193608559 street survival tactics for armed encounters
DESCRIPTION
Stay Strong Street SurvivalTRANSCRIPT
'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? .
I I 1 I 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
Third Printing: December , 1 9 8 0 Fourth Printing: June, 1981
All r ights reserved . It is a Federal offense to r e p r o d u c e or t r a n s m i t t h i s b o o k in a n y f o r m by a n y m e a n s , e l e c t r o n i c or m e c h a n i c a l , inc luding p h o t o c o p y i n g and recording , or by any i n f o r m a t i o n s torage or r e t r i e v a l 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 publ isher .
Published by: C A L I B R E P R E S S , I N C .
6 6 6 Dundee Road Suite 1 6 0 7
Northbrook, Illinois 6 0 0 6 2 ( 3 1 2 ) 3 2 8 - 4 4 1 1
Library 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.
Printed in the U n i t e d S t a t e s of A m e r i c a
CONTENTS
A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S ix
I N T R O D U C T I O N 1
I . T A C T I C S F O R S U R V I V A L
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 2 4
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 S h o o t . . . O f f i c e r A t t i t u d e s . . . T h e Survival S t a t e of M i n d
3 . A P P R O A C H T O D A N G E R 4 5
Bui ld ing A p p r o a c h . . . R o o m A p p r o a c h . . . F i e l d In ter ro g a t i o n . . . T r a f f i c S t o p s . . . F i r e a r m s R e a d i n e s s
4 . L I G H T C O N T R O L 9 8
Bui ld ing L i g h t s . . . F lash l ight . . . V e h i c l e L i g h t s . . . I m proving N i g h t V i s i o n
5 . V E R B A L C H A L L E N G E 1 0 9
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 1 2 5
E x i t i n g t h e Ki l l Z o n e . . . M o v e m e n t I n s i d e t h e Ki l l Z o n e . . . C l o s e - u p S u r p r i s e . . . F i r e a r m R e t e n t i o n . . . D i s a r m i n g . . . P r a c t i c e
7. C O V E R A W A R E N E S S 1 5 4
C o v e r and C o n c e a l m e n t . . . E v a l u a t i n g C h o i c e s . . . C h a n g i n g C o v e r . . . P o s i t i o n and G r i p s . . . P a t r o l C a r as C o v e r . . . P e n e t r a t i o n P o w e r . . . " B l o w i n g ' ' C o v e r
8 . S H O O T I N G T E C H N I Q U E S 1 9 0
I n s t i n c t S h o o t i n g . . . M u l t i p l e Adversar ies . . . 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 d i c t a b l e R e a c t i o n s
9 . R E L O A D I N G U N D E R FIRE 2 1 9
E f f i c i e n t 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 . . . S h o t g u n . . . B a c k - u p G u n
1 0 . F I N A L A P P R O A C H 2 3 7
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 for F i r e a r m s . . . R e m a i n i n g Aler t . . . R e c o v e r i n g 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
1 1 . A F T E R - B U R N 2 8 3
P a s s a g e s . . . S e l f - H e l p . . . T h e r a p y . . .He lp ing O t h e r s
II . B A S I C S T H A T S T R E N G T H E N T A C T I C S
1 2 . P R O T E C T I V E E Q U I P M E N T 2 9 9
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 s t e r s . . . B a c k - u p / O f f - d u t y H o l s t e r s . . . C a r t r i d g e C a r r i e r s . . . L e a t h e r C a r e
1 3 . F I R E A R M S C O N T R O L 3 1 9
B a s i c S a f e t y . . . T r a n s p o r t i n g F i r e a r m s . . . W i l d S h o t s . . . A m m u n i t i o n C o n t r o l . . . C u s t o m i z i n g . . . H a n d l i n g w i t h C a r e . . . C o r r e c t i n g M a l f u n c t i o n s . . . H o m e S e c u r i t y
1 4 . C L E A N I N G 3 7 0
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 gun . . . A m m u n i t i o n P r e c a u t i o n s
1 5 . S E R V I C E A B I L I T Y C H E C K L I S T 3 8 5
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 o n D r y F ir ing
16 . P H Y S I C A L F I T N E S S 3 9 0
E x e r c i s e s . . . S p o r t s
A D D I T I O N A L R E A D I N G 3 9 7
P H O T O C R E D I T S 4 0 0
A B O U T T H E A U T H O R S 4 0 2
viii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS T h i s b o o k deals w i t h positive t a c t i c s o f f i cers
can e m p l o y o n t h e s t reet to e f f e c t i v e l y u s e t h e i r o w n f i rearms to defeat t h o s e of a s s a i l a n t s . It is devoted e x c l u s i v e l y to unders tanding and m a s t e r i n g t e c h n i q u e s t h a t w o r k for survival in real life situations— n o t w h a t w o r k s in range c o m p e t i t i o n against paper targets or w h a t s o m e a c a d e m i c i a n in a c l a s s r o o m s p e c u l a t e s 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 enc o u n t e r .
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-ca l led " c o m b a t s h o o t i n g " fa l ls i n t o t h e s e la t ter ca tegor ies . F e w s t r e e t - w i s e e x p e r t s or t ru ly c o n t e m p o r a r y ar t i c les h a v e e m e r g e d o n s t ree t survival , a l t h o u g h deadly a s s a u l t s on t h e p o l i c e cont i n u e to o c c u r year af ter year , w i t h a l a r m i n g freq u e n c y . W h i l e of f icers are dying, w e l l - m e a n i n g t ra in ing a u t h o r i t i e s t o o o f t e n s e e m o b s e s s e d w i t h d iscuss ing 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 ibbed barre ls , f a n c y l e a t h e r gear and o t h e r i r re levant s u b j e c t s , ra ther t h a n t h e real i s s u e s of t a c t i c s to he lp of f i cers survive in a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n s .
W e began our research by a n a l y z i n g m o r e t h a n 4 0 0 deta i led reports of o f f i cer - involved 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 a g e n c i e s about t h e f i r e a r m s i n s t r u c t i o n s t h e y o f f e r . . . t h e m a j o r p r o b l e m s t h e i r of f icers e n c o u n t e r o n t h e s t r e e t . . . and w h a t the i r greates t surviva l n e e d s appear to be . For m o r e t h a n a year , our r e s e a r c h t e a m t h e n searched coas t to c o a s t to ident i fy p r a c t i c a l , real i s t i c t a c t i c s to m e e t t h o s e n e e d s . M o r e t h a n 3 0 s t ree t -wise a u t h o r i t i e s w h o h a v e d e v o t e d t h e i r careers to of f icer survival and n e a r l y a dozen p o l i c e
d e p a r t m e n t s o n t h e c u t t i n g edge of surv iva l t ra ining w e r e c o n s u l t e d for 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 c o n t r i b u t i o n , p lus t h e a u t h o r s ' c u m u l a t i v e 2 6 y e a r s ' e x p e r i e n c e , m o s t of i t in h i g h - r i s k or s u r v i v a l - o r i e n t e d a s s i g n m e n t s , h a v e f o r m e d t h e b a s i s of w h a t y o u w i l l read h e r e .
W i t h o u t t h e h e l p and k n o w l e d g e of m a n y people , 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 i t 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 ree t -r e l e v a n t surviva l m e t h o d s ever ava i lab le . For t h e i r spec ia l a s s i s t a n c e , w e w a n t to a c k n o w l e d g e : 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 and 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 to b e t h e " f a t h e r " of t h e s t ree t surv iva 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 i n v e s t i g a t o r 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 v e t e r a n and leading o n - s i t e 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 a g e n c i e s , and L i e u t e n a n t T h a d C . C u r t i s , C o m m a n d e r of 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 , an e n t h u s i a s t i c p r o s e l y t i z e r and 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 o f f i cers 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 and offered i n n u m e r a b l e c o n s t r u c t i v e c o m m e n t s .
T h o s e to w h o m w e are gra te fu l for h e l p w i t h r e s e a r c h i n c l u d e : J a m e s D a u g h e r t y , S e n i o r P o l i c e F i r e a r m s I n s t r u c t o r , and H e r b C h a m b e r s , E d u c a t i o n and 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 A m e r i c a ; I n s p e c t o r R o b e r t W . M a r t i n , Superv isor 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 R a y King, R a n g e m a s t e r ( re t . ) , and Sergeant D o n a l d E. S m i t h , C h i e f F i r e a r m s 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 , spec ia l i s t in h igh r i s k patro l 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 Fred 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 t h e O r d n a n c e D i v i s ion , 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 T r e a s u r y , Federa l L a w E n f o r c e m e n t T r a i n i n g C e n ter ; 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 ty 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 Ferrara , 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 ; R o b e r t L . M o n r o e , f o r m e r I n s t r u c t o r , F B I N a t i o n a l A c a d e m y ; J o s e p h H . C h e r n i c o f f , 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 and C o a c h e s ; Ed L o v e t t e , D i r e c t o r of T r a i n i n g , N e w M e x i c o L a w E n f o r c e m e n t A c a d e m y ; S e r g e a n t R o b e r t G i v a n , I n s t r u c t o r , A d v a n c e d C o m bat T r a i n i n g , I n d i a n a p o l i s P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t ; P a u l A. Z o l b e , C h i e f , U n i f o r m C r i m e R e p o r t s S e c t i o n , F . B . I . ; and Sergeant D i c k N e w e l l , Of f i cer - in -C h a r g e , O r d n a n c e U n i t , Los A n g e l e s P o l i c e A c a d e m y .
W e are a lso apprec ia t ive of t h e c a n d o r w i t h w h i c h c e r t a i n of f i cers shared t h e i r m e m o r i e s and e m o t i o n s a b o u t personal a r m e d e n c o u n t e r s . 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 sher , San 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 , and Sergeant Jerry D u n n and D e t e c t i v e J i m R o w e , Rivers ide (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 ins ights i n t o o f f i cers ' p s y c h o l o g i c a l r e a c t i o n s to s h o o t i n g s i t u a t i o n s w e r e ga ined f r o m i n t e r v i e w s w i t h W a l t e r G o r s k i , a p s y c h o l o g i c a l c o n s u l t a n t to P e n n s y l v a n i a l a w e n f o r c e m e n t a g e n c i e s , and D r . N a h m a n G r e e n b e r g , a C h i c a g o p s y c h o a n a l y s t and a u t h o r i t y o n s t ress b e h a v i o r .
F ina l ly , w e w a n t to t h a n k D e n n i s A n d e r s o n , w h o c o n c e i v e d , produced and d i rec ted t h e award-w i n n i n g i n s t r u c t i o n a l f i l m s , Survival Shooting T e c h n i q u e s and Handling F i r e a r m s for M T I T e l e -programs 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 p i c t u r e s h a v e p ioneered 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 survival t ra in ing . W i t h o u t h i s t i re less c o l l a b o r a t i o n , c o n s t a n t support , a s t u t e ins ights and h igh profess ional s tandards , t h i s b o o k w o u l d n o t h a v e b e e n w r i t t e n .
INTRODUCTION
1 3 0 5 0 4 . 1 0 / 7 8 0 0 3 9 6 CA TXT A P . M L 0 1 K 2 1 7 0 7
TO APB RELAY TO LOCAL A G E N C I E S
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 APPROXIMATELY 3 0 0 P . M . , 4 / 8 . V I C T I M , WORKING WITH LINCOLN COUNTY DEPUTY ATTEMPTED TO STOP S U B J E C T WANTED ON FELONY CHARGE. AFTER H I G H - S P E E D C H A S E , S U B J E C T 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 SEVERAL HOURS B E F O R E SURRENDERING.
A U T H O R I T Y - P . ZOLBE F B I - U C R WASH DC BKR
1 3 5 6 0 4 / 1 7 / 7 8 0 0 5 5 1 CA TXT A P . M L 0 1 K 2 3 4 1 3
TO APB - RELAY TO LOCAL A G E N C I E S
CATOOSA COUNTY, GEORGIA, S . O . A D V I S E S DEPUTY WM AGED 2 4 , SHOT AND K I L L E D APPROXIMATELY 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 DETAINED ARMED ROBBERY S U S P E C T . WHILE BEING 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. F I R S T O F F I C E R , ALSO WOUNDED, RETURNED G U N F I R E AS SUSPECT 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
0 7 5 5 0 3 / 9 / 7 7 0 0 4 8 7 CA TXT A P . M L 0 1 J 5 4 0 9 9
TO APB - RELAY TO LOCAL A G E N C I E S
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 APPROXIMATELY 11 4 8 AM, 8 / 4 . VICTIM O F F I C E R RESPONDED TO S I L E N T ALARM AT LOCAL JEWELRY 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 DISCOVERED R 0 3 B E R Y BEING 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 S U B J E C T E S C A P E D .
