In his 10 Deadly Errors, Chief Pierce Brooks defined Preoccupation as worrying about personal problems while on duty. He called that the hard way to solve the problem. I agree and I think this is still a problem. However, there is more types of preoccupation nowadays. I will focus more on this in part 2.
As for personal problems, I have seen time and again good police officers keep themselves distracted by drama in their personal life. Life's normal distractions like sick children, deaths in the family, job loss of a loved one, and many more normal problems can loom large in anyone's life, including that of a police officer. Why do we continue to add to these problems? Shift work is hard enough on a marriage, why add infidelity to the mix? Why risk your pension? You already may not spend enough time with your kids, so why make that time even less?
One of the most glaring examples of personal life drama is from 2012 and the time then-Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino received a very public lesson in integrity:
http://espn.go.com/ncf/story/_/id/7798429/arkansas-razorbacks-fire-bobby-petrino-coach
His boss, Athletic Director Jeff Long said, "In short, coach Petrino engaged in a pattern of misleading and
manipulative behavior designed to deceive me and members of the athletic
staff, both before and after the motorcycle accident." Petrino's demise came after the married coach wrecked his motorcycle with his 25 year old girlfriend on the back. This exposed his using university money to get her a job. Caught in the fall-out was a Captain with the Arkansas State Police who was dinged for accepting free season & bowl tickets and a $225 Sugar Bowl ring.
http://espn.go.com/ncf/story/_/id/8098662/arkansas-razorbacks-panel-finds-bobby-petrino-trooper-likely-broke-law
http://espn.go.com/ncf/story/_/id/7793690/trooper-called-arkansas-razorbacks-coach-bobby-petrino-report-released
In short, integrity matters and no single person is bigger than the organization:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv9zpdTmt-k
Needless drama can pop up even with the single officers. They seem to have a pathological need to flirt or attempt to date every woman they encounter. Sadly this can even end up a criminal act. This officer in England lost his job and almost his freedom because he couldn't contain himself around a domestic violence victim:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/7367395/Police-officer-who-had-sex-with-domestic-violence-victim-spared-jail.html
This horrible story from New York is full of problems from the start.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nypd-cops-admit-wrongdoing-jobs-article-1.2143564
Looking at the above case from a risk management perspective, why go drinking with your rape victim? First problem right there.
Keep your mind on your job!
Monday, November 30, 2015
Friday, November 6, 2015
Deadly Error #8: Tombstone Courage
Tombstone Courage, or in other words, why wait for back-up? This is one of those errors that does not seem like officers would commit so easily, yet it happens every day. As I look back on my career, I remember on officer who didn't wait for back-up mainly because of his significant physical strength at the time. On two occasions, that strength failed him and he was in a lot more of a fight than he thought he was going to have. This was needless. Just wait for help. What is the worst that happens if a second officer is there and they don't have to help? They just stand there? Are we that busy that we can't be safe? If we are, then the department has a staffing problem.
One of the things I always think of Tony Blauer's writings on Presumed Compliance. You can find a detailed version here: http://calibrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/presumed-compliance.pdf
The short version is just because you are the police and have on a that shiny badge doesn't mean that suspects and offenders will instantly do what you say. By law your authority mandates compliance in most cases, it does NOT guarantee it. The bad guys will attack you for no other reason than you are in their way. Some will attack you for no other reason than who you are and what you stand for. Feigning compliance to get you to relax and then attacking you is nothing new.
As Blauer says in his essay, this fosters so many issues. Overconfidence and complacency are the chief among them. He calls complacency a disaster magnet! I have heard too many officers say, "this is Mayberry, nothing bad will happen here." This is INSANE! Denial and apathy are also disaster magnets. When I point out some tragic event involving police officers, I like to look up the population of the area where it happened. About half of the time, the population of that area is comparable to or less than the population of my city (11,000). If you include the zip code population, that number doubles and may inch up to over 25,000. All of the sudden that's a decent amount of people. This is far from Mayberry. If it is, then Mayberry has a lot more heroin than I remember from the TV episodes. But I digress...
Below is a video of what is supposed to happen. The officers get a call of a person in some sort of distress and behaving erratically. The first officer on scene waits for back-up officers BEFORE engaging the guy.
http://calibrepress.com/2015/10/video-man-allegedly-on-pcp-resists-arrest/
What would have happened had the first officer just engaged the guy by himself? I know what you're thinking. This was Washington DC. They have a bunch of cops and back-up is right around the corner. Well, they have a decent call volume I bet and that officer around the corner may be on an equally important call and may not be able to break away.
Lets go to Haverhill, NH. Population about 4,700 people. They are called about a man with a stab wound. They arrive and see this, then see him armed with a knife. Did he stab himself? Was he in a knife fight with another person? Unknown and not relevant. The first problem is to get the guy to drop his knife.
http://calibrepress.com/2015/11/bodycam-n-h-shooting-of-knife-wielding-man/
Well he didn't drop the knife. That isn't the point of the video. The point is the officer waiting for back-up. The cameras helped out too. Not that is was needed, but often times having a second camera can get a different point of view on an incident.
Be smart, wait for back-up!
One of the things I always think of Tony Blauer's writings on Presumed Compliance. You can find a detailed version here: http://calibrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/presumed-compliance.pdf
The short version is just because you are the police and have on a that shiny badge doesn't mean that suspects and offenders will instantly do what you say. By law your authority mandates compliance in most cases, it does NOT guarantee it. The bad guys will attack you for no other reason than you are in their way. Some will attack you for no other reason than who you are and what you stand for. Feigning compliance to get you to relax and then attacking you is nothing new.
As Blauer says in his essay, this fosters so many issues. Overconfidence and complacency are the chief among them. He calls complacency a disaster magnet! I have heard too many officers say, "this is Mayberry, nothing bad will happen here." This is INSANE! Denial and apathy are also disaster magnets. When I point out some tragic event involving police officers, I like to look up the population of the area where it happened. About half of the time, the population of that area is comparable to or less than the population of my city (11,000). If you include the zip code population, that number doubles and may inch up to over 25,000. All of the sudden that's a decent amount of people. This is far from Mayberry. If it is, then Mayberry has a lot more heroin than I remember from the TV episodes. But I digress...
Below is a video of what is supposed to happen. The officers get a call of a person in some sort of distress and behaving erratically. The first officer on scene waits for back-up officers BEFORE engaging the guy.
http://calibrepress.com/2015/10/video-man-allegedly-on-pcp-resists-arrest/
What would have happened had the first officer just engaged the guy by himself? I know what you're thinking. This was Washington DC. They have a bunch of cops and back-up is right around the corner. Well, they have a decent call volume I bet and that officer around the corner may be on an equally important call and may not be able to break away.
Lets go to Haverhill, NH. Population about 4,700 people. They are called about a man with a stab wound. They arrive and see this, then see him armed with a knife. Did he stab himself? Was he in a knife fight with another person? Unknown and not relevant. The first problem is to get the guy to drop his knife.
http://calibrepress.com/2015/11/bodycam-n-h-shooting-of-knife-wielding-man/
Well he didn't drop the knife. That isn't the point of the video. The point is the officer waiting for back-up. The cameras helped out too. Not that is was needed, but often times having a second camera can get a different point of view on an incident.
Be smart, wait for back-up!
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Deadly Error #7: Failure to Watch Their Hands
I've been gone a while, but I am back. Continuing with the 10 deadly error series, with #7: Failure to Watch Their Hands.
This is an important one because it requires the officer to do several other things. Not getting too close leaps to mind. Now we can't be too far away, because then you not only can not communicate effectively, you are unable to see anything clearly. Most of the police survival literature mentions reactionary gap. It's different for different threats. For an excellent explanation on this, go to Dave Grossi's article here:
http://www.policeone.com/police-trainers/articles/6258834-The-reactionary-gap-Reminders-on-threats-and-distances/
Grossi mentions the MINIMUM gap is 6 feet. This is for unarmed persons. The question is, who is unarmed? We always teach entry level students and experienced in-service officers that regardless if the suspect is armed or not, there is ALWAYS a gun in the fight. That gun is yours! Taking that point, officers need to recognize that weapons can be hidden in and under clothing.
