught by surprise. Q. What do you think the officer should have done! A. W h a t I w a n t e d h i m to do, l i k e lay d o w n on the floor. H e could have tried to get a good descript i o n of m e , p e r h a p s w a i t e d t i l I t u r n e d a r o u n d , t h e n shot m e . Anything but try to draw his gun on a gun that was already drawn. Q. What was your reaction to him when he started coming toward you! Did you feel that you were going to win! A. N o , because I w a s n ' t trying to shoot h i m . T h a t ' s the point. I didn't have any t i m e to think. I m e a n , b e f o r e I r e a l i z e d it, t h e m a n w a s o n m e a n d the gun was shot. Q. fust one round! A. Yeah. One Shot. Q. Now, your brother wants to be a cop. What would be your hope for him if he ever got involved in a shooting situation! A. I would hope he was better trained. Like, I t h i n k it w o u l d h a v e b e e n n o p r o b l e m f o r t h e o f f i c e r in m y s i t u a t i o n t o e v e n s a y a w o r d t o m e a n d h e c o u l d h a v e d i s a r m e d m e . If h e ' d k n o w n w h a t t o d o , he wouldn't have been killed. It's that simple.

D E T E C T I V E JACK FISHER: E a r l i e r i n t h e day a p r i s o n e r h a d e s c a p e d f r o m a s h e r i f f ' s s u b - s t a t i o n . H e ' d a s k e d t o go t o t h e t o i l e t , and a n o f f i c e r h a d u n l o c k e d o n e of h i s h a n d c u f f s . H e jumped the officer, wrestled h i m to t h e floor, t o o k his .357 M a g n u m and stole a patrol car. D u r i n g a c h a s e , h e l o s t c o n t r o l of t h e c a r a n d s k i d d e d off t h e road. H e t h e n grabbed the shotgun f r o m t h e car and t o o k off u p a m o u n t a i n s i d e . A s e r g e a n t a n d I w e r e o n t h e p o i n t of a s e a r c h party, tracking his footprints. W e w e r e c o m i n g up on a little clearing w h e n the sergeant saw h i m , c r o u c h e d w a y d o w n l o w under a large b u s h , holding the shotgun. M y first r e a c t i o n w a s t o d i v e f o r a b u s h , t a k e cover. T h e suspect brought the shotgun up on the s e r g e a n t , a n d w h e n h e w o u l d n ' t t h r o w it d o w n l i k e w e c o m m a n d e d , I fired m y f i r s t r o u n d . I m i s s e d . H e s p u n a r o u n d a n d fired at m e . T h e b l a s t w e n t o v e r m y right s h o u l d e r a n d o n e or t w o o f t h e p e l l e t s h i t m e o n t h e f o r e h e a d . I fired, I t h i n k , s i x r o u n d s u n t i l

he finally w e n t d o w n and didn't get up, h i t in the k n e e and the heart. Q. What's the difference between shooting paper targets and shooting live people! A. T h e p r i m a r y d i f f e r e n c e , of c o u r s e , is t h e paper t a r g e t s d o n ' t s h o o t b a c k . A l s o t h e y d o n ' t m o v e very often, y o u u s u a l l y have good b a c k g r o u n d , the l i g h t ' s g o o d — s o i t ' s e a s y , it b e c o m e s r o u t i n e . A n d , of c o u r s e i t ' s d i f f e r e n t i n t h e m o v i e s , t o o . T h e r e t h e o f f i c e r c a n drop a n y b o d y at 2 0 0 o r 3 0 0 y a r d s w i t h a revolver, his gun never empties, he doesn't have to w o r r y a b o u t r e l o a d i n g at c r i t i c a l t i m e s . I t ' s j u s t not that way. Q. What's it like to get shot at by someone! A. V e r y f r i g h t e n i n g , s c a r y , all t h e w o r d s for t h a t . B u t y o u d o n ' t r e a l i z e t h a t at t h e t i m e , w h e n you're instinctively reacting. T h e scariness comes l a t e r , w h e n y o u sit b a c k a n d c r i t i q u e y o u r s e l f . T h e n y o u get s c a r e d , b e c a u s e t h e r e ' s u s u a l l y s o m e t h i n g y o u d i d n ' t do t h a t y o u s h o u l d h a v e . Q. What did you do wrong! A. T h e biggest thing, I t h i n k , was to m i s s w i t h m y f i r s t s h o t , t h e r e b y a f f o r d i n g h i m t h e opport u n i t y t o c r a n k o n e off at m e . H a d h e b e e n s u c c e s s f u l , I w o u l d h a v e b e e n o u t of t h e p i c t u r e , a n d w h o knows what would have happened. Q. Say I've been an officer for about six months. What kind of advice could you give me in a shooting situation! A. If y o u d o n ' t r e m e m b e r a n o t h e r t h i n g , r e m e m b e r t o do something i m m e d i a t e l y . M o v e , run, j u m p up and down, fall d o w n on t h e ground, yell, s c r e a m — j u s t react so you're not standing there giving t h e suspect a perfect target. Anything m i g h t g i v e y o u a n edge, b e c a u s e h e m a y b e a m a z e d at w h a t you're doing and therefore not pull t h e trigger. T h a t could give y o u the opportunity to draw your weapo n , if y o u d o n ' t a l r e a d y h a v e it o u t , a n d g e t h i m before he gets you. Q. What does it feel like to shoot somebody! A. Y o u t h i n k a b o u t it l a t e r . T o t a k e a h u m a n l i f e is n e v e r a p l e a s u r e a n d I d o n ' t e v e r e x p e c t it t o b e o n e . I ' v e h a d s o m e u n c o m f o r t a b l e m o m e n t s as t h e r e s u l t , b u t I did w h a t I h a d t o d o .

INMATE 4: Fifty-eight police officers were staked out around a plant where they'd been informed w e were g o n n a rob an a r m o r e d car. W e c a m e and w a i t e d for a n h o u r or t w o , b u t t h e t r u c k w a s l a t e , s o w e p r o c e e d e d t o l e a v e . A g u n s h o t w a s fired, a n d w e r e turned fire. Five or ten m i n u t e s later, after the s h o o t i n g had ceased, a police officer w a s found dead, a l o n g w i t h t w o of m y c o - d e f e n d a n t s .

Q.

Was

the

officer

out

in

the

open

when

he

fired! A. H e w a s p o s i t i o n e d d i r e c t l y i n f r o n t of t h e v e h i c l e I w a s o c c u p y i n g a n d 15 t o 2 0 f e e t d i r e c t l y i n f r o n t of s i x o f f i c e r s w h o w e r e s h o o t i n g o v e r h i s shoulder. T e s t i m o n y later revealed he was shot by t h e m d u e to t h e f a c t t h e y w a s b l i n d f r o m t h e b r i g h t light. Q. What kind of gun did you have! A. I had an A R - 1 5 , a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c highp o w e r e d r i f l e . I t ' s t h e c i v i l i a n v e r s i o n of t h e M - 1 6 . Very powerful and very damaging weapon. Q. Are you a good shot! A. W e l l , at a d i s t a n c e of 2 5 t o 3 0 f e e t , I w o u l d h i t a m o v i n g t a r g e t of m o d e r a t e s i z e e i g h t o u t of t e n times. I knew the most successful criminal would be the one w h o had the m o s t e x p e r i e n c e in handling a g u n , so I s t u d i e d g u n s . I u s e d t o go h u n t i n g a n d to a rifle range and shoot shotguns, A R - 1 5 rifles, M-16s, Army .45s, .357 Magnums with six-inch b a r r e l s , p o l i c e s p e c i a l s and P - 3 8 s . Q. How proficient do you think most officers are with a handgun! A. I don't think m y vocabulary contains the w o r d s t o d e s c r i b e t h e l o u s i n e s s of t h e w a y p o l i c e u s e their handguns. W h e n they dismount their handgun from its holster, t h e y ' r e not fixed firmly, t h e y don't tense t h e m s e l v e s up. T h e y ' r e very loose and casual. T h a t indicates poor accuracy, poor efficiency. Anyo n e w h o ' s fired a h a n d g u n k n o w s t h a t y o u s h o u l d b e as s t u r d y as p o s s i b l e w h e n y o u ' r e i n a f i r i n g p o s i tion. Q. To your knowledge of the way things are on the street, what do you think the easiest way would be to take out a cop! A. T o w a t c h his m o v e m e n t . A good armed r o b b e r or a g o o d b u r g l a r , h e h a v e o n e t h i n g i n h i s m i n d : t o p u l l off a s u c c e s s f u l c a p e r . In o r d e r t o do that, he m u s t have his eyes on the door. And c o m i n g through t h e door, he always e x p e c t s t h e p o l i c e . H e anticipates. In m y experience, officers just c o m e through the door w i t h their gun u n h o l s t e r e d , n o t k n o w i n g w h e r e t h e c r i m i n a l is l o c a t e d . T h e y l e a v e themselves vulnerable...no protection. I think it's a n e m o t i o n a l r e a c t i o n , b e c a u s e a g r e a t d e a l of y o u r o f f i c e r s is a c t u a l l y afraid, s o t h e t h i n g t h a t m o s t l y r u n s t h r o u g h t h e i r m i n d is I h a v e t o get i n h e r e , m a k e t h i s a r r e s t a n d t h a t ' s i t . T h e y n e v e r l o o k at t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of b e i n g k i l l e d i n t h e p r o c e s s . Q. What odds do you give an officer in that of situation! A. If I s o u g h t o u t t o c o m m i t a r o b b e r y , I w o u l d g i v e t h e p o l i c e a 3 0 p e r c e n t c h a n c e of l i v i n g , o n c e h e w a l k e d t h r o u g h t h e d o o r . A s s o o n as I h e a r a noise, I'm automatically turning and shooting. I kind

w a n t w h a t I ' v e c o m e for a n d I w a n t t o g e t a w a y , s o m y o b j e c t i v e is h i g h e r t h a n a n y o f f i c e r t h a t p l a n t o arrest m e . Q. And you think you 're better prepared! A. T h a n the average guy w h o goes to t h e acade m y m a y b e o n c e a w e e k , s p e n d s 10 or 2 0 m i n u t e s there? Definitely. C r i m i n a l s study t h e police. I've studied the way police m o v e , their e m o t i o n a l anticip a t i o n s . I a l w a y s w a t c h t h e o f f i c e r , n o t for h i s e y e s or h i s h a n d s — h i s c h e s t p a r t . I h a v e h i s c h e s t p a r t in visual sight. Q.

And

you

can

shoot

him

without

reserva-

tion! A. I ' l l p u t it in t h i s p e r s p e c t i v e : w h e r e t h e r e ' s $ 2 , 0 0 0 or m o r e i n v o l v e d , t h e a v e r a g e g u y h a v e n o reservations whatsoever about w h o he kills. In fact, he'd be m o r e inclined to kill a police officer rather than anyone else. He expects the worst to happen.

D E T E C T I V E JIM R O W E : I was a patrolman when the shooting occurred. I was on m y m o t o r c y c l e checking out a lower parking l e v e l for a g u y w h o ' d s t o l e n t w o g u n s f r o m a p a w n shop w h e n I noticed s o m e o n e w h o looked like h i m w a l k by on the sidewalk above. I rode up to w i t h i n 8 or 9 f e e t b e h i n d h i m . I h a d m y g u n o u t , p o i n t i n g at h i m . I y e l l e d , " H o l d it r i g h t t h e r e ! " H e k i n d of looked over his right shoulder and t h e n spun around. B o o m ! H i s first shot hit m e in t h e n e c k . I fired b a c k , b u t h e t o o k off a n d k e p t g o i n g . Q. What effect do you think TV and films have had on officer survival! A. Definitely detrimental. In the C l i n t Eastwood movies, the John Wayne movies, the crooks are l o u s y shots, t h e good guys a l w a y s w i n . T h i s in itself tends to m a k e p o l i c e m e n feel they're a little m o r e invincible than they really are. Q.

Where

do

you

think

your

approach

was

weak! A. N u m b e r one, I approached the individual while still on m y m o t o r c y c l e . I c a m e too close to h i m , I didn't have any cover, and I b r o k e the golden r u l e of p o l i c e m e n : I did n o t s e e h i s h a n d s . T h e y w e r e in his p o c k e t s . I should have k n o w n better, b e c a u s e , if h e w a s t h e s u s p e c t I w a s l o o k i n g f o r , I k n e w h e was armed. Q. What's it like to get shot by someone who is better prepared than you are! A. M y p e r s o n a l f e e l i n g w a s o n e of a n g e r . I f e l t that w i t h m y experience, ten years on the departm e n t , I should have been m o r e alert. H e was able to j u s t t u r n a n d fire a n d h i t m e , a n d I s h o t n i n e t i m e s at h i m f r o m a d i s t a n c e of l e s s t h a n t e n f e e t , a n d I d o n ' t k n o w w h e t h e r I h i t h i m or n o t .

Q. Things were a little different than on the range! A. V e r y . S h o o t i n g paper t a r g e t s , y o u ' r e n o t pumped up, t h e r e ' s no adrenalin, no danger, n o t h i n g to fear. Y o u just have the feeling that t h a t ' s e x a c t l y w h a t t h e y are, paper t a r g e t s . I t ' s v e r y s i m p l e t o k e e p a calm, steady hand w h e n they're not shooting back. Q. Where do most officers go wrong, so far as survival is concerned! A. Being over-confident, thinking that their b l u e u n i f o r m is g o i n g t o s t o p b u l l e t s . T h e m o r e y o u ' r e in p o l i c e w o r k , y o u t e n d t o b e c o m e i n v o l v e d in s i t u a t i o n s w h i c h are v e r y s i m i l a r , t i m e a n d t i m e again. Y o u c a n b e c o m e v e r y c o m p l a c e n t d u r i n g t h o s e t y p e s of i n c i d e n t s , and it c a n t u r n b a d o n y o u . It did w i t h m e . Q. Okay, I'm a bad guy and I'm saying I'm better prepared than any cop out on the street. I shoot when I want to, and you don't know what you 're doing. A. W e l l , I d o n ' t c a r e w h a t y o u say a b o u t b e i n g b e t t e r p r e p a r e d . I a l m o s t l o s t m y l i f e , a n d I ' l l guarantee you, / w o n ' t m a k e the s a m e m i s t a k e s again. I ' l l be b e t t e r prepared t h a n t h e t y p i c a l c r e e p o n t h e street. I practice. I don't b e c o m e complacent. T h a t ' s w h a t i t ' s all a b o u t . N o t b e c o m i n g c o m p l a c e n t , a n d j u s t p r a c t i c i n g at s u r v i v i n g .

T h e ways and c i r c u m s t a n c e s in w h i c h c r i m i n a l s take on officers in gunfights have varied a m a z i n g l y l i t t l e s i n c e p o l i c e first b e g a n t o c a r r y f i r e a r m s i n t h e m i d d l e of t h e 1 9 t h c e n t u r y . T h e f i r s t p o l i c e k i l l i n g r e c o r d e d in N e w Y o r k C i t y , i n 1 8 5 4 , o c c u r r e d a f t e r a baker interrupted two " j u v e n i l e d e l i n q u e n t s " burglarizing his e s t a b l i s h m e n t . " T h e rogues e s c a p e d , " s a y s t h e o f f i c i a l report of t h e i n c i d e n t , " a n d w e r e closely pursued by Patrolman Cahill. H e i m m e d i ately closed in w i t h the rascals and a struggle ensued ...Several pistol shots were discharged...The officer gave a g r o a n , s a n k t o t h e g r o u n d a n d e x p i r e d a f e w m i n u t e s l a t e r . " I n c l o s e s e q u e n c e i n t h e m u s t y old r e c o r d b o o k s f o l l o w r e p o r t s of p l a i n c l o t h e s a n d u n i f o r m e d o f f i c e r s — " t r u s t y g u a r d i a n s of t h e n i g h t " — fatally shot upon confronting a shoe store thief w h o w a s b r a n d i s h i n g ' ' a large h o r s e p i s t o l ' ' . . . w h e n c a l l e d t o " q u e l l a d i s t u r b a n c e at a n o y s t e r s a l o o n " . . . w h i l e trying to arrest " a fugitive f r o m j u s t i c e " in a l i q u o r s t o r e . . . d u r i n g t h e p u r s u i t of " a g a n g of vagabonds" w h o had " d e b a u c h e d a wretched female against her w i l l " . . . a n d while a t t e m p t i n g to seize " a m a d m a n " w h o had v o w e d to shoot t h e first m a n w h o c a m e through his hotel r o o m door.

T Y P E O F A S S I G N M E N T A T TIR/IE O F D E A T H Percent 66 22 11 99

Patrol Detective/Special Assignment Off D u t y Total

CIRCUMSTANCES A T T H E SCENE OF T H E I N C I D E N T Percent Disturbance Calls Burglary Calls Robbery Calls A t t e m p t i n g A r r e s t for C r i m e s o t h e r t h a n R o b b e r y or B u r g l a r y Civil Disorders Handling Prisoners Investigating Suspicious Persons/ Circumstances A m b u s h (premeditated and unprovoked) Dealing with Mentally Deranged T r a f f i c P u r s u i t s and S t o p s Total

19 7 18 21 1 4 8 7 2 12 99

25

T o d a y , o n l y t h e n a m e s a n d s o m e of t h e l a n g u a g e a r e d i f f e r e n t , t h e o c c u p a t i o n of l a w e n f o r c e m e n t r e mains exactly the same. Throughout the country, officers still are killed in bars, stores and h o m e s , on s i d e w a l k s a n d h i g h w a y s , i n a l l e y s a n d g u t t e r s , pred o m i n a n t l y b y g u n s . More than 70 per cent of the time, the fatal confrontations erupt during so-called "routine patrol, " a n d e s p e c i a l l y w h e n o f f i c e r s a r e : • • • •

attempting arrests responding to d o m e s t i c disturbances investigating robberies-in-progress, and c o n d u c t i n g traffic pursuits and stops.

( T h e d e g r e e of d a n g e r w i t h i n t h e s e b r o a d categories m a y vary w i t h c i r c u m s t a n c e s . T h e d a n g e r of d o m e s t i c d i s t u r b a n c e s , for e x a m p l e , tends to be h e i g h t e n e d w h e n only o n e o f f i c e r is o n t h e s c e n e ; r o b b e r y - i n p r o g r e s s c a l l s a r e apt t o b e m o r e d a n g e r o u s t o o f f i c e r s in c o n c e n t r a t e d u r b a n a r e a s t h a n in rural areas, w h e r e the distance an officer m u s t travel in responding often allows t h e suspect t i m e to flee.) No a s s i g n m e n t c a n b e c o n s i d e r e d " s a f e , " h o w e v e r . N o r c a n a n y t i m e , day, m o n t h or l o c a t i o n . O f f i c e r s a r e k i l l e d i n d a y l i g h t , at n i g h t , o n w e e k e n d s and w e e k d a y s , in w i n t e r and s u m m e r , inside police s t a t i o n s , jails and judges' c h a m b e r s and o n the p o r c h e s of t h e i r o w n h o u s e s , as w e l l i n t h e h e a r t of h o s t i l e g h e t t o s . O n e i n n i n e of t h o s e w h o die are o f f - d u t y at t h e t i m e t h e y a r e a t t a c k e d . O n c e y o u c a r r y a b a d g e , y o u ' r e e x p o s e d t o t h e r i s k of a g u n f i g h t at all h o u r s , all p l a c e s , o n all d a y s , i n all s e a s o n s , a n d u n d e r all c i r c u m s t a n c e s — j u s t as y o u r counterparts were m o r e than a c e n t u r y ago, w h e n t h e t a l l y of l i v e s l o s t b e g a n . W h a t ' s e s p e c i a l l y d i s t u r b i n g is t h a t o f f i c e r s t o day still r e s e m b l e t h o s e f r o m t h e decade before t h e C i v i l W a r i n a n o t h e r w a y : i n c r e d i b l y , they are making the same tactical errors in regard to armed confrontations. T h e s e persistent m i s t a k e s , in m o s t c a s e s , are d i r e c t l y r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e t o l l of o f f i c e r injuries and deaths. A f t e r m o r e t h a n 1 0 0 y e a r s of c o n s i s t e n c y i n t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s a n d o u t c o m e s of o f f i c e r - i n v o l v e d s h o o t i n g s , m a n y d e p a r t m e n t s are finally beginning t o r e c o g n i z e t h e c o r e p r o b l e m : a large gap e x i s t s b e t w e e n t h e training m o s t officers receive in h o w to d e f e n d t h e i r l i v e s a n d t h e k i n d s of c h a l l e n g e s t o t h e i r defense they actually confront on the job. In short, the patterns of instructions don't match the patterns of encounter. T h i s is n o w h e r e m o r e e v i d e n t — o r m o r e i m p o r t a n t — t h a n in t h e a r e a of f i r e a r m s .

M o s t initial recruit range training and subseq u e n t q u a l i f i c a t i o n r e q u i r e m e n t s , for e x a m p l e , f o c u s o v e r w h e l m i n g l y on shooting stationary paper or m e t a l t a r g e t s at a d i s t a n c e of 2 1 t o 1 5 0 f e e t . T h e a c t i o n is s l o w a n d d e l i b e r a t e . T h e r a n g e m a s t e r h o l lers out a measured c o u n t d o w n : ' 'Ready on the right! .. . R e a d y o n t h e l e f t ! . . . R e a d y o n t h e f i r i n g l i n e . . . F i r e ! ' ' Y o u c o n c e n t r a t e o n grip, s t a n c e , b r e a t h c o n t r o l , s i g h t a l i g n m e n t , trigger s q u e e z e a n d proper f o l l o w through. After shooting each round, you m a y be told to re-holster your gun, and w h e n you reload, y o u ' r e c a u t i o n e d t o d u m p y o u r b r a s s i n a b u c k e t or p u t it i n y o u r p o c k e t t o k e e p t h e r a n g e t i d y . T h e r e ' s u s u a l l y l i t t l e p r e s s u r e . . . t h e l i g h t ' s g o o d . . . a n d if y o u r gun or a m m u n i t i o n m a l f u n c t i o n , you just s t i c k your h a n d i n t h e air a n d c a l l t i m e - o u t .

28

B u t , r e a l l i f e - o r - d e a t h e p i s o d e s , as s u r v i v o r s are q u i c k t o p o i n t o u t , are d r a s t i c a l l y d i f f e r e n t . S h o o t - o u t s t e n d t o b e at c l o s e q u a r t e r s , q u i c k a n d d a r k . Y o u r t a r g e t s h o o t s at you...and moves. While y o u ' r e t r y i n g t o d u c k b u l l e t s , s e e h i m a n d fire b a c k , y o u m a y be s c r a m b l i n g for f o o t i n g o n i c e , t r y i n g t o k e e p y o u r b a l a n c e o n a r i c k e t y fire e s c a p e , or f e n d i n g off s t o n e s a n d b o t t l e s h u r l e d f r o m a n a n g r y c r o w d . Your gun m a y be wobbling, because you're panting a n d t r e m b l i n g f r o m t h e e x e r t i o n of a c h a s e . T o r e a c h c o v e r , y o u m a y h a v e t o r o l l t h r o u g h a p a t c h of c a c t u s or o v e r b r o k e n g l a s s . Y o u m a y r u n o u t of a m m u nition before your assailant does, and w h i l e y o u ' r e struggling to reload, he m a y rush you. Y o u m a y face m u l t i p l e suspects in different l o c a t i o n s and w i t h m o r e p o w e r f u l g u n s t h a n y o u r s , a l l f i r i n g at o n c e . Y o u m a y b e c o m e wounded and start pumping blood. O r at t h e s p l i t - s e c o n d y o u n e e d t o s h o o t t o s a v e y o u r life, y o u r g u n m a y m a l f u n c t i o n . F o r c e r t a i n , w h e n y o u are u n d e r s u d d e n s t r e s s and fear, y o u r p u p i l s d i l a t i n g , y o u r h e a r t t h u m p i n g , your lungs heaving, your adrenalin surging, your s t o m a c h a n d b o w e l s i n t u r m o i l , y o u r a b i l i t y t o dist i n g u i s h t i m e , c o l o r s a n d d i s t a n c e d i m i n i s h e d , you revert without thinking to the habits you have learned in training. U n l e s s you have trained realist i c a l l y , t h i s a l o n e m a y c o s t y o u y o u r l i f e . In a n o t o r ious highway patrol incident, four officers were k i l l e d in a g u n f i g h t t h a t b r o k e o u t d u r i n g a f e l o n y s t o p . A f t e r t h e s h o o t i n g w a s o v e r , o n e of t h e dead officers, w h o had reloaded during t h e s h o o t - o u t , reportedly was found w i t h spent cartridges in his pants p o c k e t s . U n d e r fire, he had u n c o n s c i o u s l y t a k e n p r e c i o u s s e c o n d s t o do w h a t h e h a d l e a r n e d o n the range: eject his e m p t i e s i n t o his p a l m and stuff t h e m into his pocket before reloading live rounds. T h e o f f i c e r w h o h a s h a d l i t t l e or n o t r a i n i n g or h a s n o t r e c e n t l y u n d e r g o n e r e - t r a i n i n g is l i k e l y under stress simply to panic. His behavior can b e j u s t as t h r e a t e n i n g t o h i m s e l f a n d t o o t h e r i n n o c e n t p a r t i e s as t h a t of t h e o f f i c e r w h o is i m p r o p e r l y trained. No one should underestimate the importance t h a t t h e b a s i c f u n d a m e n t a l s of m a r k s m a n s h i p c a n p l a y in a r m e d e n c o u n t e r s . B u t t h e y s h o u l d b e r e garded as t h e f o u n d a t i o n , n o t t h e f i n i s h e d p r o d u c t , of s u r v i v a l e x p e r t i s e . A n d t h e y s h o u l d b e u t t e r l y f r e e of t h e p r a c t i c e s t h a t m a y b e c o n v e n i e n t t o t h e r a n g e staff, b u t j e o p a r d i z i n g t o t h e o f f i c e r s i n w h o m t h e y h a v e b e c o m e i n g r a i n e d ( s u c h as p u t t i n g e m p t y s h e l l cases in your pocket to avoid cluttering up t h e grass). Some agencies have modernized their firearms training to include i n s t i n c t shooting, dim-light firing, s t r e s s c o u r s e s a n d c l o s e , m u l t i p l e a n d m o v i n g

targets in s i m u l a t e d street s i t u a t i o n s . S o m e , in doing so, have been startled to discover that officers w h o have b e e n w i n n i n g target shooting trophies o f t e n are u n a b l e t o h i t " c o m b a t " t a r g e t s at 8 t o 10 f e e t , p a r t i c u l a r l y w h e n t h e t a r g e t s are m o v i n g . I n m o s t jurisdictions, however, range facilities remain inadequate, instruction m i n i m a l and the techniques c o n v e y e d t o o o u t m o d e d or u n r e a l i s t i c for p r a c t i c a l application. A s a b e g i n n i n g for y o u r s u r v i v a l a w a r e n e s s , y o u need to k n o w just w h a t factors y o u are l i k e l y to have to deal w i t h in a real shooting situation. Y o u m a y f i n d it s o b e r i n g t o c o m p a r e t h e t r a i n i n g y o u h a v e r e c e i v e d t o d a t e w i t h t h e s e s t a t i s t i c a l p r o b a b i l i t i e s of t h e s t r e e t . Y o u m a y agree w i t h o n e o f f i c e r w h o assessed his formal instruction this way: " I t seems like t h e y give y o u a b o w and arrow and send y o u o u t t h e r e t o do y o u r j o b . "

Patterns of Encounter N o t w o s h o o t i n g c o n f r o n t a t i o n s are e v e r e x a c t l y alike, but over the years records have been kept, certain recurring patterns have been identified. Of c o u r s e , o n e s h o u l d a l w a y s t r a i n for t h e e x c e p t i o n as well as the rule. But w h e r e traditional firearms i n s t r u c t i o n f a l l s s h o r t is i n p r e p a r i n g i t s t r a i n e e s only f o r t h e e x c e p t i o n s — a s s o m e of t h e s e r e a l i t i e s indicate: Distance: W h i l e m o s t range practice involves t a r g e t s s e t at 7 t o 5 0 y a r d s , s p a n s of less than 7 yards e x i s t b e t w e e n o f f i c e r s a n d s u s p e c t s in a l m o s t 8 5 per cent of a c t u a l s h o o t - o u t s . W h e n o f f i c e r s are k i l l e d , t h e y a r e o n l y 0 t o 10 f e e t f r o m t h e i r a s s a i l a n t s i n t h e v a s t m a j o r i t y of c a s e s ; h a l f a r e 5 f e e t or l e s s , close enough m a n y t i m e s to t o u c h e a c h other. Of t h e m o r e t h a n 2 5 0 officer deaths recorded in N e w Y o r k C i t y s i n c e 1 8 5 4 , in o n l y one did t h e s u s p e c t s h o o t f r o m m o r e t h a n 2 0 f e e t a w a y . Y e t , 2 1 f e e t is t h e d i s t a n c e at w h i c h m o s t r a n g e t r a i n i n g s t a r t s a n d it l e n g t h e n s f r o m t h e r e . T h a t c o n d i t i o n s y o u t o t h i n k i n t e r m s of r e l a t i v e l y v a s t s p a t i a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s , w h e n y o u s h o u l d b e t h i n k i n g — a n d prepari n g — f o r close q u a r t e r s . T h e s u s p e c t w h o s h o o t s at y o u is l i k e l y t o b e l e s s t h a n h a l f t h e l e n g t h of y o u r p a t r o l c a r , or t h e l e n g t h of y o u r a r m , a w a y . 1

Light: I n c o n t r a s t t o t h e t y p i c a l s u n n y or b r i g h t l y l i g h t e d r a n g e , m o r e t h a n t w o o u t of t h r e e f a t a l o f f i c e r s h o o t i n g s o c c u r d u r i n g t h e h o u r s of 1 FBI " L a w Enforcement Officers Killed" Summaries.

d a r k n e s s or i n l o c a t i o n s w h e r e t h e l i g h t is v e r y d i m , like hallways, bars, w a r e h o u s e s and b a s e m e n t s . O u t s i d e y o u m a y h a v e o n l y t h e l i g h t of s t a r s or t h e m o o n , or a s t r e e t l a m p h a l f a b l o c k a w a y . T h e l i g h t m a y be so p o o r t h a t y o u w o n ' t b e a b l e t o s e e t h e sights on your gun w h e n you need to return fire. Time: T h e t i m e you t a k e to position yourself o n t h e r a n g e is p r o b a b l y l o n g e r t h a n m o s t g u n f i g h t s l a s t . C o n f r o n t a t i o n s are s u d d e n a f f a i r s , o v e r in 2 to 3 seconds, in t h e m a j o r i t y of c a s e s . A l m o s t n e v e r is there t i m e to c o c k your gun, stand in profile, and t a k e c a r e f u l a i m at y o u r t a r g e t . Y o u a n d t h e s u s p e c t t o g e t h e r are n o t l i k e l y t o fire m o r e t h a n a t o t a l of 3 s h o t s , w h e t h e r t h e s i t u a t i o n is a n a m b u s h , a n a r m e d r o b b e r y or a f a m i l y f i g h t . In t h e m a j o r i t y of c a s e s , t h e i n i t i a l e x c h a n g e of fire w i l l d e t e r m i n e t h e o u t c o m e . T h e s p e e d w i t h w h i c h y o u c a n r e a c t t o danger, t h e r e f o r e , is l i k e l y t o b e a m o r e c r i t i c a l c o m m o d i t y t h a n t h e a m o u n t of a m m u n i t i o n y o u h a v e at your disposal. Y o u probably carry m o r e a m m u n i t i o n t h a n y o u ' l l e v e r n e e d , b u t t i m e is a l m o s t always in short supply. 2

1-"Carrying Duty A m m o for R e v o l v e r s , " by Ed Lovette, N e w Mexico man, January, 1977.