A U T H O R I T Y - P . ZOLBE F B I - U C R WASH DC J R R
1 2 4 9 1 1 / 2 8 / 7 7 0 1 0 3 0 CA TXT A P . M L 0 1 J 6 8 9 2 3
TO A P B - R E L A Y TO LOCAL A G E N C I E S
MILWAUKEE, 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 APPROXIMATELY 5 0 0 PM, 1 1 / 2 5 . V I C T I M O F F I C E R AND PARTNER RESPONDED TO FAMILY DISTURBANCE 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 APPEARED 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 C H E S T . S U B J E C T , NM 3 8 , BARRICADED S E L F IN HOUSE, BUT SHORTLY THEREAFTER SURRENDED.
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, o n t h e average, n o t i f i c a t i o n c l a t t e r s a c r o s s t h e t e l e t y p e s of t h e N a t i o n a l Law E n f o r c e m e n t T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s S y s t e m tha t t h e l i fe of a n o t h e r l a w e n f o r c e m e n t of f icer h a s b e e n t a k e n . A n d after t h e of f ic ia l regrets are s p o k e n , t h e taps sounded, t h e badge re t i red to a p l a c e of honor , an u n f o r t u n a t e , bruta l t ru th t o o o f t e n rem a i n s : m o r e effort is l i k e l y to h a v e g o n e i n t o plann ing t h e funera l for t h e s la in o f f i cer t h a n h e or h i s d e p a r t m e n t devoted to h i s survival .
In s o m e cases , t h e faul t l i es w i t h t h e of f icer fai l ing to p r a c t i c e w h a t h e h a s b e e n t a u g h t . 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 for sending i t s off i cers i n t o t h e s t reet 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 i t t a k e s to s tay a l ive .
U s u a l l y , i t ' s a c o m b i n a t i o n . T h e surviva l t ra ining of t h e c l a s s r o o m , t h e g y m and t h e range , h o w ever earnes t , fa i ls in c r u c i a l w a y s to r e f l e c t t h e c h a l lenges of t h e rea l wor ld . And t h e of f i cer , c o m p l a c e n t in t h e k n o w l e d g e t h a t m o s t people in l a w e n f o r c e m 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 ever c o n f r o n t i n g or us ing deadly force , m a k e s n o effort o n h i s o w n to c o m p e n s a t e for t h e s e s h o r t c o m i n g s . D a y in and day o u t , h e a n s w e r s so m a n y c a l l s w h e r e n o t h i n g happens t h a t h e c o m e s to a s s u m e , i n s i d i o u s l y , t h a t n o t h i n g can h a p p e n .
And t h e n it does . In t h e las t decade a lone , m o r e t h a n 1 , 1 0 0 c i t y ,
c o u n t y , s ta te and federal o f f i cers h a v e b e e n fe lonious ly s la in in t h e p e r f o r m a n c e of the i r d u t i e s . D u r i n g o n e typica l year in t h a t period, 1 9 , 0 0 0 off i cers bes ides t h o s e k i l l e d w e r e in jured in n e a r l y 5 0 , 0 0 0 assaul t s on p o l i c e . T h e d e a t h s and in jur ies have inc luded b o t h s e x e s , h a v e c o m e f r o m al l s izes and types of c o m m u n i t i e s and h a v e run t h e g a m u t of of f icer rank , e x p e r i e n c e and a s s i g n m e n t .
N i n e t y - f i v e per c e n t of t h o s e k i l l e d w e r e att a c k e d w i t h g u n s . S o m e v i c t i m of f icers w e r e e x c e l l ent target s h o o t e r s . B u t in n e a r l y 6 0 per c e n t of t h e cases , t h e of f i cers invo lved w e r e so unprepared to reac t tha t t h e y did not even get their guns drawn before v i o l e n c e erupted. O n l y 27 per c e n t m a n a g e d to shoot b a c k . O n l y 15 per c e n t w e r e ab le to w o u n d or k i l l the i r a s s a i l a n t s . 1
T h e r e ' s n o denying t h a t an of f icer faces c r i t i c a l d isadvantages in a s h o o t i n g s i t u a t i o n . H i s u n i f o r m , h is m a r k e d v e h i c l e , h i s s p o k e n c o m m a n d s m a k e h i m h i g h l y v i s ib le and eas i ly ident i f i ab le to any would-be a s s a i l a n t — w h i l e a p o t e n t i a l a ssa i lan t m a y be di f f icul t or i m p o s s i b l e for an of f i cer t o s e n s e or see in a d v a n c e .
FBI "Law Enforcement Officers Killed" Summaries.
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
Those close to the victim officer express grief in different ways. The officer in this case died from a "routine" traffic stop.
3
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.
A n a s s a i l a n t c a n dec ide w h e n , w h e r e and w h o m to s h o o t , o n grounds t h a t are pure ly se l f i sh or t o ta l ly i r ra t iona l and i n d i s c r i m i n a t e ; if h i s g u n is a i m e d and 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 to get off a c c u r a t e f i r e . 2 A n of f icer is u s u a l l y i n f l u e n c e d by m o r a l a n d 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 tha t 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 p e r s o n a l q u a l m s a b o u t k i l l ing , h e m u s t e v a l u a t e w h e t h e r t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s legal ly j u s t i f y h i s us ing deadly force and w h e t h e r i n n o c e n t b y s t a n d e r s m i g h t be h a r m e d . If h i s gun 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 to 1 .2 s e c o n d s to draw and f ire , a s s u m i n g h e is extremely s k i l l e d . H o w e v e r , h e m a y n o t b e 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 save h i s l i f e . T h e m y t h pers i s t s t h a t officers t e n d to b e " g u n n u t s , " b o t h be fore a n d after t h e y j o i n l a w e n f o r c e m e n t . In t ru th , 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 prev i o u s e x p e r i e n c e w i t h f i r e a r m s , a n d e v e n after i n s t r u c t i o n , m a n y are n o t p r o f i c i e n t e n o u g h w i t h t h e i r g u n s to a d e q u a t e l y defend t h e m s e l v e s . In o n e m a j o r c i t y , u n t i l r e c e n t l y , r e c r u i t s w e r e ass igned to t h e f ie ld af ter l i m i t e d target p r a c t i c e and o n l y four h o u r s of o r i e n t a t i o n . 3 In 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 cers r e c e i v e n o t ra in ing at a l l ; t h e y are e x p e c t e d to p i c k up w h a t e v e r t h e y n e e d to k n o w o n t h e j o b .
*• "Some Comments 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.
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 name-plate {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 of f i cers w h o h a v e m a n a g e d t o s u r v i v e s h o o t i n g a t t a c k s , m o r e t h a n o n e h a s a d m i t t e d , " I w a s j u s t l u c k y . " W i t h e q u a l candor , m a n y c o n c e d e t h a t despi te a c l o s e c a l l w i t h d e a t h , t h e y s t i l l w o u l d n o t k n o w w h a t to do d i f fe rent ly t h e n e x t t i m e a r o u n d .
L u c k is a frai l reed 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 are a v a i l a b l e . And d i s m a l as t h e p o l i c e p o s i t i o n m a y appear, t h e r e are a l t e r n a t i v e s for h a n d l i n g m o s t v i o l e n t e n c o u n t e r s . Indeed, w i t h t h e k n o w l e d g e of surviva l m e t h o d s n o w a v a i l a b l e , your o p p o r t u n i t i e s for s t a y i n g a l ive o n t h e s t r e e t h a v e n e v e r b e e n 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 revea led t h a t in as f e w as 1 per c e n t of s h o o t i n g s are of f i cers 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 red at for n o apparent r e a s o n . 4 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 danger . E v e n w h e n v iol e n c e does e x p l o d e suddenly , t h e i r fa te 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:
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 c o n f r o n t a t i o n s ;
2) t h e y h a d proper ly 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 fac ing ;
3) t h e y h a d p l a n n e d w h a t to do in t h e e v e n t of a deadly t h r e a t , and
4) t h e y had k n o w n and, t h r o u g h p r a c t i c e , had m a s t e r e d appropriate surviva l 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 he lp m a k e y o u survival sensitive. T h e t e c h n i q u e s i t e m p h a s i z e s are des igned to af fec t t h e w a y y o u prepare, p lan and r e a c t , to k e e p y o u al ive in 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 proven procedures , based o n t h e i n s i g h t s of o f f i cers w h o h a v e e x p e r i e n c e d gun b a t t l e s and s u r v i v e d — and on t h e l e s s o n s 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 fal l i n t o t w o broad c a t e g o r i e s : 1) t h o s e tha t w i l l h e l p y o u prevent r i s k y s i t u a t i o n s f r o m e s c a l a t i n g i n t o l i f e - t h r e a t e n i n g e n c o u n t e r s , and 2) t h o s e t h a t can he lp y o u survive if, desp i te your b e s t ef forts , v i o l e n c e does erupt . P r o c e d u r e s f r o m b o t h ca tegor ies are in tegra ted t h r o u g h o u t , so t h a t w h i l e e a c h c h a p t e r r e l a t e s to f i r e a r m s , t h e e m p h a s i s is n o t a lways o n a c t u a l s h o o t i n g perf o r m a n c e .
A m o n g o t h e r t h i n g s , y o u w i l l c o m e to under s tand t h e c o m m o n a t t i t u d e s t h a t lead s u s p e c t s t o engage t h e p o l i c e in 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 tha t h a m p e r r e s p o n s e . . . t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s l i k e l y 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 for approach ing h i g h - r i s k s i t u a t i o n s . . . w a y s to u s e l ight , verbal c o m m a n d s , surprise , m o v e m e n t and p r o t e c t ive cover , c o n c e a l m e n t and e q u i p m e n t to 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 procedures to assure tha t your gun w i l l w o r k w h e n y o u need i t . . . a n d t h e la tes t , p r a c t i c a l t e c h n i q u e s for del iver ing swif t , a c c u r a t e , deadly f i re . B y studying t h e tab le of c o n t e n t s y o u c a n r e v i e w , in 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 rom t h e t h i n g s y o u need to k n o w and do before f i r e a r m s are u s e d to t h e p s y c h o l o g i c a l pressures y o u m a y fee l a f terward. In e f fec t , t h e c h a p t e r h e a d i n g s e n c a p s u l a t e t h e fac tors y o u s h o u l d b e c o n t i n u a l l y 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 determ i n e your ab i l i ty to survive , w h e t h e r y o u a c k n o w l edge tha t to b e t h e case or n o t .
T h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s in w h i c h t h e u s e of deadly force is p e r m i t t e d vary 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 jur i sd ic t ions p e r m i t an of f icer to s h o o t to p r o t e c t h i s o w n l i fe or t h e l ives 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 danger . W h e r e s h o o t i n g is ca l l ed for in t h e t a c t i c s presented h e r e , w e h a v e c o n s i d e r e d t h o s e 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 fac t tha t l a w e n f o r c e m e n t f i r e a r m s are defensive t o o l s , n o t to b e used o f fens ive ly .
T h e u s e and handl ing of revo lvers , s e m i a u t o m a t i c p i s t o l s and s h o t g u n s are r e f e r e n c e d 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 vas t m a j o r i ty of of f icers , y o u carry a .38 c a l . r evo lver as your regula t ion o n - d u t y w e a p o n . B u t y o u m a y u s e a s e m i a u t o m a t i c of f -duty or as a b a c k - u p gun, and if
y o u ' r e ass igned to s t r e e t p a t r o l y o u m a y h a v e a s h o t g u n in your pat ro l car . T h e m o r e p r o f i c i e n t y o u b e c o m e w i t h b o t h t h e m e c h a n i c a l and t a c t i c a l u s e of t h e s e f i r e a r m s , t h e h i g h e r your surviva 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 las t resor t . Surv iva l s h o u l d begin long before t h e m o m e n t y o u n e e d to f ire , and if y o u w a i t u n t i l t h e n to t h i n k a b o u t i t , y o u are depending 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 surv iva l r e a d i n e s s is l i k e an e q u i l a t e r a l t r iangle i n v o l v i n g :
Al l c o r n e r s are of equa l i m p o r t a n c e to t h e w h o l e , and t h e o m i s s i o n of any e l e m e n t l eaves a p o t e n t i a l l y l e t h a l gap. For a de fense s t r u c t u r e t h a t w i l l e n a b l e y o u to c o n t r o l t h e o u t c o m e of m o s t l i fe -or -death e n c o u n t e r s , y o u r m i n d , y o u r body and y o u r g u n m u s t b e m o l d e d i n t o a c o m b i n e d , c o o r d i n a t e d " w e a p o n s s y s t e m . ' '
T h e s y s t e m approach is t h e core of t h i s b o o k . It requires t h a t y o u develop 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 re la ted p r o c e d u r e s of a n t i c i p a t i o n and r e s p o n s e . S o m e i n v o l v e s h o o t i n g , t h e i n s t a n t de l ivery 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 fores ta l l ing or avoiding an 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 hard target . All can be learned.