In this great school safety video, the kid hides a dozen guns under his clothing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMA2zkodZCk
This link has a JPG showing the location and mannerisms of those carrying hidden firearms:
http://img.labnol.org/di/hidden_weapons.jpg
I say all this to make the point that officers need to be continually evaluating people. Regardless of the encounter, watch how they carry themselves. Shirts that aren't tucked in are the usual concern. Most concealed handguns carried by offenders carry them in the groin or appendix area. Up front for quick access. Small handguns are favored by the criminal element because they can be easily hidden in a pant or jacket pocket. Regardless of the location, persons carrying a concealed gun typically will touch and adjust the gun. Watch for this during your encounters.
As added insurance, when approaching a person, take a moment and observe them. Does their clothing match the season? Does one side appear more weighted down than the other? Are they unconsciously touching the front of their pants or pockets? When they see you, do they quickly walk to another location? Do they shift their bag or backpack to their opposite shoulder away from you? These are all signs of either concealed carry of a firearm or carrying of some contraband. Now this isn't necessarily probable cause for a search, but it can mean a Terry frisk is warranted.
As more added insurance, approach them with the intention of keeping some barrier between them and you. Have them stand in front of your cruiser while you are behind the fender. Maybe there is a mailbox or utility pole between the two of you. Anything you can quickly duck behind or around if a weapon is produced.
Finally, none of this absolves you of the responsibility to WATCH THEIR HANDS! Hands disappear for a reason. The closer you are to them, the more dangerous it is. If you are engaged in a physical encounter already and their hand disappears, he is most likely reaching for a weapon. In this case, grab their wrist and pancake it to their person before they can get it in to action. Counter attack with punches to the face, then attempt a disarm. If you have distance and a barrier as mentioned earlier, step back or around the barrier and get your own sidearm in to action. The barrier provides protection from bullets and from the suspect getting any clean shot at you. It also helps you get time back on your side.
Remember, hands that disappear are up to no good!
This is an important one because it requires the officer to do several other things. Not getting too close leaps to mind. Now we can't be too far away, because then you not only can not communicate effectively, you are unable to see anything clearly. Most of the police survival literature mentions reactionary gap. It's different for different threats. For an excellent explanation on this, go to Dave Grossi's article here:
http://www.policeone.com/police-trainers/articles/6258834-The-reactionary-gap-Reminders-on-threats-and-distances/
Grossi mentions the MINIMUM gap is 6 feet. This is for unarmed persons. The question is, who is unarmed? We always teach entry level students and experienced in-service officers that regardless if the suspect is armed or not, there is ALWAYS a gun in the fight. That gun is yours! Taking that point, officers need to recognize that weapons can be hidden in and under clothing.
In this great school safety video, the kid hides a dozen guns under his clothing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMA2zkodZCk
This link has a JPG showing the location and mannerisms of those carrying hidden firearms:
http://img.labnol.org/di/hidden_weapons.jpg
I say all this to make the point that officers need to be continually evaluating people. Regardless of the encounter, watch how they carry themselves. Shirts that aren't tucked in are the usual concern. Most concealed handguns carried by offenders carry them in the groin or appendix area. Up front for quick access. Small handguns are favored by the criminal element because they can be easily hidden in a pant or jacket pocket. Regardless of the location, persons carrying a concealed gun typically will touch and adjust the gun. Watch for this during your encounters.
As added insurance, when approaching a person, take a moment and observe them. Does their clothing match the season? Does one side appear more weighted down than the other? Are they unconsciously touching the front of their pants or pockets? When they see you, do they quickly walk to another location? Do they shift their bag or backpack to their opposite shoulder away from you? These are all signs of either concealed carry of a firearm or carrying of some contraband. Now this isn't necessarily probable cause for a search, but it can mean a Terry frisk is warranted.
As more added insurance, approach them with the intention of keeping some barrier between them and you. Have them stand in front of your cruiser while you are behind the fender. Maybe there is a mailbox or utility pole between the two of you. Anything you can quickly duck behind or around if a weapon is produced.
Finally, none of this absolves you of the responsibility to WATCH THEIR HANDS! Hands disappear for a reason. The closer you are to them, the more dangerous it is. If you are engaged in a physical encounter already and their hand disappears, he is most likely reaching for a weapon. In this case, grab their wrist and pancake it to their person before they can get it in to action. Counter attack with punches to the face, then attempt a disarm. If you have distance and a barrier as mentioned earlier, step back or around the barrier and get your own sidearm in to action. The barrier provides protection from bullets and from the suspect getting any clean shot at you. It also helps you get time back on your side.
Remember, hands that disappear are up to no good!
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Deadly Error #6: Taking A Bad Position
The error or Taking A Bad Position can have deadly consequences, but most often if causes an officer to be in a fight when they didn't need to be. If not a fight, then a much more manageable confrontation. In deadly situations, this error usually means standing where you shouldn't which puts you in danger of being shot by some offender (in front of a door at a home , aka, the fatal funnel) or right up on the side of a car door instead of where you were taught to stand. Bad positions can also mean an officer has allowed their ego to get sucked in to far too close and then become attacked. Still other bad positions put you in danger of being shot by friendly fire, aka blue on blue.
Speaking of the latter first, the picture below leaped out at me a few days ago watching the coverage of the Chattanooga attacks:
I realize the officer in the front is probably off to the right of the officer with the rifle. But, what if the officer in the front takes fire and leaps off to the left directly in the line of fire of the rifle? This pic is fairly narrow so we can't see what other cover, if any, was available nearby.
A lot of the active shooting training I have been exposed to incorporates field principles on the range. One principle is to not take shots unless you are at some even point with any fellow officers close by. This must be reinforced on the range so when in the field, officers don't start shooting unless fellow officers are out of the line of fire. We must do everything we can to combat tunnel vision. Doing this on the range in various exercises reinforces this.
As to the other bad positions, police officers are still getting shot through doorways. As recently as 2014 in Charleston County, SC an officer was killed and anther wounded by a suspect shooting through an apartment doorway:
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20140908/PC16/140909450/1177
In late 2013 in San Antonio, an officer was hit after a suspect fired s shot through a motel room door:
http://www.ksat.com/content/pns/ksat/news/2013/09/09/san-antonio-standoff-suspect-charged-after-police-officer-shot.html
Traffic stop shootings are so numerous, I just can't list them. The bottom line is we are taught good tactics beginning in the police academy. Tactics for traffic stops and tactics for knocking on doors. To complicate things, we have to account for surveillance cameras. As the price has decreased, hundreds of households now have surveillance cameras. I remember accompanying other officers on a knock and talk on a home suspected of a marijuana grow. I noticed way too late a camera over the front door. Seconds after noticing this the front door opened rather quickly. We were all set up for an ambush. Luckily, the resident was not violent. We cannot depend on good luck. This was broad daylight and we didn't notice the camera. Imagine at night.
I don't have a ready answer for that. I would hope that intelligence about certain locations gets passed along to other officers. Most dispatch centers allows for notes to be included about certain locations. If on a call an officer notices a surveillance system present, have your dispatch center put this in the call notes about the location. Drug officers are really good about collecting intelligence about a location from informants and drive-bys. Asking about and noting any surveillance systems is fairly routine. If you're a patrol officer, start asking about call histories and notes about a location you are responding to. Make sure you note significant things about locations and pass those on to dispatch and fellow officers. We have so many ways to communicate, let's make sure we use everything at our disposal to get the word out.
Regardless of what you can find out about a location, you are not relieved of the responsibility for watching where you are. Don't get to close to offenders without good reason. Watch your tactics on traffic stops. Consider the passenger side approach more and more. Stand back and away from doors. Sometimes we don't get a choice about where we have to stand and be. But knowing you are in a bad position can be good too. It starts your brain to trouble shoot while you are there. Even if it's just looking for spot to jump if gunshots ring out.
Watch your position!
Speaking of the latter first, the picture below leaped out at me a few days ago watching the coverage of the Chattanooga attacks:
I realize the officer in the front is probably off to the right of the officer with the rifle. But, what if the officer in the front takes fire and leaps off to the left directly in the line of fire of the rifle? This pic is fairly narrow so we can't see what other cover, if any, was available nearby.