Law-

The scene of a gunfight. Two suspects are dead after wounding a police officer. A short distance away the officer receives assistance from fellow officers. Note the presence of civilians, location, distance between subjects, and the outcome.

31

Location: Officer-involved shootings occurring o u t d o o r s o u t n u m b e r t h o s e i n s i d e b y 2Vi t o l . W h e n t h e s u s p e c t is w i t h i n a b u i l d i n g of s o m e s o r t , y o u m a y have t i m e to c o n t a i n h i m and to plan and get assistance. But outside, fast, positive action m a y b e d e m a n d e d t o p r e v e n t h i s e s c a p e or t o s a v e y o u r life and o t h e r s . T h e m a j o r i t y of outdoor c o n f r o n t a t i o n s o c c u r o n s t r e e t s a n d s i d e w a l k s or i n a l l e y s or yards. T h a t can m e a n passing m o t o r i s t s , shoppers, kids playing, people leaning from w i n d o w s . . . a s well as f e l l o w o f f i c e r s or h o s t a g e s i n t h e i m m e d i a t e v i c i n ity. Rigid safety rules protect everyone on the range, but in real life, your assailant will likely s h o o t w i t h t o t a l d i s r e g a r d for b y s t a n d e r s ' w e l f a r e . Y o u r r e t u r n fire, o n t h e other h a n d , will h a v e to safely a c c o m m o d a t e t h e i r p r e s e n c e b e c a u s e you w i l l b e h e l d l e g a l l y r e s p o n s i b l e for w h e r e v e r y o u r b u l l e t s i m p a c t , e v e n several t h o u s a n d yards d o w n range. 3

Assailants: O n the range, you typically shoot at o n e s t a t i o n a r y t a r g e t at a t i m e . A t l e a s t f o u r o u t of t e n g u n f i g h t s , h o w e v e r , i n v o l v e m o r e t h a n o n e a s s a i l a n t . I t ' s i n c r e a s i n g l y c o m m o n t h e s e d a y s for a r m e d robbers and other c r i m i n a l s to e m p l o y backup m e n . O f t e n t h e s e i n d i v i d u a l s a r e n o t r e a d i l y i d e n t i f i a b l e as s u s p e c t s a n d m a y e s c a p e y o u r n o t i c e until they open fire. Y o u m a y find t h e m positioned at d i f f e r e n t h e i g h t s t h a n y o u a r e , at d i f f e r e n t dist a n c e s a w a y , a n d at d i f f e r e n t a n g l e s t o y o u , a n d t h e y are q u i t e l i k e l y t o be m o v i n g , t h e r e b y c o m p l i c a t i n g your return-fire capabilities. Weapons: T h e r e are n o c o u n t e r - w e a p o n s on t h e a v e r a g e r a n g e ; t h e t a r g e t t a k e s y o u r fire a n d never responds. O n the street, your targets not only fire b a c k , b u t t h e y g e n e r a l l y f i r e fiist...and their g u n s m a y b e b a l l i s t i c a l l y s u p e r i o r . O n e s u r v e y indic a t e s t h a t a b o u t 15 p e r c e n t of t h e s u s p e c t s w h o s h o o t at p o l i c e u s e s h o t g u n s or r i f l e s , w h e r e a s f e w e r t h a n 5 p e r c e n t of t h e o f f i c e r s i n v o l v e d h a v e t h e s e w e a p o n s in h a n d . O f officers w h o are killed, h o w e v e r , s e v e n o u t of t e n die f r o m handgun wounds. M o r e t h a n 8 0 per c e n t of t h e g u n s u s e d i n t h e s e a s s a u l t s a r e t h e s a m e c a l i b e r as t h e o f f i c e r ' s or s m a l l e r . M a n y h a v e b e e n s t o l e n , e i t h e r b u r g l a r i z e d or bought f r o m fences. M i l i t a r y and high-quality law enforcement weapons with armor-piercing rounds are easily available to c r i m i n a l s f r o m illegal s o u r c e s . In s o m e cases, c r i m i n a l ingenuity can m a k e a standard w e a p o n m o r e h a z a r d o u s . (In T e n n e s s e e , a s u s pect loaded shotgun shells w i t h d i m e s to produce a d e a d l i e r i m p a c t at c l o s e r a n g e . ) F r o m y o u r p o i n t of 4

- Target Blue, Robert Daley, Dell Publishing Company, 1978. 4 " A n a l y s i s of Police C o m b a t S i t u a t i o n s , " New York City Police Department, 1974. 3

v i e w , the most dangerous gun is still the .38 Special revolver. S u s p e c t s favor it, s t a t i s t i c a l l y , o v e r a l l o t h e r s . O t h e r s m o s t c o m m o n l y i n v o l v e d are . 2 5 cal., .32 cal. and .357 M a g n u m in t h a t descending order. In a b o u t 2 0 p e r c e n t of t h e c a s e s , t h e g u n u s e d t o k i l l a n o f f i c e r is h i s own s e r v i c e f i r e a r m , w r e s t e d f r o m h i s h a n d or h i s h o l s t e r b y h i s w o u l d - b e target and t u r n e d a g a i n s t h i m — a n o t h e r p r o b l e m t o t a l l y foreign f r o m r a n g e t r a i n i n g . W h a t e v e r w e a p o n is used, t h e suspect in m o s t cases will i n s t i n c t i v e l y fire it d o u b l e - a c t i o n . T h i s c a n g i v e a n a s s a i l a n t a n a d d i t i o n a l edge, e s p e c i a l l y w h e n , as s o m e t i m e s h a p pens, the v i c t i m officer, under stress, reverts to the s l o w e r , r e c r u i t r a n g e - i n s t i l l e d h a b i t of f i r i n g s i n g l e action. 5

6

5 FBI " L a w Enforcement Officers Killed S u m m a r y , " 1977. ^•"Revolver Retention for Law Enforcement Officers," Kansas City (MO) Police Department, 1976.

38 cal. S&W Military and Police Model with a tragic history. The offender disarmed one officer to steal it, then used it months later to kill another officer. Between incidents the barrel was cut down, for better concealment.

Even cap guns have been used to draw down on police. In some cases, toy guns have been made operable and used in robberies.

Guns found in a car which was stopped for having homemade cardboard license plates. Some of these guns were used by the four occupants, who had recently killed an officer in another state.

Long guns confiscated by police after being used in various robberies and assaults in a middle-class suburb of 80,000.

Firearms are often stolen prior to armed confrontations. This collection, plus ammunition, was seized in a "routine" drug raid.

34

Suspects Who Shoot J u s t as p u n c h i n g paper t a r g e t s f a i l s t o r e f l e c t t h e weaponry and m o s t other c o n f r o n t a t i o n parameters, c l a s s r o o m p r e s e n t a t i o n s and l o c k e r r o o m w a r s t o r i e s m a y , in equal m e a s u r e , fail to prepare you for the m e n and w o m e n w h o stand behind the revolvers, the s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s , the rifles, the shotguns, the machine-guns, the pen guns, the pellet guns, the zip g u n s , a n d t h e G o d - k n o w s - w h a t - y o u ' d - c a l l - ' e m h o m e m a d e guns that you m a y confront on the street. Yet, because they usually dictate the critical factors in a s h o o t i n g — l i k e t i m e , distance and locat i o n — u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e i r p e r s p e c t i v e is c r u c i a l . Once you confront a suspect who has a gun, the odds are better than 40-60 that he will shoot at you and m o s t p r o b a b l y fire t h e f i r s t r o u n d . H e m a y do s o o u t of p a n i c , d e s p e r a t i o n , c o n f u s i o n , a n g e r , f e a r , derangement, exasperation, revenge, intoxication, h a l l u c i n a t i o n , p o l i t i c a l z e a l or s u i c i d a l y e a r n i n g . B u t the fact remains that, whatever the motivation, a s i z e a b l e p r o p o r t i o n of s u s p e c t s w i t h g u n s are n o t i n t i m i d a t e d j u s t b e c a u s e y o u are a n o f f i c e r . I n d e e d , it m a y b e t h a t v e r y s t a t u s t h a t i m p e l s t h e m t o f i r e — especially w h e n you stand b e t w e e n t h e m and escape. A t s o m e l e v e l , of c o u r s e , e v e n if i t ' s s u b c o n scious, an armed suspect faced w i t h your p r e s e n c e m u s t decide w h e t h e r to run, surrender or shoot; f e w , if a n y , a r e forced t o fire o n p o l i c e . A g a i n , as w i t h t h e e l e m e n t s of c o n f r o n t a t i o n , n o a b s o l u t e s c a n b e d r a w n , a n d i t ' s r i s k y n o t t o a l l o w for t h e m a n y e x c e p t i o n s . B u t c e r t a i n patterns are evident a m o n g those w h o c h o o s e to squeeze the trigger. Of suspects w h o kill officers, better than 9 6 per c e n t a r e m a l e , n e a r l y h a l f n a t i o n w i d e are b l a c k ( m u c h higher in s o m e urban areas), m o s t are under 3 0 . ( T h i s is n o t t o s a y , of c o u r s e , t h a t w o m e n a n d children, C a u c a s i a n s and the elderly can be ruled o u t as d a n g e r o u s s u s p e c t s . I n d i v i d u a l s i n t h e s e groups a t t a c k l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i c e r s , t o o o f t e n with the greatest a m o u n t of surprise.) Suspects u n d e r 2 1 and t h o s e w h o are b l a c k a r e l i k e l i e s t t o c o n f r o n t o f f i c e r s w h i l e i n t h e c o m p a n y of o t h e r s , while those over 3 0 and w h i t e tend to act a l o n e . L i k e y o u , t h e a v e r a g e a s s a i l a n t is a p r o . O v e r 6 0 per c e n t h a v e b e e n a r r e s t e d b e f o r e o n c r i m i n a l c h a r g e s , a b o u t 4 0 p e r c e n t for a v i o l e n t c r i m e — m u r d e r , rape, r o b b e r y or a s s a u l t . A s i z e a b l e p e r c e n t a g e h a v e been granted l e n i e n c y on a previous c o n v i c t i o n and are on p r o b a t i o n or p a r o l e at t h e t i m e of t h e s h o o t ing. 7

8

7 FBI " L a w Enforcement Officers Killed" Summaries. &Shots Fired: An Examination of New York City Police charges, James Fyfe, 1978.

Firearms

Dis-

This single-shot [.12 ga.) pipe gun loads with a bolt action mechanism. This 10 inch gun was taken off a juvenile suspect during an arrest.

Concealed lethal weapons are a constant threat to any officer. This converted cigaret lighter can fire either a . 22 short or .22 long when breach-loaded.

A .22 pistol, custom made from aluminum. Do you think the creator of this gun was capable of shooting an officer!

M o s t are n o t t r a i n e d m a r k s m e n , b u t s o m e h a v e p r a c t i c e d w i t h f i r e a r m s much m o r e t h a n y o u proba b l y h a v e if y o u are a n a v e r a g e o f f i c e r . A m o n g t h e c r i m i n a l g r o u p , e s p e c i a l l y , m a n y are a l s o a s t u t e s t u d e n t s of p o l i c e t a c t i c s . In p r i s o n s , t h e y m a y t a l k p o l i c e t a c t i c s 2 4 h o u r s a d a y — a n d t h e y a r e surr o u n d e d b y " e x p e r t s . " It is n o t u n c o m m o n for i n m a t e s to hold informal seminars on police man e u v e r s — h o w you exit patrol cars, h o w you approach t r a f f i c s t o p s , h o w y o u c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h y o u r partner, h o w you handle w e a p o n s , e t c . And in t h e recreation yard, i n m a t e s often practice a m o n g t h e m s e l v e s w a y s t o d i s a r m and m u r d e r o f f i c e r s . S o m e h a v e b e e n t r a i n e d i n m a r t i a l a r t s , s u c h as k a r a t e and judo. W h i l e " t h e s e guys are n o t R h o d e s S c h o l a r s " (in t h e w o r d s of a R h o d e I s l a n d p o l i c e c a p t a i n ) , m o s t do h a v e a p r e - a r r a n g e d p l a n , h o w e v e r c r u d e , of w h a t t h e y w i l l do if c o n f r o n t e d b y t h e p o l i c e .

36

W h e n t h e y s h o o t as part of t h a t p l a n , t h e y a r e l i k e l y t o do s o w i t h o u t v a c i l l a t i o n or r e m o r s e . T h e i r a t t i t u d e m i r r o r s t h a t of a n A r i z o n a c o p k i l l e r : " A l l I f e l t w a s t h e r e c o i l of t h e g u n . " T o m a n y o f f i c e r s , especially those with limited experience on the s t r e e t , t h i s k i n d of i c y s a v a g e r y is o n e of t h e h a r d e s t e l e m e n t s of a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n s t o i n t e r n a l i z e . I t ' s h u m a n nature to expect s o m e rationality and c o m p a s s i o n f r o m a n o t h e r h u m a n b e i n g . B u t as a n I l l i n o i s prison official explained after i n m a t e s coldb l o o d e d l y m u r d e r e d t h r e e g u a r d s at a c o r r e c t i o n a l f a c i l i t y i n t h a t s t a t e : " T h e t r u t h is t h e r e a r e a l o t of people w h o are just v i c i o u s . T h e y d o n ' t have to have any cause to k i l l . " Often, suspects who will take you on c o m e f r o m e l e m e n t s of s o c i e t y w h e r e t h e c u l t u r a l n o r m is to resent and defy a u t h o r i t y . F r o m childhood on, in their h o m e s , in their schools, in their gangs, in their fragmented personal relationships, their principal m e a n s of c o m m u n i c a t i o n h a s b e e n v i o l e n c e . In a c o n f r o n t a t i o n , m o s t w o u l d - b e a s s a i l a n t s know y o u w o n ' t s h o o t f i r s t i n a l l b u t t h e r a r e s t s i t u a t i o n s . Faced w i t h arrest and a possible prison term, the suspect m a y feel he has nothing to lose b y s h o o t i n g it o u t . Y e t h e k n o w s y o u are a r m e d a n d u s u a l l y p r e s u m e s y o u are t r a i n e d . P s y c h o l o g i c a l l y , h e m a y e x p e c t t o get s h o t , t o die, as a n a t u r a l r i s k of h i s l i f e s t y l e . A n d w h e n h e m a k e s t h e d e c i s i o n t o p u l l t h e trigger, h e ' s t h i n k i n g o n l y of h i m s e l f at t h a t m o m e n t . H e h a s o n e o b j e c t i v e o n l y : t o get o n t a r g e t as f a s t as p o s s i b l e a n d b l o w " t h a t c o p " o u t of h i s s o c k s .

This man held police at bay formoie than three hours. Despondent over domestic problems, he fired at police with this revolver, and was also armed with five other guns and 200 rounds of ammunition.

Officer Attitudes W h i l e the suspect's background and desperation m a y be bolstering his instinct to shoot, a host of c o n s t r a i n t s are l i k e l y c o n s p i r i n g t o delay your reaction. As you perceive his threat and begin to react, your m i n d m a y flash to your f a m i l y . . . t o your p a r t n e r . . . t o b y s t a n d e r s . Y o u m a y , if o n l y for a s p l i t s e c o n d , w o n d e r if s h o o t i n g b a c k w i l l c o n f o r m t o y o u r d e p a r t m e n t ' s p o l i c y o n t h e u s e of d e a d l y f o r c e . . . w h e t h e r y o u c a n j u s t i f y it i n a r e p o r t t o y o u r s u p e r i o r s . . . w h e t h e r your a c t i o n will be sustained in t h e j u d g m e n t of a s h o o t i n g r e v i e w b o a r d , m o n t h s l a t e r , in a s t e r i l e e n v i r o n m e n t w h e r e t h e u r g e n c y of the m o m e n t can never be recreated. N a t i o n w i d e , 9 2 p e r c e n t of s h o o t i n g s b y p o l i c e are l a t e r r u l e d j u s t i f i e d , w i t h n o r e p r i m a n d or s u s p e n s i o n ; usually unbiased w i t n e s s e s are around and can help clear the officer involved. O n l y a tiny f r a c t i o n of s u s p e c t s h o o t i n g s a r e e v e r r e f e r r e d for c r i m i n a l prosecution, and in a s m a l l e r fraction still do j u r i e s c o n v i c t — o n l y 3 o u t of 1 , 5 0 0 c a s e s i n o n e survey. But you k n o w that very specific rules exist, b y l a w a n d d e p a r t m e n t p o l i c y , f o r t h e u s e of d e a d l y f o r c e , a n d , if y o u are l i k e m o s t o f f i c e r s , a d o u b t f u l hesitation will affect your reaction. 9

R u l e s a s i d e , y o u m a y n o t want t o s h o o t . M a n y officers opt n o t to even w h e n t h e y h a v e a clear right t o do s o . In C h i c a g o , a n e x - c o n v i c t , m i f f e d b e c a u s e the police had not recovered a car h e c l a i m e d was s t o l e n f r o m h i m , i n v a d e d a p o l i c e s t a t i o n and w i t h out warning began firing a gun, seriously w o u n d i n g t w o o f f i c e r s . A p a t r o l m a n in a p o s i t i o n t o s h o o t b a c k c h o s e i n s t e a d t o tackle the assailant, even t h o u g h h e h i m s e l f h a d d u c k e d t h r e e of t h e m a n ' s b u l l e t s . In o n e e a s t e r n c a s e , a p a t r o l m a n w a s disa r m e d b y a m a n w h o t h e n s h o t at h i m , b u t m i s s e d . T h e officer wrestled h i m to the ground, and by k i c k ing h i m a n d b i t i n g h i s f a c e , f i n a l l y g o t t h e g u n b a c k . " I really w a n t e d to kill h i m , " the officer said later, " I did, b u t I c o u l d n ' t s h o o t . I s m a s h e d h i m w i t h t h e butt i n s t e a d . " Even w i t h their o w n lives in jeopardy, a m o r a l r e p u g n a n c e t o w a r d k i l l i n g k e p t t h e s e officers f r o m using their sidearms. O n e l i m i t e d s t u d y h a s s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e s e x of your partner m a y influence your reaction. T h e evidence suggests that m a l e officers w i t h m a l e partners g e n e r a l l y are m o r e r e l u c t a n t t o u s e t h e i r g u n s a n d a r e g u i l t y of m o r e m i s t a k e s in c l e a r l y p e r c e i v i n g d a n g e r a n d r e a c t i n g t o it t h a n are m a l e o f f i c e r s w i t h f e m a l e p a r t n e r s . S p e c u l a t i o n is t h a t m a l e - f e m a l e t e a m s tend to experience m o r e s u b c o n s c i o u s e m o t i o n a l

^•Police

Use of Deadly

Force,

Catherine Milton, Police Foundation, 1977

a r o u s a l as t h e y w o r k a n d t h u s are m o r e a t t u n e d t o picking up subtle clues to danger in their environment. In s o m e cases, your decision to shoot m a y be colored by an a c q u a i n t a n c e s h i p w i t h t h e suspect. In a b o u t 2 7 p e r c e n t of t h e i n s t a n c e s n a t i o n a l l y w h e r e officers are killed, they k n o w their a s s a i l a n t s . In such c i r c u m s t a n c e s , you m a y be t e m p t e d to relax y o u r v i g i l a n c e a n d n o t t a k e c o v e r e v e n if y o u see h e is a r m e d . If y o u ' v e h a d p r e v i o u s e n c o u n t e r s w i t h t h e s u s p e c t t h a t w e r e n o n - v i o l e n t or i n w h i c h y o u ' v e b e e n a b l e t o t a l k h i m o u t of d r a s t i c a c t i o n , y o u m a y e n t e r t a i n u n w a r r a n t e d hope for " r e a s o n i n g " t h e confrontation to conclusion rather than shooting it o u t . 1 0

1 1

Probably your greatest a t t i t u d i n a l e n e m y in a c o n f r o n t a t i o n , h o w e v e r , is oveiconfidence. You've b e e n s u c c e s s f u l or l u c k y e n o u g h t o a v o i d i n j u r y i n so m a n y s i t u a t i o n s that y o u begin to believe you will never be unsuccessful. Moreover, through m o v i e s , television and an enduring cultural m y t h , y o u ' v e b e e n b o m b a r d e d all y o u r l i f e w i t h t h e c o n c e p t of t h e l a w m a n as a n i n v u l n e r a b l e s u p e r - h e r o , c a p a b l e of " w a l k i n g t a l l " t h r o u g h a n y c h a l l e n g e that c o m e s his way, with never a thought even to the possibility h e m i g h t die. In w e s t e r n s , the image is t h a t of D o d g e C i t y , w h e r e " y o u c a n ' t b e a m a r s h a l u n t i l y o u ride a w i l d h o r s e b a r e b a c k w i t h a b a r b e d w i r e b r i d l e at f u l l g a l l o p w i t h a t i n c u p of red w h i s k e y in your left hand, rope a jackrabbit w i t h your r i g h t h a n d , a n d d o n ' t spill a d r o p . " I n t h e c o p t e l e v i s i o n s h o w s , t h e l e g e n d is u p d a t e d w i t h c u s t o m i z e d M a g n u m s a n d s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s a n d a n endl e s s s u p p l y of b a c k - u p g u n s . If y o u b u y i n t o t h i s s e l f - i m a g e — a n d p l e n t y of officers d o — y o u ' r e said to suffer the " S u p e r m a n s y n d r o m e . " Y o u believe that simply by m a k i n g a c o m m i t m e n t , b y p u t t i n g y o u r b o d y o n t h e l i n e and " h a n g i n g t o u g h , " y o u can face d o w n any danger t h a t t h r e a t e n s ; i t ' s a m a t t e r of w i l l a n d b r a v a d o o v e r a l l . O f c o u r s e , t o b e a " g o o d c o p , " y o u m u s t , of necessity, be aggressive; taking c h a n c e s , playing h u n c h e s a n d so o n a r e all part of t h e g a m e . B u t w h e n y o u add t h e e l e m e n t s of f o o l i s h n e s s or r e c k l e s s n e s s to your aggressive c o n d u c t , t h e n y o u fall prey to t h e w o r s t a s p e c t of t h i s u n f o r t u n a t e s y n d r o m e . A real-life—or m o r e appropriately, real-death— i l l u s t r a t i o n is p r o v i d e d b y t h e m i d d l e - a g e d M a s s a chusetts detective w h o responded to a silent alarm at a l o c a l c l u b . T w o u n i f o r m e d o f f i c e r s h a d b e a t e n h i m to t h e place, seen that a robbery w a s in progress

1 0 . " T h e Effect of Female Partners on Male Police Shooting Responses," Christina |ohns and Andrew Barclay, Michigan State University, 1 9 7 8 . 11 FBI " L a w Enforcement Officers Killed" Summaries.

and p r o p e r l y s t a t i o n e d t h e m s e l v e s o u t s i d e t o a w a i t assistance. W h e n the detective arrived, they warned h i m t h a t o n e s u b j e c t w a s a r m e d w i t h a . 1 6 ga. s h o t g u n . B u t h e shrugged off t h e i r c a u t i o n i n g a n d brazenly headed into the building. H e n o sooner set foot inside t h e club than he was fatally shot in t h e face. S u c h a n a t t i t u d e invites hostile fire. And w h e n it c o m e s , t h e S u p e r m a n t y p e , w h o t y p i c a l l y h a s underestimated the adversary, m a y freeze up, n o t knowing w h a t to do. C h a n c e s are h e ' s undert r a i n e d , as w e l l as o v e r c o n f i d e n t . S u c h o f f i c e r s t y p i c a l l y " q u a l i f y " i n t h e u s e of f i r e a r m s o n l y b e c a u s e of d e p a r t m e n t orders r e q u i r i n g t h e m t o do s o — n o t b e c a u s e t h e y f e e l it n e c e s s a r y for t h e i r o w n p r o t e c t i o n or t o e n a b l e t h e m t o do a b e t t e r j o b . T h e y do virtually n o training voluntarily. According to an FBI s t u d y , n e a r l y 4 0 per c e n t of t h e o f f i c e r s k i l l e d d u r i n g o n e r e v i e w p e r i o d had n o t r e c e i v e d any i n - s e r v i c e f i r e a r m s t r a i n i n g at a l l for at l e a s t t h r e e y e a r s b e f o r e getting shot.

E v e n if y o u ' r e r e l a t i v e l y f r e e of c o m p l a c e n c y a n d of t h e S u p e r m a n s y n d r o m e , c h a n c e s a r e y o u ' v e b e e n affected enough by these i n f l u e n c e s to be start l e d at b e i n g s h o t . I n c o n t r a s t t o m a n y s u s p e c t s , m o s t o f f i c e r s s u b c o n s c i o u s l y don't expect ever to get s h o t ; i n o u r m y t h o l o g y , " g o o d " g u y s r a r e l y d o . Wounded, more than one officer has gone into imm e d i a t e t r a u m a t i c s h o c k and died. O f t h o s e w h o m a n a g e to shoot b a c k and actually h i t their assailants, m o r e t h a n 70 per c e n t fail to inflict neutralizing w o u n d s . E i t h e r t h e y d o n ' t k n o w w h e r e t o s h o o t t o i n f l i c t w o u n d s c a p a b l e of s t o p p i n g t h e i r o p p o n e n t s ' i l l e g a l a c t i o n s , or t h e y a r e n ' t p r o f i c i e n t enough to deliver shots to that area. S t a t i s t i c a l l y , j u s t as a s s a i l a n t s t e n d t o r e f l e c t c e r t a i n b a c k g r o u n d s , s o do t h e o f f i c e r s w h o t a k e t h e i r r o u n d s . O v e r w h e l m i n g l y , o f f i c e r s k i l l e d are w h i t e , m a l e , of p a t r o l s t a t u s ( 6 6 p e r c e n t ) , i n u n i form, assigned to a patrol car, and w o r k i n g w i t h a p a r t n e r or b a c k - u p in r u r a l or s u b u r b a n a r e a s or i n cities under 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 population. M o r e t h a n 6 0 per c e n t a r e f r o m 2 5 t o 4 0 y e a r s old, a n d t h e y h a v e a m e d i a n of f i v e y e a r s of s e r v i c e at t h e t i m e of t h e c o n f r o n t a t i o n . O n e m i g h t e x p e c t the least experienced officers to be the m o s t vuln e r a b l e , y e t o n l y a b o u t 1 3 per c e n t h a v e l e s s t h a n a year's s e r v i c e . 1 2

Here again, attitude s e e m s to have a bearing. As a n e w officer, you m a y n o t e x p e r i e n c e so m a n y f a l s e a l a r m s t h a t y o u d e v e l o p c a s u a l p a t t e r n s for responding to calls w i t h i n your first year. As you head toward the five-year mark, though, you're likelier to feel you k n o w and have seen everything, you m a y begin to s u c c u m b to peer pressure to be b l a s e . Y o u m a y d i s c a r d or f o r g e t or d i s m i s s w h a t y o u k n e w a b o u t s u r v i v a l a n d m a k e n o e f f o r t t o l e a r n or p r a c t i c e a n y t h i n g n e w . T o t h e s u s p e c t w h o ' s prepared and willing to s h o o t , y o u m a y t h e n be a sitting duck.

The Survival State of Mind T h e f i r s t s t e p i n s u r v i v i n g o n t h e s t r e e t is t o a d j u s t y o u r m e n t a l a t t i t u d e s , i n l i g h t of t h e c o m m o n p a t t e r n s of e n c o u n t e r a n d t h e p e r s p e c t i v e s b o t h y o u and the s u s p e c t are l i k e l y to bring to a c o n f r o n t a tion. T h i s involves reminding yourself repeatedly that: 1.

l a w e n f o r c e m e n t is a h a z a r d o u s o c c u p a t i o n , d e m a n d i n g y o u r c o n s t a n t vigilance,-

12.FBI " L a w Enforcement Officers Killed" Summaries.

2.

a suspect's background, attitudes, motivat i o n , w i l l i n g n e s s to r e a s o n a n d i n c l i n a t i o n to shoot m a y be quite different from your own;

3.

t h e r e are l e g a l , m o r a l , a n d p s y c h o l o g i c a l i m p l i c a t i o n s of s h o o t i n g t h a t m u s t b e a n t i c i p a t e d a n d p e r s o n a l l y r e s o l v e d before a confrontation,it m a y b e n e c e s s a r y at a n y t i m e t o t a k e a l i f e t o save y o u r o w n or s o m e o n e e l s e ' s ; practical proficiency with firearms includes l e a r n i n g and p r a c t i c i n g n e w t e c h n i q u e s u n d e r s t r e s s i n as r e a l i s t i c a n e n v i r o n m e n t as is p o s s i b l e t o s i m u l a t e , a n d w i t h preparedness, preplanning and proper p h y s i c a l f i t n e s s , y o u c a n a v o i d m i s t a k e s of less fortunate officers and successfully conclude most suspect encounters.

4. 5.

6.

N o w l e t ' s l o o k at t h e t a c t i c a l p r o c e d u r e s — t a i lored t o t h e r e a l i t i e s of c o n f r o n t a t i o n — b y w h i c h y o u can project these attitudes into an effective defense system.

Three officers and two priests trying to talk a would-be suicide victim into surrendering the gun in his hand. How would you evaluate their perception of potential danger!