S o m e surviva l p r i n c i p l e s m a y appear h a r s h . Sur vival 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 and codes 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 " in 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 o n e to four m i l l i o n people carry ing con-
cea led g u n s i l legal ly in 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 legal ly , as wel l ) are w i l l i n g to t a k e o n t h e po l i ce o n incredib ly bruta l t e r m s . T o save your l i fe 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 u l t i m a t e r e s p o n s e s .
T h e ab i l i ty t o use d e c i s i v e t a c t i c s s u c c e s s f u l l y , h o w e v e r , does n o t e q u a t e w i t h r e c k l e s s n e s s . A c t u a l l y , it is t h e u n s k i l l e d of f icer w h o is l i k e l i e s t t o be r e c k l e s s , and t h u s a danger n o t o n l y t o h i m s e l f and f e l l o w of f icers , b u t to t h e p u b l i c h e is s w o r n to p r o t e c t . B e c a u s e of h i s l a c k of c o n f i d e n c e in h i s ab i l i ty to p r o t e c t h i m s e l f in r i s k y s i t u a t i o n s , h e w i l l reac t to threa t s of v i o l e n c e w i t h p a n i c born of despera t ion . A t ra ined of f icer , on t h e o t h e r h a n d , is conf ident b e c a u s e h e is ready, and h i s c o n t r o l l e d s k i l l s c a n he lp h i m k e e p v i o l e n c e to a m i n i m u m or s top 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 to t h e p o i n t of gunf i re , red u c e t h e n u m b e r of s u s p e c t s shot or k i l l e d by p o l i c e , reduce t h e n u m b e r of t ragedies w h e r e i n n o c e n t part ies are s ho 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 reduce t h e n u m b e r of o f f i cers 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 of c o n t a c t s b e t w e e n p o l i c e and c r i m i n a l s r e m a i n s u n d i m i n i s h e d .
N o t h i n g set for th in t h e pages t h a t f o l l o w should be regarded as T h e A b s o l u t e A n s w e r t o a l l survival 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 are ever e x a c t l y a l i k e , n o set of procedures a l w a y s e f f e c t i v e . W h a t ' s offered are options tha t are va luab le for your reper to i re 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 cers in 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 o n c o m m o n s e n s e . B u t t h e y require extensive practice to b e used s u c c e s s f u l l y . Y o u need to k n o w w h a t w o r k s for you , and t h e t a c t i c s y o u favor n e e d to b e h o n e d u n t i l t h e y b e c o m e n a t u r a l and r e f l e x i v e . F O R , U N D E R S T R E S S , IN A C R I S I S , Y O U W I L L INS T I N C T I V E L Y R E V E R T T O T H E W A Y Y O U H A V E T R A I N E D .
T r a i n i n g to face rea l i ty t a k e s e x t r a t i m e , e x t r a energy, e x t r a c r e a t i v i t y . It r equi res 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 assur ing your survival educat ion . Y o u need to w o r k c o n s t a n t l y at re f in ing , adapting and s u p p l e m e n t i n g your surviva 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 and i n f o r m a l t ra in ing s e s s i o n s , but , m o s t i m p o r t a n t , on a dai ly b a s i s in t h e c o u r s e of your patro l d u t i e s .
I t ' s easier , of c o u r s e , to play t h e odds tha t y o u wi l l be a m o n g t h e f o r t u n a t e m a j o r i t y w h o s e l ives are never cha l l enge d . B u t t h a t ' s a g a m e of R u s s i a n r o u l e t t e tha t t o o m a n y of f icers h a v e los t .
T h e r e are n o g u a r a n t e e s in l a w e n f o r c e m e n t . T h e o n l y predic tab le 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 i t c o u l d b e t h e o n e t h a t t e s t s e v e r y t h i n g y o u ' v e got .
If y o u w o n d e r w h e t h e r y o u ' r e ready, a s k yoursel f : " H o w m a n y people c o u l d h a v e h a d m e today if t h e y ' d rea l ly w a n t e d 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 t h e y ' d t r i e d ? "
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
M o s t A m e r i c a n s t h i n k t h e y k n o w a b o u t g u n f ights . T h e y ' v e seen t h o u s a n d s o n T V . D u r i n g t h e 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 displayed, guns m o s t l y , and t h e y ' r e used 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 las t a w a y at adversar ies several 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 barre l revolver o u t s h o o t s a c r i m i n a l w i t h a scoped r i f l e . . . an agent f ires a derringer i n t o t h e air and br ings an a irplane c rash ing d o w n . . .
People b e l i e v e i t ' s p o s s i b l e , i n c l u d i n g s o m e cops . M a n y of f icers t ru ly 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 w i l l l i t e ra l ly b l o w people a w a y — e v e n t h o u g h i t ' s n e a r l y i m p o s s i b l e to m o v e a h u m a n body w i t h a b u l l e t f r o m a h a n d g u n .
At 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 s a t u r a t i o n e n d o w guns w i t h super c a p a b i l i t i e s , t h e y genera l ly s a n i t i z e the i r e f fec t . E ighty- four per c e n t of the b u l l e t s f ired on T V m i s s t h e i r targets ent i re ly , according to o n e f o u n d a t i o n s tudy . O n l y eight per c e n t or less c a u s e in jury or death , and 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 , real- l i fe gun f ights are a l t o g e t h e r di f ferent . W h a t t h e m o v i e or T V screen fantas izes as e x t e n d e d , e x o t i c , a n t i s e p t i c episodes , t h e y k n o w in fac t to b e fast , bana l , b ruta l e n c o u n t e r s , p layed for k e e p s , o f t e n w i t h pain and m u c h b lood .
Indeed, of f icers suddenly t h r u s t i n t o a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n s of ten are s tar t led t o d i s c o v e r jus t h o w dif ferent t h e y rea l ly 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 ight v e t e r a n s of o f f i cer - involved s h o o t i n g s share t h e i r p e r c e p t i o n s 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 . Four 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 ing l a w e n f o r c e m e n t off icers and are serving t i m e in 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 off i cers in C a l i f o r n i a w h o h a v e b e e n c r i t i c a l l y w o u n d e d — a n d survived.
I n m a n y r e s p e c t s , t h e s e ind iv idua ls typify T h e m and U s , t h e t w o s ides of a n y c o n f r o n t a t i o n .
T h e i r c o m m e n t s a b o u t t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e t a c t i c s , p r e s e n t e d in t h e i r e x a c t words , are a f i t t ing pre lude to r e a l i s t i c surviva l e d u c a t i o n . T h e i r i n s i g h t s re garding a t t i t u d e , preparedness and m i s t a k e s m a d e are p a r t i c u l a r l y i m p o r t a n t .
N o f a c t o r s are m o r e p ivota l 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 are 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 ides of t h e l a w .
I N M A T E 1 :
T h e r e w a s a s t i c k - u p t h a t m o r n i n g . I w a l k e d i n t o t h e s t o r e , a r m e d w i t h a . 3 8 r e v o l v e r . I drew d o w n o n t h e c a s h i e r and t o o k $ 3 , 5 0 0 c a s h m o n e y . T h e n t h e r e w a s a shr i l l w h i s t l e t h r o u g h o u t t h e s tore , a w a r n i n g t h a t p o l i c e w e r e c o m i n g . I s tar ted o u t , r u n n i n g t h e l e n g t h of t h e s tore , a b o u t 1 0 0 fee t , at w h i c h t i m e t h e p o l i c e o f f i cer s tepped in t h e doorw a y w i t h h i s revo lver drawn, I g u e s s to assess t h e s i t u a t i o n ins ide . It scared t h e h e l l o u t of m e . A n d I s h o t h i m .
Q . When you fired, how did you do it! A. I n s t i n c t i v e l y . I w a s a b o u t 15 fee t f r o m t h e
door . M y p i s t o l w a s at m y s ide , and w h e n I s a w h i m s tanding in t h e d o o r w a y , 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 good marksman!
A. N o , I w o u l d n ' t . I n e v e r rea l ly had m u c h p r a c t i c e . I t h i n k t h a t a n y o n e c a n p o i n t a revo lver and s h o o t i t at a s u b j e c t and h i t . Y o u j u s t do l i k e t h i s ( q u i c k l y p o i n t s f i n g e r ) — B O O M — a n d s h o o t to k i l l .
Q . At the moment you squeezed the trigger, what thought was going through your mind!
A. E s c a p e . T h e of f icer w a s a t h r e a t t o 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 w a y .
Q . What mistakes do you think he made! A. H e s h o u l d h a v e w a i t e d for a b a c k - u p f o r c e .
H e c o u l d h a v e h idden and i s sued a verba l c h a l l e n g e : " D r o p y o u r w e a p o n , I 've got y o u c o v e r e d ! " . . . " C o m e o u t ! " A n y t h i n g . H e s h o u l d h a v e n e v e r s tepped i n t o t h a t d o o r w a y , p u t t i n g h i s b o d y in j eopardy.
Q . Now, you're a weightlifter, you keep yourself in good shape. How would you compare your physical and mental fitness for dealing with a shooting situation versus the officers you knew when you were out on the street!
A. M o s t po l i ce of f icers 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 dr ink a lot of beer , t h e y s tay up at n i g h t and t h e y d o n ' t s leep very 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 , hear t t r o u b l e , p r e m a t u r e i l l n e s s e s . B u t a person tha t k e e p s h i m s e l f c o n d i t ioned, h i s m i n d is s teady, h i s eyes are c lear , h i s a i m is good. H e ' s got 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 perspec t ive o n t h i n g s .
Q . Mentally, what kind of preparation do you think most guys on the street have, so far as being ready to take on a cop if they have to!
A. I t h i n k tha t m o s t people w h o c o m e f r o m high c r i m e areas , t h e y v i e w t h e p o l i c e as t h e e n e m y , a t h r e a t . O b v i o u s l y , a person w h o carr ies a concea led w e a p o n , h e ' s n o t ready t o s u b m i t b e c a u s e h e has t h e a u d a c i t y to possess a f i r e a r m in t h e f irst 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 gets t h e drop on w h o . O n c e I pul l m y p is to l , w e l l , y o u r s is c o u n ter fe i t . T h a t ' s t h e w a y i t ' s p layed.
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 ca l l w a s a " f a m i l y p e a c e d i s t u r b a n c e , " and m y approach w a s r a t h e r i g n o r a n t . I w e n t r ight up and k n o c k e d o n t h e door 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 caus ing t h e t r o u b l e let m e in and 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 iv ing r o o m . I o b e d i e n t l y s tar ted d o w n t h e h a l l w a y . 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 ight h a n d , h e he ld w h a t appeared to b e a 9 -shot , . 2 2 target p is to l , p o i n t e d d i r e c t l y at m y s ter n u m . It w a s very s teady in h is h a n d . H e had a b l a n k stare on h i s f a c e , and h e w a s l o o k i n g jus t d i r e c t l y at m e . I k n e w I w a s in a bad p o s i t i o n . . . t h i s long ha l l w a y , and m y w e a p o n n o t drawn.
I t r ied to i n c h up o n h i m very s l o w l y w i t h o u t any sudden m o v e m e n t s , speak ing a b o u t t h e w e a t h er, a n y t h i n g t h a t c o u l d c o m e to m y m i n d and k e e p h i m f r o m b e c o m i n g f r ightened or d i s turbed . T h a t w a s about a l l I h a d going for m e . H e w a s in c o n t r o l of t h e s i t u a t i o n . I had n o idea w h a t h e w a s going to do. I c o u l d predict a lot of a l t e r n a t i v e s , b u t I c o u l d n ' t predict e x a c t l y w h a t or w h e n .