A lot of the active shooting training I have been exposed to incorporates field principles on the range. One principle is to not take shots unless you are at some even point with any fellow officers close by. This must be reinforced on the range so when in the field, officers don't start shooting unless fellow officers are out of the line of fire. We must do everything we can to combat tunnel vision. Doing this on the range in various exercises reinforces this.
As to the other bad positions, police officers are still getting shot through doorways. As recently as 2014 in Charleston County, SC an officer was killed and anther wounded by a suspect shooting through an apartment doorway:
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20140908/PC16/140909450/1177
In late 2013 in San Antonio, an officer was hit after a suspect fired s shot through a motel room door:
http://www.ksat.com/content/pns/ksat/news/2013/09/09/san-antonio-standoff-suspect-charged-after-police-officer-shot.html
Traffic stop shootings are so numerous, I just can't list them. The bottom line is we are taught good tactics beginning in the police academy. Tactics for traffic stops and tactics for knocking on doors. To complicate things, we have to account for surveillance cameras. As the price has decreased, hundreds of households now have surveillance cameras. I remember accompanying other officers on a knock and talk on a home suspected of a marijuana grow. I noticed way too late a camera over the front door. Seconds after noticing this the front door opened rather quickly. We were all set up for an ambush. Luckily, the resident was not violent. We cannot depend on good luck. This was broad daylight and we didn't notice the camera. Imagine at night.
I don't have a ready answer for that. I would hope that intelligence about certain locations gets passed along to other officers. Most dispatch centers allows for notes to be included about certain locations. If on a call an officer notices a surveillance system present, have your dispatch center put this in the call notes about the location. Drug officers are really good about collecting intelligence about a location from informants and drive-bys. Asking about and noting any surveillance systems is fairly routine. If you're a patrol officer, start asking about call histories and notes about a location you are responding to. Make sure you note significant things about locations and pass those on to dispatch and fellow officers. We have so many ways to communicate, let's make sure we use everything at our disposal to get the word out.
Regardless of what you can find out about a location, you are not relieved of the responsibility for watching where you are. Don't get to close to offenders without good reason. Watch your tactics on traffic stops. Consider the passenger side approach more and more. Stand back and away from doors. Sometimes we don't get a choice about where we have to stand and be. But knowing you are in a bad position can be good too. It starts your brain to trouble shoot while you are there. Even if it's just looking for spot to jump if gunshots ring out.
Watch your position!
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Deadly Error #5: Missing The Danger Signs
This deadly error is so intertwined with other issues like doing bad searches and being too close to people. Distance is definitely your friend as it allows more vision. When I think of missing danger signs, I immediately think of pre-attack indicators.
Look at this video. The focus is on the weight shift, but note the move to the bladed stance. When this footwork changes, they are going to punch you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJfsdBn7UYE&list=PLAfVoQqk4oOG5VTYDgtxR7eehoRYeln2_&index=2
Here is another video. These indicators can be this deliberate and slow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62vzwRYrop4&list=PLAfVoQqk4oOG5VTYDgtxR7eehoRYeln2_&index=1
About the best trainer out there for pre-attack cues is Tony Blauer. His classes are a little expensive, but they are worth their weight in gold on learning something that will save your life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeJQDlzC1Wg
Here is a pretty good video that mentions a lot of what Blauer teaches. He begins with demonstrating the "Frankenstein" walk. A normal walking gait has the hands/shoulders moving opposite of the legs/feet. When the bad guy is getting ready to attack you, he walks like Frankenstein. It will be that obvious. All of his cues are typical of what you will see. As he cautions at the end, look for multiple indicators at once.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBoYhgz0hes
Another good training video which is a little more polished and quicker:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aa7r7Da8Nw
If you want to learn more, find a good bouncer in your area. These guys have learned the hard way when an attack is getting ready to happen. They learn to watch for these indicators between patrons which makes it easier to intercept the attack and get the aggressor out the door. Remember, most gun grabs today do not begin with a direct attack on your gun/holster. They begin with a blitzing physical attack. They want to overwhelm you to unconsciousness or worse THEN they take your gun a lot more easily. Note this attack many of you have seen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnUYKFU0OqM
He tried to get the gun out of the holster at the end, but either had second thoughts or quickly decided he couldn't work the holster. Yes this offender did get a 60 year prison sentence and the officer did recover, but it was painful and long. Remember our goal is not just to survive, but to WIN. This offender is STILL in prison:
http://offender.tdcj.texas.gov/OffenderSearch/offenderDetail.action?sid=03666223
There are other danger signs that can be missed. These by supervisors. In a case from 2005, Brian Nichols was on trial for rape. During the trial he was caught repeatedly trying to sneak shanks in to the court room. Hey, everyone! This guy wants to escape! Maybe we need to keep searching him and guard him with at least two officers! But no. Only a single female officer guarded the guy. He overpowered her and took her gun. He committed several murders including the presiding judge, the court reporter, and a federal agent. Three people who would still be alive had these danger signs been heeded.
http://murderpedia.org/male.N/n/nichols-brian-gene.htm
Be safe out there!
Look at this video. The focus is on the weight shift, but note the move to the bladed stance. When this footwork changes, they are going to punch you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJfsdBn7UYE&list=PLAfVoQqk4oOG5VTYDgtxR7eehoRYeln2_&index=2
Here is another video. These indicators can be this deliberate and slow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62vzwRYrop4&list=PLAfVoQqk4oOG5VTYDgtxR7eehoRYeln2_&index=1
About the best trainer out there for pre-attack cues is Tony Blauer. His classes are a little expensive, but they are worth their weight in gold on learning something that will save your life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeJQDlzC1Wg
Here is a pretty good video that mentions a lot of what Blauer teaches. He begins with demonstrating the "Frankenstein" walk. A normal walking gait has the hands/shoulders moving opposite of the legs/feet. When the bad guy is getting ready to attack you, he walks like Frankenstein. It will be that obvious. All of his cues are typical of what you will see. As he cautions at the end, look for multiple indicators at once.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBoYhgz0hes
Another good training video which is a little more polished and quicker:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aa7r7Da8Nw
If you want to learn more, find a good bouncer in your area. These guys have learned the hard way when an attack is getting ready to happen. They learn to watch for these indicators between patrons which makes it easier to intercept the attack and get the aggressor out the door. Remember, most gun grabs today do not begin with a direct attack on your gun/holster. They begin with a blitzing physical attack. They want to overwhelm you to unconsciousness or worse THEN they take your gun a lot more easily. Note this attack many of you have seen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnUYKFU0OqM
He tried to get the gun out of the holster at the end, but either had second thoughts or quickly decided he couldn't work the holster. Yes this offender did get a 60 year prison sentence and the officer did recover, but it was painful and long. Remember our goal is not just to survive, but to WIN. This offender is STILL in prison:
http://offender.tdcj.texas.gov/OffenderSearch/offenderDetail.action?sid=03666223
There are other danger signs that can be missed. These by supervisors. In a case from 2005, Brian Nichols was on trial for rape. During the trial he was caught repeatedly trying to sneak shanks in to the court room. Hey, everyone! This guy wants to escape! Maybe we need to keep searching him and guard him with at least two officers! But no. Only a single female officer guarded the guy. He overpowered her and took her gun. He committed several murders including the presiding judge, the court reporter, and a federal agent. Three people who would still be alive had these danger signs been heeded.
http://murderpedia.org/male.N/n/nichols-brian-gene.htm
Be safe out there!
Monday, May 18, 2015
Deadly Error #4: Relaxing Too Soon
Over 20 years ago, a couple of co-workers answered an early morning alarm call at a local restaurant. The alarm there was a frequent false-alarm call for our department back then. Dozens of times over many months the midnight shift had answered this call. Every time it was false. Even the numerous times responding officers found an unsecured door, the alarm must have been caused by some other means because it was later confirmed there was no attempt at a break-in and the premises was empty. So many false alarms....
Well you can guess what happened one night. Officers checking the restaurant after an alarm call found an open door. While checking the inside they were surprised when a man jumped up from behind the bar and yelled, "Don't shoot you got me!" It would be hard to tell who was more surprised. The offender or the officer. Had he had violence on his mind, he could have jumped up with a gun and started shooting. He would have had the drop on them and that is a recipe for disaster...