44

APPROACH TO DANGER T o w a i t u n t i l y o u n e e d t o d r a w a n d fire y o u r g u n t o t h i n k a b o u t s u r v i v a l t a c t i c s is l i k e w a i t i n g u n t i l you're coughing up blood to t h i n k about annual physical c h e c k u p s . Y o u should have survival in your conscious thoughts the m o m e n t you receive an ass i g n m e n t , for t h e m o v e s y o u m a k e at t h e o u t s e t m a y directly affect the o u t c o m e . By properly planning y o u r a p p r o a c h t o a c a l l , y o u m a y b e a b l e t o prevent a s h o o t i n g f r o m o c c u r r i n g . O r , if t h a t p r o v e s i m p o s s i ble, you will h a v e positioned yourself w h e r e you are e x p o s e d t o t h e l e a s t r i s k a n d h a v e t h e b e s t c h a n c e of responding safely w h e n danger does erupt. W h e r e m a n y o f f i c e r s go w r o n g is i n a s s u m i n g t h a t an a s s i g n m e n t is i n c o n s e q u e n t i a l a n d t h e r e f o r e a p p r o a c h i n g it o n w h a t a m o u n t s t o a u t o m a t i c p i l o t . T h e y f a i l t o c o n s i d e r t h a t , g o i n g in, t h e r e is a g r e a t deal a b o u t any s i t u a t i o n a n d t h e p e o p l e i n v o l v e d t h a t t h e y do n o t — c a n n o t — k n o w . P r e s u m i n g o n e s e t of c i r c u m s t a n c e s o n t h e b a s i s of a p p e a r a n c e s or past experience, they m a y find t h e m s e l v e s conf r o n t i n g q u i t e a n o t h e r , for w h i c h t h e y are n o t prepared. In O r e g o n , f o r e x a m p l e , a s e r g e a n t w h o s t o p p e d t o h e l p a t e e n a g e c o u p l e i n a d i s a b l e d c a r did n o t k n o w t h e girl w a s a n e s c a p e e or t h a t t h e y w o u l d kill h i m because they thought he intended to arrest her. A M i l w a u k e e patrolman responding to a disturb a n c e at a h o u s e w h e r e p o l i c e h a d b e e n f i f t y p r e v i o u s t i m e s w i t h o u t i n c i d e n t did n o t k n o w t h a t t h i s t i m e the husband beating his wife had picked up a . 3 0 - 0 6 rifle on his w a y h o m e and w o u l d shoot t h e o f f i c e r for " m e s s i n ' i n . " A G e o r g i a o f f i c e r w h o w a l k e d u p t o t h e d o o r of a c o c k t a i l l o u n g e t h a t w a s ajar a f t e r n o r m a l c l o s i n g t i m e did n o t k n o w — u n t i l he was shot dead—that an armed burglar was inside.

W h e n y o u o b s e r v e a p r o b l e m o n t h e s t r e e t or receive an a s s i g n m e n t from a dispatcher, all y o u k n o w for c e r t a i n is t h e g e n e r a l d i r e c t i o n i n w h i c h t o proceed. W h a t y o u ' l l find w h e n you arrive, there's n o w a y of t e l l i n g . W i t h a survival orientation, you keep this firmly in m i n d a n d always approach a situation anticipating an armed confrontation. In m a n y c a s e s , as w e k n o w f r o m t h e c o m m o n p a t t e r n s of e n c o u n t e r , a n o f f e n d e r h a s a p l a n i n m i n d for h o w h e w i l l s h o o t . So y o u w a n t to plan ahead, too, but y o u ' l l have to l e t t h e circumstances dictate tactics, not vice versa. E a c h s t e p of t h e w a y , y o u c o n s i d e r t h e opport u n i t i e s a n o f f e n d e r m i g h t h a v e f o r s h o o t i n g at y o u a n d t h e w a y s i n w h i c h y o u m i g h t f o r e s t a l l or r e s p o n d t o a n a t t a c k . In o t h e r w o r d s , y o u m a k e a h a b i t of f i g u r i n g , " I f ' A ' h a p p e n s , I ' m g o i n g t o do ' B , ' " adj u s t i n g f o r n e w d e v e l o p m e n t s as y o u g o . I t ' s a h a b i t y o u p r a c t i c e f a i t h f u l l y , r e g a r d l e s s of y o u r a s s i g n m e n t . H o w e v e r crude, you discuss your planned m o v e m e n t s w i t h your partner and rehearse t h e m m e n t a l l y , and have a back-up plan in m i n d in case t h e first fails. O n c e t h e a c t i o n starts, y o u w o n ' t have t i m e t o t h i n k t h i n g s o u t r a t i o n a l l y . You have to be ready to carry out your plan instinctively, with a m i n i m u m of h e s i t a t i o n , w h i c h w e c a l l " l a g t i m e . " W h e n e v e r p o s s i b l e , y o u w a n t t o cultivate tactics that are unexpected, to be " s y s t e m a t i c a l l y uns y s t e m a t i c . " O f t e n a s s a i l a n t s c o u n t on officers responding in predictable, " r o u t i n e " w a y s to assignm e n t s , a n d if y o u are a b l e t o depart f r o m s t e r e o t y p e d l a w e n f o r c e m e n t procedures in your approach, y o u m a y be able to t h w a r t an a s s a i l a n t ' s plan w h i l e strengthening your own position. With some calls—"shots fired," " m a n with a g u n , " crimes-in-progress and disturbances where a firearm m a y be a v a i l a b l e — y o u have an early warning of p o s s i b l e v i o l e n c e . In o t h e r s i t u a t i o n s , y o u m a y have to depend on being observant and applying a " s i x t h s e n s e " for t r o u b l e . U s u a l l y t h e r e is some c l u e or " d a n g e r s i g n " t o v i o l e n c e , s o m e t h i n g a b o u t a s c e n e or a s u s p e c t ' s b e h a v i o r t h a t i s n ' t q u i t e r i g h t . It m a y i n v o l v e u n u s u a l n e r v o u s n e s s o n h i s part o r so s m a l l a t h i n g as h i s u n d u e c o n c e r n w i t h w a t c h i n g y o u i n h i s r e a r - v i e w m i r r o r as y o u a p p r o a c h o n a traffic stop. W i t h t a c t i c s and a m e n t a l attitude that stress a n t i c i p a t i o n , y o u ' l l be in the best position to see t h e w a r n i n g . . . t o r e c o g n i z e i t . . . a n d t o p a y a t t e n tion to it. M a n y o f f i c e r s g e t t h e m s e l v e s s h o t at b y approaching an a s s i g n m e n t carelessly, hastily, sloppily and w i t h o v e r c o n f i d e n c e . U n e v e n t f u l famili a r i t y b r e e d s c o m p l a c e n c y . A s a n a r m o r e d c a r driver i n C o n n e c t i c u t said a f t e r t h r e e of h i s f e l l o w guards

w e r e m u r d e r e d b y r o b b e r s , " T h e h a r d p a r t is t h a t after a w h i l e you b e c o m e lax. Y o u r ' r e not t h i n k i n g s e c u r i t y . " O n e m i g h t argue t h a t t h e r e is n o o n e r i g h t w a y to w o r k a n d n o o n e w a y t o b e t o t a l l y prepared at all t i m e s . T r u e . B u t t h e r e are a p p r o a c h t a c t i c s t h a t i n v o l v e r i g h t t h i n k i n g , and it is c e r t a i n l y p o s s i b l e t o d e v e l o p p r e p a r e d n e s s far b e y o n d t h a t displayed by m a n y officers w h o b e c o m e involved in gunfights. H e r e are s o m e p r o v e n field t e c h n i q u e s t h a t c a n h e l p y o u plan, perceive and perform tor s u r v i v a l i n a v a r i e t y of c o m m o n s i t u a t i o n s . T h e y a r e n o t n e c e s s a r i l y b l u e p r i n t s t h a t c a n be a p p l i e d a r b i t r a r i l y t o every i n s t a n c e , but guidelines and options that y o u w i l l w a n t t o c o n s i d e r , adapt a n d e x p a n d u p o n .

Building Approach A scenario that occurs with haunting frequency in t h e F B I ' s a n n u a l s u m m a r y of l a w e n f o r c e m e n t officers killed c o n c e r n s an officer w h o a n s w e r s a d i s t u r b a n c e or r o b b e r y - i n - p r o g r e s s c a l l , hurries t o w a r d t h e f r o n t of t h e r e s i d e n c e or b u s i n e s s e s t a b l i s h m e n t i n v o l v e d and b e f o r e h e c a n t a k e approp r i a t e a c t i o n is m o r t a l l y w o u n d e d w i t h a s h o t g u n , rifle or h a n d g u n b l a s t fired at h i m t h r o u g h t h e d o o r . H e a n s w e r s a c a l l r o u t i n e l y a n d is r o u t i n e l y s h o t , as e a s i l y as if h e h a d a " t e n - r i n g " p a s t e d o n h i s chest. Modern c o m m u n i c a t i o n puts officers on the s c e n e of a n y c o m p l a i n t c a l l f a s t . T h e c h a n c e s t o d a y are g r e a t e r t h a n e v e r t h a t y o u w i l l a r r i v e w h i l e t h e a c t i o n is s t i l l i n p r o g r e s s or at l e a s t w h i l e t h e s u s p e c t is s t i l l i n t h e a r e a . Y o u r o b j e c t i v e is c l e a r : Y o u h a v e t o locate the problem that prompted the call...isolate t h e offender(s) f r o m i n n o c e n t c i v i l i a n s . . . a n d eliminate the hazard presented by t h e offender(s). B u t t h e r e ' s n o a s s u r a n c e y o u ' l l get a s u s p e c t ' s c o o p e r a t i o n in doing all t h a t . C a r e e r c r i m i n a l s are a l w a y s a n t i c i p a t i n g t h e i m m i n e n t a r r i v a l of t h e p o l i c e and are v e r y o f t e n w i l l i n g t o g a m b l e d e s p e r a t e l y for f r e e dom by c o m m i t t i n g a greater c r i m e t h a n the o n e t h e y ' r e i n v o l v e d i n — s u c h as y o u r a s s a u l t or h o m i cide. " A m a t e u r s , " like wife-beaters, p s y c h o s and d r u n k s , are o f t e n m o r e t o t a l l y a b s o r b e d i n w h a t t h e y ' r e d o i n g a n d are o f t e n l e s s v i g i l a n t . B u t , in t h e p a s s i o n of t h e m o m e n t , t h e y m a y b e j u s t as prepared a n d d e t e r m i n e d t o s h o o t . W h a t y o u w a n t is a n unexpected approach that m a y d e l a y a s u s p e c t ' s a w a r e n e s s of y o u r p r e s e n c e until you have a c h a n c e to assess the situation you are c o n f r o n t i n g .

One proper approach to a domestic disturbance call involving a residence.

48

Y o u ' r e b e s t off t o anticipate the address you're l o o k i n g f o r as y o u a p p r o a c h t h e s c e n e a n d p a r k y o u r p a t r o l c a r t h r e e or f o u r d o o r s a w a y o n t h e s a m e side of t h e s t r e e t , before y o u r e a c h i t . T h i s f o r e s t a l l s y o u r driving d i r e c t l y i n t o t h e " k i l l z o n e . " ( H e r e w e ' r e using " k i l l z o n e " to m e a n that area w h i c h an armed suspect in a given l o c a t i o n can c o n t r o l w i t h h o s t i l e w e a p o n s fire. T h e t e r m a l s o m e a n s t h a t part of t h e anatomy where incoming rounds will most likely prove i n c a p a c i t a t i n g . ) M a k e as l i t t l e d i s t u r b a n c e as possible. T h a t m e a n s : avoid using your e m e r g e n c y l i g h t s a n d s i r e n in y o u r a p p r o a c h (if d e p a r t m e n t p o l i c y p e r m i t s ( . . . t u r n y o u r r a d i o d o w n l o w s o it c a n ' t be heard outside your patrol car...round corners without squealing your tires...at night, consider t u r n i n g off y o u r e n g i n e a n d h e a d l i g h t s a n d c o a s t ing t h e l a s t 1 0 0 f e e t or s o b e f o r e y o u s t o p , u s i n g t h e e m e r g e n c y b r a k e s o as n o t t o a c t i v a t e t h e b r a k e lights. S o m e departments permit officers to disconnect the b u t t o n s in patrol car doors t h a t turn o n i n t e r i o r l i g h t s w h e n a d o o r is o p e n e d . H a v i n g d o n e this will help keep your approach unobtrusive. W h e n y o u e x i t y o u r u n i t , e a s e y o u r c a r d o o r s h u t as q u i e t l y as y o u c a n or l e a v e it s l i g h t l y ajar if s e c u r i t y a l l o w s . A t n i g h t e s p e c i a l l y , s o u n d t r a v e l s far a n d f a s t ; e v e n at l o w v o l u m e , y o u r r a d i o or a d o o r s l a m ming m a y be audible a b l o c k away. A quiet approach m a y keep you from attracting neighbors and troubles o m e o n l o o k e r s , as w e l l as t h e s u s p e c t . Certainly, don't just " g i v e " yourself to a susp e c t , as a n e w p a t r o l m a n i n T e n n e s s e e did. R e s p o n d ing t o a c o m p l a i n t of a m i d d l e - a g e d m a n , a k n o w n m e n t a l case, beating on an old t r u c k behind his house, the officer stopped his patrol car in the suspect's driveway. As h e strode up to the residence, h e w a s e a s y p i c k i n g s for h i s a s s a i l a n t , w h o k i l l e d h i m with a shot to the chest with a 7 . 6 5 m m rifle. A p p r o a c h i n g t h e a d d r e s s of y o u r c a l l , y o u s h o u l d s u r v e y all v e h i c l e s p a r k e d or m o v i n g i n t h e i m m e d i a t e n e i g h b o r h o o d a n d a l l p e d e s t r i a n s or l o i t e r e r s . A lay-off m a n m a y b e w a i t i n g i n a c a r o r o n t h e s i d e w a l k as a l o o k - o u t . A c a r p a r k e d w i t h i t s m o t o r r u n n i n g is a u t o m a t i c a l l y s u s p i c i o u s . I n s o m e cases, suspects have been k n o w n to hide under v e h i c l e s . O r , if a c r i m e - i n - p r o g r e s s h a s b e e n r e p o r t ed, t h e o f f e n d e r ( s ) m a y b e i n t h e p r o c e s s of f l e e i n g as y o u a r r i v e . A s y o u m o v e in o n f o o t , y o u w i l l w a n t t o c o n s i d er a v a i l a b l e c o v e r w h i c h y o u c a n u s e i n t h e e v e n t of serious trouble. E m p l o y an invisible advance to t h e f u l l e s t e x t e n t p o s s i b l e , f u s t t h e s i g h t of y o u m a y b e enough to i m p e l an armed suspect to shoot. W h e r e there's reason to believe y o u m a y be dealing w i t h a v i o l e n t s i t u a t i o n , i n v i s i b l e d e p l o y m e n t is c r i t i c a l . It

is u s u a l l y e a s i e r i n d a r k n e s s , b u t e v e n i n d a y l i g h t or u n d e r b r i g h t l i g h t s b y m o v i n g b e h i n d p a r k e d c a r s , f e n c e s , t r a s h c a n s or s h r u b b e r y or b y t a k i n g a n i n d i rect route, you m a y be able to get close to the building w i t h o u t b e i n g o b s e r v e d b y a n y o n e i n s i d e . T r y t o blend into backgrounds that m a t c h your uniform color where possible, and where colors don't m a t c h , t r y at l e a s t t o k e e p y o u r b a c k g r o u n d as d a r k as y o u r c l o t h i n g . If y o u m u s t p a s s w i n d o w s , t r y t o g o over t h o s e t h a t a r e n e a r or b e l o w g r o u n d l e v e l a n d under t h o s e that are higher. T r y to stay protected by cover w h e n possible and to k n o w always where your nearest cover is. M o v e rapidly through open areas, trying to m o v e from covered position to covered position.

Many officers find it hard to resist the temptation to rush in and gain control. Lying dead is a 37-year-old plainclothes officer who rushed in on a burglary suspect.

The contemporary design of buildings often works against a safe response for law enforcement.

50

Y o u w a n t to c o n s t a n t l y guard against t h e " o s trich effect;" that's thinking that because you can't s e e t h e s u s p e c t , h e c a n ' t s e e y o u . A c t u a l l y , h i s pers p e c t i v e o n t h e s c e n e is l i k e l y t o b e e n t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t from yours. T h i s was dramatically illustrated to a young Cincinnati patrolman one afternoon when he r e s p o n d e d t o a s i l e n t h o l d u p a l a r m at a d o w n t o w n bank. He properly parked around t h e corner from t h e e n t r a n c e and was cautiously approaching on foot along t h e building's side wall. H e w a s a l m o s t to t h e end w h e n he suddenly realized a major oversight; t h e w a l l w a s of r e f l e c t i v e g l a s s , a n d b e c a u s e i t s m i r r o r e d s u r f a c e h a d k e p t h i m f r o m s e e i n g t h r o u g h it, h e ' d f o r g o t t e n t h a t f r o m t h e o t h e r side t h a t k i n d of g l a s s is l i k e a n o r m a l w i n d o w . P e o p l e i n s i d e t h e b a n k had been able to see h i m perfectly all along. Fortunately, the call turned out to be a false alarm, or r o b b e r s i n s i d e c o u l d h a v e s h o t t h r o u g h t h e g l a s s and killed h i m any t i m e they c h o s e .

Stay conscious of your surroundings in a n o t h e r regard, a l s o : b e f o r e y o u r a r r i v a l , a s u s p e c t , as part of h i s p l a n , m a y h a v e l e f t t h e p r e m i s e s y o u ' r e app r o a c h i n g and m o v e d t o a n o t h e r v a n t a g e p o i n t f r o m w h i c h h e c a n s h o o t . In a n o t h e r O h i o c a s e , t w o s h e r iff's deputies one afternoon were s i m u l t a n e o u s l y a p p r o a c h i n g t h e f r o n t a n d r e a r of a h o u s e w h e r e a rape h a d b e e n r e p o r t e d i n p r o g r e s s . T h e i r a t t e n t i o n w a s so f o c u s e d o n t h e r e s i d e n c e a n d w h a t t h e y would e n c o u n t e r there that t h e y ignored a garage beside it. T h e alleged rapist had hidden there and f r o m i n s i d e w a s a b l e e a s i l y t o t r a i n a . 1 2 ga. s h o t g u n o n o n e of t h e d e p u t i e s . W i t h o u t w a r n i n g , h e s h o t the deputy t w i c e and killed h i m . As y o u approach, t h e n , be alert t o p o s s i b l e h i d i n g p l a c e s , i n c l u d i n g r o o f t o p s and n e a r b y v e h i c l e s . If y o u n e e d t o r o u n d a c o r n e r o n f o o t i n y o u r a p p r o a c h , y o u m a y b e e a s y prey t o a s u s p e c t w a i t i n g o n t h e o t h e r side if y o u c h a r g e a r o u n d a s s u m i n g t h e r e is n o o n e t h e r e or e v e n if y o u s l o w l y s t i c k y o u r head around to look. A young sheriff's deputy in Florida, responding to a robbery-in-progress call, h u r r i e d l y r o u n d e d a c o r n e r of a b u i l d i n g w i t h h i s shotgun in h a n d and ran s m a c k into t w o suspects and a h o s t a g e ; o n e of t h e r o b b e r s s h o t h i m f a t a l l y in the chest w i t h a .45 s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , and w o u n d ed t w o o t h e r o f f i c e r s as w e l l .

A crucial tactic when making an approach is to always assume the suspects] could be anywhere. 51

Applying the quick peek technique. Assume a low position behind cover with your sidearm ready. The suspect will be waiting for you at eye level.

Quickly peek out, then pull your head back to your original position. If the suspect shoots, he will probably fire at shoulder height.

4

Now assume a standing position behind cover. The suspect will now assume you're going to come out shooting. But you don't know if he's still there or not.

Again apply the quick peek technique. If you have a visual on the suspect with no civilians behind, you now can return fire safely.

A profile view of Step 2. Notice the torso and hand positioning relative to the wall barricade.

The armed suspect's point of view reveals no more of your head than this as you apply the quick peek technique.

Y o u ' r e safer, of c o u r s e , t o u s e t h e " q u i c k p e e k " t e c h n i q u e . For this, you squat on the balls of your f e e t , f a c i n g c l o s e t o y o u r side of t h e w a l l w i t h y o u r legs apart and w i t h y o u r p a l m s a g a i n s t t h e w a l l i n a b a l a n c i n g b r a c e . B e c a r e f u l n o t t o e x p o s e a n y of y o u r b o d y p a s t t h e c o r n e r a n d stay low—at or b e l o w waist level. T h e n , shifting your weight o n t o your foot n e a r e s t t h e c o r n e r , s u d d e n l y dart y o u r h e a d o u t b e y o n d t h e c o r n e r and b a c k i n o n e iapid motion. Y o u ' l l get a f a s t b u t fairly t h o r o u g h l o o k at t h e area a r o u n d t h e b e n d , y e t y o u r p e e k w i l l b e s o f a s t that a suspect will not be able to respond effectively. If h e d o e s s h o o t r e f l e x i v e l y , y o u r h e a d w i l l b e s a f e l y b a c k behind the wall before the bullet c a n hit, proba b l y b e f o r e h e e v e n p u l l s t h e trigger. If y o u w a n t a n o t h e r l o o k , a g a i n do t h e u n e x p e c t e d b y q u i c k p e e k i n g f r o m a different level. Q u i c k p e e k i n g c a n a l s o b e u s e d for s e e i n g around barriers other than walls. Generally, y o u ' l l incur the least risk by peeking around the sides r a t h e r t h a n o v e r t h e t o p of m o s t o b j e c t s , b e c a u s e at t h e side y o u ' r e l e s s l i k e l y t o s i l h o u e t t e y o u r s e l f .

How would you rate the approach tactics of these four troopers! Their mission is to search an "abandoned" house owned by the prime suspect who killed two officers and three civilians hours before. The dotted lines indicate an armed suspect's effective kill zone when you approach the front of a stucco or wood surface residence.

53

T h r o u g h o u t your approach, you want to utilize all your senses to help evaluate a call. Before entering, y o u m a y b e a b l e t o q u i c k p e e k at w i n d o w s t o g e t a v i s u a l o n t h e a c t i o n , i t s p a r t i c i p a n t s a n d , part i c u l a r l y , o n a n y f i r e a r m s t h a t m a y b e i n v o l v e d or a v a i l a b l e . ( D o n ' t t a k e s l o w p e e k s or l o n g s t a r e s t h r o u g h w i n d o w s , t h o u g h ; it m a k e s y o u t o o g o o d a t a r g e t . ) Y o u r s e n s e of s m e l l m a y s u g g e s t w h e t h e r y o u will be confronting individuals w h o s e judgment has b e e n i m p a i r e d b y t h e u s e of c e r t a i n d r u g s . S o m e t i m e s w h a t you hear will help you plan. Approaching t h e r e a r d o o r of a h o u s e w h e r e a b u r g l a r y h a d b e e n r e p o r t e d o n e n i g h t , a n o f f i c e r h e a r d n o i s e s of d r a w e r s b e i n g y a n k e d o u t a n d d u m p e d t h a t led h i m t o b e l i e v e t h e b u r g l a r w a s s t i l l i n s i d e . I n s t e a d of a t t e m p t i n g a n i m m e d i a t e c o n f r o n t a t i o n , t h e offic e r t i p p e d o v e r a p i c n i c t a b l e i n t h e yard a n d c r o u c h ed b e h i n d it w i t h h i s r e v o l v e r d r a w n . W h e n t h e burglar emerged w i t h a gun and his loot a few m o m e n t s later, the officer a n n o u n c e d h i m s e l f and y e l l e d at h i m t o s t o p . T h e b u r g l a r fired w i l d l y and i n e f f e c t u a l l y i n t o t h e d a r k , u n c e r t a i n w h e r e t h e officer was. But the officer, from his protected, clearv i e w p o s i t i o n , w a s r e a d y t o fire b a c k i m m e d i a t e l y — o n t a r g e t . T h e old w a r n i n g is a g o o d o n e : "stop, look, listen" as y o u a p p r o a c h . Don't rush.

A position of cover affords the safest opportunity for maximum observation and control. In this case, a short brick wall provided that advantage.

If y o u are a p p r o a c h i n g a s c e n e w i t h a b a c k - u p or p a r t n e r , y o u w a n t t o b e a b l e t o c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h e a c h o t h e r along t h e w a y . Avoid m o v i n g in s h o u l d e r - t o - s h o u l d e r or s i d e - b y - s i d e , b u t i n s t a y i n g apart b e s u r e y o u k e e p p o s i t i o n e d s o t h a t y o u c a n e a c h r e t u r n f i r e if n e c e s s a r y , w i t h o u t p l a c i n g t h e other in cross-fire. M a i n t a i n visual c o n t a c t . Y o u s h o u l d k n o w w h a t e a c h o t h e r is g o i n g t o d o . H a n d s i g n a l s c a n h e l p y o u m a i n t a i n a d i s c r e e t a d v a n c e . In s o m e c a s e s , f l a s h l i g h t s or p e n l i g h t s b l i n k e d o n and

54

off rapidly m a y b e an a p p r o p r i a t e s i g n a l s u b s t i t u t e at n i g h t , p r o v i d e d y o u t a k e c a r e n o t t o i l l u m i n a t e each other. O r prearranged code words can b e used w h e r e y o u k n o w t h e s u s p e c t c a n o v e r h e a r y o u . If t h e r e is a n i m m i n e n t t h r e a t t o e i t h e r of y o u , s h o u t o u t a b r u p t l y . Don't assume that youi partner sees and hears everything you do, a n d v i c e v e r s a . A s w i t h t h e o s t r i c h e f f e c t , y o u r p o i n t s of v i e w m a y b e s i g n i f icantly different. If y o u a r e a l o n e , y o u m a y w a n t t o p r e t e n d t o b e c o m m u n i c a t i n g with a hidden partner, o n c e you feel y o u r p r e s e n c e is k n o w n . Y o u c a n do t h i s b y i s s u i n g " c o m m a n d s " or " r e l a y i n g " i n f o r m a t i o n , i n a v o i c e audible to any offender. Suspects are not always i n t i m i d a t e d b y t h e p r e s e n c e of m o r e t h a n o n e offic e r , b u t if a s u s p e c t b e l i e v e s t h e r e is a n o f f i c e r o u t t h e r e w h o m h e c a n ' t s e e , h e m a y b e l e s s s u r e of h i s ability to shoot you and successfully escape. O n e of t h e m o s t d a n g e r o u s m o m e n t s i n a n a p p r o a c h is w h e n y o u r e a c h a d o o r y o u c a n ' t s e e through and are dependent on s o m e o n e else to open, as is t y p i c a l l y t h e c a s e w h e n y o u r e s p o n d t o a c a l l at a r e s i d e n c e . Y o u w a n t t o stay to the side of the door, so if a n a s s a i l a n t i n s i d e d e c i d e s t o s h o o t t h r o u g h it y o u are n o t d i r e c t l y i n h i s l i n e of f i r e .

lit'*

UXit

Narcotics agents about to make entry to the connecting door of a hotel room in search of a suspect. How would you rate their relative safety!

Here the element with the subject. a semi-automatic just set her house to take her life as

of surprise lies solely The woman holding in her left hand has afire and threatened well as her daughter's.

Y o u r position m a y be even m o r e u n e x p e c t e d to h i m if, r a t h e r t h a n s t a n d , y o u s q u a t d o w n at t h e side b e l o w t h e n o r m a l f i r i n g l e v e l a g a i n s t t h e w a l l , as you reach out w i t h your n i g h t s t i c k in your non-gun h a n d t o rap o n t h e d o o r a n d a n n o u n c e y o u r p r e s e n c e . T h i s w a y , if h e t r i e s t o f i r e t h r o u g h t h e w a l l , h i s s h o t is l i k e l y t o b e t o o h i g h t o h i t y o u . A s s u m i n g there are n o special cover possibili t i e s , y o u r b e s t p o s i t i o n is p r o b a b l y t o t h e r i g h t of w h e r e t h e d o o r k n o b is l o c a t e d . H e r e y o u w i l l b e least readily visible to a n y o n e w h o m a y be waiting i n s i d e t h e r o o m as t h e d o o r o p e n s . O n c e t h e d o o r is o p e n e d , don't be too quick to enter. Your immediate intrusion could precipitate s h o t s f r o m i n s i d e . F r o m as p r o t e c t e d a p o s i t i o n as p o s s i b l e a n d w i t h y o u r g u n s i d e away f r o m t h e per s o n in t h e d o o r , t r y t o a s c e r t a i n m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n If t h e c o m p l a i n a n t a n s w e r s , for e x a m p l e , y o u w a n t t o d e t e r m i n e i m m e d i a t e l y : 1) t h e degree of t h r e a t t o y o u r o w n s a f e t y ; 2) w h e t h e r t h e c o m p l a i n a n t is a r m e d ; 3) w h e r e t h e s u s p e c t i s ; 4) w h e t h e r h e is a r m e d ; 5) w h e t h e r t h e r e a r e any f i r e a r m s o n the p r e m i s e s ; 6) w h o e l s e is i n s i d e a n d 7) w h a t t h e interior p h y s i c a l l a y o u t i s . Don't dismiss the threat potential of any firearm. During a shooting incident t h a t g r e w o u t of a n a t t e m p t t o s e r v e a n a r r e s t warr a n t , a s h e r i f f ' s d e p u t y i n S o u t h C a r o l i n a w a s killed by a suspect wielding an antique rifle.

56

If t h e r e is a n y i n d i c a t i o n t h a t t h e s u s p e c t is a r m e d o r h a s a c c e s s t o a g u n , t r y t o get t h e c o m p l a i n a n t o u t s i d e w i t h y o u t o a p o s i t i o n of c o v e r . . . c a l l for b a c k - u p t o h e l p c o n t a i n t h e off e n d e r . . . a n d c o n s i d e r t r e a t i n g t h e s i t u a t i o n as a b a r r i c a d e d s u s p e c t i n c i d e n t . T h e p a s s a g e of t i m e , n e g o t i a t i o n a n d / o r t h e u s e of c h e m i c a l a g e n t s a r e l i k e l y t o p r o v e far safer a l t e r n a t i v e s t h a n y o u r b a r g i n g i n in a n effort to q u e s t i o n or c a p t u r e h i m . A n u n f o r t u n a t e i l l u s t r a t i o n of t h i s p o i n t o c c u r r e d in T e x a s w h e r e t h r e e e s c a p e d p r i s o n e r s w e r e l o c a t e d in a p r i v a t e h o m e . W h e n o f f i c e r s arrived at t h e s c e n e , s e v e r a l p r o m p t l y entered the h o u s e and started upstairs to flush out the suspects. Before t h e y reached the second floor, o n e of t h e e s c a p e e s s u d d e n l y l e a n e d o v e r t h e r a i l i n g and s h o t t h e lead p a t r o l m a n dead w i t h a b l a s t t o t h e n e c k f r o m a . 1 6 ga. s h o t g u n . O n l y a f t e r a g u n b a t t l e did t h e s u r v i v i n g o f f i c e r s r e t r e a t , s t a t i o n t h e m s e l v e s o u t s i d e t h e d w e l l i n g a n d f i n a l l y fire t e a r gas i n s i d e . E v e n if t h e s u s p e c t ( s ) e s c a p e t e m p o r a r i l y , i t ' s b e t t e r than your getting killed during an ill-conceived capture.

A single officer approach to a door which opens in. The low ground position, use of the baton in your non-gun hand and proper distance from the door add to the element of surprise to any possible armed occupant.