W h e n I got w i t h i n a b o u t four or f ive feet of h i m , I t h o u g h t h e had r e l e n t e d . H i s h a n d w i t h t h e gun dropped to h i s s ide, h i s head dropped. I s ta r ted patt ing m y s e l f o n t h e b a c k so hard I a b o u t b r o k e m y a r m s . I t h o u g h t I 'd s i lver - tongue-devi led h i m r ight out of h i s or iginal i n t e n t i o n .
I e x t e n d e d m y h a n d to 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 his s ide . It w a s an
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 discharged, and I w a s s t r u c k r ight h e r e b e l o w w h e r e t h e pens are in m y p o c k e t .
A w e i r d fee l ing 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 o n T V . I fe l t l i k e s o m e o n e h a d p u n c h e d m e w i t h a c l o s e d f is t and t h e n r u n a h o t p o k e r t h r o u g h m y c h e s t . I k n e w it w a s bad.
I grasped h i s w e a p o n w i t h m y lef t h a n d 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 al l over 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 w a s j u s t a v e g e t a b l e s tanding t h e r e . I w a l k e d o u t s i d e 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 .
B e f o r e t h i s h a p p e n e d , I u s e d t o t h i n k I c o u l d s top off in a p h o n e b o o t h and c h a n g e c l o t h e s and t h e r e ' d b e a big red " S " u n d e r n e a t h m y sh i r t . I found o u t t h a t I w a s s u b j e c t to h u m a n f ra i l t i e s and h u m a n errors a n d I h u r t jus t l i k e everybody e l s e .
I N M A T E 2 : T h e k i l l i n g o c c u r r e d over a t ra f f i c t i c k e t . O n e
word led to a n o t h e r and t h e o f f i cer h i t m e . W h e n h e h i t m e , h e w e n t for h i s g u n and I w e n t for m i n e . I jus t b e a t 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 p a r t n e r .
Q . What kind of a gun did you hovel A. I had a . 3 8 0 B r o w n i n g a u t o m a t i c . I w a s n ' t
a m a r k s m a n , so I jus t he ld it and pul led t h e trigger, and t h e gun t o o k care of i t se 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 , ye 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 by 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 and o t h e r b l a c k r e v o l u t i o n ar ies . S o I 'd g iven s o m e t h o u g h t t o an e n c o u n t e r w i t h t h e pigs . I had an idea of w h a t I 'd do if I w a s c o n f r o n t e d w i t h a b e l l i g e r e n t c o p .
Q . How did you feel the moment you shot the officer!
A. I d idn ' t h a v e a n y fee l ings 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 prepared
t h a t w e l l . A p o l i c e m a n ' s job i s n ' t for 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 courage , it t a k e s p a t i e n c e , a fee l ing for h u m a n i t y . B u t m o s t o f f i cers , t h e y ' r e scared, t h e y ' r e n e r v o u s , t h e y ' r e pre judiced . T h e y s h o o t , and t h e n a s k q u e s t i o n s la ter .
Q . In most shooting situations, where do you think officers are looking just before everything explodes!
A. W e l l , I w o u l d say m o s t p o l i c e , t h e y ' r e t rying to v i e w t h e w h o l e body, w h i c h I d o n ' t t h i n k is c o r r e c t . T h e w h o l e body is n o t going to h a r m y o u . T h e m o s t dangerous part is a m a n ' s h a n d s . If y o u c a n try to get t h e genera l v i e w of h i s h a n d s , espe-
c ia l ly h i s r ight hand, even if h e ' s got h i s b a c k t u r n e d to you , y o u ' r e p r e t t y safe .
S E R G E A N T J E R R Y D U N N : T h e post o f f i ce ca l led and said a guy w e w a n t e d
for b a n k robbery w a s t h e r e p i c k i n g up a p a c k a g e . As I drove up, I saw h i m w a l k d o w n t h e post o f f i ce s teps and head around t o ward t h e b a c k of t h e bui lding. I c o n f r o n t e d h i m and to ld h i m h e w a s under arrest . H e s tar ted saying, " N o t m e . I d i d n ' t do anyt h i n g . " I fe l t I had t h e r ight g u y . B u t I 'd o n l y s e e n a p i c t u r e of h i m and t h e r e w a s s t i l l t h a t d o u b t . I kept saying, " Y o u ' r e under a r r e s t , " and h e s tar ted f u m bl ing w i t h h is be l t , w i t h h is b a c k s o m e w h a t towards m e .
H e c a m e up w i t h a gun, t u r n e d a r o u n d and s tar ted f ir ing. I tr ied to s h o o t b a c k t w i c e as fas t . W e hi t e a c h o t h e r . I w e n t d o w n f i rs t . H e s tood over m e w i t h h is gun in 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 fe l l .
Q . What kind of impact do you think TV and films have had on the way officers perceive themselves in a shooting!
A. W e l l , in t h e m o v i e s , an of f i cer gets shot , s tuffs a b a n d a n a in t h e w o u n d , goes o n and c a t c h e s t h e bad guy, and t h e n h e ' s h o m e in t h e n e x t s c e n e having a dr ink 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 tha t w a y .
Q . What's different! A. W e l l , in m y c a s e I got s h o t in t h e t h i g h .
At t h e t i m e I d idn ' t fee l t h a t w a s a ser ious 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 to 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 four 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 a c t u a l l y h i t t h e 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 per c e n t of t h e t i m e . Sus pec ts h a v e a m u c h b e t t e r average, probably 4 0 per c e n t . T h e s u s p e c t k n o w s w h a t h e ' s doing, b u t t h e cop c a n ' t t a k e any a c t i o n u n t i l t h e s u s p e c t d o e s . T h e n it m a y be too la te .
Q . What did you do wrong! A. I d idn ' t w a i t for a b a c k - u p of f icer . I fe 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 see that t h e s i t u a t i o n could h a v e b e e n reso lved b e t t e r had I kept m y suspec t under s u r v e i l l a n c e and had off icers surround t h e bui ld ing 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 di f ferent as n i g h t and day. S h o o t i n g targets , t h e r e ' s n o pressure as s u c h . B u t f ir ing at an individual w h o ' s r e t u r n i n g fire is jus t an
u n b e l i e v a b l e e x p e r i e n c e . 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 range, y o u ' r e n e v e r prepared to h a v e to f ire and b e f ired u p o n by 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. D i s b e l i e f . I c o u l d n ' t b e l i e v e t h a t a n y o n e w o u l d w a n t to s h o o t m e . H e r e I a m , j u s t an ordinary guy doing h i s j o b . W h y w o u l d an i n d i v i d u a l try and k i l l m e j u s t b e c a u s e I w a n t e d to a p p r e h e n d h i m ? I 've d o n e i t 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 under t h e i m p r e s s i o n tha t n o t h i n g w o u l d ever h a p p e n to m e . I b e l i e v e of f i cers , as a ru le , f ee 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 going to do t h e i r job , go h o m e a n d s tar t over t h e n e x t day. T h e n al l of a sudden 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 incar c e r a t e d . I c o u l d n ' t b e l i e v e i t .
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 t h i s day w h i c h r o u n d s t r u c k h i m . I n e v e r s a w a n y l o o k o n h i s f a c e , a n y r e a c t i o n at a l l f r o m any of m y r o u n d s . I h a d n o idea w h e t h e r I 'd sho t h i m . In f a c t , I d i d n ' t e v e n k n o w t h a t I h a d b e e n shot , e x c e p t t h a t I h a d a pain in m y leg t h a t k n o c k e d m y feet out 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 bad guy d i d n ' t ge t m e in a v i t a l spot a n d I did h i m . I t c o u l d h a v e b e e n jus t t h e o t h e r w a y a r o u n d .
I N M A T E 3 :
M y u n c l e and I pul led up in f ront of t h e l iquor s tore , a n d h e h a n d e d m e t h e g u n . H e sa id , " N o w ' s as good a t i m e as a n y . ' ' I w a l k e d past t h e p l a c e o n c e , t h e n c a m e t h r o u g h t h e door a n d p u l l e d o u t h i s R o s s i s n u b - n o s e . 3 8 . A guy w a s s t a n d i n g to m y r ight I h a d n ' t s e e n . H e jus t d u c k e d h i s he a d d o w n and s tar ted t o w a r d m e r u n n i n g , t ry ing to get h i s g u n o u t at t h e s a m e t i m e . I rea l ized h e w a s a c o p . T h e n e x t t h i n g I k n e w , w e b o t h w e n t f ly ing up aga ins t t h e w a l l and h e w a s s h o t . T h e b u l l e t w e n t r ight in t h e top of t h e c e n t e r of h i s he a d and 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 in m y l i fe , n o t e v e n a r i f l e . I h a d a b s o l u t e l y n o e x p e r i e n c e a t a l l .
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 prepared t o f ire at a l l . I d o n ' t t h i n k h e rea l ly w a n t e d to s h o o t m e , or h e probably w o u l d h a v e f r o m t h e b e g i n n i n g .
Q . Do you think guys on the street are more prepared than police!
A. Probably . T h e s t i c k - u p m a n rea l izes w h e n he goes in t h a t t h e s i t u a t i o n m i g h t c o m e d o w n to w h e r e h e h a s to shoot , w h e r e a s if an o f f i c e r ' s c a u g h t in t h e r e , h e ' s caught by surpr ise .
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 o n t h e f loor . H e c o u l d h a v e tr ied to get a good descr ipt ion of m e , perhaps w a i t e d t i l I t u r n e d around, t h e n shot m e . A n y t h i n g b u t t ry to draw h i s g u n o n a g u n tha t w a s 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 , b e c a u s e I w a s n ' t t rying to s h o o t h i m . T h a t ' s t h e p o i n t . I d idn ' t h a v e any t i m e to t h i n k . I m e a n , before I rea l ized it , t h e m a n w a s o n m e and t h e gun w a s s h o t .
Q . fust one round! A. Y e a h . O n e S h o t . 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 w o u l d hope h e w a s b e t t e r t r a i n e d . L i k e , I t h i n k i t w o u l d h a v e b e e n n o p r o b l e m for t h e o f f i cer in m y s i t u a t i o n to even say a word to m e and 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 to do, h e w o u l d n ' t h a v e b e e n k i l l ed . I t ' s t h a t s i m p l e .
D E T E C T I V E J A C K F I S H E R :
Ear l ier in t h e day a pr i soner h a d escaped f r o m a sher i f f ' s s u b - s t a t i o n . H e ' d a s k e d to go to t h e to i l e t , and an off icer had 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 j u m p e d t h e of f icer , w r e s t l e d h i m to t h e f loor , t o o k h i s . 3 5 7 M a g n u m and s t o l e a pat ro l car . D u r i n g a c h a s e , h e los t c o n t r o l of t h e car and skidded off t h e road. H e t h e n grabbed t h e s h o t g u n f r o m t h e car and t o o k off up a m o u n t a i n s i d e .
A sergeant and I w e r e o n t h e p o i n t of a s e a r c h party , t r a c k i n g h i s f o o t p r i n t s . W e w e r e c o m i n g up on a l i t t l e c lear ing w h e n t h e sergeant s a w h i m , c r o u c h e d w a y d o w n l o w u n d e r a large b u s h , h o l d i n g t h e s h o t g u n .
M y first r e a c t i o n w a s to dive for a b u s h , t a k e cover . T h e s u s p e c t b r o u g h t t h e s h o t g u n up o n t h e sergeant , and 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 f ired m y f irst r o u n d . I m i s s e d . H e spun around and f ired at m e . T h e b l a s t w e n t over m y right s h o u l d e r and o n e or t w o of t h e p e l l e t s h i t m e on t h e forehead . I f ired, I t h i n k , s i x r o u n d s u n t i l
h e f ina l ly w e n t d o w n and d i d n ' t get up , h i t in t h e k n e e and t h e h e a r t .
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 fe rence , of c o u r s e , is t h e paper targets 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 o f t e n , y o u u s u a l l y h a v e good b a c k g r o u n d , t h e l i g h t ' s g o o d — s o i t ' s easy , i t 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 ferent in t h e m o v i e s , t o o . T h e r e t h e o f f i cer c a n drop a n y b o d y at 2 0 0 or 3 0 0 yards w i t h a revolver , h i s gun n e v e r e m p t i e s , h e d o e s n ' t h a v e to w o r r y a b o u t re loading at c r i t i c a l t i m e s . I t ' s jus t n o t t h a t w a y .