Relaxing too soon. Just another alarm....it goes off all the time....probably nothing....how many times have we heard or said those words? Past results of calls do not guarantee future results on those same calls. At least in the incident with my co-workers, it involved two officers checking the alarm call. This wasn't the case here:
http://thecolletonian.com/celebration-of-life-service-held-for-fallen-officer/
Tiny Smoaks, SC with a population of under 200 in August, 2008, a Deputy Dennis Compton answered a home alarm call only to be confronted by two offenders. Little did he know those two were on a crime spree of home break-ins stealing guns and other items. One of the offenders fired as did the deputy, but the deputy was killed. He was later found by the homeowner who returned to the home because the alarm company called him. He discovered the deputy shot to death in the carport. He used the deputy's walkie-talkie to call for help. The offenders were later caught and agreed to a plead deal to avoid the death penalty. Both blamed the other for shooting the deputy, but under felony murder both received life sentences.
Little consolation for those left behind. Maybe back-up wasn't available. Maybe it wouldn't have helped at all. What I do know, like the call with my coworkers, just because every other call has been fine, it in no way means the next one will be. Complacency makes one relax too soon and then bad things happen. Noted trainer Tony Blauer calls this the "Theory of Presumed Compliance." Everyone else complies, so will this guy. Wrong. It also manifests itself in officers having an inflated opinion of their position. In other words, people will obey just because I wear a uniform and carry a badge. Wrong. The obvious danger is in under-reaction. This syndrome can also cause an over-reaction to an offender's resistance. This can lead to either a sustained complaint, lawsuit damages, or a civil rights violation. Don't take resistance to personally, especially non-deadly resistance. This attitude of "how dare they" run or "how dare they" fight gets cops in trouble. Do your job right.
Regardless of why you presume compliance, it is dangerous. It makes you relax way to soon. If you couple this with a bad search of an offender and you can have deadly results. Just look at Deputy William Giacomo from my backyard of the Nicholas County Sheriff's Department. He arrested a DUI on the early morning of September 11, 2000. The offender hadn't really given him any problems. Everything was fine. Until he pulled a concealed handgun from his boot when Giacomo's back was turned and shot him.
More recently, we saw another example of this in West Virginia when WV State Troopers Marshall Bailey and Eric Workman were killed in their cruiser by an offender they arrested in a stolen car on August 28, 2012. That offender pulled a concealed handgun after being handcuffed in the front and shot and killed both troopers.
I mention these cases of fallen officers not to criticize or to demean their service. Instead, I hope we can learn from them. I think all fallen officers would want us to learn from them. It only takes one mistake at the right time to be fatal. We have to walk that fine line where we protect ourselves and the public while still respecting the rights of those we deal with. It can be done! Presumed compliance makes you relax too soon! The Below 100 program tells us "Complacency Kills!"
Be Safe!
Well you can guess what happened one night. Officers checking the restaurant after an alarm call found an open door. While checking the inside they were surprised when a man jumped up from behind the bar and yelled, "Don't shoot you got me!" It would be hard to tell who was more surprised. The offender or the officer. Had he had violence on his mind, he could have jumped up with a gun and started shooting. He would have had the drop on them and that is a recipe for disaster...
Relaxing too soon. Just another alarm....it goes off all the time....probably nothing....how many times have we heard or said those words? Past results of calls do not guarantee future results on those same calls. At least in the incident with my co-workers, it involved two officers checking the alarm call. This wasn't the case here:
http://thecolletonian.com/celebration-of-life-service-held-for-fallen-officer/
Tiny Smoaks, SC with a population of under 200 in August, 2008, a Deputy Dennis Compton answered a home alarm call only to be confronted by two offenders. Little did he know those two were on a crime spree of home break-ins stealing guns and other items. One of the offenders fired as did the deputy, but the deputy was killed. He was later found by the homeowner who returned to the home because the alarm company called him. He discovered the deputy shot to death in the carport. He used the deputy's walkie-talkie to call for help. The offenders were later caught and agreed to a plead deal to avoid the death penalty. Both blamed the other for shooting the deputy, but under felony murder both received life sentences.
Little consolation for those left behind. Maybe back-up wasn't available. Maybe it wouldn't have helped at all. What I do know, like the call with my coworkers, just because every other call has been fine, it in no way means the next one will be. Complacency makes one relax too soon and then bad things happen. Noted trainer Tony Blauer calls this the "Theory of Presumed Compliance." Everyone else complies, so will this guy. Wrong. It also manifests itself in officers having an inflated opinion of their position. In other words, people will obey just because I wear a uniform and carry a badge. Wrong. The obvious danger is in under-reaction. This syndrome can also cause an over-reaction to an offender's resistance. This can lead to either a sustained complaint, lawsuit damages, or a civil rights violation. Don't take resistance to personally, especially non-deadly resistance. This attitude of "how dare they" run or "how dare they" fight gets cops in trouble. Do your job right.
Regardless of why you presume compliance, it is dangerous. It makes you relax way to soon. If you couple this with a bad search of an offender and you can have deadly results. Just look at Deputy William Giacomo from my backyard of the Nicholas County Sheriff's Department. He arrested a DUI on the early morning of September 11, 2000. The offender hadn't really given him any problems. Everything was fine. Until he pulled a concealed handgun from his boot when Giacomo's back was turned and shot him.
More recently, we saw another example of this in West Virginia when WV State Troopers Marshall Bailey and Eric Workman were killed in their cruiser by an offender they arrested in a stolen car on August 28, 2012. That offender pulled a concealed handgun after being handcuffed in the front and shot and killed both troopers.
I mention these cases of fallen officers not to criticize or to demean their service. Instead, I hope we can learn from them. I think all fallen officers would want us to learn from them. It only takes one mistake at the right time to be fatal. We have to walk that fine line where we protect ourselves and the public while still respecting the rights of those we deal with. It can be done! Presumed compliance makes you relax too soon! The Below 100 program tells us "Complacency Kills!"
Be Safe!
Monday, May 4, 2015
Obi-Wan Kenobi: The Ultimate Field Training Officer
May the Fourth…..in pop culture it’s called Star Wars day. Even the casual fan knows the main characters. Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, C3PO, R2D2, and of course Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Jedi Knights. As Wikipedia puts it, they were “an order of warrior monks who serve as ‘the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy’ and embrace the mystical Force.” Except for the whole monk part, who else does this sound like? I know many critics look down at the word warrior nowadays, but I maintain that is about a narrow definition of that word. It seems that most want to point only to the bad examples of warriors and can not seem to locate the good ones at all. What they refuse to look for is that most warrior systems developed sets of honor codes and codes of conduct.
French literature historian Leon Gautier summarized what he called the “ancient code of chivalry” based upon his reading of history. Among his “ten commandments” of chivalry are:
- Thou shalt respect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them
- Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born
- Thou shalt never lie, and shalt remain faithful to thy pledged word
- Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone
- Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy
- Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God
The Japanese code of Bushido recognized that the violent world in which the warriors lived must be augmented with being educated and devoted. Wikipedia mentions one writer describing practitioners of Bushido as endorsing “reckless bravery, fierce family pride, and selfless, at times senseless devotion of master and man.” Among the virtues of Bushido are benevolence, respect, honor, self-control, and wisdom. The concept of Bushido was one of many influences George Lucas drew from in creating his mythical Jedi.
The Jedi had structure. There were the Initiates, those learning the basics. Then came Padawans or Apprentices. Once that was completed they were official Jedi Knights. But there was one still higher level; the Jedi Master. This was Obi-Wan Kenobi. When first introduced, he appeared to be a strange old man wearing a hooded robe. We knew he was much more, though. Luke Skywalker was taken under his wing because the “Force” was strong within him. Thus, the adventure began. Throughout that movie one saw Obi-Wan mentoring young Luke by teaching, preaching, and setting the example. He could also see things others could not. An expert fighter, Obi-Wan could have very easily killed the Storm Troopers when stopped in the scene before meeting Han Solo. Instead, he used his mind control to talk their way past.