B e a l e r t a l w a y s t o t h e p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t you may not get reliable information from civilians you enc o u n t e r during your approach. B e suspicious. T a k e n o t h i n g for g r a n t e d . In N e w Y o r k , a h u s b a n d w h o answered the door w h e n two officers responded to a d i s t u r b a n c e c a l l w a s all s m i l e s a n d c o u r t e s y : " C o m e o n in, o f f i c e r s ! E v e r y t h i n g is a l l r i g h t h e r e , j u s t a little f a m i l y s q u a b b l e . " T h e y relaxed and accepted h i s i n v i t a t i o n — w i t h o u t n o t i c i n g or b e i n g w a r y of o n e h a n d h e l d b e h i n d h i s b a c k . It h e l d a r e v o l v e r with w h i c h he m o m e n t a r i l y shot and killed t h e m both. Indeed, in s o m e cases, y o u m a y n o t even be t a l k i n g t o w h o m y o u think y o u a r e . T w o o f f i c e r s i n M e m p h i s r e s p o n d i n g t o a n a r m e d r o b b e r y a l a r m at a n a l l - n i g h t g r o c e r y s t o r e , for e x a m p l e , w e r e m e t b y a m a l e a d u l t w h o said h e w a s t h e m a n a g e r a n d h a d s e t off t h e a l a r m a c c i d e n t a l l y . I n f a c t , as t h e y f o u n d out too late, he was the robber. (Note: W e have talked here about approaching a b u i l d i n g i n t h e c o n t e x t of y o u r r e s p o n d i n g t o a specific assignment. But a n y t i m e you enter a building, e s p e c i a l l y a p l a c e of b u s i n e s s , t r y t o v i e w t h e i n t e r i o r first, p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e c a s h r e g i s t e r a r e a , t o d e t e r m i n e t h a t e v e r y t h i n g is n o r m a l . A n u m b e r of o f f i c e r s g o i n g a f t e r a p a c k of c i g a r e t s o r a c u p of c o f f e e h a v e b e e n t a k e n by surprise and shot w h e n , w i t h o u t p a u s i n g t o b e o b s e r v a n t , t h e y w a l k e d r i g h t i n t o an armed robbery-in-progress.)

Room Approach A building search is something no officer should undertake alone. T o d o s o is s y m p t o m a t i c of t h e S u p e r m a n s y n d r o m e and invites the c o n s e q u e n c e s suffered by a middle-aged c o n s t a b l e in W e s t Virginia w h o w e n t t o a s u s p e c t ' s h o m e t o a r r e s t h i m for destroying private property. Receiving no response w h e n h e k n o c k e d at t h e d o o r , t h e c o n s t a b l e c l i m b e d into the house through a w i n d o w . T o his surprise, the suspect was waiting inside w i t h t w o strong, young buddies, w h o easily overpowered the officer, stabbed h i m once, then shot h i m four t i m e s . W h e n y o u h a v e a p a r t n e r , t h o u g h , or, b e t t e r , o n e or m o r e b a c k - u p t e a m s , a n a s s i g n m e n t m a y r e quire t h a t you m o v e f r o m r o o m to r o o m in a h o u s e , a n a p a r t m e n t c o m p l e x , a s t o r e or a n o f f i c e b u i l d i n g i n s e a r c h of a s u s p e c t w h o m a y b e a r m e d . Y o u m a y not k n o w w h e t h e r the suspect is, in fact, in t h e building. Y o u m a y be responding to a p r o w l e r c a l l o r c o m p l a i n t of s i g n s of f o r c e d e n t r y or t o s o m e o t h e r c r i m e w h e r e t h e v i c t i m or w i t n e s s e s

are n o t c e r t a i n w h e t h e r t h e o f f e n d e r h a s f l e d t h e p r e m i s e s . If y o u . k n o w h e ' s i n t h e r e , i t ' s s a f e s t t o t r y t o isolate and contain h i m within the building, then force h i m to c o m e out to you. In m o s t cases, you're at a n a d v a n t a g e t o d e a l w i t h t h e s u s p e c t o n y o u r g r o u n d (outside) r a t h e r t h a n h i s ( i n s i d e ) . If y o u d o n ' t k n o w , y o u ' l l h a v e t o go i n , for w h a t is a l w a y s a treacherous, tension-charged—and sometimes b l o o d y — g a m e of c a t and m o u s e . Y o u r d i s a d v a n t a g e s are l e g i o n i n t h i s s i t u a t i o n : q u a r t e r s are l i k e l y t o b e c l o s e , c o v e r s p a r s e , l i g h t poor; y o u are p r o b a b l y u n f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e l a y o u t ; there m a y be myriad obstacles, blind corners, b o o b y - t r a p s a n d p l a c e s of c o n c e a l m e n t a l o n g t h e w a y — y e t you m u s t take t h e initiative in m o v i n g forward to conduct a thorough i n s p e c t i o n . T h e suspect, on the other hand, can secrete h i m s e l f in a good h i d i n g p l a c e , get h i s g u n ( s ) r e a d y t o s h o o t . . . a n d m e r e l y wait for your arrival. T h i s m a k e s building s e a r c h e s o n e of t h e m o s t d i f f i c u l t a n d d a n g e r o u s of y o u r a s s i g n m e n t s . W i t h s u r v i v a l i n m i n d , y o u r g o a l s are t o app r o a c h as q u i e t l y as p o s s i b l e a n d t o g e t a g o o d prev i e w of t e r r i t o r y y o u h a v e t o c r o s s w h i l e y o u s t i l l are in a p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n . T o g a i n t a c t i c a l a d v a n tage, t r y t o e n t e r w h e r e t h e s u s p e c t l e a s t e x p e c t s y o u t o — t h r o u g h a rear door, a s e c o n d f l o o r w i n d o w or an o p e n i n g in t h e r o o f . S t a r t at or m o v e t o t h e u p p e r m o s t s e c t i o n of t h e b u i l d i n g , a n d c o n d u c t y o u r s e a r c h f r o m t o p d o w n , if p o s s i b l e . I t ' s e a s i e r t o f i g h t for y o u r l i f e f r o m a h i g h p o s i t i o n m o v i n g d o w n t h a n f r o m a l o w p o s i t i o n m o v i n g up,- y o u c a n go d o w n s t a i r s f a s t e r t h a n y o u c a n go u p . A l s o , if y o u l e a v e the offender a way to escape—i.e., b y going d o w n and o u t — h e m a y b e c a p t u r e d w h e n h e e x i t s f r o m t h e b u i l d i n g . If h e is t r a p p e d o n t h e t o p f l o o r , h e m a y feel he has no choice but to stand and fight. I d e a l l y , all o f f i c e r s s e a r c h i n g a b u i l d i n g s h o u l d b e i n u n i f o r m . T h i s is e s p e c i a l l y i m p o r t a n t w h e n m a n y o f f i c e r s are i n v o l v e d a n d / o r w h e n t h o s e participating don't know each other. Even w h e n uniforms can help telegraph instant recognition, all o f f i c e r s s h o u l d b e a w a r e of w h e r e e a c h w i l l b e e n t e r ing t h e b u i l d i n g , so t h e y c a n a n t i c i p a t e o n e a n o t h e r ' s l o c a t i o n a n d l e s s e n t h e r i s k of m i s t a k i n g e a c h o t h e r for t h e s u s p e c t . W h e r e t i m e p e r m i t s in a high-risk situation like this, you should a t t e m p t to cover a n y shiny i t e m s (like your nameplate) w h i c h m a y reflect light and d r a w a s u s p e c t ' s a t t e n t i o n t o y o u r l o c a t i o n . S o m e o f f i c e r s c a r r y a s m a l l r o l l of b l a c k e l e c t r i c i a n ' s tape for t h i s p u r p o s e . O n c e officers enter a building, there should be no filing on the structure by any fellow officers w h o

The proper invisible deployment tactic for almost any building approach. This tactic avoids a cross-fire situation and allows officers in both positions to maintain a visual on possible suspect movement.

60

r e m a i n o u t s i d e . T h e o n l y e x c e p t i o n t o t h i s order w o u l d be in a c i r c u m s t a n c e in w h i c h the outside o f f i c e r s c o u l d s e e all t h o s e i n s i d e a n d d e t e r m i n e t h a t they were sufficiently isolated from the suspect that s h o t s a i m e d at h i m w o u l d i n n o w a y j e o p a r d i z e them. T o a d e q u a t e l y g u a r d b u i l d i n g s , at l e a s t t w o o f f i c e r s a r e r e q u i r e d o u t s i d e , s i t u a t e d at d i a g o n a l l y o p p o s i t e c o r n e r s in p o s i t i o n s of c o v e r . S u c h p o s i tions p e r m i t e a c h officer to w a t c h t w o sides for a fleeing suspect, yet avoid cross-fire. D o n ' t , however, s t a y c l o s e t o t h e b u i l d i n g , for t h a t a l l o w s a s u s p e c t w h o is i n a n u p p e r w i n d o w or o n t h e r o o f t o g e t a n e a s y s h o t at y o u b e l o w . P o s i t i o n y o u r s e l f a d i s t a n c e a w a y , i n y o u r p a t r o l c a r if n o b e t t e r c o v e r is a v a i l a b l e , s o t h a t y o u c a n w a t c h up as w e l l as a l o n g t h e s i d e s of t h e b u i l d i n g . Inside the building to be searched, y o u want y o u r g u n d r a w n , r e a d y for u s e . W i t h a f i r m , t w o h a n d e d grip, y o u c a n m o v e t h e w e a p o n i n a s h o r t a r c a n d b a c k as y o u a p p r o a c h l o c a t i o n s w h e r e t h e subject might be. T h e gun should follow your eyes.

If t h e r e a r e o n l y t w o of y o u , just one should move at a time. I t ' s e x t r e m e l y d i f f i c u l t t o m o v e a n d s h o o t a c c u r a t e l y at t h e s a m e t i m e , s o w h i l e o n e covers, the other m o v e s to a n e w position, altern a t i n g r o l e s as y o u a d v a n c e . C o n c e n t r a t e o n m o v i n g silently. Noise from your leather belt, from leathers o l e d a n d - h e e l e d s h o e s or b o o t s or f r o m m e t a l j a n gling a g a i n s t m e t a l , l i k e k e y s a n d p o c k e t c h a n g e , c a n quickly signal your approach. A s y o u m o v e d o w n h a l l w a y s or a c r o s s large rooms, you m a y confront numerous doorways that open into closets, storage spaces, b e d r o o m s , offices and o t h e r r o o m s . T o b y p a s s any w i t h o u t c h e c k i n g t h e area it l e a d s t o is e x t r e m e l y r i s k y . A s u s p e c t m a y b e w a i t i n g j u s t i n s i d e f o r y o u t o m o v e o n p a s t , allowing h i m the c h a n c e then to emerge and shoot you from behind. C o m m u n i t y toilets in lower-class a p a r t m e n t b u i l d i n g s and h o t e l s s e e m t o b e e s p e c i a l l y p o p u l a r p l a c e s for s u s p e c t s t o h i d e , b u t don't assume that any potential hiding place is safe to ignore. In a survival course in N e w Y o r k C i t y , based on reallife episodes, trainees sent d o w n a h a l l w a y in search of an a r m e d s u s p e c t c o m e t o o n e d o o r m a r k e d : DANGER! HIGH V O L T A G E ! KEEP D O O R C L O S E D ! T h o s e w h o o b e y t h e sign a n d go o n a r e u s u a l l y " k i l l e d " by a " p s y c h o " w h o suddenly flings the door o p e n a n d p o p s o u t b e h i n d t h e m . If y o u c a r r y w i t h y o u a s m a l l r o l l of e l e c t r i c a l or m a s k i n g t a p e , y o u c a n press a p i e c e a c r o s s t h e c r a c k of e a c h d o o r y o u h a v e c h e c k e d . T h e n if y o u n o t i c e t h e t a p e b r o k e n or p u l l e d off as y o u r e t r a c e y o u r s e a r c h r o u t e later, y o u ' l l k n o w s o m e o n e has b a c k t r a c k e d on y o u . As y o u p l a n y o u r a p p r o a c h t o a d o o r w a y , k e e p in mind w h a t ' s called the "fatal f u n n e l " p h e n o m e n o n . B e c a u s e y o u c a n ' t k n o w for s u r e e x a c t l y w h e r e the suspect will be, you have to be c o n c e r n e d w i t h e v e r y part of t h e r o o m b e y o n d t h a t d o o r w a y e n t r y . B u t f r o m t h e p o i n t of v i e w of o n e or m o r e s u s p e c t s i n s i d e t h e r o o m , all s e n s o r y c o n c e n t r a t i o n c a n b e f u n n e l e d d o w n t o j u s t t h a t s m a l l o p e n i n g . I t ' s your o n l y w a y in, all they n e e d t o w a t c h . F r a m e d b y it, y o u ' d m a k e an o b v i o u s t a r g e t . U s i n g an a p p r o a c h t h a t m i n i m i z e s y o u r f u n n e l f r a m i n g , t h e n , y o u a d v a n c e s i l e n t l y t o w a r d t h e doorw a y b y m o v i n g low a l o n g a w a l l , u t i l i z i n g w h a t ever cover you can along the w a y — r e c e s s e s , hallw a y t r a s h c a n s , f u r n i t u r e , e t c . I t ' s u s u a l l y b e s t if y o u and y o u r p a r t n e r c a n a p p r o a c h t h e d o o r w a y f r o m o p p o s i t e s i d e s . B u t if t h a t ' s n o t p o s s i b l e , o n e of y o u s h o u l d q u i c k l y m o v e a c r o s s t h e c l o s e d d o o r w a y at a l e v e l below t h e d o o r k n o b so y o u are o n o p p o s i t e sides b e f o r e a t t e m p t i n g e n t r y . ( E v e n if t h e d o o r is o p e n , a l o w , f a s t j u m p is l i k e l y t o g e t y o u a c r o s s quickly enough that you w o n ' t be hit by s o m e o n e shooting from inside.)

W i t h o u t e x p o s i n g a n y v i t a l p o r t i o n s of y o u r body, r e a c h w i t h your w e a k h a n d and try t h e k n o b . In n u m e r o u s instances, officers have forced entry through doors that t h e y later discovered w e r e unl o c k e d . S o always try t h e sensible and quiet m e t h o d of l e a s t r e s i s t a n c e f i r s t . If t h e d o o r is u n l o c k e d , o p e n it i n o n e c o n t i n u o u s m o t i o n as y o u h o l d y o u r g u n r e a d y t o f i r e . If t h e d o o r is a l r e a d y ajar, y o u m a y b e a b l e t o m a n e u v e r it f u l l y o p e n b y u s i n g y o u r n i g h t stick, flashlight, a b r o o m h a n d l e or s o m e other p r o b e t h a t a l l o w s y o u t o r e m a i n in p l a c e b e h i n d t h e wall.

The fatal funnel in action. The two black circles represent you and your back-up standing in front of an open door on a "shots-fired" call.

The problems start when you find your field of vision inside the room is restricted, even while standing in the doorway.

O n the other hand, the suspect inside the room has only one place to look to discover your presence. This is why you must always approach a doorway outside and below the kill zone.

Here, you would be standing in the fatal funnel: The only area the suspect has for directing his firepower. Regardless of his position, his visual would be on you at all times.

62

T h e hinges can tell you w h e t h e r t h e door opens o u t or i n . If t h e h i n g e p i n s a r e o n t h e o u t s i d e , t h e door s h o u l d o p e n o u t ; t h e o f f i c e r n e a r e s t t h e d o o r k n o b w i l l get t h e first a n d w i d e s t v i e w of t h e r o o m . If t h e h i n g e p i n s are i n s i d e , t h e d o o r s h o u l d o p e n i n , and the officer opposite the k n o b will get t h e quickest l o o k . W i t h doors that open in, the officer nearest the k n o b p u s h e s it i n . B e s u r e t o p u s h h a r d e n o u g h t h a t t h e door b a n g s b a c k w i t h m a x i m u m f o r c e against the wall behind it. If it f a i l s t o do s o , t h a t m a y b e a c l u e t h a t a s u s p e c t is h i d i n g i n t h a t p o s i t i o n . O f f i c e r s e x p e r i e n c e d in s e a r c h i n g r o o m s k n o w t h i s i s a f a v o r e d h i d i n g spot of a r m e d o f f e n d e r s . F r o m t h i s vantage point, they can hear officers approaching and n o t e t h e i r m o v e m e n t s t h r o u g h t h e c r a c k b e t w e e n t h e door and t h e f r a m e . If t h e d o o r s w i n g s o u t w a r d , i n s t e a d of i n , t h e off i c e r n e a r e s t t h e k n o b or h a n d l e g e t s it o p e n , t h e n p u s h e s it t o h i s p a r t n e r , so t h a t n e i t h e r of y o u h a s t o s t a n d or s t r e t c h f u l l y i n f r o n t of i t . G e t t h e d o o r o p e n as fast as y o u c a n and w o r k f r o m a squatting p o s i t i o n . T h i s w i l l p u t y o u at a l o w , u n e x p e c t e d level should a suspect inside decide to shoot.

A proper position for two officers responding to a call at a door which opens in.

63

64

If t h e d o o r is l o c k e d a n d m a n p o w e r p e r m i t s , p o s t a s e n t r y t h e r e t o g u a r d it w h i l e y o u p r o c e e d with the search, eliminating other less resistant h i d i n g p l a c e s . W h e n m a n p o w e r ' s s h o r t or t h e r o o m s e e m s a v e r y l i k e l y h i d e o u t or y o u ' v e c h e c k e d e v e r y p l a c e e l s e , try first t o g e t t h e d o o r o p e n w i t h a p a s s key from the building m a n a g e r . . . o r t a k e t h e door off i t s h i n g e s if t h e y are e x p o s e d . . . o r p o s s i b l y t e l e p h o n e t h e o f f i c e or a p a r t m e n t b e y o n d t h e d o o r and see if a n y o n e is i n s i d e w h o ' l l a n s w e r a n d g i v e y o u s o m e c l u e s t o w h o ' s t h e r e . If y o u m u s t f o r c e e n t r y , consider using a " s l a m p u l l e r " or " d e n t p u l l e r , " a c o m m o n burglary tool available from m o s t auto body repair shops. T h i s tool has a threaded screw on t h e e n d t h a t f i t s i n t o t h e k e y w a y of a l o c k a n d pops it o p e n w h e n t h e h e a v y w e i g h t o n t h e h a n d l e is s l a m m e d b a c k h a r d . Y o u r l a s t r e s o r t is t o k i c k t h e d o o r i n . M a n y doors w i l l defy t h e h a r d e s t k i c k s . Y o u r b e s t c h a n c e is t o s t a n d at a n o b l i q u e a n g l e t o t h e door, r a t h e r t h a n d i r e c t l y i n f r o n t of it, a n d k i c k at t h e m o s t v u l n e r a b l e s p o t : a d j a c e n t t o t h e l o c k system. A s s u m e t h e door is o p e n e d b y o n e m e a n s or a n o t h e r a n d y o u a n d y o u r b a c k - u p are p o s i t i o n e d as w e d e s c r i b e d e a r l i e r o n e i t h e r side of t h e d o o r w a y , b e l o w t h e l e v e l at w h i c h a s u s p e c t is m o s t l i k e l y t o fire. N o w your c o m b i n e d vantage points should give y o u a v i s u a l o n m o s t of t h e r o o m , p r o v i d e d t h e l i g h t is a d e q u a t e . Y o u w o n ' t , h o w e v e r , b e a b l e t o s e e t o t h e sides of y o u i m m e d i a t e l y o n t h e o t h e r s i d e of t h e w a l l — a m o n g t h e l i k e l i e s t s p o t s for a s u s p e c t t o b e w a i t i n g . H e r e , o n e at a t i m e , y o u a n d y o u r p a r t n e r c a n u s e t h e " q u i c k p e e k " t e c h n i q u e t o dart y o u r h e a d s t h r o u g h t h e d o o r w a y a n d b a c k fast e n o u g h t o s e e w h o or w h a t , if a n y t h i n g , is a l o n g t h e w a l l you're each standing behind. R e m e m b e r , you can m a k e t h i s m o v e m e n t in t h e l e a s t e x p e c t e d a n d safe s t w a y b y p e e k i n g first at a l o w l e v e l , t h e n at a h i g h l e v e l . . . a n d never looking from the same level twice. A n o t h e r option for c h e c k i n g around doorways and c o r n e r s is t o u s e a s m a l l m i r r o r o n t h e e n d of a p r o b e , w h i c h y o u c a n e a s i l y c a r r y in y o u r s h i r t or hip p o c k e t . S o m e officers use an a u t o m e c h a n i c ' s i n s p e c t i o n m i r r o r o n a t e l e s c o p i n g w a n d or a dent i s t ' s m i r r o r taped t o a n old car a e r i a l , b u t y o u ' l l get better results with a mirror whose reflecting surface is at l e a s t t w o i n c h e s in d i a m e t e r . A t a h a r d w a r e or a u t o s u p p l y s t o r e y o u c a n b u y a p a r a b o l i c m i r r o r of t h e t y p e a t t a c h e d to t h e side v i e w m i r r o r s of t r u c k s a n d c a m p e r s . If it h a s a s e l f - a d h e s i v e b a c k , y o u c a n a t t a c h it d i r e c t l y t o t h e s u r f a c e of t h e s m a l ler d e n t a l or m e c h a n i c ' s m i r r o r . O r c o n s i d e r s i m p l y h o l d i n g it c u p p e d i n y o u r h a n d . A n g l e d t h r o u g h a d o o r w a y or a r o u n d a c o r n e r , t h e m i r r o r c a n r e f l e c t

Tactical officers making entry to a door which opens out—the mobile home of a man who had opened fire on a parade. A rifle barrel is visible just above the police shotgun. Moments before, a police officer had been killed.

a n y d a n g e r i n t h e r o o m or o n t h e o t h e r s i d e of t h e wall, w h i l e you stay back, unexposed. From the doorway, you m a y be able to see—but n o t see i n t o — o t h e r obvious potential hiding places, l i k e a c l o s e t , f o r i n s t a n c e . If t h e s u s p e c t is t h e r e , y o u m a y be able to bluff h i m out by issuing a verbal chall e n g e f r o m y o u r p r o t e c t e d c o v e r p o s i t i o n . T h e i d e a is t o a c t as if y o u k n o w h e is t h e r e s o if h e is h e ' l l f e e l i t ' s h o p e l e s s t o do a n y t h i n g b u t s u r r e n d e r . If n o o n e emerges from the hiding place, however, y o u ' l l still n e e d t o c h e c k i t . A n d if t h e s u s p e c t i s , i n f a c t , w a i t ing t h e r e , h e ' l l n o w b e f u l l y a l e r t e d t o y o u r p r e s e n c e , so proceed w i t h e x t r e m e c a u t i o n .

The auto inspection minor is held in your non-gun hand and slowly eased around the corner with both hands behind cover.

Your point of view in achieving a safe visual on the suspect. If you turn the book upside down, you will see an armed suspect who's expecting to see your body—not a small mirror.

T o e n t e r t h e r o o m , move in low and fast, o n e at a time, while the other covers. Your swiftest entry for nanow d o o r w a y s is t h e " c r i s s - c r o s s . " T h e offic e r on t h e r i g h t darts a c r o s s t h e t h r e s h o l d t o a n inside position on the left, and vice versa. Again, keep low w h e n m o v i n g ; s o m e o f f i c e r s , o n c e t h e y s t a r t t o m o v e , have a tendency to stand up, w h i c h m a k e s t h e m easier targets. W i t h wide doorways, consider keeping your b a c k close to the frame and ' 'wrapping a r o u n d " swiftly to the other side, rather t h a n plunging a c r o s s t h e o p e n i n g . T h i s p r e s e n t s a m i n i m u m t a r g e t . W i t h e i t h e r m a n e u v e r , of c o u r s e , y o u w a n t t o get o u t of t h e d o o r w a y a s q u i c k l y as p o s s i b l e . The hallway search technique you want to employ is one which provides constant fire cover while your backup \A\ moves into position. As you [B\ approach each doorway from a kneeling position, your back-up assumes a standing cover position. As you approach the final doorway, your back-up now in position A4, takes a position just short of the doorway.

I

67

Inside, w i t h your b a c k against t h e wall, k n e e l in your n e w p o s i t i o n and listen for sounds that m a y signal t h e s u s p e c t ' s presence in t h e v i c i n i t y . U s e y o u r o t h e r s e n s e s , t o o . O n e pair of o f f i c e r s , p a u s i n g in a r o o m t h a t h a d j u s t b e e n e n t e r e d , " c a u g h t a s m e l l of h u m a n f e a r — t h e o d o r of f r e s h e x c r e m e n t " — c o m i n g from beyond another door. Sure enough, that pinpointed the suspect's location! O n c e r o o m e n t r y is m a d e w h e r e p a r t n e r s are inv o l v e d , o n l y o n e o f f i c e r at a t i m e a c t i v e l y s e a r c h e s , w h i l e the other stays still and covers. At night or in l o w - l i g h t s i t u a t i o n s , it m a y b e h a r d t o s e e y o u r p a r t n e r as y o u m o v e a p a r t . S o if y o u s i m u l t a n e o u s l y t r y t o s e a r c h d i f f e r e n t w a l l s , y o u m a y l o s e t r a c k of o n e a n o t h e r ' s l o c a t i o n , i n c r e a s i n g t h e r i s k of s h o o t ing e a c h o t h e r b y m i s t a k e . Y o u ' r e safer h a v i n g o n e r e m a i n s q u a t t e d n e a r t h e d o o r r e a d y t o p r o v i d e defending fire, w h i l e t h e other m o v e s all t h e w a y down o n e w a l l to t h e first corner. If y o u ' r e t h e f i r s t s e a r c h i n g o f f i c e r , y o u c a n u s e n o n - v e r b a l c o m m u n i c a t i o n — l i k e o n e s n a p of y o u r fingers—to indicate you have reached the corner. Y o u r partner can t h e n respond w i t h t w o snaps to ind i c a t e h e h a s h e a r d y o u a n d t h a t h e n o w is m o v i n g along a n o t h e r w a l l — w h i l e you provide cover. B y c o n t i n u i n g to alternate in this fashion, t h e covering o f f i c e r k e e p s a f i x o n h i s p a r t n e r ' s l o c a t i o n a n d is free to s h o o t a n y w h e r e in the r o o m except along the w a l l h i s p a r t n e r is s e a r c h i n g . A s m u c h as p o s s i b l e , t r y t o s t a y b e h i n d b a r r i c a d e s , l i k e p i e c e s of f u r n i t u r e , a s y o u c a u t i o u s l y m o v e a l o n g t h e w a l l s , a r o u n d t h e c i r c u m f e r e n c e of t h e r o o m or t o w a r d t h e n e x t d o o r . Dont forget to always look up in searching the room. In s o m e places, as i n r a f t e r s i n a h o m e garage or a l o f t i n a w a r e h o u s e , s u s p e c t s are a b l e t o h i d e a b o v e e y e - l e v e l , w h e r e officers operating in a r o u t i n e fashion often neglect to c h e c k . C o n t i n u e trying to keep your exact m o v e m e n t as q u i e t as p o s s i b l e . B u t do not attempt to eliminate noise that is already present. T h a t can give away y o u r p o s i t i o n , t o o . In a n e a s t e r n c i t y , a n o f f i c e r t u r n e d off a p o r t a b l e r a d i o t h a t w a s b l a r i n g a c i d r o c k m u s i c w h e n h e entered a t e n e m e n t r o o m in search of a " m a n w i t h a g u n . " T h e s u s p e c t , it t u r n e d o u t , w a s hiding in a closet, u n a b l e to see t h e officer. But he k n e w e x a c t l y w h e r e the radio w a s . T h e m o m e n t it c l i c k e d off, h e b u r s t o u t s h o o t i n g , w i t h deadly accuracy. Pay close attention to the doorway ahead. Officers in a Detroit narcotics case were completing t h e i r s e a r c h of a l i v i n g r o o m w h i c h a p p e a r e d e m p t y , w h e n t h e y n o t i c e d t h e k n o b of a c l o s e d b e d r o o m door turn slightly. S e c o n d s later, five s h o t s splintered t h e door, but b e c a u s e t h e y had b e e n alert, t h e

officers had been able to take cover and escaped inj u r y . (In a s i t u a t i o n l i k e t h i s , it w o u l d b e r i s k y t o fire b a c k t h r o u g h t h e c l o s e d d o o r u n l e s s y o u w e r e certain t h e s u s p e c t w a s t h e only p e r s o n i n t h e r o o m . If a h o s t a g e , a c h i l d or s o m e o t h e r i n n o c e n t p e r s o n is t h e r e , t o o , y o u r firing a n d e n d a n g e r i n g t h e m c o u l d be considered reckless conduct.) In m o v i n g f o r w a r d , d o n ' t get s o e n g r o s s e d t h a t y o u forget t o watch behind you. B y u s i n g o t h e r passageways and other rooms, a suspect m a y be able to circle around behind you and a t t a c k . In s o m e cases, y o u m a y b e a b l e t o rig up a w a r n i n g s y s t e m a g a i n s t that threat. W h e n you c h e c k and pass by a door that s w i n g s o u t i n t o a h a l l w a y or r o o m , c o n s i d e r w e d g ing it or m o v i n g s o m e s o r t of b a r r i e r i n f r o n t of i t . If a n y o n e t r i e s t o c o m e t h r o u g h it t o g e t b e h i n d y o u , h e ' l l e i t h e r b e b l o c k e d e n t i r e l y or at l e a s t m a k e r a c k et t o a l e r t y o u . If i t ' s n e c e s s a r y t o m o v e f r o m f l o o r t o f l o o r , avoid elevators. B e c a u s e they telegraph l o c a t i o n , c o n f i n e m o v e m e n t a n d o f f e r f e w if a n y c o v e r o p tions, they can be death traps. U s e the stairs—even if t h e c h a l l e n g e y o u f a c e is t h e s e a r c h of a h i g h - r i s e building.