Q . What's it like to get shot at by someone! A. V e r y f r ightening , scary , al l t h e w o r d s for
t h a t . B u t y o u d o n ' t r ea l i ze t h a t at t h e t i m e , w h e n y o u ' r e i n s t i n c t i v e l y r e a c t i n g . T h e s c a r i n e s s c o m e s la ter , w h e n y o u sit b a c k and c r i t i q u e yourse l f . T h e n y o u get scared , 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 th ing , I t h i n k , w a s to m i s s
w i t h m y f irst shot , t h e r e b y affording h i m t h e opport u n i t y to c r a n k o n e off at m e . Had h e b e e n s u c c e s s ful , 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 , and w h o k n o w s w h a t w o u l d h a v e 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 th ing , rem e m b e r to do something i m m e d i a t e l y . M o v e , run, j u m p up and d o w n , fal l d o w n o n t h e ground, ye l l , s c r e a m — j u s t react so y o u ' r e n o t s tanding t h e r e g iving t h e s u s p e c t a per fec t target . A n y t h i n g m i g h t g ive y o u an edge, b e c a u s e h e m a y be a m a z e d at w h a t y o u ' r e doing and there fore n o t pul l t h e tr igger . T h a t c o u l d give y o u t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to draw y o u r weapo n , if y o u d o n ' t a lready h a v e it o u t , and get h i m before h e ge t s y o u .
Q . What does it feel like to shoot somebody! A. Y o u t h i n k a b o u t it la ter . T o t a k e a h u m a n
l i fe is n e v e r a p leasure and I d o n ' t ever e x p e c t it to b e o n e . I 've had 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 do.
I N M A T E 4 :
Fi f ty -e ight p o l i c e of f i cers w e r e s t a k e d o u t a r o u n d a p lant w h e r e t h e y ' d b e e n i n f o r m e d w e w e r e 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 an 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 , so w e proceeded to l e a v e . A g u n s h o t w a s f ired, a n d w e ret u r n e d f i re . F ive or t e n m i n u t e s la ter , a f ter t h e s h o o t i n g had ceased , a p o l i c e of f icer w a s f o u n d dead, a long 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. He w a s p o s i t i o n e d d i rec t ly in f ront of t h e v e h i c l e I w a s o c c u p y i n g and 15 to 2 0 feet d i r e c t l y in f ront of s ix of f icers w h o w e r e s h o o t i n g over h i s shoulder . T e s t i m o n y la ter revea led h e w a s shot by t h e m due to t h e fact t h e y w a s b l i n d f r o m t h e br ight l ight .
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 h igh-
powered r i f le . 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 p o w e r f u l and very damaging w e a p o n .
Q . Are you a good shot! A. W e l l , at a d i s t a n c e of 2 5 to 3 0 fee t , I w o u l d
hi t a m o v i n g target of m o d e r a t e size e ight o u t of t e n t i m e s . I k n e w t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u l c r i m i n a l w o u l d be the o n e w h o had t h e m o s t e x p e r i e n c e in h a n d l i n g a gun, so I s tudied g u n s . I used to go h u n t i n g and to a r i f le range and s h o o t s h o t g u n s , A R - 1 5 r i f les , M - 1 6 s , A r m y . 4 5 s , . 3 5 7 M a g n u m s w i t h s i x - i n c h barrels , po l i ce spec ia l s and P - 3 8 s .
Q . How proficient do you think most officers are with a handgun!
A. I d o n ' t t h i n k m y v o c a b u l a r y c o n t a i n s t h e words to descr ibe 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 the i r h a n d g u n s . W h e n t h e y d i s m o u n t t h e i r h a n d g u n f r o m its h o l s t e r , t h e y ' r e n o t f ixed f i r m l y , t h e y d o n ' t t ense t h e m s e l v e s u p . T h e y ' r e very loose and c a s u a l . T h a t i n d i c a t e s poor a c c u r a c y , poor e f f i c i e n c y . A n y o n e w h o ' s f ired 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 turdy as poss ib le w h e n y o u ' r e in a f i r ing posi t i o n .
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 h i s m o v e m e n t . A good a r m e d robber or a good burglar , h e h a v e o n e t h i n g in h i s m i n d : to pul l off a s u c c e s s f u l caper . In order to do tha t , h e m u s t h a v e h i s eyes o n t h e door . And c o m i n g through t h e door, h e a l w a y s e x p e c t s t h e p o l i c e . H e a n t i c i p a t e s . In m y e x p e r i e n c e , o f f i cers j u s t c o m e through t h e door w i t h the i r 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 eave t h e m s e l v e s v u l n e r a b l e . . . n o p r o t e c t i o n . I t h i n k i t ' s an 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 great deal of your off icers is a c t u a l l y afraid, so t h e t h i n g t h a t m o s t l y runs through t h e i r m i n d is I h a v e to get in h e r e , m a k e t h i s arrest and t h a t ' s i t . T h e y n e v e r l o o k at t h e poss ib i l i ty of be ing k i l l e d in t h e p r o c e s s .
Q . What odds do you give an officer in that kind of situation!
A. If I s o u g h t out to c o m m i t a robbery , I w o u l d give t h e p o l i c e a 3 0 per c e n t c h a n c e of l iv ing, o n c e h e w a l k e d t h r o u g h t h e door . As s o o n as I hear a no i se , I ' m a u t o m a t i c a l l y t u r n i n g and s h o o t i n g . I
w a n t w h a t I 've c o m e for and I w a n t to get a w a y , so m y o b j e c t i v e is h i g h e r t h a n any of f icer t h a t p lan to arrest m e .
Q . And you think you 're better prepared! A. T h a n t h e average guy w h o goes to t h e acad
e m y m a y b e o n c e a w e e k , spends 10 or 2 0 m i n u t e s there? D e f i n i t e l y . C r i m i n a l s s tudy t h e p o l i c e . I 've s tudied t h e w a y p o l i c e m o v e , t h e i r e m o t i o n a l a n t i c i p a t i o n s . I a l w a y s w a t c h t h e of f icer , n o t for h i s eyes or h i s h a n d s — h i s c h e s t part . I h a v e h i s c h e s t part in v i s u a l s ight .
Q . And you can shoot him without reservation!
A. I ' l l put i t 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 invo lved , t h e average guy h a v e n o r e s e r v a t i o n s w h a t s o e v e r a b o u t w h o h e k i l l s . In fac t , h e ' d be m o r e i n c l i n e d to k i l l a p o l i c e o f f i cer ra ther t h a n a n y o n e e l se . H e e x p e c t s t h e w o r s t to happen .
D E T E C T I V E J I M R O W E :
I w a s a p a t r o l m a n w h e n t h e s h o o t i n g o c c u r r e d . I w a s o n m y m o t o r c y c l e c h e c k i n g out a l o w e r parking leve l for a guy w h o ' d s t o l e n t w o g u n s f r o m a pawnshop w h e n I n o t i c e d s o m e o n e w h o l o o k e d l i k e h i m w a l k by o n t h e s i d e w a l k a b o v e . I rode up to w i t h i n 8 or 9 feet b e h i n d h i m . I had m y gun out , p o i n t i n g at h i m . I ye l led , " H o l d it r ight t h e r e ! " H e k i n d of l o o k e d over h i s r ight shoulder a n d t h e n spun around. B o o m ! H i s f irst s h o t h i t m e in t h e n e c k . I f ired b a c k , b u t h e t o o k off and k e p t go ing .
Q. What effect do you think TV and films have had on officer survival!
A. D e f i n i t e l y d e t r i m e n t a l . In t h e C l i n t East w o o d m o v i e s , t h e J o h n W a y n e m o v i e s , t h e c r o o k s are l o u s y s h o t s , t h e good guys a l w a y s w i n . T h i s in i t se l f t e n d s to m a k e p o l i c e m e n fee l t h e y ' r e a l i t t l e m o r e i n v i n c i b l e t h a n t h e y rea l ly are .
Q. Where do you think your approach was weak!
A. N u m b e r o n e , I a p p r o a c h e d t h e indiv idual w h i l e s t i l l on m y m o t o r c y c l e . I c a m e too c l o s e to h i m , I d i d n ' t h a v e a n y cover , and I b r o k e t h e go lden ru le of p o l i c e m e n : I did n o t see h i s h a n d s . T h e y w e r e in h i s p o c k e t s . I s h o u l d h a v e k n o w n b e t t e r , 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 for , I k n e w h e w a s a r m e d .
Q. What's it like to get shot by someone who is better prepared than you are!
A. M y persona l fee l ing w a s o n e of anger . I fe l t t h a t w i t h m y e x p e r i e n c e , t e n years o n t h e departm e n t , I s h o u l d h a v e b e e n m o r e a ler t . H e w a s able to jus t t u r n and fire and h i t m e , and I sho 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 less t h a n t e n fee t , and 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. Very . S h o o t i n g paper targets , y o u ' r e n o t p u m p e d up, t h e r e ' s n o adrenal in , n o danger, n o t h i n g to fear . Y o u jus t have t h e fee l ing t h a t t h a t ' s e x a c t l y w h a t t h e y are, paper targets . I t ' s very s i m p l e t o k e e p a c a l m , s teady hand w h e n t h e y ' r e n o t s h o o t i n g b a c k .
Q. Where do most officers go wrong, so far as survival is concerned!
A. B e i n g over -conf ident , t h i n k i n g t h a t the i r b lue u n i f o r m is going to s top b u l l e t s . T h e m o r e y o u ' r e in po l i ce w o r k , you tend to b e c o m e involved in s i t u a t i o n s w h i c h are very s i m i l a r , t i m e and t i m e again. Y o u can b e c o m e very c o m p l a c e n t during t h o s e types of i n c i d e n t s , and it c a n turn bad on 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 care w h a t you say a b o u t be ing b e t t e r prepared. I a l m o s t lost m y l i fe , and I ' l l guara n t e e you , / w o n ' t m a k e t h e 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 typica l creep o n t h e s t ree t . I p r a c t i c e . I d o n ' t b e c o m e c o m p l a c e n t . T h a t ' s w h a t i t ' s al l 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 , and just prac t i c ing at surviving.
T h e w a y s 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 t a k e on of f icers in gunf ights h a v e varied a m a z i n g l y l i t t le s i n c e po l i ce f irst began to carry f i r e a r m s in 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 irst p o l i c e k i l l i n g recorded in N e w Y o r k C i t y , in 1 8 5 4 , o c c u r r e d af ter a b a k e r in terrupted t w o " j u v e n i l e d e l i n q u e n t s " burglar izing h is e s t a b l i s h m e n t . " T h e rogues e s c a p e d , " says t h e of f ic ia l report of t h e i n c i d e n t , " a n d w e r e c lose ly pursued by P a t r o l m a n C a h i l l . H e i m m e d i a te ly c losed in w i t h t h e rasca ls and a s truggle e n s u e d . . . Severa l p i s to l s h o t s w e r e d i s c h a r g e d . . . T h e of f icer gave a groan, s a n k to t h e ground and expired a f e w m i n u t e s l a t e r . " In c l o s e s e q u e n c e in t h e m u s t y old record b o o k s f o l l o w reports of p l a i n c l o t h e s and u n i f o r m e d o f f i c e r s — " t r u s t y guardians of t h e n i g h t " — fata l ly s h o t upon c o n f r o n t i n g a s h o e s tore t h i e f w h o w a s brandish ing ' ' a large h o r s e p i s t o l ' ' . . . w h e n ca l l ed to " q u e l l a d i s t u r b a n c e at an o y s t e r s a l o o n " . . . w h i l e t rying to arrest " a fugi t ive f r o m j u s t i c e " in a l iquor s t o r e . . . d u r i n g t h e pursu i t of " a gang of v a g a b o n d s " w h o had " d e b a u c h e d a w r e t c h e d f e m a l e against her w i l l " . . . a n d w h i l e a t t e m p t i n g to se ize " a m a d m a n " w h o had v o w e d to s h o o t t h e f irst m a n w h o c a m e through h i s h o t e l 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 Patro l 6 6 D e t e c t i v e / S p e c i a l A s s i g n m e n t 2 2 Off D u t y 11
T o t a l 9 9
C I R C U M S T A N C E S A T T H E SCENE O F T H E I N C I D E N T
Percent D i s t u r b a n c e C a l l s 19 Burglary C a l l s 7 Robbery C a l l s 18 A t t e m p t i n g Arrest for C r i m e s o t h e r
t h a n Robbery or Burglary 21 C i v i l D i s o r d e r s 1 Handl ing Pr i soners 4 Inves t iga t ing S u s p i c i o u s P e r s o n s /
C i r c u m s t a n c e s 8 A m b u s h (premedi ta ted and u n p r o v o k e d ) 7 D e a l i n g wi th M e n t a l l y D e r a n g e d 2 T r a f f i c P u r s u i t s and S tops 12
T o t a l 9 9
25
T o d a y , o n l y t h e n a m e s and s o m e of t h e language are di f ferent , 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 rem a i n s e x a c t l y t h e s a m e . T h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y , o f f i cers s t i l l are k i l l e d in bars , s tores and h o m e s , o n s i d e w a l k s and h i g h w a y s , in a l l eys 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 of f i cers are :
• a t t e m p t i n g arres ts • responding to d o m e s t i c d i s t u r b a n c e s • i n v e s t i g a t i n g robber ies - in -progress , and • c o n d u c t i n g traf f ic p u r s u i t s and s t o p s .