Obi-Wan was not afraid of the fight either as seen by him seeking out Darth Vader. This fight revealed Obi-Wan was also Vader’s teacher and this student had went over to the “dark side” of the Force. In the prequel movies we see many examples of Obi-Wan as the warrior mentor to a young Anakin Skywalker. In the Episode II: Attack of the Clones movie we see a teen Anakin portrayed as arrogant and straining at Obi-Wan’s leash. This sounds a lot like young officers going through Field Training. It sounds a lot like a younger version of me when I began my career. Police departments across the country have adopted some version of field training. A sort of mentoring by a senior and experienced officers that occurs after the police academy. It is a structured process where the rookie officer is taught to use the knowledge gained in the academy and apply it for real on patrol. In most cases, the process begins by simply observing the training officer who in the next phase steps back allowing the rookie to take the lead. It is a transition process where the rookie gradually does more and more thus gaining confidence in their abilities. Many such programs are 16 weeks in length which is often as long or nearly as long as most police academies are.
I have met many police officers from all over the country. Much like military veterans speak of their Drill Instructor, I have often heard officers speak of their training officer in reverential tones. Almost “god-like” describes the awe many have had towards this person. The amount of knowledge gained from years of service is hard to comprehend for a rookie. But so was Luke Skywalker’s light saber training while having his eyes covered. He was successful at that under the watchful yet patient eye of Obi-Wan. Helping transform the rookie or Padawans in to Jedi Knighthood that is a full police officer is a sacred duty but is only successful when there is desire to be taught. Let’s not forget Obi-Wan’s failing student: Darth Vader. Every training officer has had failures. Officers who either washed out or those who were marginal enough to pass but did not exactly set the world on fire with their abilities. The goal for every training officer is turn out a Luke Skywalker and NOT a Darth Vader.
So for you FTOs out there. Become someone’s Obi-Wan. Know your stuff and learn how to teach it to others. You have knowledge of the “Force” that is police work. We know it is part psychologist, part sociologist, part warrior, part peacemaker, part guardian, part priest, and so many more things. The trick is getting all this knowledge into the heads of these new officers. This may not be quick or easy. Every generation is different and a little lack of understanding comes with them. The good training officer can’t stop trying to find ways to communicate with and inspire these young Jedis.
As for you rookies...the Padawans. You don’t know everything. The first thing you need to learn is how to talk to people. Watch your FTO and the other good experienced officers deal with people. Watch how they quickly diffuse anger and how they calm even the most volatile situations. Watch how they turn a driver stopped for a traffic infraction from hostility to thanking them after getting a ticket. Is that Jedi mind tricks? Sometimes it may seem like it. But trust me, that type of talking to people is key if you want to be a good police officer. This same skill will also make you a good interviewer, interrogator, and investigator.
Along with the soft skills, you must learn the hard skills. You’ll learn how to reflexively look down every alley you drive by. You’ll learn to check out the parking lots beside the highway even while going 50 mph. You’ll learn traffic stops, safe approaches to domestic disturbances, building searches, and much much more. Every day is a training day, so keep your head in the game. Be Luke Skywalker. Be that enthusiastic learner that thirsts for knowledge. Don’t forget that your learning can not stop with field training. Make every day you pin on the badge a learning day. You must do your own reading and research outside of what formal in-service you may receive from your agency. This keeps you current with trends and will keep you from being surprised on the job. This will keep you from the Dark Side!
Both the Obi-Wans and Padawans will have to work together. You only have to look as far as the national headlines to realize this career of ours is not getting any easier. As I wind down my career, I wonder what the future holds. Looking back at the changes, I am not particularly optimistic for these young officers coming on the job now. Regardless, their journey has to start with being trained correctly on the first day and every day. It takes some good trainers to do this. Like Leia said, “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope!”
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Biblical Career Advice…..even for Law Enforcement.
I want to deviate from my series on the ten deadly errors police officers make to talk a little scripture. The verses of 2 Peter 1:5-10 is a passage I have heard preached on twice recently. Both times this passage spoke to me as a blueprint for how we should live our lives. I also began to think of this passage as career advice. Even a career in law enforcement.
“…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.”
The writer of Peter was warning his readers against corruption and false teachers in the church and how to combat it. The next few verses details how. I think these verses also make excellent career advice for everyone. Let me apply this to my chosen career. First, we must have FAITH. Not just in God, but in our system and ourselves. When we took our oath of office, we swore allegiance to the rule of law and to our system. It gets things wrong and it gets things right. But, on balance it the best system in the world.
Faith is not enough, though. We have to add GOODNESS. We are the good guys, after all. The white hats who fight for the helpless. We have to have such a positive outlook on our mission. We have to be different. We may “walk in the valley of the shadow of death,” but we can’t allow the evil that lurks in the alley to affect us.
After goodness, we are to add KNOWLEDGE. We can’t stop at the police academy or field training. If we are not learning something nearly every day we are like stagnant water. Suitable only for the growth of disease spreading bacteria and mosquitoes. Do you know stagnant officers? If you have too many you have a stagnant agency no matter how many good officers there are. Keep up the learning. Keep up with the new court cases on search and seizures. Know your use of force cases and standards. Read up on new techniques being used across the country to address the problems in your patrol area. Keep with the regular law changes. Start reading those free police magazines that are sent to your office every month. Subscribe to law enforcement web sites. Attend training with a positive attitude. In my experience, when you are knowledgeable both your superiors and coworkers will seek your advice.
Next is SELF-CONTROL. This means minding your tongue, your manners, and your temper. Do not give in to temptation, but remain steadfast. In our careers we are subject to much temptation. This is everything from cheating on a relationship to lying about the details of a traffic stop. Integrity is hard to gain and easy to lose. It is a slippery slope and in my opinion all inclusive in our lives.
After this comes PERSEVERANCE. We will hit walls. We will get stuck in the mud and spin our wheels. We will see the bad in humanity. Maybe even so much bad we begin to doubt there is any good still left. We have to soldier on. There is good in people. Remember, we are the good guys. We stand for good.
This is why the next thing is GODLINESS. Church and worshiping God is a refuge from the chaos of the world. It should not be a surprise that the worship area of a church is commonly called a sanctuary. For me, this faith is essential in keeping me grounded. It keeps my life largely uncluttered. I am but a sinner, who is not always a good witness, but I am forgiven. There is something higher at work in this world. You should become of a part of it.
Next up is MUTUAL AFFECTION. We fight so much among ourselves sometimes it’s a wonder we get anything done. When this happens it is the citizens who pay our salaries who suffer. We need to care enough about our fellow officers that we hold them accountable. Tell your coworker to slow down and not drive 100 mph to low priority calls. When we see that prisoner start getting on that last nerve, don’t wait until after the civil rights violation has occurred to step in. Make your move before that and take over. I have found that can lower the temperature dramatically. It keeps your fellow officer out of trouble and keeps your agency from needless bad press. Set the good example enough times and people will follow it. Be the calm voice in the storm.
Finally there is LOVE. Love for your job. Love for your community to make it better. Love for your neighbors to protect them. Love for your agency to not tolerate bad policing. The US Navy SEALS have come up with a creed called the SEAL Code. It reads:
• Loyalty to Country, Team and Teammate
• Serve with Honor and Integrity On and Off the Battlefield
• Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow, Never Quit
• Take responsibility for your actions and the actions of your teammates
• Excel as Warriors through Discipline and Innovation
• Train for War, Fight to Win, Defeat our Nation’s Enemies
• Earn your Trident every day
I could do a whole post on this creed and how it should apply to us, but I will save that for another day. Right now I want to focus on that last line. Insert the word “badge” in place of trident. Now make that last bullet point a one sentence creed to tell yourself as you get ready for work. Tell that person in the middle to earn his badge every day.
Friday, April 17, 2015
Deadly Error #3: Sleepy or Asleep
This is one of the error that many refuse to acknowledge. It's also one that isn't directly related to on the job failures. You can do a quick Google search on working while sleepy and you'll find a host of results comparing sleepiness to being equal to being intoxicated. One study from the Occupational and Environmental Medicine in 2000 asserts that after as little as 17 to 19 hours without sleep, one could function as if one had a blood alcohol content of .05% or worse. The study found a person's response speed was 50% slower for some tests. As one would imagine, the effects became worse the longer one went without sleep. The study can be found here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1739867/
One article mentioned some major man-made disasters that were caused by sleepy workers. The Exxon Valdez cost millions of dollars to fix, but the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl nuclear disasters caused whole sale areas of this earth to become uninhabitable.
http://theweek.com/articles/494669/going-work-sleepy-bad-showing-drunk
Even the MythBusters did an episode on the hazards of driving while tired:
http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/about-this-show/tired-vs-drunk-driving/
Applying this to police work the dangers can be readily evident. There are many news stories of police officers crashing a cruiser when they fell asleep. I submit there are other possible hazards. Perhaps being to tired to miss a danger cue? Maybe being a bit short-tempered with a citizen or coworker?