Field Interrogation O n e of y o u r p a t r o l o b l i g a t i o n s , a s i d e f r o m r e s p o n d i n g t o s p e c i f i c a s s i g n m e n t s , is t o f i n d . . . s t o p . . . and q u e s t i o n s u s p i c i o u s p e d e s t r i a n s y o u e n c o u n t e r on your beat, according to procedures that legally p e r m i t y o u t o do s o . T h e s e p e r s o n s m a y i n c l u d e i n d i v i d u a l s w h o fit d e s c r i p t i o n s of w a n t e d p e r s o n s or o t h e r s w h o s e a p p e a r a n c e . . . b e h a v i o r . . . a n d / o r l o cation strongly suggests the probability that t h e y are involved in c r i m i n a l activities. S h o o t i n g s often occ u r d u r i n g s u c h " f i e l d i n t e r r o g a t i o n s " or " p e d e s t r i a n s t o p s . " B e c a u s e t h e o f f i c e r is i n c l o s e p r o x i m i t y to the suspect and b e c a u s e the death rate from armed c o n f r o n t a t i o n s tends to be inversely related to d i s t a n c e , f a t a l i t i e s a r e q u i t e l i k e l y t o r e s u l t f r o m t h e g u n f i r e — u n l e s s a proper a p p r o a c h h a s b e e n made first. W h e n you see a person w h o bears investigation, try first t o o b s e r v e h i m for a f e w m o m e n t s , w h e t h e r y o u are in y o u r p a t r o l c a r or o n f o o t y o u r s e l f . T h e s e extra m o m e n t s will allow you t i m e to c h e c k his action...reinforce w h a t e v e r called your a t t e n t i o n to h i m in t h e first p l a c e t o p r o v i d e p r o b a b l e c a u s e t o detain...begin forming a plan for h o w to h a n d l e h i m . . . c a l l for a b a c k - u p if y o u are w o r k i n g a l o n e . . .

a n d , p o s s i b l y , d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r t h e s u s p e c t is a r m e d . R e m e m b e r t h a t w i t h a n e s t i m a t e d 4Vi m i l lion people in t h e U . S . carrying c o n c e a l e d loaded f i r e a r m s , t h i s is always & possibility. If h e ' s w a l k i n g t o w a r d y o u w h e n y o u f i r s t s e e h i m , l e t h i m p a s s b y y o u as if y o u are p a y i n g h i m n o special a t t e n t i o n . Y o u w a n t to approach h i m from b e h i n d , if p o s s i b l e , a n d f r o m a p o s i t i o n w h e r e c o v e r is c l o s e b y if n e e d e d . If y o u s e e m t o i g n o r e h i m a s h e p a s s e s , y o u m a y b e a b l e t o b u i l d a n e l e m e n t of surprise into your challenge. W h e n observing a suspect, scan h i m from top to b o t t o m f o r h i n t s of a c o n c e a l e d f i r e a r m . A h a t t h a t ' s sitting straight on his head w h e n it's styled to be w o r n at a j a u n t y a n g l e m a y b e p o s i t i o n e d t o h e l p b a l a n c e a revolver or s m a l l s e m i - a u t o m a t i c undern e a t h . A m a l e a d u l t w i t h o n e s i d e of h i s s h i r t t a i l o u t m a y b e u s i n g it t o c o n c e a l a l o a d e d g u n . If h e ' s w a l k i n g w i t h h i s c o a t o p e n or s l u n g o v e r h i s a r m i n c o l d w e a t h e r o r if h e ' s w e a r i n g a j a c k e t w h e n i t ' s hot, consider that he m a y be armed. Likewise, a b u l g e at h i s b e l t - l i n e or a j a c k e t t h a t h a n g s h e a v y o n o n e s i d e m a y b e s u s p i c i o u s . P e o p l e w h o are n o t a c c u s t o m e d t o c a r r y i n g a g u n o f t e n t o u c h t h e g u n as t h e y w a l k , for r e a s s u r a n c e that i t ' s still there, to p r a c t i c e r e a c h i n g for it a n d t o e n j o y t h e f e e l of i t s presence. T h i s can be a particularly strong clue w h e n p o t e n t i a l s u s p e c t s are a p p r o a c h i n g p e o p l e w h o m a y b e i n t e n d e d r o b b e r y v i c t i m s . E v e n a l i m p or s t i f f - l e g g e d w a l k m a y b e a w a r n i n g s i g n . In n e i g h b o r h o o d s w h e r e s t r e e t gang f i g h t s are c o m m o n , gang m e m b e r s s o m e t i m e s carry s h o t g u n s to b a t t l e , strapped t o t h e i r l e g s . W h e n you believe y o u are dealing w i t h s o m e o n e w h o m a y b e d a n g e r o u s , t r y t o e n g i n e e r t h e s t o p s o it takes place away from crowded places like restaurants, public buildings, m o v i e theaters, bars, and in s o m e m o r e isolated spot w h e r e i n n o c e n t civilians are less l i k e l y t o be hit by any gunfire, to interfere w i t h y o u r a c t i o n s or i n t e r v e n e o n b e h a l f of t h e s u s p e c t . If i t ' s n e c e s s a r y t o f o l l o w t h e s u s p e c t o n f o o t , you usually will w a n t to stay to his left rear. H e ' s l i k e l y t o b e r i g h t - h a n d e d , ( a b o u t 9 0 p e r c e n t of t h e p o p u l a t i o n i s ) , a n d if s o , t h i s p o s i t i o n w i l l r e q u i r e that h e t u r n t h e farthest to shoot you, t h u s affording y o u s l i g h t l y m o r e t i m e t o r e a c t . (An e x c e p t i o n t o this rule m i g h t be w h e n good, q u i c k l y accessible c o v e r — s u c h as d o o r w a y s , t r e e s , p a r k e d c a r s or l i g h t poles—is to your right. T h e n your best option might b e t o f o l l o w t o h i s r i g h t rear.) Maintain peak alertness at all times. T h e s u s p e c t knows w h o h e is and w h a t he has done, while you m a y n o t be certain. H e m a y i n i t i a t e a d e a d l y a s s a u l t at a n y t i m e t o p r e v e n t a r r e s t , w i t h o u t c o n c e r n for i n n o c e n t b y s t a n d e r s or t h e c o n s e q u e n c e s of h i s a c t i o n s .

W h e n y o u k n o w or s t r o n g l y s u s p e c t a p e r s o n you w a n t to question has a gun, you w a n t to pick a location to stop h i m where you can be behind cover or at l e a s t c o n c e a l e d f r o m v i e w b e f o r e y o u i s s u e a c o m m a n d . T h i s is h i g h l y d e s i r a b l e e v e n w h e n y o u h a v e n o e v i d e n c e h e is a r m e d . ( C o v e r p e r t a i n s t o o b s t a c l e s t h a t a r e d i f f i c u l t or i m p o s s i b l e f o r b u l l e t s t o p e n e t r a t e , s u c h as u t i l i t y p o l e s , m a i l b o x e s or f i r e plugs. C o n c e a l m e n t m e a n s t h a t y o u a r e h i d d e n f r o m view, though not necessarily shielded by a resistant b a r r i e r . Y o u m a y b e c o n c e a l e d at n i g h t , for e x a m p l e , b e h i n d y o u r p a t r o l c a r ' s h e a d l i g h t s , if t h e s u s p e c t is f a c i n g t o w a r d t h e m . ) I n s t o p p i n g a p o t e n t i a l l y dangerous suspect, you want to have your gun drawn and p o i n t e d at h i m b e f o r e y o u a d d r e s s h i m . A n d y o u w a n t to be in a position w h e r e you can respond to and b e p r o t e c t e d f r o m a n y s u d d e n t h r e a t . C o n s e quently, you avoid an approach like that m a d e by t w o p a t r o l m e n in a southern city w h o responded to a shooting in a residential area and spotted t h e suspect walking along the street. W i t h their revolvers still holstered and w i t h o u t taking cover outside their patrol car, they called for h i m to stop. I n s t a n t ly, h e p u l l e d a . 3 8 f r o m h i s w a i s t b a n d a n d b e g a n shooting into their patrol car. O n e officer w a s w o u n d e d in t h e h e a d a n d t h i g h , t h e o t h e r f a t a l l y s h o t in t h e f a c e . In n u m e r o u s o t h e r o f f i c e r f a t a l i t i e s , the v i c t i m s have approached suspects directly and f r o n t a l l y — l i k e t h e o f f - d u t y M a r y l a n d p o l i c e serg e a n t w h o w a l k e d up a n d a n n o u n c e d h i m s e l f t o a b a n k r o b b e r y s u s p e c t s i t t i n g at a b u s s t o p , w h o t h e n drew a g u n and s h o t h i m i n t h e c h e s t . . .or t h e A r k a n sas p a t r o l m a n w h o s p o t t e d a s u b j e c t w a n t e d o n w a r r a n t s at a s e r v i c e s t a t i o n a n d s t r o d e t o w a r d h i m a s k i n g for i d e n t i f i c a t i o n ; t h e s u s p e c t p u l l e d o u t a h a n d g u n i n s t e a d and s h o t t h e u n p r o t e c t e d o f f i c e r t w i c e in the chest. Ideally, you w a n t to be close enough w h e n you initiate the stop that y o u d o n ' t have to run and get o u t of b r e a t h t o r e a c h t h e s u s p e c t , b u t n o t s o c l o s e t h a t h e c a n l u n g e for y o u a n d s t a r t f i g h t i n g . A l s o , y o u want a spot that l i m i t s his possible a v e n u e s for escape. Y o u r order t o s t o p , g i v e n f r o m a p o s i t i o n of c o v e r , s h o u l d b e explicit...direct...forceful: "Police! D o n ' t m o v e ! I w a n t t o t a l k t o y o u . " If h i s b a c k is n o t already t o y o u , order h i m t o t u r n a r o u n d i m m e d i a t e l y so h e c a n ' t w a t c h w h a t y o u ' r e d o i n g . If h i s h a n d s are in h i s p o c k e t s or a n y w h e r e w h e r e y o u c a n ' t see t h e m , you w a n t h i m to keep t h e m there u n t i l a f t e r h e is f a c i n g a w a y f r o m y o u . If h e ' s g o i n g to c o m e out w i t h a firearm, it'll be harder for h i m t o s h o o t y o u if h e h a s t o t u r n a r o u n d f i r s t t o f i n d you.

72

If you had responded to this call in which a knife-wielding man is reported to be acting in a bizarre fashion, how would you have approached him! Keep in m i n d that your suspect m a y n o t be cooperative in the least. Even your pointing a gun at h i m m a y n o t s c a r e h i m . T h e n y o u s h o u l d c a l l for b a c k - u p a n d , from a position of cover, continue to repeat your voice c o m m a n d s u n t i l help arrives. O n c e h e ' s i n a p o s i t i o n of r e l a t i v e w e a k n e s s and y o u ' r e i n p o s i t i o n t o r e s p o n d t o s u d d e n t h r e a t , c o n c e n t r a t e o n g e t t i n g h i s hands in view. T h e y are the m o s t dangerous thing about any suspect from y o u r p o i n t of v i e w . If t h e y ' r e in h i s p o c k e t s , t e l l h i m t o r e m o v e t h e m " v e r y , v e r y s l o w l y , " w i t h h i s elb o w s e x t e n d e d a w a y f r o m h i s b o d y . E v e n if h e h a s n o g u n in h i s h a n d , order h i m t o r a i s e h i s h a n d s as h i g h as p o s s i b l e o v e r h i s h e a d a n d s l o w l y t u r n completely a r o u n d , w h i l e y o u c h e c k for g u n s i n h i s w a i s t b a n d . If y o u see a n y w e a p o n s , i m m e d i a t e l y order h i m o n t o t h e g r o u n d , f a c e - d o w n , h e a d a w a y f r o m y o u , a r m s o u t , p a l m s u p . W i t h y o u r p a r t n e r or b a c k - u p p r o v i d i n g c o v e r , t h e n a p p r o a c h h i m as y o u would an incapacitated suspect. W h e r e n o w e a p o n s are v i s i b l e , h a v e h i m s t a n d w i t h h i s b a c k t o y o u and t e l l h i m t o i n t e r l a c e h i s f i n g e r s b e h i n d h i s h e a d , p u s h i n g t h e m t o g e t h e r as hard as h e c a n . Y o u c a n t a l k t o h i m f r o m a d i s t a n c e i n t h i s p o s i t i o n , and if y o u d e c i d e t o a p p r o a c h for c l o s e r i n s p e c t i o n a n d i n t e r r o g a t i o n , y o u c a n grasp t h e t o p t h r e e f i n g e r s of o n e of h i s h a n d s w i t h y o u r n o n - g u n h a n d a n d s q u e e z e t h e m t o g e t h e r as a m e a n s of c o n t r o l l i n g h i m w h i l e y o u h a n d c u f f a n d f r i s k h i m . B e c a u s e of t h e i n t e r l a c i n g , e v e n s l i g h t p r e s s u r e o n his fingers will inflict considerable pain and keep h i m at a d i s a d v a n t a g e . Y o u m a y a l s o w a n t h i m o n h i s k n e e s w i t h h i s legs c r o s s e d at t h e a n k l e s t o further incapacitate h i m . If y o u a r e m a k i n g a n a r r e s t , t h e s u s p e c t ( s ) s h o u l d b e h a n d c u f f e d at first o p p o r t u n i t y a n d t h e n thoroughly searched. W h e n searching an offender, a l w a y s h u n t in t h e l i k e l i e s t p l a c e for a g u n f i r s t . A

The suspect's hands may be in his pockets to conceal a loaded gun, or maybe his hands are just cold. Initially, you have no way of knowing. Your first step involves a verbal command to extend his elbows outward, then slowly to withdraw his hands. Next he places the gun on the ground with the muzzle pointed away from both of you.

74

highway p a t r o l m a n w h o stopped to investigate a h i t c h h i k e r on a turnpike in Kansas ignored this rule and s t a r t e d h i s s e a r c h b y g o i n g t h r o u g h t h e s u b j e c t ' s gear. T h e h i t c h h i k e r w a s a l l o w e d t o s t a n d b y u n h a n d c u f f e d and w i t h o u t h a v i n g b e e n p a t t e d d o w n . A s it t u r n e d o u t , h e w a s w a n t e d for m u r d e r in N e w Y o r k S t a t e . W h i l e t h e t r o o p e r w a s p r o b i n g h i s luggage, t h e s u s p e c t d r e w a . 3 2 c a l . r e v o l v e r f r o m h i s waistband and fatally shot t h e officer in t h e head. In s o m e c a s e s , f i e l d i n t e r r o g a t i o n w i l l r e q u i r e less d r a s t i c m e a s u r e s t h a n w e ' v e o u t l i n e d h e r e , at l e a s t i n i t i a l l y . Y o u m a y , for e x a m p l e , n e e d t o app r o a c h a w i t n e s s or c o m p l a i n a n t f o r q u e s t i o n i n g . W i t h a n y o n - f o o t a p p r o a c h , a l w a y s s t a n d at a n o b lique angle to t h e subject; that is, w i t h your n o n - g u n side t u r n e d t o w a r d h i m s o t h a t y o u r f a c e , e y e s , groin and k n e e c a p s — t h e m o s t easily damaged areas of y o u r b o d y — a r e p r o t e c t e d . Never stand with your gun side exposed to anyone for conversation or questioning. Even with a seemingly " h a r m l e s s " subject, try t o p o s i t i o n y o u r s e l f s o s o m e c o v e r is b e t w e e n t h e t w o of y o u or n e a r b y , a n d c l o s e r t o y o u t h a n t o h i m . If h e s u d d e n l y p r e s e n t s a g u n , y o u d o n ' t w a n t h i m t o get t o t h e n e a r e s t c o v e r f i r s t . Y o u s h o u l d c o n s i d e r a d i s t a n c e a r o u n d y o u of at least three feet as y o u r " s a f e t y z o n e . " C l o s e r t h a n t h a t , t h e d a n g e r t h a t y o u w i l l b e s t r u c k or t h a t a n a t t e m p t w i l l b e m a d e t o g r a b y o u r g u n is v a s t l y m u l t i p l i e d . Street-wise suspects m a y try to p e n e t r a t e t h i s z o n e b y : f e i g n i n g d e a f n e s s i n order t o d r a w closer...acting " c o o l , " polite and c o u r t e o u s to blunt your alertness...trying diversionary tactics s u c h as s p l i t t i n g apart w h e n t h e r e a r e t w o o r m o r e s u s p e c t s . . . o r by holding i d e n t i f i c a t i o n papers close t o t h e b o d y in h o p e s y o u ' l l r e a c h o u t or s t e p n e a r e r t o get t h e m . Don't permit anyone to move in closer than 36 inches or try to touch you. H a v i n g b e g u n a n i n t e r r o g a t i o n of a s u s p e c t or w i t n e s s , keep h i m in sight, in your i m m e d i a t e prese n c e . Never turn your back on a suspect or p e r m i t h i m to m o v e where you c a n ' t see. H e m a y be heading t o get a g u n f r o m a n o t h e r l o c a t i o n . A s h e r i f f i n W y o m i n g encountered a m a n on a ranch road w h o had been drinking and reportedly threatening suicide. T h e sheriff talked w i t h h i m a bit, t h e n w a l k e d w i t h h i m t o w a r d t h e m a n ' s n e a r b y c a b i n . H e all o w e d t h e s u s p e c t t o go i n s i d e , o u t of s i g h t , w h i l e i e w a i t e d i n t h e yard t o r e s u m e t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n , n s t e a d of c o m i n g b a c k o u t , t h o u g h , t h e s u s p e c t ired a . 3 0 - . 3 0 cal. rifle through t h e cabin w i n d o w , l i t t i n g t h e s h e r i f f i n t h e c h e s t a n d k i l l i n g h i m instantly. T h e assailant t h e n turned the gun on h i m self and c o m m i t t e d s u i c i d e . T h e k e e p - i n - s i g h t p r i n :iple a p p l i e s , of c o u r s e , w h e n y o u are q u e s t i o n i n g o m e o n e i n d o o r s as w e l l as o u t d o o r s . M o r e t h a n o n e :

Any suspect can be armed, especially a man wearing a suit. Here you can see 13 of the 17 firearms which are secreted on this person's body.

75

In conducting a field interview, position yourself at an angle to the subject, and keep your gun side away from his immediate reach.

officer has b e e n slain w h e n t h e suspect in a d o m e s t i c d i s t u r b a n c e , for e x a m p l e , m o m e n t a r i l y d u c k e d i n t o a b e d r o o m during interrogation—and emerged w i t h his t r u s t y deer rifle, ready for a c t i o n . S o m e t i m e s , i t ' s n e c e s s a r y for y o u t o q u e s t i o n s u s p e c t s i n a p a r k e d c a r . H e r e y o u c a n order t h e m o u t of t h e v e h i c l e if y o u a r e b e h i n d c o v e r . O r , if y o u c a n a p p r o a c h w i t h o u t b e i n g s e e n , a n o t h e r o p t i o n is t o c o m e up l o w b e h i n d t h e r i g h t r e a r f e n d e r of t h e i r car, w h e r e y o u ' l l be able to see inside, and use that as y o u r p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n . If y o u are w a l k i n g t o w a r d t h e s u s p e c t s w h e n y o u first s p o t t h e m , y o u p a s s b y , faking disinterest, and then quickly whirl and take p o s i t i o n b e h i n d t h e b a c k f e n d e r . Y o u r p a r t n e r or back-up should assume another protected position t h a t p u t s h i m at a d i f f e r e n t a n g l e f r o m t h e c a r , w h e r e he can cover y o u w i t h o u t exposing y o u to cross-fire. (You should not attempt to question more than two suspects in a car by yourself.) As y o u r e a c h t h e fender, slap it s h a r p l y w i t h y o u r n o n - g u n h a n d t o a t t r a c t t h e s u s p e c t s ' a t t e n t i o n a n d at t h e s a m e t i m e f i r m l y direct t h e m to face forward and not m o v e . G e t their h a n d s i n s i g h t o n t h e s t e e r i n g w h e e l , o n t o p of t h e d a s h b o a r d or b e h i n d t h e i r h e a d s , or order t h e m t o h a n g t h e i r h a n d s o u t of t h e w i n d o w s , b e f o r e b e g i n ning any field interrogation. T h e r e ' s a l w a y s t h e p o s s i b i l i t y , of c o u r s e , t h a t t h e person y o u ' v e singled out for field interrogation is n o t g u i l t y of w r o n g d o i n g . In t h a t c a s e , a p o l o g i z e and explain w h a t prompted y o u to detain h i m : " Y o u r vehicle resembled one w a n t e d on a burg l a r y , " or " Y o u ' r e d r e s s e d l i k e (or h a v e t h e s a m e p h y s i c a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s as) s o m e o n e w a n t e d for h o m i c i d e , " or " W e w e r e t o l d y o u b e a t u p y o u r w i f e , " e t c . M o s t people will accept an e x p l a n a t i o n a n d a n a p o l o g y for t h e i r i n c o n v e n i e n c e if y o u e m ploy an understanding m a n n e r , w i t h o u t arrogance. Don't fail to quiz people who arouse your suspicions merely because you fear embarrassing them. M o s t civilians on legitimate business can e a s i l y p r o v e i t . A n d e v e n if t h e y a r e n ' t g r a c i o u s e n o u g h t o a c c e p t y o u r e x p l a n a t i o n f o r a c t i n g as y o u did, i t ' s b e t t e r t o h a v e t a k e n s t e p s t h a t a l l o w y o u t o be around to answer their complaint tomorrow than for t h e r e t o b e n o t o m o r r o w .

Traffic Stops Few patrol events s e e m m o r e " r o u t i n e " than v e h i c l e pullovers, yet in an average year 12 per c e n t of o f f i c e r s k i l l e d a r e s h o t w h i l e d e t a i n i n g m o t o r i s t s .

76

Y o u m a y be a t t a c k e d e v e n b e f o r e y o u a r e o u t of your patrol car. A young city p a t r o l m a n in M i s s o u r i was killed still behind his steering wheel, w h e n a s t o p p e d driver l e a p e d o u t a n d fired t h r e e s h o t s f r o m a . 1 2 ga. s h o t g u n i n t o t h e p a t r o l c a r ' s w i n d s h i e l d . O r v i o l e n c e m a y o c c u r a f t e r y o u think e v e r y t h i n g is under c o n t r o l — a s in t h e Florida case w h e r e a highway patrolman was calmly checking a cooperative driver's identification w h e n a passenger, w h o had appeared t o b e a s l e e p , s u d d e n l y p o p p e d u p a n d o p e n e d fire w i t h a . 2 2 p i s t o l . Dangerous m o t o r i s t s and passengers c a n n o t a l w a y s b e i d e n t i f i e d i n a d v a n c e . T h i s is w h y it is s o c r i t i c a l t o control y o u r s t o p . P e o p l e y o u s t o p m a y have b e e n involved in a c r i m e you k n o w n o t h i n g a b o u t a n d fear y o u w i l l m a k e t h e c o n n e c t i o n . O r t h e traffic v i o l a t i o n alone m a y k i n d l e an angry, violent r e a c t i o n . T h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of m o s t v e h i c l e s w o r k s against you, allowing m u c h to be hidden from your view during your approach, including w e a p o n s and s o m e o c c u p a n t s . C o n s e q u e n t l y , in order to have t h e advantage should shooting start, your best m e n t a l a t t i t u d e is o n e t h a t a c k n o w l e d g e s , " T h i s t i m e I r e a l l y c o u l d go d o w n " — e v e n if y o u r " s u s p e c t " is a n 8 5 - y e a r - o l d w o m a n w i t h b l u e h a i r , s t o p p e d for having no tail light. Vehicle approaches should be v i e w e d as t a c t i c a l e x e r c i s e s regardless of t h e m o t o r i s t i n v o l v e d . R e p e t i t i o n of g o o d t a c t i c s f o r m s good t a c t i c a l h a b i t s .

Eight bullet capture the stop which undercover

holes in this windshield eeriness of a non-felony became a fatal stop. Two officers died inside this car.

77

W h i l e y o u are s t i l l f o l l o w i n g t h e c a r y o u i n t e n d to stop, relay the license n u m b e r and description to c o m m u n i c a t i o n s to run a N a t i o n a l C r i m e Information C e n t e r (NCIC) c o m p u t e r c h e c k . T h i s m a y give y o u s o m e w a r n i n g of t r o u b l e . If t h e v e h i c l e h a s b e e n r e p o r t e d s t o l e n o r i n v o l v e d i n a c r i m e or t h e r e are w a n t s or w a r r a n t s o n t h e o w n e r , y o u w a n t t o k n o w it before y o u i n i t i a t e t h e s t o p . T h e s a m e is t r u e , of c o u r s e , if y o u r e c o g n i z e t h e v e h i c l e or i t s o c c u pants from a " w a n t e d " description. N O N - F E L O N Y S T O P : E v e n if y o u r p r e l i m i n a r y l i c e n s e c h e c k c o m e s b a c k " c l e a r " a n d it a p p e a r s at the outset that you will be m a k i n g only a misdem e a n o r or s u s p i c i o u s v e h i c l e s t o p r a t h e r t h a n a full-fledged felony pullover, t h e r e ' s n o assurance, of c o u r s e , t h a t t h e v e h i c l e y o u ' r e h a l t i n g d o e s n o t c o n t a i n guns and people ready to use t h e m . A m o t o r i s t m a y g i v e e v e r y a p p e a r a n c e of b e i n g a n o r m a l c i v i l i a n up t o t h e l a s t m o m e n t . In O k l a h o m a , a young t r u c k driver w h o had done n o m o r e than c o m m i t a m i n o r traffic infraction ignited a police killing spree w h e n a city m a r s h a l stopped h i m to issue a t i c k e t . Enraged, the driver murdered the m a r s h a l w i t h a . 1 2 ga. s h o t g u n , t h e n l a t e r k i l l e d a n a u x i l i a r y o f f i c e r a n d a s h e r i f f ' s d e p u t y and c r i t i c a l l y w o u n d e d a police chief w h o tried to arrest h i m . Keep in m i n d that m o r e officers are killed during n o n - f e l o n y p u l l o v e r s , b e c a u s e t h e i r g u a r d is d o w n and t h e y are n o t anticipating t r o u b l e .

The outcome of a non-felony stop. The blood in the roadway is from an officer who was shot in the face, then returned fire to the driver who lies dead in front of the patrol car door.

78

W h e n y o u ' r e pulling over w h a t s e e m s to be an " o r d i n a r y d r i v e r " for a m i s d e m e a n o r , g i v e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s your exact location and the car license n u m b e r a n d d e s c r i p t i o n . // you're alone, the dispatcher will be your only partner. Y o u want to keep c o m m u n i c a t i o n s as i n f o r m e d as p o s s i b l e . B e s u r e h e r e s p o n d s t o all y o u r i n q u i r i e s a n d m e s s a g e s before y o u l e a v e y o u r p a t r o l c a r . Don't rush. If t h e w e a t h e r is i n c l e m e n t , y o u m a y h a v e t h e t e n d e n c y t o g e t o u t of y o u r p a t r o l car a n d get b a c k as f a s t as p o s s i b l e . B u t r e m e m b e r , t h e t i m e w h e n both vehicles have c o m e to a stop with e n g i n e s s t i l l r u n n i n g is c r u c i a l . E r r o r s y o u m a k e then m a y backfire a few m o m e n t s later. Alertness and c a u t i o n are m a n d a t o r y . D o n ' t let your c o n c e r n for y o u r o w n c r e a t u r e c o m f o r t s d i v e r t y o u f r o m a good survival attitude. As y o u radio in i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e stop, v i s u a l l y e x a m i n e t h e v e h i c l e . M a k e a h a b i t of l o o k ing f o r c l u e s w h i c h m a y i n d i c a t e s o m e t h i n g is a m i s s . Is t h e l i c e n s e p l a t e p r o p e r l y s e c u r e d , o r is it a f f i x e d in a m a n n e r or i n a c o n d i t i o n t h a t m a y i n d i c a t e it is s t o l e n ? A r e p a s s e n g e r s r e v e a l i n g u n d u e concern about your presence? T h i s m a y be indicated by facial expressions, excited conversations, e t c .

Y o u w a n t t o be sure all doors are closed completely, t o l e s s e n t h e c h a n c e of t h e d r i v e r or a p a s s e n g e r s u d d e n l y l e a n i n g o u t a n d s h o o t i n g , or s e t t i n g off a f i r e a r m b u i l t i n t o t h e door. T h e t r u n k lid, t o o , should be closed tight, w i t h its l o c k in place. In s o m e cases, armed suspects have hidden in t r u n k s and t h e n h a v e s u d d e n l y t h r o w n t h e lid u p t o c o n f r o n t u n s u s p e c t i n g o f f i c e r s , o r t h e y ' v e s h o t at officers through the hole left by a pulled l o c k . W h e n y o u ' r e d e a l i n g w i t h a v a n or r e c r e a t i o n a l v e h i c l e , y o u m a y w a n t t o order t h e d r i v e r o u t a n d h a v e h i m o p e n t h e rear d o o r s for y o u so y o u c a n s e e i n s i d e , on the c h a n c e a r m e d passengers are hiding there, ready t o s h o o t . H e r e y o u h a v e y o u r s i d e a r m o u t , b u t not in plain v i e w . Y o u open your door slightly and position yourself b e h i n d your w i n d s h i e l d post so t h a t y o u r h e a d and c h e s t a r e g i v e n s o m e c o v e r p r o t e c t i o n . W i t h you staying in this s o m e w h a t protected position, the driver's body, n o t yours, is l i k e l y t o b e i n t h e l i n e of a n y g u n f i r e . W i t h ordinary vehicles w h e r e the driver rem a i n s i n s i d e , w a t c h h i s s h o u l d e r s a n d t h o s e of a n y p a s s e n g e r s for m o v e m e n t s t h a t m a y s u g g e s t t h e y a r e d r a w i n g or a i m i n g a f i r e a r m . If t h e y r e a c h i n t o t h e g l o v e b o x , u n d e r a s e a t or a b o v e a s u n v i s o r , t h e y m a y b e g o i n g for a g u n . If y o u s e e a n y f u r t i v e or u n u s u a l m o v e m e n t , order t h e d r i v e r a n d o t h e r s t o r e m a i n in t h e v e h i c l e w i t h t h e i r h a n d s i n p l a i n v i e w . I m m e d i a t e l y c a l l for b a c k - u p a n d g e t t o c o v e r . It m a y be n e c e s s a r y f r o m t h a t p o i n t f o r w a r d t o t r e a t t h e i n c i d e n t as a felony traffic stop. D o n o t , as s o m e o f f i c e r s s e e m p r o n e t o d o , a l l o w a driver t o a p p r o a c h y o u r p a t r o l c a r t o d i s p l a y h i s l i c e n s e or r e g i s t r a t i o n . If h e s t a r t s t o w a r d y o u , order h i m t o s t o p and b e s u r e y o u c a n s e e h i s h a n d s . A driver in I n d i a n a a p p r o a c h e d a l i e u t e n a n t d u r i n g a traffic s t o p w i t h h i s h a n d s b e h i n d h i s b a c k — t h e n , it close range, suddenly produced a .45 semia u t o m a t i c and fatally shot t h e l i e u t e n a n t in t h e ;hest. W h e n you are ready to approach t h e stopped v e h i c l e , y o u w a n t h i s m o t o r t u r n e d off b e f o r e y o u ; x i t , a l t h o u g h y o u l e a v e yours on. C o n s i d e r h a v i n g :he o f f e n d e r t u r n h i s w h e e l s t o t h e r i g h t , t o i n h i b i t l i s driving off. U s e y o u r e x t e r i o r s p e a k e r t o t e l l l i m , if y o u h a v e t o . If h i s m o t o r ' s r u n n i n g as y o u ipproach, h e m a y try t o g u n t h e c a r b a c k w a r d s a n d :rush y o u b e t w e e n t h e v e h i c l e s or d i s a b l e y o u r >atrol c a r a n d t h e n drive off. O n s o m e v e h i c l e s , vhen the m o t o r ' s on, a closed trunk can be opened lutomatically from the inside. As you prepare to exit your patrol car, crank 'our steering wheel to the left. It s o m e o n e t r i e s t o h o o t y o u as y o u s t e p o u t , y o u m a y b e a b l e t o drop iehind t h e w h e e l f o r l i m i t e d c o v e r . A l s o , it w i l l

offer s o m e p r o t e c t i o n t o y o u r l e g s f r o m l o w i n c o m ing b u l l e t s r i c o c h e t i n g off t h e p a v e m e n t . A s y o u exit yo u r car, consider placing your radio m i c r o p h o n e outside t h e w i n d o w b e h i n d your side mirror for f a s t a c c e s s i b i l i t y . If y o u a r e w o r k i n g w i t h a p a r t n e r , h e s h o u l d f l a n k o u t o n t h e p a s s e n g e r s i d e o p p o s i t e y o u r approach to a protected position w h e r e h e can l o o k d i r e c t l y i n t o t h e s i d e a n d r e a r w i n d o w s of t h e s t o p p e d v e h i c l e , p e r h a p s c o n c e a l e d b e h i n d a t r e e or utility pole. H e will t h e n be able to see into the v e h i c l e f r o m a d i f f e r e n t a n g l e t h a n y o u c a n . If h e ' s hidden from the occupants, he can unobtrusively d r a w h i s s i d e a r m or a i m h i s s h o t g u n a n d h a v e it r e a d y t o d e f e n d y o u at a n y h i n t of t r o u b l e . E v e n if t h e y see h i m , his presence in s u c h an u n e x p e c t e d position can be psychologically unnerving to an a r m e d s u s p e c t a n d m a y c o n v i n c e h i m t h a t t h e odds a g a i n s t h i m are o v e r w h e l m i n g . Y o u r p a r t n e r s h o u l d b e c a r e f u l , of c o u r s e , n o t t o t a k e a p o s i t i o n w h e r e he would be jeopardized by cross-fire from your sidearm in t h e event you have to shoot, or v i c e versa. As you walk toward the vehicle, consider unsnapping t h e security strap on your h o l s t e r and resting your strong hand o n your gun b u t t , in p o s i t i o n t o d r a w y o u r w e a p o n w i t h o u t d e l a y if necessary. Y o u can give this hand position a nonthreatening appearance by also resting your w e a k hand on your other hip. Y o u will then seem merely to be approaching in a s o m e w h a t sauntering post u r e , a l t h o u g h i n f a c t y o u are r e a d y f o r t r o u b l e . A n a l t e r n a t i v e is t o c a r r y a d o u b l e c i t a t i o n b o o k or m e t a l c l i p b o a r d w i t h a t h i c k s h e a f of p a p e r s i n your n o n - g u n hand. Should an a r m e d offender start shooting w h i l e still sitting in his car, these i t e m s m a y s t o p or d e f l e c t s o m e b u l l e t s w h i l e l e a v i n g y o u r g u n h a n d f r e e . B u l l e t - r e s i s t a n t c l i p b o a r d s are a v a i l a b l e , w h i c h a r e l i g h t a n d u n o b t r u s i v e , y e t offer protection against m a n y handgun rounds. D u r i n g your approach to the driver, w a t c h the interior through the rear w i n d o w . W i t h your eyes on the v e h i c l e ' s o c c u p a n t s , t o u c h the t r u n k c r a c k to b e s u r e t h e lid is s t i l l s h u t , t h e n g l a n c e i n t o t h e b a c k s e a t f o r f i r e a r m s o r h i d d e n p a s s e n g e r s . S t a y close t o t h e v e h i c l e as y o u m o v e f o r w a r d . T h i s m a y m a k e it harder for t h e driver to see y o u and c e r t a i n l y m o r e d i f f i c u l t for h i m t o t u r n a n d f i r e at y o u t h r o u g h h i s side w i n d o w . S t a t i s t i c a l l y , y o u ' v e e n t e r e d t h e z o n e of g r e a t e s t danger o n c e y o u ' v e reached the v e h i c l e . The c h a n c e s of y o u r s i d e a r m b e i n g g r a b b e d or y o u r b e i n g c o n f r o n t e d by a w e a p o n f r o m inside are greatest f r o m h e r e o n . S o y o u w a n t t o do w h a t y o u c a n to k e e p t h e o t h e r g u y off b a l a n c e .