( T h e degree of danger w i t h i n t h e s e broad c a t e g o r i e s m a y vary w i t h c i r c u m s t a n c e s . T h e danger 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 , t e n d s to b e h e i g h t e n e d w h e n o n l y o n e of f i cer is o n t h e s c e n e ; robbery- in -progress ca l l s are apt t o be m o r e dangerous to of f i cers in c o n c e n t r a t e d u r b a n areas t h a n in rural areas , w h e r e t h e d i s t a n c e an of f icer m u s t t ravel in responding o f t e n a l l o w s t h e s u s p e c t t i m e to f lee . )
No a s s i g n m e n t c a n be c o n s i d e r e d " s a f e , " h o w ever . N o r c a n any 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 are k i l l ed in dayl ight , at n ight , 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 , ins ide p o l i c e s t a t i o n s , ja i l s and judges ' c h a m b e r s and o n t h e 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 in 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 in n i n e of t h o s e w h o die are of f -duty at t h e t i m e t h e y are a t t a c k e d . O n c e y o u carry a badge, y o u ' r e e x p o s e d to t h e r i s k of a gun-f ight at al l h o u r s , al l p l a c e s , o n all days , in al l seasons , and u n d e r all c i r c u m s t a n c e s — j u s t as your c o u n t e r p a r t s w e r e m o r e t h a n a c e n t u r y ago, w h e n t h e ta l ly of l ives lost began .
W h a t ' s e s p e c i a l l y d i s turb ing is t h a t o f f i cers to day s t i l l 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 in 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 p e r s i s t e n t 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 of f icer in jur ies and d e a t h s .
Af ter m o r e t h a n 1 0 0 years of c o n s i s t e n c y in t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s and o u t c o m e s of o f f i cer - invo lved 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 f i n a l l y b e g i n n i n g to r e c o g n i z e t h e core p r o b l e m : a large gap e x i s t s bet w e e n t h e t ra in ing m o s t o f f i cers r e c e i v e in h o w to defend t h e i r l ives and t h e k i n d s of c h a l l e n g e s to the i r defense t h e y a c t u a l l y c o n f r o n t on t h e job . In shor t , 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 impor t a n t — t h a n in t h e area of f i r e a r m s .
M o s t i n i t i a l r e c r u i t range t r a i n i n g and s u b s e q 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 s h o o t i n g s t a t i o n a r y paper or m e t a l targets 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 and d e l i b e r a t e . T h e r a n g e m a s t e r ho l lers o u t a m e a s u r e d c o u n t d o w n : ' 'Ready o n t h e r ight ! .. .Ready o n t h e l e f t ! . . .Ready o n t h e f i r ing 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 ight a l i g n m e n t , tr igger s q u e e z e and proper f o l l o w -t h r o u g h . Af ter s h o o t i n g e a c h r o u n d , y o u m a y b e to ld to r e - h o l s t e r your gun, and w h e n y o u re load, y o u ' r e c a u t i o n e d to d u m p y o u r brass in a b u c k e t or put it in your p o c k e t to k e e p t h e range t idy. 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 your gun or a m m u n i t i o n m a l f u n c t i o n , y o u jus t s t i c k your h a n d in t h e air and c a l l t i m e - o u t .
2 8
B u t , rea l l i fe -or-death episodes , as surv ivors are q u i c k to po int o u t , are dras t i ca l ly d i f ferent . S h o o t - o u t s t end to be at c l o s e q u a r t e r s , q u i c k and dark. Y o u r target s h o o t s at you...and m o v e s . W h i l e y o u ' r e t rying to d u c k b u l l e t s , see h i m and fire b a c k , you m a y be s c r a m b l i n g for foot ing o n i c e , t ry ing to k e e p your b a l a n c e on a r i c k e t y f ire escape , or f ending off s t o n e s and b o t t l e s hur led f r o m an angry c r o w d . Y o u r gun m a y b e w o b b l i n g , b e c a u s e y o u ' r e p a n t i n g and 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 cover , y o u m a y h a v e to rol l t h r o u g h a p a t c h of c a c tus or over b r o k e n glass . Y o u m a y run o u t of a m m u n i t i o n before your assa i lan t does , and w h i l e y o u ' r e struggl ing to re load, h e m a y r u s h y o u . Y o u m a y face m u l t i p l e s u s p e c t s in di f ferent 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 guns t h a n yours , a l l f ir ing at o n c e . Y o u m a y b e c o m e w o u n d e d and s tar t p u m p i n g b l o o d . Or at t h e sp l i t - second y o u need to s h o o t to save your l ife, your gun m a y m a l f u n c t i o n .
For c e r t a i n , w h e n y o u are under sudden s t ress and fear, your pupils di lat ing, your h e a r t t h u m p i n g , your lungs heaving , your adrenal in surging, your s t o m a c h and b o w e l s in t u r m o i l , y o u r a b i l i t y to dist inguish t i m e , co lors and 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 y o u h a v e t ra ined rea l i s t i ca l ly , t h i s a l o n e m a y cos t y o u your l i fe . In a n o t o r ious h i g h w a y patro l i n c i d e n t , four o f f i cers w e r e k i l led in a gunf ight t h a t b r o k e o u t during a f e l o n y s top . Af ter t h e s h o o t i n g w a s over , o n e of t h e dead of f icers , w h o had re loaded during t h e s h o o t - o u t , reportedly w a s f o u n d w i t h spent car tr idges in h i s p a n t s p o c k e t s . U n d e r f ire , h e had u n c o n s c i o u s l y t a k e n prec ious seconds to do w h a t h e had l earned o n t h e range : e j ec t h i s e m p t i e s i n t o h i s p a l m and stuff t h e m i n t o h is p o c k e t before re loading l ive r o u n d s .
T h e of f icer w h o h a s had l i t t l e or n o t ra in ing or has n o t r e c e n t l y u n d e r g o n e re - t ra in ing is l i k e l y under s t ress s i m p l y to p a n i c . H i s b e h a v i o r c a n b e jus t as t h r e a t e n i n g to h i m s e l f and to o t h e r i n n o c e n t part ies as tha t of t h e of f icer w h o is i m p r o p e r l y t ra ined.
N o one s h o u l d u n d e r e s t i m a t e t h e i m p o r t a n c e tha 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 play 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 regarded 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 product , of survival e x p e r t i s e . And t h e y s h o u l d be u t t e r l y f ree of t h e p r a c t i c e s tha t m a y be c o n v e n i e n t to t h e range staff , b u t jeopardiz ing to t h e o f f i cers in w h o m t h e y h a v e b e c o m e ingra ined (such as p u t t i n g e m p t y s h e l l cases in your p o c k e t to avoid c l u t t e r i n g up t h e grass) .
S o m e a g e n c i e s h a v e m o d e r n i z e d the i r f i r e a r m s t ra in ing to i n c l u d e i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g , d i m - l i g h t f ir ing, s t ress c o u r s e s and c l o s e , m u l t i p l e and m o v i n g
targets in s i m u l a t e d s t r e e t s i t u a t i o n s . S o m e , in doing so , h a v e b e e n s tar t led to d i s c o v e r t h a t o f f i cers w h o h a v e b e e n w i n n i n g target s h o o t i n g t rophies o f ten are u n a b l e to h i t " c o m b a t " targets at 8 to 10 feet , p a r t i c u l a r l y w h e n t h e targets are m o v i n g . In m o s t j u r i s d i c t i o n s , h o w e v e r , range f a c i l i t i e s r e m a i n i n a d e q u a t e , i n s t r u c t i o n m i n i m a l and t h e t e c h n i q u e s 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 a p p l i c a t i o n .
As a b e g i n n i n g for your surv iva l a w a r e n e s s , y o u need to k n o w jus t w h a t f a c t o r s y o u are l i k e l y to h a v e to deal w i t h in a real s h o o t i n g s i t u a t i o n . Y o u m a y f ind it sober ing to c o m p a r e t h e t ra in ing y o u h a v e rec e i v e d to date 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 of f i cer w h o assessed h is f o r m a l i n s t r u c t i o n t h i s w a y : " I t s e e m s l i k e t h e y give y o u a b o w and arrow and send y o u out t h e r e to do your 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 ever e x a c t l y a l i k e , b u t over t h e years r e c o r d s h a v e b e e n k e p t , c e r t a i n recurr ing p a t t e r n s h a v e b e e n ident i f i ed . O f c o u r s e , o n e s h o u l d a l w a y s t ra in for t h e e x c e p t i o n as w e l l as t h e r u l e . B u t w h e r e t r a d i t i o n a l f i r e a r m s i n s t r u c t i o n fal ls shor t is in preparing i t s t r a i n e e s only for 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 rea l i t i e s i n d i c a t e :
D i s t a n c e : W h i l e m o s t range p r a c t i c e i n v o l v e s targets set at 7 t o 5 0 yards, spans of less than 7 yards e x i s t b e t w e e n of f icers and 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 of f i cers are k i l l ed , t h e y are o n l y 0 to 10 feet f r o m the i r a s s a i l a n t s in t h e vas t m a j o r i t y of c a s e s ; 1 ha l f are 5 feet or l ess , c l o s e e n o u g h m a n y t i m e s to t o u c h e a c h o t h e r . O f t h e m o r e t h a n 2 5 0 of f icer d e a t h s 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 feet a w a y . Y e t , 2 1 feet is t h e d i s t a n c e at w h i c h m o s t range t ra in ing s tar t s and 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 to t h i n k in t e r m s of re la t ive ly vas t spat ia l r e l a t i o n ships , 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 to b e less t h a n ha l f t h e l e n g t h of your patro l car , or t h e l e n g t h of your a r m , a w a y .
Light : In c o n t r a s t to 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 ighted range , m o r e t h a n t w o o u t of t h r e e fa ta l o f f i cer s h o o t i n g s o c c u r during t h e h o u r s of
1 FBI " L a w Enforcement Officers Killed" Summaries.
darkness or in l o c a t i o n s w h e r e t h e l ight is very d i m , l ike h a l l w a y s , 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 ight of s tars or t h e m o o n , or a s t reet l a m p ha l f a b l o c k a w a y . T h e l ight m a y be so poor tha t y o u w o n ' t be able to see t h e s ights on your gun w h e n y o u n e e d to r e t u r n f i re .
T i m e : T h e t i m e you t a k e to p o s i t i o n yourse l f on t h e range is probably longer t h a n m o s t gunf ights las t . C o n f r o n t a t i o n s are sudden affairs , over 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, s tand in prof i le , and t a k e careful a i m at your target . Y o u and t h e s u s p e c t together are n o t l i k e l y to fire m o r e t h a n a t o t a l of 3 shots , w h e t h e r t h e s i t u a t i o n is an a m b u s h , an a r m e d robbery or a f a m i l y f i g h t . 2 In t h e m a j o r i t y of c a s e s , t h e in i t i a l e x c h a n g e of f ire 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 speed w i t h w h i c h y o u c a n reac t to danger, there fore , is l i k e l y to be a m o r e c r i t i c a l c o m m o d i ty 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 ever need, but t i m e is a l m o s t always in short supply .