Police work is among the professions that is 24/7. It is a requirement of the job. Every officer must realize that night shifts are inevitable. Adaptions must be made. First, you have to sleep. I have heard many say they can't sleep during the day. My answer is how hard are you trying and how have you adapted your home for daytime sleep? Personally, I think there are a few key things you have to have at home to sleep. First, a dark room. Room darkening blinds combined with room darkening shades or curtains can keep most rooms extremely dark. Second, a ceiling fan. This serves two functions. Keeping you cool and some white noise to shut out the outside world. Third, get a pre-sleep routine. Shut off the TV and anything else with a screen. Those devices only serve to stimulate your brain at the very time you need to begin some rest. Reading has always relaxed me.
This is what I was able to do. You must find your own way. Rest is too important. The ability to think clearly, be observant, be patient with people, and drive safely depends on it!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1739867/
One article mentioned some major man-made disasters that were caused by sleepy workers. The Exxon Valdez cost millions of dollars to fix, but the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl nuclear disasters caused whole sale areas of this earth to become uninhabitable.
http://theweek.com/articles/494669/going-work-sleepy-bad-showing-drunk
Even the MythBusters did an episode on the hazards of driving while tired:
http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/about-this-show/tired-vs-drunk-driving/
Applying this to police work the dangers can be readily evident. There are many news stories of police officers crashing a cruiser when they fell asleep. I submit there are other possible hazards. Perhaps being to tired to miss a danger cue? Maybe being a bit short-tempered with a citizen or coworker?
Police work is among the professions that is 24/7. It is a requirement of the job. Every officer must realize that night shifts are inevitable. Adaptions must be made. First, you have to sleep. I have heard many say they can't sleep during the day. My answer is how hard are you trying and how have you adapted your home for daytime sleep? Personally, I think there are a few key things you have to have at home to sleep. First, a dark room. Room darkening blinds combined with room darkening shades or curtains can keep most rooms extremely dark. Second, a ceiling fan. This serves two functions. Keeping you cool and some white noise to shut out the outside world. Third, get a pre-sleep routine. Shut off the TV and anything else with a screen. Those devices only serve to stimulate your brain at the very time you need to begin some rest. Reading has always relaxed me.
This is what I was able to do. You must find your own way. Rest is too important. The ability to think clearly, be observant, be patient with people, and drive safely depends on it!
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Deadly Error #2: Improper search and use of handcuffs
Before we get to my next installment on the 10 deadly errors, review the whole list here: http://blueprojectstalbans.blogspot.com/2015/03/10-deadly-errors-original-text.html
Thoughtful police officers can think of an example they've either done or seen done for each one. This one of improper searching and improper handcuffing is most troubling. I personally know of four West Virginia police officers killed due to making this error. I know of one officer who is alive only because the offender he arrested didn't want to kill him and surrendered his hidden handgun before he was walked in to the jail (hey, you can't find what you don't look for). Part of me wants to be sensitive, but these errors are called DEADLY errors for a reason. If we can't handle some in our face criticism we are in the wrong line of work.
Let me start by saying I am sure I have missed weapons. I am not going to pretend that I have done all of my searches perfectly. I have handcuffed people in the front. I am guilty. Perhaps I am alive only because no one wanted to kill me. I will likely never know any of these close calls. But, on every arrest or detention, I must follow all of the search protocols. EVERY time. It's all about managing the risk. It's been my experience that officers who do the best searches are those who used to be corrections officers. This is because they work in a weapons free area and doing good searches is practically a religion in jails and prisons. Drug enforcement officers typically do good searches and it stands to reason. If they can find a tiny pill or baggie of heroin, they'll usually find a hidden gun or knife.
In preparing for a class a couple of years ago, I found the video below. It is about as bad as it gets. It highlights one particular area police officers fail to search, the groin area. Even though this was a female suspect and male officer, you can easily see the handgun! This would not have been a sensitive search issue! Let's watch (it's mostly in Spanish, but you easily get the point):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt3LIvnbGkk
OK, why didn't the person holing the camera sing out? Well, he should have but it wasn't his/her job. The arresting officer and every officer within eyesight is to blame. No one saw it. At lest she was handcuffed behind her back.....
Most trainers teach the concept of handcuff then search. If it isn't an arrest situation, there are numerous ways to secure the suspect's hands while you search. I tend to check top to bottom on first one side of the body then the other. Others check the waistband first then top to bottom. Which ever way you do it, develop a system and do it the SAME way EVERY time.
Regardless of your system, ALWAYS check the groin area. Guys if you're searching a female, there are methods to avoid being accused of something. Obviously, you want a female officer if one is available. If not, stand in front of a camera either on your cruiser, a fellow officer's body cam, or even in a business. One of my coworkers did a pretty sensitive search on a female suspect but he took the time to walk the woman a few feet so they were in view of a gas pump camera at a local convenience store. If they wanted to make an accusation, we'll have it on video.
If you're very worried, get a Metal Tec! It's around $200 and even available on Amazon!
http://www.torfino.com/mtec.asp
http://www.amazon.com/Torfino-MetalTec-Silent-Vibrating-Detector/dp/B004WVFK9O
You young officers, have someone buy you one when you start out. Maybe as a Christmas gift!
As for handcuffing, You have to practice. Take a half hour and watch this video. It sums things up nicely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OeL1i0WXlY
Handcuff in the rear. Have an extra set for the fat bodies. Make them pinky tight and double lock. Always handcuff the back of the hands together. Remember, handcuffs are a TEMPORARY restraint device. YouTube is full of videos of people breaking handcuffs and leg shackles. I wish someone would come up with a better design and construction. But for the time being we are stuck. So in the meantime, continually monitor your prisoner. For those of you who work in rural areas and have a long way to drive to your processing area or jail, purchase one of these items to use in addition to your handcuffs:
http://www.rippinternational.com/
We often project blame on the bad guys when they do us harm. But many times they try because we let them. We give them opportunity. So take away their opportunity by doing these little things. Do good searches EVERY TIME! Handcuff properly EVERY TIME!
Thoughtful police officers can think of an example they've either done or seen done for each one. This one of improper searching and improper handcuffing is most troubling. I personally know of four West Virginia police officers killed due to making this error. I know of one officer who is alive only because the offender he arrested didn't want to kill him and surrendered his hidden handgun before he was walked in to the jail (hey, you can't find what you don't look for). Part of me wants to be sensitive, but these errors are called DEADLY errors for a reason. If we can't handle some in our face criticism we are in the wrong line of work.
Let me start by saying I am sure I have missed weapons. I am not going to pretend that I have done all of my searches perfectly. I have handcuffed people in the front. I am guilty. Perhaps I am alive only because no one wanted to kill me. I will likely never know any of these close calls. But, on every arrest or detention, I must follow all of the search protocols. EVERY time. It's all about managing the risk. It's been my experience that officers who do the best searches are those who used to be corrections officers. This is because they work in a weapons free area and doing good searches is practically a religion in jails and prisons. Drug enforcement officers typically do good searches and it stands to reason. If they can find a tiny pill or baggie of heroin, they'll usually find a hidden gun or knife.
In preparing for a class a couple of years ago, I found the video below. It is about as bad as it gets. It highlights one particular area police officers fail to search, the groin area. Even though this was a female suspect and male officer, you can easily see the handgun! This would not have been a sensitive search issue! Let's watch (it's mostly in Spanish, but you easily get the point):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt3LIvnbGkk
OK, why didn't the person holing the camera sing out? Well, he should have but it wasn't his/her job. The arresting officer and every officer within eyesight is to blame. No one saw it. At lest she was handcuffed behind her back.....
Most trainers teach the concept of handcuff then search. If it isn't an arrest situation, there are numerous ways to secure the suspect's hands while you search. I tend to check top to bottom on first one side of the body then the other. Others check the waistband first then top to bottom. Which ever way you do it, develop a system and do it the SAME way EVERY time.