81

Don't stop directly opposite the driver's window. B y s t a n d i n g s l i g h t l y behind his door, you have a v i s u a l i n s i d e b u t y o u m a k e it a w k w a r d for h i m t o s e e or r e a c h y o u . If h e t r i e s t o f l i n g h i s d o o r o p e n , y o u w i l l n o t b e s t r u c k or k n o c k e d off b a l a n c e a n d y o u m a y b e a b l e t o s l a m it s h u t w i t h a h a r d t h r u s t of y o u r n o n - g u n h a n d or l e f t k n e e . D o n ' t b e c o n c e r n e d that h e has to twist to hand you his driver's license; he'll have to twist to shoot you, too. And in the extra split-second that takes h i m , you can be r e a c t i n g t o r e g a i n c o n t r o l . Remain watchful. Hold t h e l i c e n s e and c i t a t i o n b o o k up in your non-gun hand so that the driver and any other o c c u p a n t s r e m a i n w i t h i n your peripheral vision, and your s i d e a r m h a n d is f r e e . T o h e l p y o u k e e p t r a c k of t h e d r i v e r ' s h a n d s , e s p e c i a l l y if h e a p p e a r s n e r v o u s , y o u m a y want to instruct h i m to keep t h e m on the s t e e r i n g w h e e l . If y o u w a n t h i m t o s t e p f r o m t h e v e h i c l e , o p e n t h e d o o r for h i m s o h e k e e p s h i s h a n d s i n s i g h t . M o v e b a c k w a r d w i t h t h e s w i n g of t h e d o o r so y o u c a n m a i n t a i n a v i s u a l o n t h e d r i v e r a n d passengers. Generally, however, you'll have better c o n t r o l if e v e r y o n e s t a y s i n s i d e .

Still another approach option on a suspicious pullover is to unholster your sidearm and keep it in this position as you advance toward the driver. From the driver's point of view, your sidearm is invisible.

82

As you approach, touch the trunk crack while maintaining a visual on the interior.

»n yourself close to the driver's it back far enough so he can't u with his door.

What do you observe on this nonfelony stop! If you did not immediate notice the semi-automatic in front of the gear selector, you need to re-evah your ability to perceive danger.

Stay alert against distractions. Passengers m u s t b e w a t c h e d , as w e l l as t h e d r i v e r . T h e y a r e o f t e n t h e g u n m e n (or w o m e n ) i n t r a f f i c s t o p s h o o t i n g s . F e m a l e d r i v e r s or p a s s e n g e r s c a n p o s e a p a r t i c u l a r t h r e a t i n t h i s regard, b e c a u s e t h e y m a y t r y t o d i v e r t y o u r a t t e n t i o n w i t h s e x u a l m a n e u v e r s . M a n y officers s u c c u m b a l m o s t i n s t i n c t i v e l y — n o t so m u c h to s e x y talk, w h i c h m a y c o m e a c r o s s as a n o b v i o u s p l o y , b u t a show of s e x , w h i c h is h a r d e r t o i g n o r e . D u r i n g a survival exercise in California, a f e m a l e v o l u n t e e r in s i m u l a t e d traffic stops was told to turn i n h e r s e a t w h e n o f f i c e r s a p p r o a c h e d h e r c a r , so t h a t her skirt hiked up to expose her bikini panties. O f f i c e r s i n v o l v e d w e r e w a r n e d a h e a d of t i m e t h a t the w o m a n w a s " a r m e d " and would try to " k i l l " t h e m . Y e t every m a n f l a s h e d h i s e y e s f r o m h e r h a n d s to her thighs the m o m e n t her skirt w e n t up. All w e r e " s h o t " o n t h e s p o t . H u m a n n a t u r e is v e r y predictable.

Whatever the driver is doing, your best visual is with his hands in the steering wheel area.

After completing your contact with the driver, walk back to your patrol car while maintaining a visual on the driver. Then wait until the vehicle has re-entered traffic before you assume the traffic stop is concluded.

You want to return to your patrol car to write any citation. It y o u r e m a i n at t h e d r i v e r ' s d o o r , y o u i n v i t e a v e r b a l c o n f r o n t a t i o n , y o u are m o r e e a s i l y d i s t r a c t e d and y o u a r e d a n g e r o u s l y c l o s e s h o u l d s o m e o n e in t h e suspect v e h i c l e decide to take y o u o n . W r i t e t h e c i t a t i o n i n a p o s i t i o n t h a t ' s t o your a d v a n t a g e — a n d never while standing directly behind the suspect vehicle. W h e n for t h i s or a n y o t h e r r e a s o n y o u n e e d t o r e t u r n t o y o u r p a t r o l car, w a l k w i t h y o u r h e a d c o n t i n u a l l y t u r n e d b a c k or walk backwards, keeping a visual on the occupants. T h i s m a y s e e m embarrassing or o v e r r e a c t i v e t o y o u , b u t e m b a r r a s s m e n t i s a big k i l l e r of o f f i c e r s . O f f i c e r s l a y i n g s d u r i n g t r a f f i c s t o p s o f t e n o c c u r as t h e y did t o a p a t r o l m a n i n T e x a s , w h o m a d e a pullover and talked to the f e m a l e driver w i t h o u t i n c i d e n t . W h e n h e s t a r t e d b a c k t o h i s patrol car to run a radio c h e c k on a m a l e passenger, however, he turned his b a c k on the stopped car to walk " n o r m a l l y . " U n b e k n o w n to the officer, the passenger was wanted on fraudulent c h e c k charges. W i t h the officer unable to see h i m , the suspect brought a R u s s i a n - m a d e a u t o m a t i c rifle up f r o m u n d e r t h e s e a t , fired t h r o u g h t h e r e a r w i n d o w a n d dropped h i s v i c t i m w i t h f o u r b u l l e t s , l e a v i n g h i m t o die as t h e c a r sped a w a y .

87

E v e n inside your patrol car, d o n ' t b e c o m e so absorbed in w h a t y o u ' r e doing t h a t you fail to keep an eye on t h e v e h i c l e ahead. A M i n n e s o t a h i g h w a y trooper w h o ' d brought a tipsy w o m a n ' s license back t o h i s p a t r o l c a r , f o r e x a m p l e , c o n c e n t r a t e d o n it s o exclusively that he didn't notice her husband emerge from the stopped car—even though the m a n carried a rifle. H e s h o t through the windshield and penetrated the trooper's head. After you've delivered the citation, again w a l k b a c k w a r d s or l o o k b a c k c o n t i n u a l l y as y o u r e t u r n to your patrol car. M a i n t a i n a visual on the violat o r ' s v e h i c l e u n t i l it h a s s a f e l y m e r g e d b a c k i n t o traffic. T h r o u g h o u t y o u r a p p r o a c h , y o u s h o u l d have in mind what you would do at a n y i n s t a n t s h o u l d y o u confront a threatening m o v e . Y o u r plan should allow y o u to capitalize on m o v e m e n t and surprise t o b u y t i m e for y o u r s e l f a n d s t e a l t i m e f r o m y o u r a s s a i l a n t . A n d y o u m u s t b e r e a d y t o e x e c u t e it without hesitation. F E L O N Y S T O P : W h e n y o u k n o w or s u s p e c t you are dealing w i t h individuals w h o m a y be c r i m i nals, you have a highly dangerous situation on your h a n d s . F o r y o u r o w n s a f e t y , y o u s h o u l d assume they are armed felons, w h o m a y s h o o t at a n y opportunit y . C o n s e q u e n t l y , y o u r t a c t i c s w i l l differ i n i m p o r t a n t w a y s f r o m t h o s e for m i s d e m e a n o r p u l l o v e r s . To stop a vehicle occupied by known or suspected felons by yourself is extremely risky. In c i r c u m s t a n c e s that are all too c o m m o n , a p a t r o l m a n in Arkansas stopped a pickup truck fitting the descript i o n of a v e h i c l e u s e d i n a g r o c e r y s t o r e r o b b e r y . Although he was alone and there were three w o m e n in t h e t r u c k , suspected escapees f r o m a reformatory, he w a l k e d up t o t h e v e h i c l e t o a s k for i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . He was shot in the chest w i t h a .32 cal. revolver, t h e n s h o t a g a i n a f t e r h e f e l l , w h e n o n e of t h e s u s pects yanked out the officer's own service revolver a n d u s e d it a g a i n s t h i m . S i m i l a r l y , a h i g h w a y p a t r o l m a n in N o r t h C a r o l i n a , t w e n t y - e i g h t y e a r s o n t h e job, tried singlehandedly to apprehend three bank robbery suspects he had stopped in a semi-rural area. As h e approached their car, o n e suspect shot h i m in the n e c k and c h e s t w i t h a sawed-off . 1 2 ga. shotgun. A s a f e r a p p r o a c h is t o r a d i o for b a c k - u p a s s i s t a n c e , e v e n if y o u h a v e a p a r t n e r . T h i s is n o t a sign of c o w a r d i c e , b u t o n l y good s u r v i v a l s e n s e . S p e c i f y y o u r e x a c t l o c a t i o n a n d d i r e c t i o n of t r a v e l . . . w h y y o u need the assistance...where you want it...and how m a n y patrol cars you feel are required to safely cont r o l t h e s i t u a t i o n . If p o s s i b l e , t r a i l t h e s u s p e c t v e h i c l e at a d i s t a n c e of a b o u t 5 0 f e e t u n t i l y o u r b a c k - u p is i n v i e w .

P u l l t h e v e h i c l e o v e r at a p l a c e of your c h o o s i n g , where the visibility...nearby cover...and minimal a m o u n t of v e h i c u l a r a n d p e d e s t r i a n t r a f f i c w o r k i n your favor. ( T h e m o r e people there are around, t h e m o r e t h e y m a y try t o interfere, be injured or b e t a k e n h o s t a g e i n t h e e v e n t of t r o u b l e . T o o m u c h vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic m a y inhibit use of y o u r f i r e a r m s h o u l d y o u r l i f e b e c o m e i n d a n g e r . ) If t h e s u s p e c t t r i e s t o s t o p w h e r e y o u d o n ' t w a n t h i m to, use your outside speaker s y s t e m to direct h i m o n t o y o u r c h o i c e of s t o p . Do not pull abreast of h i m t o g e t h i s a t t e n t i o n . T h i s g i v e s h i m or h i s p a s s e n g e r s a n e a s y t a r g e t . If h e h i t s h i s b r a k e s , y o u w i l l s u d d e n l y b e i n f r o n t of h i m , a v e r y p o o r t a c t i c a l p o s i t i o n . A s y o u are m a k i n g t h e s t o p , n o t i f y c o m m u n i c a t i o n s of y o u r e x a c t l o c a t i o n .

Proper position for primary unit [Car 21] and back-up unit [Car 9) during a felony stop.

89

At night, the primary unit [Car 21} uses his high beams for general illumination of the suspect vehicle. Car 21 's left spotlight is aimed at the driver's side mirror. The right spotlight is aimed at the right front passenger's side mirror.

The back-up unit [Car 9] during the night felony pullover, also uses his high beams for general blinding illumination. Car 9's left spotlight will blind the driver as he exits. The right spotlight will blind other occupants as they are removed.

O n a f e l o n y s t o p w h e r e a b a c k - u p u n i t is a s s i s t ing, c o n s i d e r p o s i t i o n i n g y o u r p a t r o l c a r d i f f e r e n t l y t h a n y o u w o u l d for m o s t v e h i c l e p u l l o v e r s . D e p e n d ing o n t h e l o c a t i o n i n v o l v e d , o n e a l t e r n a t i v e m i g h t be t h i s : I n s t e a d of s t o p p i n g s o y o u r p a t r o l c a r j u t s o u t 3 f e e t as y o u o r d i n a r i l y w o u l d t o p r o t e c t y o u r self f r o m t r a f f i c as y o u w a l k t o t h e d r i v e r ' s w i n d o w , park in line with t h e suspect v e h i c l e and about 3 0 feet back. At night, this will allow y o u to use your lights to i l l u m i n a t e the car ahead. Y o u r back-up u n i t c a n t h e n p u l l u p d i r e c t l y a l o n g t h e d r i v e r ' s side of y o u r c a r , b l o c k i n g t r a f f i c i n t h a t l a n e . T h e r e should be just enough r o o m b e t w e e n so that you c a n o p e n y o u r d r i v e r ' s d o o r a n d t h e p a s s e n g e r offic e r in t h e b a c k - u p car c a n o p e n h i s d o o r , w i t h s p a c e for t h e o f f e n d e r t o w a l k b e t w e e n t h e m . You do not want to approach the suspect vehicle on foot. W h e r e t h e r e is k n o w n d a n g e r , a l l o f f i c e r s o p e n t h e i r d o o r s , b u t remain inside their patrol cars. E a c h p o s i t i o n s h i m s e l f i n h i s s e a t s o h i s b a c k r e s t s a g a i n s t a d o o r p o s t for s u p p o r t a n d h e is p r o t e c t e d at l e a s t s o m e w h a t b e h i n d a w i n d s h i e l d post. O n e foot rests on the floorboard while the o t h e r is b r a c e d a g a i n s t t h e d o o r j a m b or t h e o p e n door, not r e s t i n g o n t h e g r o u n d w h e r e y o u r l e g s a r e e x p o s e d t o l o w or r i c o c h e t i n g r o u n d s . A s s u m i n g y o u a r e t h e driver of t h e first p a t r o l c a r , y o u h a v e y o u r s e r v i c e h a n d g u n t r a i n e d o n t h e d r i v e r ' s s i d e of t h e s u s p e c t v e h i c l e . T h e p a s s e n g e r o f f i c e r of t h e back-up car also aims at that side with his h a n d g u n . Y o u r partner covers t h e passenger side of t h e suspect v e h i c l e with his s h o t g u n ; t h e driver of the back-up u n i t covers the suspects inside their v e h i c l e w i t h a shotgun, if one is available. A s t h e driver of t h e first r e s p o n d i n g p a t r o l c a r , y o u a l o n e give orders, y e l l i n g or u s i n g y o u r o u t s i d e s p e a k e r t o address s u s p e c t s a n d a l s o t o order p e d e s trians to leave t h e area. Y o u r f e l l o w officers say n o t h i n g u n l e s s t h e y s e e a s u s p e c t g o i n g for a f i r e a r m . Y e l l (or b r o a d c a s t o v e r y o u r o u t s i d e s p e a k e r ) : " E v e r y o n e ! Put your hands u p . . . i n t e r l a c e y o u r fingers... put your hands behind your heads...look s t r a i g h t a h e a d . D r i v e r ! S h u t y o u r m o t o r off a n d t a k e t h e k e y s in y o u r h a n d . " (If y o u h a v e t o m a k e t h e s t o p b e f o r e h e l p a r r i v e s , y o u c a n i s s u e t h e s e orders and keep t h e suspects in this position u n t i l y o u have back-up. Any m o v e you want any occupant to m a k e , i n c i d e n t a l l y , t e l l h i m t o m a k e w i t h h i s left h a n d . ) N o w y o u w a n t t o g e t t h e m o u t of t h e i r v e h i c l e , o n e at a t i m e , o n t h e driver's s i d e . ( O n e of t h e l e s s d e s i r a b l e m e t h o d s of m a n e u v e r i n g f e l o n y t r a f f i c s t o p s i n v o l v e s e x i t s f r o m t h e p a s s e n g e r s i d e of t h e suspect vehicle, w i t h the o c c u p a n t s put up against

a w a l l f o r c o n t r o l , if o n e is a v a i l a b l e . E x p e r i e n c e h a s s h o w n t h a t a p a s s e n g e r - s i d e e x i t is u s u a l l y l e s s desirable because good cover—like parked cars, trees, utility poles, doorways—is likelier to be on that side and t h u s readily available to s u s p e c t s as t h e y e m e r g e . O n the driver's side, t h e y ' l l ordinarily h a v e f e w e r b a r r i c a d e s b e h i n d w h i c h t o e s c a p e or s h o o t . In a d d i t i o n , e x i t i n g i n t o t h e s t r e e t adds t o t h e i r d i s o r i e n t a t i o n , w h i c h w i l l w o r k t o y o u r adv a n t a g e . A l s o , y o u c a n n o t b e c e r t a i n at t h i s p o i n t j u s t w h o all t h e o c c u p a n t s a r e . O n e or m o r e m a y b e a h o s t a g e . If a l l a r e l i n e d u p i n t r a d i t i o n a l f a s h i o n against a wall and shooting starts, i n n o c e n t people i n t h e l i n e - u p m a y u n k n o w i n g l y b e s h o t b y a n offic e r ' s b u l l e t s . E v e n w h e r e t h i s is n o t a p r o b l e m , perm i t t i n g m o r e t h a n o n e s u s p e c t at a t i m e o u t of t h e stopped v e h i c l e and not under physical restraint lessens your ability to control the situation.) Start w i t h getting t h e driver out. W h e r e several suspects are p r e s e n t , t h e d r i v e r is u s u a l l y t h e l e a d e r , s o y o u w a n t t o i s o l a t e h i m as p r o m p t l y a s p o s s i b l e . Y o u w a n t h i m t o b r i n g t h e c a r k e y s with him, s o t h e y a r e n o t l e f t b e h i n d f o r t h e o t h e r s u s p e c t s or dropped o n t h e p a v e m e n t w h e r e t h e y ' r e i n a c c e s s i b l e t o y o u . If h i s w i n d o w is r o l l e d d o w n , o r d e r h i m t o r e a c h o u t w i t h his left hand s l o w l y and open his door from the o u t s i d e , k e e p i n g h i s o t h e r h a n d b e h i n d h i s h e a d . If t h e w i n d o w is u p , y o u ' l l h a v e t o a l l o w h i m t o l o w e r h i s l e f t (and h o p e f u l l y w e a k ) h a n d o u t of s i g h t l o n g enough to open t h e door. T h e spotlight on t h e first r e s p o n d i n g p a t r o l c a r or t h e b a c k - u p u n i t s h o u l d b e t r a i n e d o n t h e d r i v e r ' s s i d e at a b o u t f i v e f e e t off t h e g r o u n d s o t h a t t h e d r i v e r w i l l f a c e t h e g l a r e of t h e l i g h t as h e s t e p s o u t a n d l o o k s t o w a r d t h e p a t r o l cars. As he steps out, have h i m roll down his wind o w (if it i s n ' t a l r e a d y ) . . . k i c k t h e d o o r s h u t . . . a n d get b o t h h a n d s u p o v e r h i s h e a d as h i g h as h e c a n reach, w i t h h i s fingers spread apart. R e m e m b e r , the k e y i n t h i s s i t u a t i o n is contwl. A s t h e d r i v e r of t h e f i r s t p a t r o l c a r , y o u a n d t h e passenger officer from the back-up unit concentrate on handling the suspect who has exited. Y o u want h i m t o turn s l o w l y in a full circle w h i l e you l o o k for a n y v i s i b l e w e a p o n s . If y o u s e e a n y , order h i m to keep his hands interlaced on his head and to w a l k backwards t o w a r d y o u . A d v i s e h i m t h a t if h e m o v e s h i s h a n d s at a n y t i m e , y o u w i l l p r e s u m e h e is g o i n g for his w e a p o n and y o u w i l l t a k e t h e appropriate a c t i o n . If h e a p p e a r s w e a p o n l e s s , s t i l l a s s u m e h e is a r m e d . C o m m a n d h i m to place h i s h a n d s b e h i n d h i s h e a d a n d w a l k b a c k w a r d s t o w a r d y o u , j u s t as you w o u l d an a r m e d suspect. T o his fellow suspects w h o m a y be watching f r o m t h e s t o p p e d v e h i c l e , it w i l l a p p e a r t h a t h e is

d i s a p p e a r i n g i n t o a w h i t e v o i d of l i g h t as h e m o v e s toward you. Suspects w h o have experienced this i l l u s i o n c o n c e d e t h a t it h a s a s t r o n g , i n h i b i t i n g psychological i m p a c t . As the driver b a c k s b e t w e e n the open patrol car doors, the passenger officer from t h e b a c k - u p car w i l l s t a n d b e h i n d h i m a n d grasp t h e top t h r e e f i n g e r s of o n e of t h e s u s p e c t ' s h a n d s , as d e s c r i b e d for f i e l d i n t e r r o g a t i o n s . T h i s o f f i c e r t a k e s c o n t r o l of t h e s u s p e c t ' s c a r k e y s . T h e s u s p e c t s h o u l d be i m m e d i a t e l y h a n d c u f f e d . . . t h o r o u g h l y s e a r c h e d . . . q u e s t i o n e d a b o u t w e a p o n s o n a n y of t h e p a s s e n g e r s or i n t h e c a r and a b o u t o t h e r p a s s e n g e r s w h o m a y n o t b e v i s i b l e . . . t h e n l o c k e d i n t h e b a c k s e a t of o n e of t h e p a t r o l c a r s .

The key to the felony pullover is control. Here you have the driver exit by opening his door from the outside.

Command the driver to place his hands over his head. Then you can see any gun in his waistband.

Now order the driver to interlace his fingers behind his head and kick his door shut.

Then command him to walk with his hands still interlaced the head

backward behind

Following the s a m e procedures, all visible p a s s e n g e r s a r e r e m o v e d o n e at a t i m e f r o m t h e s u s p e c t c a r , all f r o m t h e d r i v e r ' s s i d e . C l e a r t h e f r o n t s e a t f i r s t (after t h e d r i v e r , t h e m o s t l i k e l y l e a d e r of a gang is t h e r i g h t f r o n t p a s s e n g e r ) , t h e n c o n c e r n y o u r s e l f w i t h g e t t i n g t h e s u s p e c t s o u t of t h e b a c k . If t h e c a r is a t w o - d o o r , b a c k s e a t p a s s e n gers c a n p u s h t h e d r i v e r ' s s e a t b y t r i p p i n g t h e locking latch w i t h a foot so they can exit without lowering their hands. T h e s e procedures in e m p t y i n g a suspect v e h i c l e w i l l w o r k t o y o u r a d v a n t a g e at m o s t l o c a t i o n s . H o w e v e r , w h e n t h e s t o p is b e i n g m a d e o n a b u s y f r e e w a y or w h e n t h e r e a r e o t h e r o v e r w h e l m i n g h a z a r d s t o the left, a d j u s t m e n t in the tactics m u s t be m a d e . It m a y t h e n b e n e c e s s a r y t o e x i t t h e s u s p e c t s f r o m t h e p a s s e n g e r s i d e . If s o , t h e b a c k - u p u n i t s h o u l d p u l l u p o n t h e r i g h t of t h e f i r s t r e s p o n d i n g p a t r o l c a r , e v e n if it m e a n s j u m p i n g a c u r b t o do s o . T h e r o l e s of t h e o f f i c e r s a r e r e v e r s e d , a n d t h e e x i t b e g i n s w i t h the right front passenger, w h o brings the keys. Still, t h e s u s p e c t s a r e b r o u g h t b a c k o n e at a t i m e b e t w e e n the two patrol cars. As the driver reaches the space just in front of the two patrol car doors, place him in the kneeling position.

W h e n the suspect v e h i c l e appears e m p t y , you w a n t t o a d v a n c e and i n s p e c t t h e i n t e r i o r a n d t h e n the trunk, where additional armed passengers have b e e n k n o w n t o s e c r e t e t h e m s e l v e s . T h e r e are s e v e r a l t a c t i c s for c o n d u c t i n g t h e t r u n k s e a r c h . O n e app r o a c h is t o t a k e o n e of t h e h a n d c u f f e d p r i s o n e r s with you to witness your search. Before advancing, m a k e sure you have secured the prisoner's cooperat i o n in bringing h i m t o t h e t r u n k , else y o u are i n f r i n g i n g o n h i s r i g h t s as a p r i s o n e r . W h e n i t ' s t i m e t o o p e n t h e c a r d o o r s or t r u n k lid, do s o b y h o l d i n g h i m securely w i t h your non-gun h a n d and reaching a r o u n d f r o m b e h i n d h i m . ( D o n ' t grip j u s t h i s h a n d cuffs alone. Experienced felons can twist the cuffs a n d t a k e off o n e of y o u r f i n g e r s ) . Y o u r f e l l o w offic e r s , of c o u r s e , c o v e r y o u as y o u m a k e y o u r approach, taking care to avoid cross-fire positions. 94

After all occupants of the suspect vehicle have been secured, the driver aids in the search of the trunk. As one officer provides cover, you reach around and open the trunk. Notice the officer has hold of both handcuffs and the offender's waistband to maintain control.

Another tactic for the trunk search. As you insert the key from a location low and to the side, your back-up maintains fire cover, while resting the nongun hand on the trunk lid.

Now you assume a position at an angle to your back-up, who slowly lets the trunk rise to its open position. A visual on the trunk is now possible by both of you.