1-"Carrying Duty A m m o for Revolvers ," by Ed Lovette, New Mexico Lawman, January, 1977.
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
L o c a t i o n : O f f i c e r - i n v o l v e d s h o o t i n g s o c c u r ring o u t d o o r s o u t n u m b e r t h o s e ins ide by 2Vi to l . 3
W h e n t h e s u s p e c t is w i t h i n a bu i ld ing of s o m e sort , y o u m a y h a v e t i m e to c o n t a i n h i m and to plan and get a s s i s t a n c e . B u t o u t s i d e , fas t , p o s i t i v e a c t i o n m a y be d e m a n d e d to p r e v e n t h is e s c a p e or to save your l i fe and o t h e r s . T h e m a j o r i t y of o u t d o o r 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 and s i d e w a l k s or in a l l eys or yards . T h a t c a n m e a n pass ing m o t o r i s t s , shoppers , k ids playing, people l e a n i n g f r o m w i n d o w s . . . a s w e l l as f e l l o w of f i cers or h o s t a g e s in t h e i m m e d i a t e v i c i n i ty . Rigid sa fe ty ru les p r o t e c t e v e r y o n e o n t h e range, b u t in real l i fe , your a s s a i l a n t w i l l l i k e l y s h o o t w i t h t o t a l disregard 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 f ire , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , w i l l h a v e to safe ly a c c o m m o date 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 legal ly r e s p o n s i b l e for w h e r e v e r your b u l l e t s i m p a c t , e v e n severa l t h o u s a n d yards d o w n range .
Assai lants : O n t h e range , y o u t y p i c a l l y s h o o t at o n e s t a t i o n a r y target at a t i m e . A t l eas t four out 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 one 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 days for a r m e d robbers and o t h e r c r i m i n a l s t o e m p l o y b a c k up m e n . O f t e n t h e s e indiv iduals are n o t readi ly i d e n t i f i a b l e as s u s p e c t s and m a y e s c a p e your n o t i c e u n t i l t h e y open f i re . Y o u m a y f ind t h e m p o s i t i o n e d at d i f ferent h e i g h t s t h a n y o u are, at di f ferent dist a n c e s a w a y , and at d i f ferent angles to you , and t h e y are q u i t e l i k e l y t o b e 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 re turn- f i re c a p a b i l i t i e s .
W e a p o n s : T h e r e are n o c o u n t e r - w e a p o n s o n t h e average range ; t h e target t a k e s your f ire and n e v e r r e s p o n d s . O n t h e s t ree t , your targets n o t o n l y f ire b a c k , b u t t h e y g e n e r a l l y f ire fiist...and the i r g u n s m a y be b a l l i s t i c a l l y super ior . O n e sur v e y indic a t e s t h a t a b o u t 15 per 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 les , w h e r e a s f ewer t h a n 5 per c e n t of t h e of f i cers 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 . 4 O f of f i cers w h o are k i l l ed , h o w ever , seven o u t of t e n die f r o m handgun w o u n d s . M o r e t h a n 8 0 per c e n t of t h e g u n s used in t h e s e a s s a u l t s are 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 er . M a n y h a v e b e e n s t o l e n , e i t h e r burglar ized or b o u g h t f r o m f e n c e s . M i l i t a r y and h i g h - q u a l i t y l a w e n f o r c e m e n t w e a p o n s w i t h a r m o r - p i e r c i n g rounds are eas i ly ava i lab le to c r i m i n a l s f r o m i l legal s o u r c e s . In s o m e c a s e s , c r i m i n a l i n g e n u i t y c a n m a k e a s tandard 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 suspec t loaded s h o t g u n s h e l l s w i t h d i m e s to p r o d u c e a deadl ier i m p a c t at c l o s e range. ) F r o m your p o i n t of
3- Target Blue, Robert Daley, Dell Publishing Company, 1978. 4 " A n a l y s i s of Police Combat Situations," New York City Police Depart
ment, 1974.
view, the most dangerous gun is still the .38 Special revolver.5 S u s p e c t s favor i t , s t a t i s t i c a l l y , over 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 c a l . , . 3 2 ca l . and . 3 5 7 M a g n u m in t h a t d e s c e n d i n g order. In about 2 0 per c e n t of t h e c a s e s , t h e gun used to k i l l an of f icer is h i s own se rv ice f i r e a r m , 6 w r e s t e d f r o m his h a n d or h is h o l s t e r b y h i s w o u l d - b e target and turned against 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 range t ra in ing . W h a t e v e r w e a p o n is used, t h e s u s p e c t in m o s t c a s e s w i l l 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 ive an a s s a i l a n t an addi t ional edge, espec ia l ly w h e n , as s o m e t i m e s happens , t h e v i c t i m off icer , under s t ress , rever ts to t h e s lower , recru i t range- ins t i l l ed h a b i t of f i r ing s ingle-a c t i o n .
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.
3 4
Suspects Who Shoot
Just as p u n c h i n g paper targets fa i l s to r e f l e c t t h e w e a p o n r y and m o s t o t h e r c o n f r o n t a t i o n p a r a m e t e r s , 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 tor ies m a y , in equa l m e a s u r e , fai l to prepare y o u for t h e m e n and w o m e n w h o s tand b e h i n d t h e revo lvers , the s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s , t h e r i f les , t h e s h o t g u n s , t h e m a c h i n e - g u n s , t h e pen g u n s , t h e p e l l e t g u n s , t h e zip guns , and 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 g u n s tha t y o u m a y c o n f r o n t o n t h e s t ree t . Y e t , b e c a u s e t h e y u s u a l l y d i c t a t e t h e c r i t i c a l fac tors in a s h o o t i n g — l i k e t i m e , d i s t a n c e and l o c a t i o n — u n d e r s t a n d i n g the 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 probably fire t h e f irst r o u n d . H e m a y do so out of p a n i c , desperat ion , c o n f u s i o n , anger , fear , d e r a n g e m e n t , exas p era t ion , r e v e n g e , i n t o x i c a t i o n , h a l l u c i n a t i o n , po l i t i ca l zeal or su ic ida l y e a r n i n g . B u t t h e fac t r e m a i n s tha t , w h a t e v e r t h e m o t i v a t i o n , a s izeable propor t ion 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 jus t b e c a u s e y o u are an of f icer . Indeed, it m a y be tha t very s t a t u s tha t i m p e l s t h e m to f i r e — espec ia l ly w h e n you s tand b e t w e e n t h e m and escape .
At s o m e leve l , of course , even if i t ' s s u b c o n sc ious , an a r m e d suspec t faced w i t h your p r e s e n c e m u s t dec ide w h e t h e r to run, surrender or s h o o t ; f ew, if any , are forced to f ire on p o l i c e . Again , 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 be drawn, and i t ' s r i sky n o t to 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 ev ident a m o n g t h o s e w h o c h o o s e to s q u e e z e t h e tr igger .
O f s u s p e c t s w h o k i l l o f f icers , b e t t e r t h a n 9 6 per c e n t are m a l e , near ly hal f n a t i o n w i d e are b l a c k ( m u c h h igher in s o m e urban areas) , m o s t are under 3 0 . 7 ( T h i s is n o t to say, of c o u r s e , t h a t w o m e n and ch i ldren , C a u c a s i a n s and t h e e lderly c a n b e ruled o u t as dangerous s u s p e c t s . Indiv iduals in 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 cers , t o o o f t e n w i t h t h e greates t a m o u n t of surpr ise . ) S u s p e c t s under 2 1 and t h o s e w h o are b l a c k are l i k e l i e s t to c o n f r o n t of f icers w h i l e in t h e c o m p a n y of o t h e r s , w h i l e t h o s e over 3 0 and w h i t e t end to a c t a l o n e . 8
L i k e you , t h e average assa i lant is a pro. O v e r 6 0 per c e n t h a v e b e e n arrested before o n c r i m i n a l charges , a b o u t 4 0 per 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, robbery or assau l t . A s izeab le p e r c e n t a g e h a v e been granted l e n i e n c y o n a previous c o n v i c t i o n and are on probat ion or parole at t h e t i m e of t h e s h o o t ing.
7 FBI " L a w Enforcement Officers Killed" Summaries. &Shots Fired: An Examination of New York City Police Firearms Dis
charges, James Fyfe, 1978.
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 ra ined 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 probably h a v e if y o u are an average o f f i cer . A m o n g t h e c r i m i n a l group, e spe c ia l ly , m a n y are a lso a s t u t e s tud e n t s of p o l i c e t a c t i c s . In pr i sons , 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 are surr o u n d e d by " e x p e r t s . " It is n o t u n c o m m o n for inm a t e s to h o l d i n f o r m a l s e m i n a r s o n p o l i c e m a n e u v e r s — h o w y o u ex i t patro l cars , h o w y o u approach traf f ic s tops , 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 y o u h a n d l e w e a p o n s , e t c . A n d in t h e rec r e a t i o n yard, i n m a t e s o f ten p r a c t i c e a m o n g t h e m se lves w a y s to d i sarm and m u r d e r o f f i cers . S o m e h a v e b e e n t ra ined in m a r t i a l ar ts , 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 Is land p o l i c e c a p t a i n ) , m o s t do h a v e a pre-arranged plan, h o w e v e r c rude , 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 by t h e p o l i c e .
36
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.
W h e n t h e y s h o o t as part of t h a t plan, t h e y are l i k e l y to do so 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 an A r i z o n a cop k i l l e r : " A l l I fe 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 of f i cers , e s p e c i a l l y t h o s e w i t h l i m i t e d e x p e r i e n c e o n t h e s t ree t , t h i s k i n d of i cy savagery is o n e of t h e hardes 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 to i n t e r n a l i z e . I t ' s h u m a n n a t u r e to e x p e c t s o m e r a t i o n a l i t y 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 an I l l i n o i s p r i s o n of f i c ia l e x p l a i n e d after i n m a t e s co ldb loodedly m u r d e r e d three guards at a c o r r e c t i o n a l f a c i l i t y in tha t s t a t e : " T h e t r u t h is t h e r e are a lot of people w h o are jus t v i c i o u s . T h e y d o n ' t h a v e to h a v e any c a u s e to k i l l . "
O f t e n , s u s p e c t s w h o w i l l t a k e y o u o n 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 r e s e n t and defy a u t h o r i t y . F r o m c h i l d h o o d o n , in t h e i r h o m e s , in t h e i r s c h o o l s , in t h e i r gangs , in the i r f r a g m e n t e d p e r s o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s , t h e i r p r i n c i p a l 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 irst in a l l b u t t h e rarest s i t u a t i o n s . Faced w i t h arrest and a p o s s i b l e pr ison t e r m , t h e s u s p e c t m a y fee l h e h a s n o t h i n g to lose by 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 and u s u a l l y p r e s u m e s y o u are t ra ined . 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 to get shot , to 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 . And w h e n h e m a k e s t h e d e c i s i o n to pul 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 has o n e o b j e c t i v e o n l y : to get on target as fast as p o s s i b l e and b l o w " t h a t c o p " o u t of h i s s o c k s .
Officer Attitudes
W h i l e t h e s u s p e c t ' s b a c k g r o u n d and desperat ion m a y be b o l s t e r i n g h is i n s t i n c t to s h o o t , a h o s t of c o n s t r a i n t s are l i k e l y conspi r ing to delay your r e a c t i o n . As you perce ive h i s t h r e a t and begin to react , your m i n d m a y f lash 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 spl i t -second, 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 to your 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 deadly f o r c e . . . w h e t h e r y o u c a n jus t i fy it in a report to your s u p e r i o r s . . . w h e t h e r your a c t i o n w i l l be s u s t a i n e d 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 board, m o n t h s later , in a s ter i le 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 n e v e r be r e c r e a t e d .
N a t i o n w i d e , 9 2 per c e n t of s h o o t i n g s by p o l i c e are la ter ruled jus t i f i ed , w i t h n o r e p r i m a n d or sus p e n s i o n ; 9 u s u a l l y unb iased w i t n e s s e s are a r o u n d and can help c lear t h e of f icer invo lved . O n l y a t i n y f rac t ion of s u s p e c t s h o o t i n g s are ever referred for c r i m i n a l p r o s e c u t i o n , and in a s m a l l e r f r a c t i o n s t i l l do jur ies c o n v i c t — o n l y 3 o u t of 1 , 5 0 0 cases in o n e survey. B u t y o u k n o w tha t very s p e c i f i c r u l e s e x i s t , by l a w and d e p a r t m e n t po l i cy , for t h e u s e of deadly force, and, if y o u are l i k e m o s t o f f i cers , a d o u b t f u l h e s i t a t i o n w i l l af fect your r e a c t i o n .