Regardless of your system, ALWAYS check the groin area. Guys if you're searching a female, there are methods to avoid being accused of something. Obviously, you want a female officer if one is available. If not, stand in front of a camera either on your cruiser, a fellow officer's body cam, or even in a business. One of my coworkers did a pretty sensitive search on a female suspect but he took the time to walk the woman a few feet so they were in view of a gas pump camera at a local convenience store. If they wanted to make an accusation, we'll have it on video.
If you're very worried, get a Metal Tec! It's around $200 and even available on Amazon!
http://www.torfino.com/mtec.asp
http://www.amazon.com/Torfino-MetalTec-Silent-Vibrating-Detector/dp/B004WVFK9O
You young officers, have someone buy you one when you start out. Maybe as a Christmas gift!
As for handcuffing, You have to practice. Take a half hour and watch this video. It sums things up nicely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OeL1i0WXlY
Handcuff in the rear. Have an extra set for the fat bodies. Make them pinky tight and double lock. Always handcuff the back of the hands together. Remember, handcuffs are a TEMPORARY restraint device. YouTube is full of videos of people breaking handcuffs and leg shackles. I wish someone would come up with a better design and construction. But for the time being we are stuck. So in the meantime, continually monitor your prisoner. For those of you who work in rural areas and have a long way to drive to your processing area or jail, purchase one of these items to use in addition to your handcuffs:
http://www.rippinternational.com/
We often project blame on the bad guys when they do us harm. But many times they try because we let them. We give them opportunity. So take away their opportunity by doing these little things. Do good searches EVERY TIME! Handcuff properly EVERY TIME!
Friday, March 27, 2015
Deadly Error #1
This is the first installment on the Ten Deadly Errors as written by Pierce Brooks. For the whole list, refer to the introduction to this series here: http://blueprojectstalbans.blogspot.com/2015/03/10-deadly-errors-original-text.html
1) Failure to maintain proficiency and care of weapon, vehicle, and equipment
Wow is this an overlooked one. If the last time you went shooting was your last qualification, you're wrong. I must confess I am wrong many times. Hey, life gets in the way. Spouses, kids, track meets, football games, cheer-leading competitions, it all adds up to not enough hours in the day. Regardless, you have to make time for range time. It can be tough when ammunition prices spike, but there are ways to get some trigger time in that won't break your bank. One former co-worker of mine had a 22 pistol and went shooting about every week or so and probably shot 500 rounds for next to nothing. Keeping the eye & trigger finger connection trained doesn't always require the caliber of your sidearm.
But we are more than our sidearm. When was the last time you practiced drawing your sidearm? At least once a week I empty my Glock and practice with my duty holster. Every few weeks it's the same drill only with some movement. You never need your sidearm in to play until you need it quickly. That is the time you don't want to be a beat slow. Remember boys and girls to empty that gun first! Why do I do this? Well, I have always done that. But as I've gotten older and changed assignments to a more administrative role, I have felt the need to stay proficient. I don't wear my uniform every day so my method of carrying changes. When in civilian clothes I have a different holster naturally. It is of a similar type to my duty holster, so the muscle memory doesn't change, but I now have to deal with a jacket or other clothing covering the holster. Doing 10 or so dry draws makes me feel a bit more ready in case something happens. When transitioning back to uniform carry, it is a requirement to adapt to that holster and it's extra layer of security. If I don't get my mind right for that holster, there could be dire consequences.
Why bother you ask? Well if you utter those words, "It will never happen here" you can stop reading now because there is nothing I can say that will change your mind. You are so far out in the land of unicorns and rainbows I can't help you. Hopefully you are not an instructor who will poison the minds of people you "train." Let me clear: IT CAN HAPPEN HERE! IT CAN HAPPEN WHERE YOU ARE! People probably told Chief Tim McKenna of the Chardon, OH Police Department that a school shooting would never happen in that small town of just over 5000 people. Yet they had performed drills with area law enforcement, local fire and EMS, and even the city's street department ready to block streets off with dump trucks. All of those drills paid off on February 27, 2012 when five students were murdered.
What about your backup weapon? If you carry a backup sidearm, practice on getting that in to play. If it's an ankle piece, you better run on the treadmill with it so you are confident that holster is comfortable and the gun is secure. If you carry a knife for this purpose, can you get to it quickly? Can you open it under stress? Is it in an accessible location?
Are your handcuffs in good working order? Can you open them or are they virtually glued shut by dust, grime, and dried something off that dirty guy you arrested a few months ago? One of my coworkers wipes his handcuffs down with a wipe after every arrest. In case you haven't noticed we don't deal with the cleanest of people. It's really sad to make the one clean decent person who just made a bad decision wear the same handcuffs as the heroin addict who hasn't bathed in weeks.
Check that TASER every day you carry it. Check your ASP baton to make sure it still opens. Check the oil in your cruiser before you start it. Look underneath for any wet spots which could indicate fluid leakage. Turn on the emergency equipment and walk around the cruiser to make sure they all work. With LED lights, they won't burn out anytime soon but all electrical systems can fail so check them anyway.
How do your shoe or boot strings look? You don't want to be late for roll call because you had to scramble for string. Maybe change them when they first start to appear worn. I have found if I start the shift bad by being especially late or scrambling because of some oversight, things tended to snowball and my whole day was shot. Maybe that's just me and I am a doom and gloom guy. But just maybe I want my mind right when I am at work.
We should do these things because we need to and not because someone tells you to. It is what is REQUIRED to be the police! Recently I found a great video of former Baltimore Raven Ray Lewis talking to some college football players on what it takes to be great. He said, "Greatness is a lot of small things, stacked on top of each other." Watch the video here:
http://walkercorporatelaw.com/motivational-speeches/greatness-is-a-lot-of-small-things-done-well-via-ray-lewis/
1) Failure to maintain proficiency and care of weapon, vehicle, and equipment
Wow is this an overlooked one. If the last time you went shooting was your last qualification, you're wrong. I must confess I am wrong many times. Hey, life gets in the way. Spouses, kids, track meets, football games, cheer-leading competitions, it all adds up to not enough hours in the day. Regardless, you have to make time for range time. It can be tough when ammunition prices spike, but there are ways to get some trigger time in that won't break your bank. One former co-worker of mine had a 22 pistol and went shooting about every week or so and probably shot 500 rounds for next to nothing. Keeping the eye & trigger finger connection trained doesn't always require the caliber of your sidearm.
But we are more than our sidearm. When was the last time you practiced drawing your sidearm? At least once a week I empty my Glock and practice with my duty holster. Every few weeks it's the same drill only with some movement. You never need your sidearm in to play until you need it quickly. That is the time you don't want to be a beat slow. Remember boys and girls to empty that gun first! Why do I do this? Well, I have always done that. But as I've gotten older and changed assignments to a more administrative role, I have felt the need to stay proficient. I don't wear my uniform every day so my method of carrying changes. When in civilian clothes I have a different holster naturally. It is of a similar type to my duty holster, so the muscle memory doesn't change, but I now have to deal with a jacket or other clothing covering the holster. Doing 10 or so dry draws makes me feel a bit more ready in case something happens. When transitioning back to uniform carry, it is a requirement to adapt to that holster and it's extra layer of security. If I don't get my mind right for that holster, there could be dire consequences.
Why bother you ask? Well if you utter those words, "It will never happen here" you can stop reading now because there is nothing I can say that will change your mind. You are so far out in the land of unicorns and rainbows I can't help you. Hopefully you are not an instructor who will poison the minds of people you "train." Let me clear: IT CAN HAPPEN HERE! IT CAN HAPPEN WHERE YOU ARE! People probably told Chief Tim McKenna of the Chardon, OH Police Department that a school shooting would never happen in that small town of just over 5000 people. Yet they had performed drills with area law enforcement, local fire and EMS, and even the city's street department ready to block streets off with dump trucks. All of those drills paid off on February 27, 2012 when five students were murdered.
What about your backup weapon? If you carry a backup sidearm, practice on getting that in to play. If it's an ankle piece, you better run on the treadmill with it so you are confident that holster is comfortable and the gun is secure. If you carry a knife for this purpose, can you get to it quickly? Can you open it under stress? Is it in an accessible location?