95

Firearms Readiness Obviously, you cannot have your sidearm out and ready to use e v e r y t i m e y o u a n s w e r a radio call, c o n d u c t a f i e l d i n t e r v i e w or m a k e a t r a f f i c s t o p . E v e n if d e p a r t m e n t p o l i c y a n d c o m m o n s e n s e perm i t t e d , it w o u l d n o t b e w i s e . S i d e a r m s a n d s h o t g u n s i n d i s c r i m i n a t e l y drawn and displayed will frighten and offend civilians and m a y , in fact, p r o v o k e v i o l e n c e in s o m e s i t u a t i o n s that could o t h e r w i s e be peacefully resolved. M a n y o f f i c e r s , h o w e v e r , do n o t d r a w t h e i r sidea r m s w h e n t h e y should. B a c k - u p officers arriving at t h e s c e n e w h e r e a n o f f i c e r h a s b e e n k i l l e d o f t e n d i s c o v e r t o t h e i r a m a z e m e n t t h a t t h e v i c t i m ' s sidea r m is s t i l l h o l s t e r e d , w i t h n o e v i d e n c e h e a t t e m p t e d t o d r a w , s h o o t or o t h e r w i s e d e f e n d h i m s e l f . Y e t i n m a n y of t h e s e i n s t a n c e s , t h e r e w a s p r i o r w a r n i n g of d a n g e r . T h e rule has been: don't draw unless you intend to shoot. T h a t suggests you wait until the last i n s t a n t t o g e t y o u r s i d e a r m i n y o u r h a n d . T h e surv i v a l a p p r o a c h i s : d o n ' t d r a w u n l e s s y o u are prepared t o s h o o t , m e n t a l l y a n d t a c t i c a l l y , if y o u h a v e to. T h i s a l l o w s for t h e fastest possible " d r a w " : h a v i n g y o u r s i d e a r m i n y o u r h a n d before t h e fight starts. Y o u should have your firearm ready w h e n ever: 1. y o u a r e a p p r o a c h i n g a s i t u a t i o n w h e r e y o u k n o w or r e a s o n a b l y b e l i e v e s o m e o n e h a s p h y s i c a l p o s s e s s i o n of a d e a d l y w e a p o n ; 2. y o u are involved in a high-risk a c t i v i t y , such as a building search or have responded to a v i o l e n t c r i m e - i n - p r o g r e s s , or 3.

y o u h a v e any reason to fear for y o u r safety

or t h e s a f e t y of o t h e r s . W h e n i n d o u b t , y o u m a y w a n t t o go w i t h y o u r gun and risk ruffling a few c o m m u n i t y relations f e a t h e r s r a t h e r t h a n r i s k b e c o m i n g t h e v i c t i m at your own funeral. A n o t h e r a s p e c t of f i r e a r m s r e a d i n e s s is h a v i n g t h e m o s t e f f e c t i v e g u n i n h a n d for a c o n f r o n t a t i o n . T h e m o s t p o w e r f u l a n d i n t i m i d a t i n g w e a p o n , if m a d e a v a i l a b l e o n p a t r o l b y y o u r d e p a r t m e n t , is a . 1 2 ga. s h o t g u n w i t h a n 1 8 - o r 2 0 - i n c h b a r r e l ; y e t i t s i m p r e s s i v e v e r s a t i l i t y for u s e i n m a k i n g a n a p p r o a c h is o f t e n o v e r l o o k e d a n d m i s u n d e r s t o o d . W h e n y o u t a k e it f r o m y o u r p a t r o l c a r , a s h o t gun m a y m a k e a strong psychological impact. Its appearance and reputation m a y be enough in t h e m selves to sober a suspect w h o ' s considering shooting you. Y o u can induce an additional " p u c k e r f a c t o r " w i t h t h e o m i n o u s n o i s e of " r a c k i n g " t h e a c t i o n . O n c e h e a r d , i n t h e s t i l l of t h e n i g h t , i t ' s a s o u n d n e v e r f o r g o t t e n . If y o u are j u s t i f i e d i n u s i n g deadly

f o r c e a n d do h a v e t o u s e it, t h e s h o t g u n c a n b e e v e n m o r e d e s t r u c t i v e t h a n a s u b m a c h i n e g u n , y e t , if y o u are s h o o t i n g at r e l a t i v e l y c l o s e r a n g e , t h e p e l l e t s are n o t l i k e l y t o spread o u t w i d e e n o u g h t o e n d a n g e r people other than your assailant. For long-distance s h o o t i n g , rifled s l u g s c a n b e f i r e d t o a n e f f e c t i v e r a n g e of a b o u t 1 0 0 y a r d s . I n a d d i t i o n , t h e s h o t g u n can be used to fire c h e m i c a l agents. T h e s h o t g u n does h a v e i t s d r a w b a c k s . If y o u h a v e t o r u n or y o u get i n t o a p h y s i c a l f i g h t , it m a y p r o v e c u m b e r s o m e . . . i f y o u n e e d t o p u t it a s i d e , it h a s n o h o l s t e r . . . i f y o u a r e u s i n g y o u r f l a s h l i g h t it m a y b e a w k w a r d t o c a r r y . B u t w h e n y o u know you are f a c i n g a p o s s i b l e a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n , t h e s e a r e d e f i n i t e l y of s e c o n d a r y i m p o r t a n c e . Don't walk into a known dangerous situation with just your handgun. Y o u w a n t superior fire p o w e r , if p o s s i b l e . S o c o n s i d e r e m p l o y i n g y o u r s h o t g u n any time y o u a r e a p p r o a c h i n g : 1.

t h e s c e n e of a f e l o n y - i n - p r o g r e s s ;

2.

a hazardous vehicle stop;

3.

a w a n t e d f e l o n , or

4.

o t h e r s i t u a t i o n s w h e r e t h e r i s k of g e t t i n g s h o t or k i l l e d is h i g h .

Like m a n y officers, you m a y try to avoid t h e shotgun in your patrol car b e c a u s e y o u ' r e u n f a m i l i a r w i t h i t . C h a n c e s are t h e t r a i n i n g y o u h a v e r e c e i v e d w i t h t h i s w e a p o n is m i n i m a l . T h e s c o p e a n d d i r e c tion m a y have been so l i m i t e d that y o u feel y o u h a v e f a i l e d t o m a s t e r t h i s w e a p o n . T h a t is i r o n i c b e c a u s e w h e n y o u n e e d a s h o t g u n t h e m o s t is w h e n you're on a particularly dangerous assignment, where y o u m a y need to draw on m a x i m u m training resources to emerge alive. S o m e range instructors s e e m to feel that even w i t h o u t sufficient practical e x p e r i e n c e y o u c a n p r o t e c t y o u r l i f e or o t h e r i n n o cent lives with a shotgun simply by virtue of its capability to expel powerful m u l t i p l e projectiles. W h e r e lives are on t h e line, t h a t ' s a poor a s s u m p t i o n t o m a k e . Part of s u r v i v a l i n v o l v e s b e c o m i n g f a m i l i a r and p r o f i c i e n t w i t h all f i r e a r m s at y o u r c o m m a n d . Later, we'll e x a m i n e particularly the procedures for s a f e l y t r a n s p o r t i n g a n d h a n d l i n g t h e s h o t g u n during your approach t o a s c e n e and your subseq u e n t i n t e r r o g a t i o n of i n d i v i d u a l s y o u e n c o u n t e r there. A f t e r c o m p l e t i n g a n y a p p r o a c h a n d a r r e s t i n g or releasing the suspect(s) involved, take a few m o m e n t s t o h o n e s t l y c r i t i q u e w h a t y o u did. If y o u have a partner, discuss the actions you both took. Q u i c k l y r e v i e w i n g y o u r j o b p e r f o r m a n c e a n d discovering weaknesses that could have worked to a suspect's advantage will help you sharpen your procedures and tactical m a n e u v e r s in t h e future.

LIGHT CONTROL W h e n t h e l i g h t s go d o w n , y o u r r i s k g o e s u p , as a rule. L i k e a camera, your eye needs light to record i m a g e s , a n d o n n i g h t p a t r o l , i n d a r k n e s s or t h e d e e p s h a d o w s of s t r e e t s , a l l e y s , y a r d s , r o o f t o p s , h a l l w a y s a n d r o o m s , t h e r e m a y b e t o o l i t t l e i l l u m i n a t i o n for y o u t o q u i c k l y p e r c e i v e i m a g e s t h a t w a r n of d a n g e r . Even in d a y t i m e , w h e n an a s s i g n m e n t sends y o u i n t o l o w l i g h t l e v e l l o c a t i o n s l i k e b a r s or b a s e m e n t s , you m a y be temporarily blinded while your eyes adjust to the s c e n e . A suspect already there, cloaked in and adapted to the dark, can present a m e n a c e you w o n ' t even see. M o r e than half the t i m e s armed suspects take o n t h e p o l i c e , t h e y do s o at d u s k . . . a f t e r d a r k . . . o r w h e r e a r t i f i c i a l l i g h t is l i m i t e d . M o r e t h a n t w o t h i r d s of t h e s h o o t i n g s i n w h i c h o f f i c e r s d i e o c c u r b e t w e e n 6 o ' c l o c k at n i g h t a n d 6 i n t h e m o r n i n g , w i t h the deadliest hours the darkest ones, b e t w e e n 10 P M a n d 2 A M . Y e t d a r k n e s s is n o t a l w a y s y o u r e n e m y . S o m e t i m e s it c a n a l l o w y o u t o c o n c e a l y o u r m o v e m e n t s i n r e s p o n d i n g t o c r i m e s . It m a y p r o v i d e y o u w i t h a hiding place. And during p o t e n t i a l l y dangerous n i g h t t i m e t r a f f i c s t o p s , f o r e x a m p l e , it m a y p e r m i t y o u a n i m p o r t a n t t a c t i c a l e d g e : t a k i n g a d v a n t a g e of t h e d a r k , y o u m a y be a b l e t o d r a w y o u r g u n and h o l d it u n o b t r u s i v e l y a b o v e t h e d o o r f r a m e of a v e h i c l e w h i l e q u e s t i o n i n g t h e d r i v e r . O r — a n d t h i s is faster b e c a u s e y o u c a n raise a gun up faster than y o u c a n l o w e r it f r o m a n e l e v a t e d p o s i t i o n — y o u m a y b e a b l e t o s t a n d at t h e v e h i c l e w i t h y o u r g u n a l o n g s i d e y o u r leg. In e i t h e r c a s e , t h e d r i v e r w i l l

likely never be aware that you have a firearm in hand. W h a t ' s r e q u i r e d is t h a t y o u control t h e d o u b l e edged s w o r d of d a r k n e s s . Y o u w a n t t o b e c o n s t a n t l y a w a r e of t h e s o u r c e s of l i g h t a v a i l a b l e t o y o u and the ways you can m a n i p u l a t e light and dark to your advantage and a suspect's disadvantage. Like a proper a p p r o a c h , t h i s c o n t r o l m a y h e l p y o u a b o r t a p l a n n e d s h o o t i n g or at l e a s t p u t y o u i n t h e b e s t position should bullets fly. T h e lights inside buildings, your flashlight and lights on your patrol car are a m o n g t h o s e y o u can c o n t r o l i n a n u m b e r of i m p o r t a n t w a y s . In w e i g h i n g y o u r o p t i o n s w i t h t h e m , y o u w a n t t o p l a n a h e a d and to anticipate just h o w your control will affect your vulnerability to an assailant's shots and your o w n c a p a b i l i t y in s h o o t i n g b a c k .

Try to avoid positioning yourself against any outside background which forces you to become silhouetted.

Building Lights W h e r e y o u n e e d t o e n t e r a d a r k e n e d b u i l d i n g or a s u i t e of d a r k o f f i c e s , t h e r e ' s a l w a y s t h e d a n g e r t h a t t h e s u s p e c t y o u ' r e l o o k i n g for is s e c r e t e d i n s i d e , j u s t w a i t i n g for a bad a p p r o a c h b y a n o f f i c e r . T h a t p r o v e d t o be t h e c a s e in A l a s k a w h e n a p a t r o l m a n r e s p o n d e d t o a b u r g l a r y - i n - p r o g r e s s c a l l at a drug treatment center. T o launch a room-by-room search w i t h fellow officers, he crawled into a darkened r o o m t h r o u g h an o p e n w i n d o w . T h e s u s p e c t w a s h i d i n g i n s i d e t h a t v e r y r o o m — a n d s h o t h i m in t h e head w i t h a 9 m m s e m i - a u t o m a t i c . 99

As an alternative to moving blindly into an a r e a y o u c a n ' t s e e , it m a y b e p o s s i b l e t o g e t s o m e or all of t h e l i g h t s t u r n e d o n a h e a d of t i m e b y m a s t e r s w i t c h e s . T h e b u i l d i n g j a n i t o r , m a n a g e r or o w n e r will probably k n o w the switches' location and the exact lighting they control. Obviously, having the lights on automatically eliminates m a n y suspect h i d i n g p l a c e s a n d i m p r o v e s y o u r v i e w of a r e a s t o b e c r o s s e d a n d s e a r c h e d . B u t t h e l i g h t s s h o u l d not b e a c t i v a t e d u n t i l all officers involved in t h e search are i n protected p o s i t i o n s , s i n c e a s u s p e c t ' s f i e l d of vision m a y also be enhanced.

This photo was taken from the general location of an armed hostagetaker. The officer inside this apartment was unaware that lights were setting him up as a target.

Control of light inside should be achieved by taking a position below the kill zone. In this incident, an armed offender was standing 6 feet away on the other side of the wall with his gun aimed at normal shoulder height. 100

W h e r e general lighting is n o t possible, it's usually s a f e r t o t u r n o n l i g h t s a r e a b y area as y o u p r o g r e s s , as o p p o s e d t o m o v i n g i n t h e d a r k a n d n o t k n o w i n g w h a t is o u t f r o n t . A g a i n , y o u w a n t t o b e behind cover—and with your sidearm drawn— b e f o r e a n y l i g h t i n g is t u r n e d o n . R e a c h for s w i t c h e s from a low position rather than standing beside t h e m at y o u r n o r m a l h e i g h t , as a w a i t i n g s u s p e c t m a y b e e x p e c t i n g . N o t e : If y o u s m e l l g a s , do n o t turn on any lights. An electrical arc from the switch c a n e a s i l y t o u c h off a n e x p l o s i o n .

If c o v e r is n o t r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e , y o u m a y d e c i d e y o u are b e t t e r off i n t h e d a r k , p o s s i b l y r e l y i n g o n s p o r a d i c b u r s t s of l i g h t s f r o m y o u r f l a s h l i g h t . Y o u m a y e v e n w a n t t o t u r n r o o m l i g h t s off if t h e y are a l r e a d y o n , g i v i n g y o u r s e l f at l e a s t t h e c o n c e a l m e n t b e n e f i t s of d a r k n e s s as y o u m o v e t o a safe a r e a . If y o u h a v e p r a c t i c e d at a r a n g e u n d e r n i g h t t i m e conditions, you k n o w it's harder to shoot and hit a target i:i t h e d a r k . A s u s p e c t w i l l h a v e t h e s a m e d i f f i c u l t y . If y o u are s e a r c h i n g a n o p e n a r e a l i k e a warehouse and the suspect happens to be hiding in t h e r a f t e r s , h a v i n g l i g h t s o n w i l l aid h i m a n d j e o p a r dize y o u . E v a l u a t e t h e t y p e of b u i l d i n g y o u are i n and p l a y off y o u r e n v i r o n m e n t in m a k i n g d e c i s i o n s . Remain conscious always of where any light source is in relation to your body. Light c o m i n g f r o m b e h i n d y o u , s u c h as s t r e e t l i g h t t h r o u g h a w i n d o w or l i g h t s l e f t o n i n a r o o m y o u h a v e j u s t s e a r c h e d , c a n s i l h o u e t t e y o u as a p e r f e c t t a r g e t . S o c a n l i g h t s o v e r d o o r w a y s y o u i n t e n d t o e n t e r . If, as part of y o u r a p p r o a c h , y o u c a n ' t w o r k a s w i t c h t o t u r n off l i g h t s a b o v e d o o r s or r e a c h u p a n d u n s c r e w t h e b u l b s w i t h o u t o u t l i n i n g y o u r s e l f in t h e d o o r w a y , consider smashing the bulbs w i t h your n i g h t s t i c k or f l a s h l i g h t . R e m e m b e r a l s o t h a t l i g h t h i t t i n g y o u r b o d y f r o m c e r t a i n a n g l e s w i l l c a s t s h a d o w s . If, for example, your shadow extended out beyond a corn e r , a s u s p e c t w a i t i n g o n t h e o t h e r s i d e c o u l d s e e it and be alerted to your approach.

Flashlight An important point to r e m e m b e r about this v e r s a t i l e t o o l is t h a t it d o e s n o t a l w a y s h a v e t o r e m a i n c o n n e c t e d to your hand in order to help y o u detect and defend yourself against potential danger. W i t h t h e " f l a s h l i g h t r o l l " t e c h n i q u e , for e x a m p l e , y o u .md y o u r p a r t n e r or b a c k - u p c a n i l l u m i n a t e a d a r k e n e d r o o m i n s e a r c h of a s u s p e c t w i t h o u t h a v i n g t o l e a v e p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n s o n e a c h s i d e of t h e d o o r w a y . W i t h t h e door o p e n all t h e w a y b a c k a n d the flashlight in your w e a k hand, squat beside t h e d o o r w a y a n d h o l d t h e f l a s h l i g h t s o i t s l e n s e n d is sticking through the entry. P u s h t h e slide b u t t o n " o n " a n d r e l e a s e t h e f l a s h l i g h t s o it r o l l s off y o u r c u p p e d f i n g e r s t o w a r d t h e o p p o s i t e side of t h e doorway. T h e flashlight should roll across the opening a l m o s t s t r a i g h t or i n a s l i g h t a r c . Y o u r p a r t n e r c a n p i c k it t.p w i t h o u t s i g n i f i c a n t e x p o s u r e a n d t h e n roll it b a c k f r o m h i s p o s i t i o n of c o v e r . A s t h e f l a s h l i g h t is r o l l i n g , y o u b o t h s h o u l d b e l o o k i n g :.nto t h e r o o m as far as t h e r o l l i n g b e a m penetrates, w i t h your firearms ready. B e t w e e n both y o u r v a n t a g e p o i n t s y o u ' l l b e a b l e t o s e e m u c h of

the area and m a y discover a suspect w h o o t h e r w i s e w o u l d r e m a i n h i d d e n . Caution: do not enter the doorway while the light is on-, c o n f r o n t e d w i t h a n u n e x p e c t e d l i g h t , a s u s p e c t m a y i n s t i n c t i v e l y fire d i r e c t l y at t h e s o u r c e , figuring a n o f f i c e r is b e h i n d i t . Also, understand that flashlights with certain s h a p e s — n o t a b l y , large o n - o f f s w i t c h e s — m a y n o t w o r k w e l l for this t a c t i c , b e c a u s e t h e y preclude t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of a s m o o t h r o l l . S o know your equipment a n d m a k e s u r e it w o r k s p r o p e r l y b e f o r e y o u use it. High angle view of two officers properly positioned behind cover and using the flashlight to avoid becoming a victim of the fatal funnel.

^ u^Y

A n o t h e r r o o m search tactic involves the flashl i g h t s of b o t h o f f i c e r s . F i r s t , y o u h o l d y o u r l i g h t a r o u n d t h e d o o r f r a m e , w h i l e k e e p i n g t h e v i t a l port i o n s of y o u r b o d y b e h i n d t h e w a l l . F r o m a l o w or prone position on his side, your partner c h e c k s the p o r t i o n of t h e r o o m i l l u m i n a t e d b y y o u r l i g h t . T h e n y o u r e v e r s e r o l e s : h e p u t s h i s l i g h t a r o u n d h i s side of the frame, w h i l e you c h e c k . In b o t h cases, t h e o f f i c e r w i t h t h e l i g h t w a n t s t o h o l d it a b o v e t h e l e v e l of h i s h e a d w h i l e i n a s q u a t t i n g p o s i t i o n , t o b e as d e c e p t i v e as p o s s i b l e a b o u t h i s t r u e p o s i t i o n . A w a y from doorways, you still should be behind s o m e k i n d of c o v e r — a c h i m n e y , a g a r b a g e c a n , a store c o u n t e r , e t c . — w h e n trying to search an area w i t h y o u r f l a s h l i g h t . Y o u w a n t t o h o l d t h e l i g h t as far f r o m y o u r b o d y as p o s s i b l e , w i t h as l i t t l e of y o u r s e l f e x p o s e d as y o u c a n m a n a g e . . . u s e t h e l i g h t as s p a r i n g l y as p o s s i b l e . . . a n d m o v e t o a n e w p o s i t i o n i m m e d i a t e l y after you shine it. W h e r e c o v e r is n o t a v a i l a b l e , p r o b a b l y y o u r b e s t o p t i o n is t h e " f l a s h - a n d - m o v e " t e c h n i q u e . W i t h y o u r s i d e a r m d r a w n a n d y o u r l e g s a p a r t and b e n t , y o u h o l d y o u r f l a s h l i g h t at a r m ' s l e n g t h i n 102

y o u r w e a k h a n d . . . h i g h e r t h a n t h e l e v e l of y o u r h e a d . . . a n d o u t f r o m y o u r s h o u l d e r at a b o u t a 4 5 degree a n g l e . T h i s p l a c e s t h e l e n s t o t h e s i d e , a b o v e and s o m e w h a t a h e a d of y o u r b o d y a n d k e e p s y o u r vital areas from being brightly illuminated by the a u r a of l i g h t t h r o w n off a r o u n d t h e f l a s h l i g h t h e a d . B e s u r e y o u s t a y behind t h e b e a m of l i g h t , n o t i n i t s p e r i p h e r y , t o m i n i m i z e t h e r i s k of b e i n g v i s i b l e in t h e flashlight's " b a c k - s p l a s h . " Y o u r flashlight s h o u l d h a v e a d a r k a n d n o n - r e f l e c t i n g s u r f a c e of fairly h e a v y - g a u g e m e t a l a n d s h o u l d b e e q u i p p e d w i t h b o t h slide a n d b u t t o n c o n t r o l s . P r e s s t h e button just e n o u g h to b l i n k the light on for an i n s t a n t , a l l o w i n g y o u a q u i c k fix o n t h e a r e a , t h e n m o v e i m m e d i a t e l y to a n e w location, preferably t o w a r d c o v e r . If y o u l e a v e t h e l i g h t o n c o n s t a n t l y , t h e n y o u m a k e y o u r s e l f a c o n s t a n t t a r g e t . If y o u h a v e to s h o o t , s h o o t a n d m o v e w i t h t h e l i g h t off. T h e n u m b e r one consideration in such a situation, of c o u r s e , w i l l be p o s i t i v e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of y o u r intended target. Y o u don't w a n t to shoot a fellow officer, a private security officer or an i n n o c e n t h o m e o w n e r m o v i n g in the dark. If t h e s u s p e c t s h o o t s , h e ' l l p r o b a b l y fire d i r e c t l y at t h e p J a c e h e l a s t s a w t h e b e a m or j u s t t o h i s r i g h t of i t . If y o u ' r e h o l d i n g y o u r l i g h t as w e ' v e d e s c r i b e d , y o u s h o u l d be c l e a r of t h e s h o t . In o n e c a s e , i n w h i c h officers entered a darkened house to apprehend a m a n w h o had gone berserk and murdered his landlady, t h e s u s p e c t s h o t s o a c c u r a t e l y w i t h a r i f l e t h a t h e s h a t t e r e d t h e f l a s h l i g h t h e l d in o n e o f f i c e r ' s hand. T h e bullet kept going, but because the officer had extended the light to his side, his body w a s c l e a r of i:he s h o t e n t i r e l y a n d h e w a s a b l e t o k i l l t h e s u s p e c t w i t h r e t u r n f i r e . Do not try to control your flashlight with its slide switch. T h e b u t t o n is f a s t e r and t h e r e is n o t t h e d a n g e r , if y o u drop it, of t h e l i g h t r e m a i n i n g o n a n d h i g h l i g h t i n g y o u for a n adversary. If y o u ' r e m o v i n g f r o m o n e a r e a t o a n o t h e r , t r y t o avoid u s i n g y o u r f l a s h l i g h t . O f t e n t h e r e is e n o u g h a m b i e n t l i g h t f r o m n a t u r a l ( m o o n , s t a r s ) or a r t i f i c i a l (street l i g h t s , signs) s o u r c e s t o a l l o w y o u t o m a k e y o u r w a y . U s e of t h e f l a s h l i g h t w i l l d e s t r o y y o u r n i g h t v i s i o n , at l e a s t m o m e n t a r i l y , a n d m a y p i n p o i n t y o u r p o s i t i o n for a w a t c h i n g s u s p e c t . If y o u f e e l y o u m u s t u s e y o u r f l a s h l i g h t , a n g l e it t o w a r d t h e g r o u n d and p a r t i a l l y c o v e r t h e b e a m w i t h y o u r h a n d so t h e light is j u s t large e n o u g h t o i n s u r e safe f o o t i n g . K e e p t h e l i g h t l o w . . . a h e a d of y o u r b o d y . . . a s far t o o n e s i d e . . . a n d t u r n e d o n as b r i e f l y as p o s s i b l e , n e v e r for long p e r i s d s of t i m e . Y o u d o n ' t w a n t t o s i l h o u e t t e yourself. During traffic stops, your flashlight and patrol car s p o t l i g h t c a n be t r a i n e d o n t h e d r i v e r ' s side v i e w

m i r r o r as y o u a p p r o a c h . If h e ' s t r y i n g t o w a t c h y o u , the b e a m will blind h i m temporarily, and he'll l i k e l y turn a w a y . O n c e you r e a c h h i s door, s h i n e t h e light directly i n t o his eyes, destroying his night v i s i o n . If h e t u r n s o u t t o b e o k a y , y o u c a n a l w a y s a p o l o g i z e a n d m a k e it s e e m a c c i d e n t a l . If n o t , y o u m a y h a v e d e l a y e d h i s g e t t i n g o n t a r g e t if h e h a s a gun. Under no circumstances should you use your flashlight i n t h e s e or o t h e r m a n e u v e r s by holding it in the center of your body mass or near your face. T h e h a z a r d of d o i n g s o w a s b i z a r r e l y i l l u s t r a t e d b y t h e f a t e of a b u r g l a r w h o c r a w l e d t h r o u g h t h e w a s h r o o m w i n d o w of a b a n k o n e n i g h t , a c r o w b a r u n d e r one arm, a .45 cal. T h o m p s o n s u b m a c h i n e gun u n d e r t h e o t h e r a n d a s m a l l f l a s h l i g h t in h i s m o u t h . A security officer waiting in the darkness inside s a w t h e l i g h t b o b i n t o t h e l o b b y . H e did w h a t m o s t o f f i c e r s — o r s u s p e c t s — w o u l d do; f i r e d at t h e o n l y v i s i b l e p o r t i o n of h i s o p p o n e n t , t h e f l a s h l i g h t . It was still in the burglar's m o u t h . T h e bullet hit the f l a s h l i g h t , d r o v e t h e b a t t e r y spring d e e p i n t o t h e m a n ' s t o n g u e a n d a n g l e d t h r o u g h h i s m o u t h and out his n e c k w i t h fatal results.

When you hold your flashlight extended with your non-gun hand, make sure you stay behind the beam of light, or this is what the suspect will see. 104

You can avoid the backsplash effect by placing your flashlight on the ground, as you take two steps to your left. Your goal is to remain invisible to the suspect. You are also now free to use your twohand instinct shooting position.

Vehicle Lights R e c e n t tests c o n d u c t e d by B r i t i s h a u t h o r i t i e s s h o w t h a t if y o u s i m u l t a n e o u s l y b l i n d a n d d i s t r a c t an armed suspect you can often delay his shooting b y a n a p p r e c i a b l e s p a n of t i m e . Y o u m a y b e a b l e t o d i s t r a c t h i m w i t h a l o u d n o i s e or b y t h r o w i n g s o m e t h i n g at h i m . B u t e v e n w i t h o u t d i s t r a c t i o n , b l i n d ness alone will cause serious disorientation in s o m e s u s p e c t s , e s p e c i a l l y if t h e y a r e t r y i n g t o e n g a g e m o r e t h a n o n e o f f i c e r i n a g u n f i g h t or if t h e y h a v e t o s h o o t m o r e t h a n o n c e at t h e s a m e o f f i c e r . A m o n g y o u r b e s t t o o l s are t h e h i g h - b e a m f l a s h lights and spotlight(s) on your patrol car, particularly during n i g h t t i m e traffic stops and field interrog a t i o n s . U s i n g t h e l i g h t s of y o u r c a r a n d a b a c k - u p car, y o u r e a b l e t o c o n t r o l a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 m i l l i o n candlepower to your advantage. 1

• " S o m e C o m m e n t s on the Hostage S i t u a t i o n , " by J.C. Muirhead, Police Ch.ef, February, 1 9 7 8 .

The

Field interrogations at night can be conducted from behind a curtain of Ugh t. You and your partner quietly flank out to positions away from your patrol car. From the suspects' viewpoint you are invisible. 105

If, f o r e x a m p l e , y o u w a n t t o q u e s t i o n a s u s p e c t in a darkened alley, y o u can approach w i t h your p a t r o l c a r p o i n t e d d i r e c t l y at h i m , h i g h - b e a m s a n d s p o t l i g h t o n . S t o p a b o u t 15 t o 2 0 f e e t f r o m h i m . N o w h e a n d t h e area a r o u n d h i m a r e c l e a r l y l i g h t e d , f r o m y o u r p e r s p e c t i v e . B u t w h e n he l o o k s i n y o u r d i r e c t i o n , h e ' l l s e e a c u r t a i n of b r i g h t , w h i t e l i g h t , a n d v e r y l i t t l e if a n y t h i n g b e y o n d i t . If h e d o e s dec i d e t o s h o o t , h e ' l l p r o b a b l y fire i n t o t h e l i g h t s o n the driver's side, where h e figures you're m o s t likely to b e . T o defeat that possibility, y o u w a n t to m o v e a r o u n d l o w t o t h e r e a r of t h e c a r as s o o n as y o u s t o p , or f l a n k o u t t o a p o s i t i o n of c o v e r n e a r b y , b e i n g c a r e f u l t o s t a y behind t h e c u r t a i n of l i g h t c r e a t e d by your headlights. T h e t a c t i c is t o put some distance between yourself and your light source and yet t a k e advant a g e of t h e b l i n d i n g e f f e c t it a f f o r d s . F r o m a p r o t e c t e d position behind the lights, you can keep your gun on the suspect w h i l e you issue h i m verbal c o m m a n d s . He w o n ' t be able to see your e x a c t location, a n d if y o u m o v e o c c a s i o n a l l y , h e ' l l h a v e a h a r d t i m e p i n p o i n t i n g j u s t w h e r e y o u r v o i c e is c o m i n g from. As you m o v e away, you can m a i n t a i n the impression you're still stationary by speaking slightly louder. While you keep a suspect distracted with comm a n d s , y o u r p a r t n e r or b a c k - u p m a y b e a b l e t o k e e p h i m s e l f c o n c e a l e d in shadows and m o v e around the p e r i m e t e r of t h e l i g h t s s o t h a t h e c o m e s u p b e h i n d t h e s u s p e c t , a s s u m i n g t h e s u s p e c t is f a c i n g t o w a r d your lights. Provided you protect your partner and yourself from cross-fire, your partner t h e n will b e i n a g o o d p o s i t i o n t o s u r p r i s e y o u r s u s p e c t if h e appears threatening. T w o survival-savvy patrolmen in California showed a police instructor just h o w effective this t e c h n i q u e can be w h e n they were being tested on routine field interrogation tactics. T h e y turned their lights directly on the instructor, w h o was p l a y i n g t h e r o l e of a s u s p e c t , a n d t h e d r i v e r - o f f i c e r began interrogating h i m from behind the light curt a i n . A f t e r a f e w m o m e n t s of c o n v e r s a t i o n , t h e i n s t r u c t o r called a halt to t h e e x e r c i s e and said he w a s f l u n k i n g b o t h of t h e m . W h y ? a s k e d t h e driverofficer. "Because," the instructor announced, " y o u r p a r t n e r is s o l a z y h e n e v e r e v e n g o t o u t of the patrol c a r ! " At that instant, directly behind his h e a d , t h e i n s t r u c t o r h e a r d t h e c l i c k of a s e m i a u t o m a t i c being cocked. T h e second officer was standing inches behind h i m . W h i l e the instructor w a s b l i n d e d b y t h e l i g h t s a n d assuming the second officer had r e m a i n e d in the car, h e a c t u a l l y had f l a n k e d o u t i n d a r k n e s s a r o u n d t h e edge of t h e

h e a d l i g h t s a n d s i l e n t l y c r e p t up b e h i n d t h e " s u s p e c t " t o a p o s i t i o n of s t r o n g a d v a n t a g e . O n n i g h t t i m e traffic stops, you m a y w a n t to u s e y o u r e x t e r n a l s p e a k e r t o order t h e s t o p p e d driver t o t u r n o n h i s i n s i d e d o m e l i g h t . T h i s p l o y t e n d s to u n n e r v e s u s p e c t s a n d a l l o w s y o u t o g e t a b e t t e r v i s u a l of t h e i n t e r i o r b e f o r e y o u l e a v e y o u r p a t r o l c a r . Y o u c a n t h e n get a n e v e n b e t t e r v i e w and d i s o r i e n t t h e driver a b i t m o r e b y f l o o d i n g t h e i n t e r i o r t h r o u g h t h e rear w i n d o w w i t h y o u r h i g h b e a m s a n d s p o t l i g h t ( s ) . If y o u a r e a l o n e a n d h a v e t w o s p o t l i g h t s o n y o u r p a t r o l car, b e s u r e t o t u r n o n b o t h and o p e n y o u r p a s s e n g e r d o o r . T h i s m a y fool a suspect into believing you have a partner whose whereabouts c a n ' t be seen from the suspect vehicle. Be careful during traffic stops n o t to w a l k b a c k toward your patrol car and stand directly in front of t h e h e a d l i g h t s t o w r i t e a t i c k e t , as s o m e o f f i c e r s do. T h e b r i g h t l i g h t s w i l l l i k e l y d e s t r o y y o u r n i g h t vision while they clearly silhouette you from the p e r s p e c t i v e of t h e s t o p p e d d r i v e r , t h e r e b y t u r n i n g your headlights to the s u s p e c t ' s advantage. Similarly, back-up cars responding to a nightt i m e c a l l m u s t t a k e c a r e t h a t t h e i r h e a d l i g h t s do n o t b l i n d or m a k e s i l h o u e t t e t a r g e t s of o f f i c e r s a l r e a d y o n t h e s c e n e . If p o s s i b l e , b a c k - u p s s h o u l d t u r n off all t h e i r l i g h t s as t h e y n e a r t h e s c e n e , e x cept their parking lights. T h e cars' rooftop emerg e n c y l i g h t s s h o u l d be i n c l u d e d i n t h i s b l a c k o u t . T h e y c a n b e d i s t r a c t i n g , as w e l l as d a n g e r o u s l y illuminating. Parking lights will keep the back-up c a r s m i n i m a l l y v i s i b l e , b u t n o t m a k e t h e m destructive to their own forces.