Are your handcuffs in good working order? Can you open them or are they virtually glued shut by dust, grime, and dried something off that dirty guy you arrested a few months ago? One of my coworkers wipes his handcuffs down with a wipe after every arrest. In case you haven't noticed we don't deal with the cleanest of people. It's really sad to make the one clean decent person who just made a bad decision wear the same handcuffs as the heroin addict who hasn't bathed in weeks.
Check that TASER every day you carry it. Check your ASP baton to make sure it still opens. Check the oil in your cruiser before you start it. Look underneath for any wet spots which could indicate fluid leakage. Turn on the emergency equipment and walk around the cruiser to make sure they all work. With LED lights, they won't burn out anytime soon but all electrical systems can fail so check them anyway.
How do your shoe or boot strings look? You don't want to be late for roll call because you had to scramble for string. Maybe change them when they first start to appear worn. I have found if I start the shift bad by being especially late or scrambling because of some oversight, things tended to snowball and my whole day was shot. Maybe that's just me and I am a doom and gloom guy. But just maybe I want my mind right when I am at work.
We should do these things because we need to and not because someone tells you to. It is what is REQUIRED to be the police! Recently I found a great video of former Baltimore Raven Ray Lewis talking to some college football players on what it takes to be great. He said, "Greatness is a lot of small things, stacked on top of each other." Watch the video here:
http://walkercorporatelaw.com/motivational-speeches/greatness-is-a-lot-of-small-things-done-well-via-ray-lewis/
Sunday, March 15, 2015
10 Deadly Errors: The Original Text
Any officer who has been around a while has heard of the 10 Deadly Errors. They have been posted on bulletin boards of police stations all over the country. There have been countless articles written in law enforcement magazines and posted on all of the popular web-sites aimed at police officers. What most of us who are still on the job don't know is the origin of this list. Where did they come from? Well, they came from a book called "...officer down, code three." It was written by Pierce R. Brooks and published in 1975. What I have found out is if you were remotely interested in police training in the pre-Internet 1970's, you had this book on your shelf. I couldn't even find it in print any more. I had to pay over $70 on Amazon for a copy which was used, but still in great condition.
The author, Pierce Brooks was a legend. Had he never written this book he would still be a legend. He was a WW2 veteran of the US Navy and joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1948. He worked every unit you could imagine and ended up in homicide. He worked the Onion Field murders of two LAPD officers. They were kidnapped and murdered. It was such a horrific crime, it was written about by Joseph Wambaugh, at the time still a LAPD officer and already the writer of two best-selling police novels called The New Centurions and The Blue Knight. Wambaugh's non-fiction treatment of the Onion Field murders lead to a movie starring a pair of future stars in James Woods and Ted Danson. How many detectives can lay claim to their work being turned in to a book AND a movie?
But wait! There's more! In 1957, Brooks worked a series of rape & torture murders of young women in southern California that convinced him to think police detectives would benefit from some system of collecting facts from unsolved violent crimes in the hopes that other detectives in other areas would recognize similar crimes in their own jurisdiction. This thought in the wake of a multi-jurisdiction murder in the 1950's lead to the creation of VICAP, or the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program in 1980's.
Brooks retired from LAPD in 1969 and ended up being a police chief in Springfield, Oregon and Lakewood, Colorado, before heading back to Oregon to serve as Chief for the Eugene Police Department. He passed away in 1998 at 75 years of age after having suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Before his death, Brooks donated his files on the Onion Field murders to the Springfield (OR) Police Department. This knowledge has been protected and is displayed proudly by Springfield PD
http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/Onion-Field-Murder-case-files-preserved-at-Oregon-police-station-167067295.html
With all these great accomplishments in his career, it's hard to single out one thing to celebrate. His observations of the 10 deadly errors came out of a career of observations and investigations of some of the most violent crimes one could imagine. He noticed when police officers were murdered, often there were things they did which contributed to their own demise. At the risk of striking a nerve, he pointed them out in a general way. Not to ridicule, but to save lives! While first written in the 70's, these 10 errors he observed over a career that began in the late 1940's. They were true then, they were true in the 50's and through the 70's. I submit they are still true today. These 10 deadly errors are:
1) Failure to maintain proficiency and care of weapon, vehicle, and equipment
2) Improper search and use of handcuffs
3) Sleepy or asleep
4) Relaxing too soon
5) Missing the danger signs
6) Taking a bad position
7) Failure to watch their hands
8) Tombstone courage
9) Preoccupation
10) Apathy
Over the next few weeks, I will write about each of these errors and explain how I think they are still valid today. Even with new equipment like security holsters, in-car computers with GPS, walkie-talkies, widespread use of kevlar vests and seat belts, stress inoculation training, modern medical science, advanced life support ambulances, helicopter ambulances, and more, officers are still getting killed. My point is this job we do is unpredictable. I have said more than once, police work is a job where you can do everything right and STILL have fatal consequences. It's risky, but risk can be managed. Pierce Brooks pointed out 10 things all police officers can do to manage this risk. In recent years, the Below 100 program pointed out five specific things officers can do to manage risk.
As I said, I will write about each of these 10 deadly errors in the coming weeks. I hope you learn something to point out to some young officer.
Stay Safe!
The author, Pierce Brooks was a legend. Had he never written this book he would still be a legend. He was a WW2 veteran of the US Navy and joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1948. He worked every unit you could imagine and ended up in homicide. He worked the Onion Field murders of two LAPD officers. They were kidnapped and murdered. It was such a horrific crime, it was written about by Joseph Wambaugh, at the time still a LAPD officer and already the writer of two best-selling police novels called The New Centurions and The Blue Knight. Wambaugh's non-fiction treatment of the Onion Field murders lead to a movie starring a pair of future stars in James Woods and Ted Danson. How many detectives can lay claim to their work being turned in to a book AND a movie?
But wait! There's more! In 1957, Brooks worked a series of rape & torture murders of young women in southern California that convinced him to think police detectives would benefit from some system of collecting facts from unsolved violent crimes in the hopes that other detectives in other areas would recognize similar crimes in their own jurisdiction. This thought in the wake of a multi-jurisdiction murder in the 1950's lead to the creation of VICAP, or the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program in 1980's.
Brooks retired from LAPD in 1969 and ended up being a police chief in Springfield, Oregon and Lakewood, Colorado, before heading back to Oregon to serve as Chief for the Eugene Police Department. He passed away in 1998 at 75 years of age after having suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Before his death, Brooks donated his files on the Onion Field murders to the Springfield (OR) Police Department. This knowledge has been protected and is displayed proudly by Springfield PD
http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/Onion-Field-Murder-case-files-preserved-at-Oregon-police-station-167067295.html
With all these great accomplishments in his career, it's hard to single out one thing to celebrate. His observations of the 10 deadly errors came out of a career of observations and investigations of some of the most violent crimes one could imagine. He noticed when police officers were murdered, often there were things they did which contributed to their own demise. At the risk of striking a nerve, he pointed them out in a general way. Not to ridicule, but to save lives! While first written in the 70's, these 10 errors he observed over a career that began in the late 1940's. They were true then, they were true in the 50's and through the 70's. I submit they are still true today. These 10 deadly errors are:
1) Failure to maintain proficiency and care of weapon, vehicle, and equipment
2) Improper search and use of handcuffs
3) Sleepy or asleep
4) Relaxing too soon
5) Missing the danger signs
6) Taking a bad position
7) Failure to watch their hands
8) Tombstone courage
9) Preoccupation
10) Apathy
Over the next few weeks, I will write about each of these errors and explain how I think they are still valid today. Even with new equipment like security holsters, in-car computers with GPS, walkie-talkies, widespread use of kevlar vests and seat belts, stress inoculation training, modern medical science, advanced life support ambulances, helicopter ambulances, and more, officers are still getting killed. My point is this job we do is unpredictable. I have said more than once, police work is a job where you can do everything right and STILL have fatal consequences. It's risky, but risk can be managed. Pierce Brooks pointed out 10 things all police officers can do to manage this risk. In recent years, the Below 100 program pointed out five specific things officers can do to manage risk.
As I said, I will write about each of these 10 deadly errors in the coming weeks. I hope you learn something to point out to some young officer.
Stay Safe!
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