Improving Night Vision It u s u a l l y t a k e s a b o u t t h i r t y m i n u t e s for y o u r " n i g h t v . s i o n " to develop to the point that your eyes can distinguish objects in dim light w i t h full a c u i t y . B u t t h e r e are w a y s y o u c a n h a s t e n t h e p r o c ess a bit when your a s s i g n m e n t demands that you m o v e q u i c k l y from light t o u a r k areas. S a y , for e x a m p l e , y o u are c a l l e d t o a d i m l y lit b a r or r e s t a u r a n t t o s t o p a f i g h t — a s i t u a t i o n i n w h i c h a n u m b e r of o f f i c e r s h a v e l o s t t h e i r l i v e s . W h i l e y o u are s t i l l i n t h e w e l l - l i g h t e d o u t d o o r s s t a r t i n g y o u r a p p r o a c h to t h e s c e n e , c l o s e o n e e y e , preferably y o u r s t r o n g e y e . T h e n , as y o u s t e p i n s i d e , open that eye. Y o u r visual a d j u s t m e n t will already be a s t e p a h e a d . I n a d a r k e n e d area, try t o u t i l i z e o f f - c e n t e r v i s i o n . In o t h e r w o r d s , w h e n y o u f o c u s y o u r a t t e n t i o n o n a n o b j e c t , d o n ' t l o o k d i r e c t l y at i t . D i r e c t

v i s i o n r e q u i r e s t h e u s e of e y e c e l l s t h a t a r e l e a s t s e n s i t i v e at n i g h t . W h e n y o u l o o k s l i g h t l y t o t h e s i d e , a b o v e or b e l o w a n o b j e c t , t h e i m a g e is f o r m e d o n t h e a r e a of t h e e y e w i t h c e l l s m o s t s e n s i t i v e i n darkness. T h e m o s t sensitive eye area varies w i t h i n d i v i d u a l s , b u t u s u a l l y y o u c a n h i t it b y l o o k i n g 6 t o 10 d e g r e e s a w a y f r o m a n o b j e c t , s o y o u s e e i t , i n e f f e c t , o u t of t h e c o r n e r of y o u r e y e . S c a n n i n g s t r e n g t h e n s y o u r o f f - c e n t e r v i s i o n . If y o u t r y t o h o l d a n i m a g e i n t h e c o r n e r of y o u r e y e l o n g e r t h a n a b o u t 4 t o 1 0 s e c o n d s , it g r a d u a l l y " b l e a c h e s " o u t . B u t if y o u s h i f t y o u r e y e s e v e r y f e w s e c o n d s in abrupt, irregular m o v e m e n t s over a n d a r o u n d t h e o b j e c t or p e r s o n y o u ' r e w a t c h i n g , you can m o v e the image to fresh cells. Colds, headaches, fatigue, narcotics use, heavy smoking a n d e x c e s s i v e u s e of a l c o h o l r e d u c e y o u r a b i l i t y t o s e e at n i g h t . In a d d i t i o n , of c o u r s e , t h e y a d v e r s e l y a f f e c t y o u r s k i l l s at a n t i c i p a t i n g a n d r e s p o n d i n g t o d a n g e r , w h e t h e r t h e l i g h t is g o o d or b a d . In s h o r t , t h e y w o r k for t h e s u s p e c t . . . a n d against y o u r survival.

VERBAL CHALLENGE "Police! Don't move!" I t ' s hard t o p r e d i c t w h a t w i l l h a p p e n w h e n y o u voice this c o m m a n d to an a r m e d suspect. H e m a y s t o p dead i n h i s t r a c k s , t h r o w d o w n h i s g u n a n d plead w . t h y o u n o t t o s h o o t h i m . . . h e m a y i g n o r e y o u or p r e t e n d h e d i d n ' t h e a r and w a l k a w a y . . . h e m a y c l a i m h e is a p l a i n c l o t h e s o f f i c e r a n d order you t o p u t a w a y your g u n . . . h e m a y c o n s i d e r y o u r words an invitation to a g u n f i g h t — a n d start shooting.... A n y w a y y o u s l i c e it, t h e m o m e n t of c o n f r o n t a t i o n is a t e n s e o n e , and t h o s e t h r e e w o r d s — "Police! D o n ' t m o v e ! " — o f t e n mark the turning p o i n t of a n a r m e d e n c o u n t e r . Y o u m a y b e a c c u s t o m e d to individuals doing w h a t you say, but w h e n you issue a c o m m a n d to a person w h o has a loaded g u n , y o u h a v e t o b e prepared for anything. T h i s m u c h is c e r t a i n . . . W h e n t h e r i s k s a n d p o t e n t i a l b e n e f i t s are w e i g h e d , t h e r e is a l w a y s o n e p e r s u a s i v e a r g u m e n t for a t t e m p t i n g a v e r b a l c h a l l e n g e before s h o t s are fired: situations where you confront armed individuals are not always what they seem. By clearly a n n o u n c i n g your office and g i v i n g an order t o s t o p t h e a c t i o n , y o u m a y be a b l e to buy t i m e in w h i c h to better establish the suspect's identity and intentions. T h e last thing you w a n t is t o u s e d e a d l y f o r c e a g a i n s t s o m e o n e w h o did n o t c o m m i t a c r i m e . T w o contrasting episodes illustrate the point. O n e n i g h : in C h i c a g o a n o f f i c e r w a s c a l l e d t o a

tavern to put down a fight a m o n g t h e patrons. H e got everybody c a l m e d down and was preparing to l e a v e w h e n s o m e o n e s h o u t e d : " T h e y ' r e at it a g a i n ! " T h e o f f i c e r r a n t h e l e n g t h of t h e b a r , a n d as h e r o u n d e d t h e e n d , h e s a w o n e of t h e b a r t e n d e r s f l a t on his b a c k on the floor, a young Latino sitting on h i s c h e s t . A f l a s h of m e t a l f r o m t h e y o u n g m a n ' s h a n d l o o k e d l i k e h e h a d a g u n o r a k n i f e at t h e bartender's throat. T h e officer's revolver was out, r e a d y t o s h o o t . . . t h e n e e d for a c t i o n s e e m e d u r g e n t . B u t he paused long enough to issue a verbal chall e n g e . It w a s a d e c i s i o n h e h a s a l w a y s b e e n g r a t e f u l for. T h e b a r t e n d e r t u r n e d o u t t o b e e x p e r i e n c i n g a n epileptic seizure. T h e L a t i n o was t h e c o o k in t h e p l a c e w h o w a s t r y i n g t o h o l d t h e m a n ' s t o n g u e in place w i t h a fork to keep h i m from swallowing it. Foi maximum protection, issue verbal commands from behind cover. If this suspect spins around and shoots, the officer [right] is shielded by the wall.

A n o t h e r night, in M i c h i g a n , an off-duty officer h e a r d t h r e e s h o t s fired i n rapid s u c c e s s i o n i n a h a l l w a y o u t s i d e h i s b e d r o o m . It s o u n d e d as if h e w e r e under a t t a c k . W i t h o u t saying a word, h e picked up h i s r e v o l v e r a n d s h o t b a c k i n t h e d i r e c t i o n of t h e noise. His bullet s t r u c k t h e " o f f e n d e r " in t h e c h e s t — h i s six-year-old daughter, w h o was playing w i t h her brother's cap pistol. A consistent c o m m a n d like " P o l i c e ! D o n ' t m o v e ! " c a n p r e v e n t s u c h t r a g e d i e s . C o m m i t it t o m e m o r y r i g h t n o w if y o u r d e p a r t m e n t d o e s n ' t specify a different c o m m a n d . Even w h e n used against a genuine suspect, this s t a t e m e n t , forcef u l l y d e l i v e r e d f r o m a p o s i t i o n of c o v e r e i t h e r b y y o u r d i r e c t v o i c e or o v e r y o u r e x t e r i o r s p e a k e r , m a y be sufficiently intimidating to keep the situation f r o m e s c a l a t i n g i n t o v i o l e n c e . It i n s t a n t l y e s t a b l i s h e s w h o y o u are a n d t e l l s t h e p e r s o n c h a l l e n g e d e x a c t l y w h a t y o u w a n t h i m t o d o . If h e f o l l o w s y o u r order, his s a f e t y is p r o t e c t e d a n d y o u c a n g a i n c o n t r o l of the a c t i o n w i t h o u t g u n f i r e . B e c a u s e of t h e s t r e s s a n d h e i g h t e n e d e m o t i o n involved :n m o s t confrontations, a verbal challenge is r a r e l y a s i m p l e , c u t - a n d - d r i e d m a t t e r . Your c h a l l e n g i n g a s u s p e c t s u c c e s s f u l l y a n d m a k i n g it s t i c k in m a n y cases will heavily depend on your ability to understand and use applied p s y c h o l o g y . And like other survival procedures, your tactics c a n b a c k l i r e if n o t p r o p e r l y and c o n f i d e n t l y e m ployed. Practice and experience will sharpen your s k i l l s . M e a n w h i l e , h e r e are s o m e of t h e n u a n c e s y o u ' l l w a n t to keep in m i n d in using verbal language, d e p e n d i n g o n w h e t h e r y o u ' r e f a c i n g a c r i m i n a l . . . a f e l l o w o f f i c e r w h o s e i d e n t i t y is h i d d e n . . . o r an i n n o c e n t c i v i l i a n .

Suspect Control Y o u ' r e s a f e s t if y o u a l w a y s a s s u m e at t h e o u t s e t t h a t t h e p e r s o n y o u ' r e c h a l l e n g i n g is a n o f f e n d e r and w i l l r e s p o n d v i o l e n t l y . W h e r e t h a t p r o v e s n o t to b e t h e c a s e , y o u ' v e l o s t n o t h i n g w i t h a c o n s e r v ative a p p r o a c h , a n d w h e r e it is s o , y o u m a y g a i n everything. T h e r e f o r e , w h e r e possible: 1. issue your command from behind cover. This t a c t i c c o u l d h a v e s a v e d a s t a t e t r o o p e r i n u p date N e w Y o r k w h o tried to arrest a young m a n w h o vas s t a n d i n g i n a s t r e e t w i t h a . 2 2 c a l . r i f l e a f t e r laving murdered his girlfriend. W h e n the trooper ;ot o u t of h i s c a r a n d o r d e r e d t h e s u s p e c t t o drop lis r i f l e , t h e m a n i n s t e a d a b r u p t l y r a i s e d it. H e s h o t

the u n p r o t e c t e d officer in the thigh, then, as he fell to the ground, rushed up and killed h i m w i t h a shot in t h e head. 2. have your gun in hand or have your holster unsnapped and your hand properly positioned, ready to draw. T h e s u s p e c t m a y m o v e f a s t , as i n t h e c a s e a b o v e , or, if h i s b a c k is t o y o u w h e n y o u i s s u e y o u r c o m m a n d , h e m a y h a v e a g u n i n his h a n d t h a t y o u c a n n o t s e e . If y o u know h e ' s armed, have your f i r e a r m o n t a r g e t before y o u o p e n y o u r m o u t h . 3. voice your verbal challenge before the suspect makes one of his own. Sometimes, whoever m a n a g e s to speak first gains an i m p o r t a n t p s y c h o l o g i c a l , a n d o f t e n p h y s i c a l , edge t h a t m a y t h e n prevail throughout the incident. W h e r e a challenge has anticipated trouble and was planned ahead, i s s u i n g t h e c h a l l e n g e is l i k e l y t o c o i n c i d e w i t h a s t a t e of r e a d i n e s s , w h i l e t h e r e c i p i e n t of it m a y n o t y e t h a v e r e a c h e d t h a t l e v e l of p r e p a r e d n e s s . I n o n e m i d w e s t e r n case, a m a n w h o had b e e n reportec a c t i n g " s u s p i c i o u s " i n a n a l l e y w a t c h e d t w o offic e r s d r i v e t h e i r p a t r o l c a r u p t o h i m a n d get o u t t o i n v e s t i g a t e . H e l o o k e d i n n o c u o u s e n o u g h , b u t as s o o n as t h e y s t e p p e d a w a y f r o m t h e c a r , h e w h i p p e d a sawed-off shotgun from under his coat and then i s s u e d a v e r b a l c h a l l e n g e : " D r o p y o u r g u n s , or I'l b l o w you a w a y . " One-upped, t h e officers w e r e in no position t h e n to issue h i m any orders. O n e was kidn a p p e d a n d h e l d h o s t a g e for s e v e r a l h o u r s w i t h a g u n t o h i s h e a d b e f o r e o t h e r o f f i c e r s n e g o t i a t e d an end to the episode. F r o m the outset, y o u w a n t to m a i n t a i n a n offensive position, not a defensive one. If y o u f o l l o w t h e s e p r o c e d u r e s a n d t h e s u s p e c t still ignores w h a t you tell h i m and keeps moving, you can pursue h i m . . . c o n t i n u e issuing the chall e n g e . . . a n d , i d e a l l y , w i t h t h e h e l p of b a c k - u p o f f i c e r s , t r y t o t a k e p h y s i c a l c o n t r o l of h i m . T h e r e ' s a l w a y s t h e c h a n c e t h a t h e d i d n ' t h e a r y o u r order (he m a y h a v e a r a d i o t o h i s e a r o r t u r n e d u p louc if h e ' s i n a v e h i c l e ) , d i d n ' t u n d e r s t a n d it (he m a y s p e a k a f o r e i g n l a n g u a g e ) or d i d n ' t t h i n k y o u m e a n t it. I n o n e C a l i f o r n i a c a s e , o f f i c e r s s p o t t e d a y o u n g m a n o n t h e s t r e e t w h o a n s w e r e d t h e d e s c r i p t i o n o: a sniper suspect. As h e w a l k e d toward t h e m they ordered h i m to s t o p — b u t h e kept c o m i n g . . . a n c r e a c h e d t o w a r d h i s b a c k . T h i n k i n g h e w a s going for a gun, t h e y s h o t and killed h i m — t o discovei t h a t h e r e a l l y w a s r e a c h i n g f o r h i s w a l l e t t o show t h e m a c a r d t h a t i d e n t i f i e d h i m as a d e a f - m u t e . R e m e m b e r , y o u ' r e justified in shooting a sus p e c t u n d e r m o s t s t a t e l a w s only if h e h o l d s youi l i f e or o t h e r s i n m o r t a l d a n g e r , or w h e n y o u know h e is f l e e i n g f r o m a v i o l e n t f e l o n y . ( O b v i o u s l y , pan of y o u r f i r e a r m s p r e p a r e d n e s s i n v o l v e s u n d e r s t a n d 112

ing precisely w h a t t h e law states in your jurisdict i o n . ) T h e f o r m e r j u s t i f i c a t i o n for s h o o t i n g r e a s o n a b l y a p p l i e s if a s u s p e c t c o n t i n u e s t o p o i n t h i s g u n at y o u (or s h o o t s ) w h e n y o u t e l l h i m t o p u t it d o w n . As to t h e latter, you need to be very certain in s o m e j u r i s d i c t i o n s of w h a t y o u " k n o w . " O n e o f f i c e r spotted two suspects standing inside a damaged s c r e e n d o o r at a c l o s e d g r o c e r y s t o r e o n e n i g h t . W h e n t h e y ignored his verbal challenge and fled, h e s h o t at t h e m . A n o t h e r o f f i c e r did t h e s a m e w h e n his words were ineffective in halting a m a n h e saw running through an alley carrying a television set and a tape player. Although n e i t h e r officer hit his target, b o t h w e r e officially r e p r i m a n d e d — t h e first because subsequent investigation s h o w e d no burglary h a d a c t u a l l y o c c u r r e d a n d t h e o t h e r b e c a u s e h e c o u l d n ' t b e sure a f e l o n y h a d b e e n c o m m i t t e d . In o t h e r w o r d s , j u s t b e c a u s e y o u ' r e f r u s t r a t e d . . . can't run any farther...or c a n ' t t h i n k of another w a y t o s t o p a s u s p e c t is n o j u s t i f i c a t i o n f o r u s i n g deadly f o r c e if y o u r v e r b a l c h a l l e n g e f a i l s t o w o r k initially. Indeed, even in jurisdictions that p e r m i t t h e s h o o t i n g of f l e e i n g f e l o n s , m a n y d e p a r t m e n t s , t o l e s s e n t h e c h a n c e of a t r a g e d y , l i m i t t h e i r offic e r s t o f i r i n g only w h e n n e c e s s a r y t o d e f e n d a l i f e . Legally, t h a t ' s the safest position. In s o m e s t a t e s , o f f i c e r s h a v e t h e o p t i o n of t e l l ing a s u s p e c t , " Y o u ' r e u n d e r a r r e s t , " i m m e d i a t e l y after issuing their initial c h a l l e n g e . A n y disobed i e n c e or a g g r e s s i v e b e h a v i o r o n h i s p a r t a f t e r t h a t is r e s i s t i n g a r r e s t , w h i c h is a f e l o n y i n t h o s e j u r i s d i c t i o n s . W h e t h e r t h i s w i l l w o r k f o r y o u , of c o u r s e , depends o n your state laws.

The officer here points his revolver at the driver of a bulldozer [being stopped pending court approval to demolish a hotel]. The officer is reported to have told the driver ' 'move that thing and I'll blow your head off. " 113

S o m e officers believe they can persuade reluct a n t suspects to cooperate by underscoring their c h a l l e n g e s w i t h verbal threats. T h e y argue that strong talk, a la " D i r t y H a r r y , " can overpower an adversary m e n t a l l y and c o n v i n c e h i m he has no c h a n c e of s u r v i v i n g a c o n f r o n t a t i o n . T h e i d e a is t o appear u t t e r l y m e n a c i n g , e v e n e a g e r f o r a n e x c u s e to s h o o t . At the very least, facing a suspect on the s t r e e t , a n o f f i c e r of t h i s p e r s u a s i o n m i g h t y e l l : " G e t u p a g a i n s t t h e f u c k i n g c a r or I ' l l b l o w y o u r h e a d o f f ! " O r : ' ' Y o u f e e l l u c k y today? Y o u w a n t t o die t o d a y ? " O r , i n a t o n e of l e t h a l s i n c e r i t y : ' ' T h i n k y o u c a n get to that gun? I hope y o u ' r e stupid e n o u g h t o t r y ! " " M a k e h i m t h i n k , if h e d o e s , y o u ' r e gonna put six in t h e big ten r i n g , ' ' explains a devotee of t h i s a p p r o a c h . " I f y o u ' r e c l o s e e n o u g h , m a y b e you s t i c k your gun up against h i s head and let h i m h e a r y o u c o c k i t . S a y , ' M a n , if y o u e v e n fart y o u r h e a d ' s g o n n a b e all o v e r t h a t w a l l ! ' Y o u w a n t t h e crook to t h i n k Attila the H u n was a pussy compared to y o u . " M o s t d e p a r t m e n t s ' b r a s s get a p o p l e x y t h i n k i n g about such dialog. T h e y point out, quite properly, that its use constitutes unprofessional conduct. A n d t h e y r a i s e t h e v a l i d q u e s t i o n , W h a t do y o u do if f e a r f a i l s t o w o r k a n d t h e s u s p e c t c a l l s y o u r bluff? W e k n o w , of c o u r s e , t h a t v e r b a l t h r e a t s are u s e d o n t h e s t r e e t a n d t h a t t h e y do w o r k for some suspects. B u t there are real hazards you should r e c o g n i z e . T h e c h a n c e s are o v e r w h e l m i n g t h a t y o u ' l l b e b e s t off t o l e a v e t h i s a p p r o a c h t o t h e t e l e vision cops. F o r o n e t h i n g , i t ' s d i f f i c u l t t o shoot at t h e s a m e t i m e y o u ' r e talking: usually your m o u t h h a s to s t o p b e f o r e y o u r trigger f i n g e r c a n s t a r t . T h e r e f o r e , if y o u g e t i n v o l v e d i n a n e x t e n d e d v e r b a l c h a l l e n g e , you're actually slowing down your own reaction time. In a d d i t i o n , t h r e a t e n i n g l a n g u a g e c a n f u e l a n already volatile situation. Ideally, w i t h a verbal c h a l l e n g e you want to effect a de-escalation of force. Y o u r s u c c e s s is c o n f i r m e d , r e a l l y , b y n o o n e firing a s h o t . By using aggressive t h r e a t s , you m a y provoke v i o l e n c e in a suspect w h o w o u l d otherw i s e s u b m i t . H e m a y get t h e m e s s a g e t h a t y o u ' r e taking h i m o n and feel, in desperation, that his o n l y h o p e is t o t r y t o s h o o t h i s w a y o u t . O r h e m a y i n t e r p r e t y o u r e x a g g e r a t e d l a n g u a g e as e v i d e n c e that y o u are really terrified—and v u l n e r a b l e . T h e n , t o o , if y o u are f o r c e d t o s h o o t h i m and a c o m p l a i n t is f i l e d a s a r e s u l t , y o u r d e f e n s e w i l l u n d o u b t e d l y b e w e a k e n e d if y o u r v e r b a l c h a l l e n g e h a s m a d e it a p p e a r y o u w e r e u n s c r u p u l o u s l y agg r e s s i v e in t h e u s e of f i r e a r m s . U n l e s s y o u ' r e an outstanding a c t o r and an ex-

c e p t i o n a l judge of h u m a n r e s p o n s e , y o u ' r e p r o b a b l y b e t t e r off t o d r a w o n s o m e of t h e b a s i c p r i n c i p l e s behind threatening challenges and o m i t the abusive l a n g u a g e . T h a t i s , in d e l i v e r i n g a c h a l l e n g e , y o u w a n t to sound a u t h o r i t a t i v e . . . f o r c e f u l . . . s i n c e r e , so you control and d o m i n a t e the s c e n e . B a r k out your c o m m a n d s , f a s t . . i o u d Y o u r t o n e of v o i c e is v e r y i m p o r t a n t . You mean business. It's not: " D o n ' t move," it's D O N ' T M O V E ! " — w i t h your voice c o n v e y i n g t h a t y o u ' r e o n t h e v e r y b r i n k of a c t i o n . If y o u f e e l y o u n e e d t o u n d e r s c o r e y o u r c o m m a n d , keep your words short, plain, uncluttered: " D r o p t h e g u n or y o u ' r e d e a d . . . N o w ! " I n all c a s e s , y o u avoid telling a suspect, " I d o n ' t w a n t to shoot y o u , " or p l e a d i n g , " D o n ' t m a k e m e s h o o t y o u . " T h i s c o n v e y s a l a c k of c o m m i t m e n t o n y o u r p a r t t h a t he m a y try to exploit. I t ' s best also to avoid stating questions, even rhetorical ones; you're telling, not asking. If y o u f e e l y o u must t r y t o r e a s o n w i t h a s u s p e c t , b e t t e r t h a n t h e m a c h o a p p r o a c h m i g h t be t o tell h i m : " P u t down the gun. Y o u h a v e n ' t killed a n y o n e y e t . If y o u t r y t o s h o o t m e , I ' l l s t i l l g e t a s h o t o f f . " M a k e it c l e a r t h a t n o o n e is g o i n g t o escalate violence unless he does—and that he has a vested interest in n o t doing so. W h a t e v e r you tell h i m , be sure it's nothing m o r e t h a n y o u ' r e prepared t o b a c k u p . U n l e s s i t ' s true, y o u d o n ' t s a y t h i n g s l i k e , " I ' m t e l l i n g y o u o n e l a s t t i m e , " e t c . If h e c a l l s y o u r b l u f f a n d y o u do n o t h i n g , y o u ' v e l o s t y o u r c r e d i b i l i t y as w e l l as y o u r o f f e n s i v e p o s i t i o n . B y t h e s a m e t o k e n , if h e d o e s o b e y y o u , b e c a r e f u l . T h e t e n d e n c y t h e n is t o r e l a x , l e t y o u r guard d o w n . T h i s c a n b e t h e m o s t dang e r o u s m o m e n t for y o u of t h e c h a l l e n g e . Throughout your challenge, w a t c h his hands. Hands kill. If h e h a s o n e i n h i s p o c k e t , order h i m t o t u r n h i s b a c k t o y o u if i t ' s d a y l i g h t or f a c e y o u r s p o t l i g h t at n i g h t . T h e n h a v e h i m w i t h d r a w h i s l a n d . . . s l o w l y . O r , if y o u are c l o s e , p u l l it o u t y o u r self, slowly from behind h i m . Y o u don't w a n t h i m to b r i n g h i s h a n d o u t u n r e s t r i c t e d or u n c o n t r o l l e d , f h e h a s a g u n i n h i s h a n d , order h i m t o drop it or, even safer, t o l a y it d o w n s l o w l y . E x c e p t for c a r r y i n g o u t y o u r o r d e r s , y o u w a n t t o l o l d f i r m w i t h y o u r c o m m a n d of " D o n ' t m o v e . " Tell h i m if h e m o v e s in a n y w a y c o n t r a r y t o y o u r irders, you'll be " f o r c e d to t a k e appropriate aci o n . " T h a t ' s technically vague, but h e ' l l draw h e r i g h t c o n c l u s i o n . If y o u a l l o w a s u s p e c t t o n o v e of h i s o w n v o l i t i o n , y o u b e c o m e a c c u s t o m e d o seeing h i m m o v e . Y o u tend to relax...and t h e n le m a y m a k e h i s big m o v e , u n e x p e c t e d l y . Ordinarily, when you issue a verbal challenge, o u h a v e t h e s u s p e c t in s i g h t or k n o w w h e r e h e is

B u t s o m e t i m e s y o u c a n u s e it s u c c e s s f u l l y t o det e r m i n e w h e r e h e i s . Y o u do t h i s h y a n n o u n c i n g y o u r o f f i c e a n d s h o u t i n g c o m m a n d s at l i k e l y h i d i n g p l a c e s . D u r i n g a r o o m s e a r c h , for e x a m p l e , y o u m i g h t address a c l o s e t : " P o l i c e ! D o n ' t m o v e ! Y o u in t h e c l o s e t — s l o w l y c o m e o u t w i t h y o u r h a n d s u p ! " A suspect inside might be bluffed into thinking you really k n o w h e ' s there. But again, issue your c h a l l e n g e f r o m b e h i n d c o v e r a n d b e p r e p a r e d for anything. He m i g h t c o m e out m e e k l y and surrender... or h e m i g h t suddenly burst o u t . . . o r shoot t h r o u g h t h e d o o r . A n d if t h e r e ' s n o r e s p o n s e f r o m the possible hiding place, you'll still have to c h e c k it o u t b e f o r e p a s s i n g o n . B e t t e r t o t r y a b l u f f e d c h a l l e n g e t h a n t o b e left w o n d e r i n g if it w o u l d h a v e w o r k e d , a f t e r i t ' s t o o late. L i k e t h e officers in L o u i s i a n a w h o were s e a r c h i n g a l o n g a n a p a r t m e n t h o u s e b a l c o n y for a burglar w h o had killed a civilian and wounded a policeman. As they looked ahead, they spotted a w o o d e n s h u t t e r ajar f r o m t h e w a l l , n o t a n i m p r o b a b l e p l a c e t o h i d e . B u t i n s t e a d of first s h o u t i n g a challenge, they walked up on the shutter, cold. T h e suspect was standing behind it. As the officers g o t c l o s e , h e fired o n t h e m w i t h a . 3 5 7 c a l . r e v o l v e r , s t r i k i n g a d e t e c t i v e f a t a l l y in t h e c h e s t .

Officer Identification W h i l e y o u s h o u l d a s s u m e i n i t i a l l y t h a t an> s u s p e c t y o u ' r e c h a l l e n g i n g is a c r i m i n a l , b e a r ir m i n d if y o u s e e t h a t h e ' s a r m e d t h a t h e m a y b e l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i c e r , o u t of u n i f o r m b e c a u s e h e ' s off d u t y o r a s s i g n e d t o a p l a i n c l o t h e s d e t a i l . T h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s m a y m a k e it h a r d for y o u t o tel! i m m e d i a t e l y . S a y , f o r e x a m p l e , y o u ' r e o n patrol when s o m e o n e claims he has just been robbed. Y o i r u n d o w n a n a l l e y in t h e d i r e c t i o n h e ' s p o i n t i n g anc b e h i n d a trash d u m p s t e r y o u spot one m a n face down on the ground, another bending over hir p o i n t i n g a g u n at h i s h e a d . B o t h are c a s u a l l y d r e s s e d w i t h n o d i s t i n g u i s h i n g i n s i g n i a . Is t h e m a n w i t l t h e g u n a r o b b e r , f l e e c i n g a n o t h e r v i c t i m , or ar undercover detective making a pinch? A c a s e n o t u n l i k e t h i s o c c u r r e d o n L o n g Island N e w Y o r k . A n o f f i c e r w o r k i n g a t r a f f i c d e t a i l hearc a s h o t n e a r h i s i n t e r s e c t i o n a n d w h e n h e r a n t( investigate, he found a m a n w i t h a gun standin; o v e r a n o t h e r m a n , w i t h b l o o d o n t h e g r o u n d aroun( t h e m . W h e n t h e p a t r o l m a n y e l l e d , " D r o p i t ! " thj a r m e d s u s p e c t t u r n e d t o w a r d t h e o f f i c e r . " I sav t h e b a r r e l of t h e g u n d i r e c t l y at m e , a n d I c o u l d se