R u l e s as ide, y o u m a y n o t want to s h o o t . M a n y off icers opt n o t to e v e n w h e n t h e y h a v e a c lear r ight to do so . In C h i c a g o , an e x - c o n v i c t , m i f f e d b e c a u s e the p o l i c e had n o t recovered a car h e c l a i m e d w a s s to len f r o m h i m , invaded a po l i ce s t a t i o n and w i t h out w a r n i n g began f ir ing a gun, se r ious ly w o u n d i n g t w o of f i cers . A p a t r o l m a n in a p o s i t i o n to s h o o t b a c k c h o s e ins tead t o tackle t h e a s s a i l a n t , e v e n though h e h i m s e l f had d u c k e d three of t h e m a n ' s b u l l e t s . In one eas tern c a s e , a p a t r o l m a n w a s disarmed by a m a n w h o t h e n shot at h i m , b u t m i s s e d . T h e of f icer w r e s t l e d h i m to t h e ground, and by k i c k ing h i m and b i t ing h i s face , f ina l ly got t h e gun b a c k . " I rea l ly w a n t e d to k i l l h i m , " t h e o f f i cer said la ter , " 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 b u t t i n s t e a d . " E v e n w i t h t h e i r o w n l ives in jeopardy, a m o r a l r e p u g n a n c e toward k i l l ing k e p t t h e s e off icers f r o m us ing the i r s i d e a r m s .
O n e l i m i t e d s tudy has suggested tha t t h e s e x of your par tner m a y i n f l u e n c e y o u r r e a c t i o n . T h e evi dence suggests tha t m a l e of f icers w i t h m a l e par tners genera l ly are m o r e r e l u c t a n t to u s e t h e i r g u n s and are gui l ty of m o r e m i s t a k e s in c lear ly p e r c e i v i n g danger and r e a c t i n g t o it t h a n are m a l e of f i cers w i t h f e m a l e par tners . 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 e x p e r i e n c e 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
arousa l as t h e y w o r k and t h u s are m o r e a t t u n e d to p i c k i n g up s u b t l e c l u e s to danger in t h e i r e n v i r o n m e n t . 1 0
In s o m e c a s e s , y o u r d e c i s i o n t o s h o o t m a y b e c o l o r e d 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 s u s p e c t . In a b o u t 2 7 per 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 of f i cers are k i l l e d , t h e y k n o w t h e i r a s s a i l a n t s . 1 1 In s u c h c i r c u m s t a n c e s , y o u m a y be t e m p t e d to re lax y o u r v i g i l a n c e and n o t t a k e cover e v e n if y o u see h e is a r m e d . If y o u ' v e had previous 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 in w h i c h y o u ' v e b e e n ab le to t a l k h i m out of dras 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 h o p e for " r e a s o n i n g " t h e c o n f r o n t a t i o n to c o n c l u s i o n r a t h e r t h a n s h o o t i n g it o u t .
P r o b a b l y your greates t 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. Y o u ' v e 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 to avoid in jury in so m a n y s i t u a t i o n s t h a t y o u begin to b e l i e v e y o u w i l l n e v e r be u n s u c c e s s f u l . M o r e o v e r , t h r o u g h m o v i e s , t e l e v i s i o n and an endur ing c u l t u r a l m y t h , y o u ' v e b e e n b o m b a r d e d all your l i fe w i t h t h e concept of t h e l a w m a n as an i n v u l n e r a b l e super -hero , capable 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 t h a t c o m e s h i s w a y , w i t h n e v e r a t h o u g h t e v e n to t h e p o s s i b i l i t y h e m i g h t die . In w e s t e r n s , t h e i m a g e 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 be a m a r s h a l u n t i l y o u ride a wi ld h o r s e b a r e b a c k w i t h a barbed-w i r e br idle at fu l l gal lop w i t h a t i n cup of red w h i s k e y in y o u r lef t hand , rope a j a c k r a b b i t w i t h your r ight h a n d , and d o n ' t spil l a d r o p . " In t h e cop te le v i s i o n s h o w s , t h e legend is updated w i t h c u s t o m ized M a g n u m s and s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s and an endless supply 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 o f f i cers d o — y o u ' r e said to suffer t h e " S u p e r m a n s y n d r o m e . " Y o u b e l i e v e t h a t s i m p l y by m a k i n g a c o m m i t m e n t , by p u t t i n g your body 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 c a n face d o w n a n y 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 and bravado over a l l . O f c o u r s e , to be a " g o o d c o p , " y o u m u s t , of n e c e s s i t y , be aggress ive ; t a k i n g c h a n c e s , p laying h u n c h e s and so on are al l 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 aggress ive c o n d u c t , t h e n y o u fal l 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 r e a l - l i f e — o r m o r e appropr ia te ly , real-death— i l l u s t r a t i o n is provided by t h e middle -aged M a s s a c h u s e t t s d e t e c t i v e w h o responded to a s i l en t a l a r m at a l o c a l c l u b . T w o u n i f o r m e d of f icers had b e a t e n h i m to t h e p lace , seen t h a t 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, 1978.
11 FBI " L a w Enforcement Officers Killed" Summaries.
and properly 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 to a w a i t a s s i s t a n c e . W h e n t h e d e t e c t i v e arr ived, t h e y w a r n e d 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 and brazenly headed i n t o t h e bui ld ing . H e n o s o o n e r set foot ins ide t h e c l u b t h a n h e w a s fa ta l ly shot in t h e face .
S u c h an a t t i t u d e invites h o s t i l e f i re . And w h e n it c o m e s , t h e S u p e r m a n type , w h o t y p i c a l l y h a s u n d e r e s t i m a t e d t h e adversary, m a y f reeze up, n o t k n o w i n g w h a t t o do. C h a n c e s are h e ' s under-t ra ined, as w e l l as o v e r c o n f i d e n t . S u c h of f icers typica l ly " q u a l i f y " in t h e use 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 requir ing t h e m to do s o — n o t b e c a u s e t h e y feel 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 ion or t o e n a b l e t h e m to do a b e t t e r j o b . T h e y do virtual ly n o t ra in ing v o l u n t a r i l y . A c c o r d i n g to an F B I s tudy, n e a r l y 4 0 per c e n t of t h e of f i cers k i l l e d during o n e r e v i e w period had n o t rece ived any i n - s e r v i c e f i rearms t ra in ing at a l l for at l eas t t h r e e years before get t ing s h o t .
E v e n if y o u ' r e r e l a t i v e l y free of c o m p l a c e n c y and 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 are y o u ' v e b e e n a f fec ted e n o u g h by t h e s e i n f l u e n c e s to b e start led at b e i n g s h o t . In c o n t r a s t to m a n y s u s p e c t s , m o s t o f f i cers s u b c o n s c i o u s l y don't e x p e c t ever to get s h o t ; in our m y t h o l o g y , " g o o d " guys rarely do . W o u n d e d , m o r e t h a n o n e of f i cer h a s g o n e i n t o i m m 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 s h o o t b a c k and a c t u a l l y h i t t h e i r assa i l a n t s , m o r e t h a n 7 0 per c e n t fa i l to in f l i c t n e u t r a l i z ing 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 to s h o o t to i n f l i c t w o u n d s capable of s topping t h e i r oppon e n t s ' i l legal 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 e n o u g h t o del iver s h o t s to t h a t area .
S t a t i s t i c a l l y , jus t as a s s a i l a n t s t e n d t o re f l ec t c e r t a i n b a c k g r o u n d s , so do t h e of f i cers 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 cers k i l l e d are w h i t e , m a l e , of patrol s t a t u s ( 6 6 per c e n t ) , in u n i f o r m , ass igned to a pat ro l car , and w o r k i n g w i t h a par tner or b a c k - u p in rural or s u b u r b a n areas or in c i t i e s u n d e r 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 p o p u l a t i o n .
M o r e t h a n 6 0 per c e n t are f r o m 2 5 to 4 0 years old, and t h e y h a v e a m e d i a n of f ive years 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 t h e l e a s t e x p e r i e n c e d of f icers to b e t h e m o s t vul n e r a b l e , ye t o n l y a b o u t 13 per c e n t h a v e less t h a n a y e a r ' s s e r v i c e . 1 2
H e r e again, a t t i t u d e s e e m s to h a v e a bear ing . As a n e w of f icer , y o u m a y n o t e x p e r i e n c e so m a n y fa lse a l a r m s t h a t y o u develop c a s u a l p a t t e r n s for responding to ca l l s w i t h i n your f i rs t year . A s y o u head t o wa r d t h e f ive-year m a r k , t h o u g h , y o u ' r e l i k e l i e r to feel y o u k n o w and h a v e seen every th ing , y o u m a y begin to s u c c u m b to peer pressure to b e b l a s e . Y o u m a y discard or forget or d i s m i s s w h a t y o u k n e w a b o u t survival and m a k e n o effort to l earn 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 w i l l i n g to s h o o t , y o u m a y t h e n b e a s i t t ing d u c k .
The Survival State of Mind
T h e f irst s tep in surviving o n t h e s t ree t is to adjust y o u r m e n t a l a t t i t u d e s , in l ight 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 and t h e p e r s p e c t i v e s b o t h y o u and t h e s u s p e c t are l i k e l y to br ing to a c o n f r o n t a t i o n . T h i s i n v o l v e s r e m i n d i n g yourse l f repeatedly t h a t :
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 ion , 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 s u s p e c t ' s b a c k g r o u n d , a t t i t u d e s , m o t i v a t ion, w i l l i n g n e s s to r e a s o n and i n c l i n a t i o n to s h o o t m a y be q u i t e d i f ferent f r o m your o w n ;
3 . there are legal , m o r a l , and 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 tha t m u s t b e a n t i c ipated and persona l ly reso lved before a confrontation,-
4 . it m a y be n e c e s s a r y at a n y t i m e to t a k e a l i fe to save your o w n or s o m e o n e e l s e ' s ;
5 . p rac t i ca l p r o f i c i e n c y w i t h f i r e a r m s i n c l u d e s learning and prac t i c ing n e w t e c h n i q u e s under s t ress in as r e a l i s t i c an e n v i r o n m e n t as is poss ib le to s i m u l a t e , and
6. w i t h preparedness , prep lanning and proper p h y s i c a l f i t nes s , y o u can avoid m i s t a k e s of less f o r t u n a t e of f icers and s u c c e s s f u l l y c o n c lude m o s t s u s p e c t e n c o u n t e r s .
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 to t h e rea l i t i es of c o n f r o n t a t i o n — b y w h i c h y o u c a n pro jec t t h e s e a t t i t u d e s i n t o an e f f e c t i v e defense s y s t e m .
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!
4 4
APPROACH TO DANGER
T o w a i t u n t i l y o u n e e d to draw and fire your g u n to t h i n k a b o u t survival t a c t i c s is l i k e w a i t i n g u n t i l y o u ' r e c o u g h i n g up b lood to t h i n k a b o u t a n n u a l phys ica l c h e c k u p s . Y o u should h a v e surviva l in your c o n s c i o u s t h o u g h t s t h e m o m e n t y o u r e c e i v e an ass i g n m e n t , for t h e m o v e s you m a k e at t h e o u t s e t m a y d i rec t ly af fect t h e o u t c o m e . B y proper ly p l a n n i n g your approach to a ca l l , y o u m a y be ab le to 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 proves i m p o s s i b le , y o u w i l l h a v e p o s i t i o n e d yourse l f w h e r e y o u are exposed to t h e least r i s k and 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 of f i cers go w r o n g is in a s s u m i n g that 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 and there fore approaching it on w h a t a m o u n t s to a u t o m a t i c p i lo t . T h e y fai l to c o n s i d e r tha t , going in, t h e r e is a great deal a b o u t any s i t u a t i o n and t h e people i n v o l v e d tha 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 set of c i r c u m s t a n c e s o n t h e bas i s of a p p e a r a n c e s or past e x p e r i e n c e , t h e y m a y f ind t h e m s e l v e s c o n front ing qui te 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 , for e x a m p l e , a sergeant w h o stopped to he lp a t eenage c o u p l e in a d isabled car did n o t k n o w t h e girl w a s an e s c a p e e or t h a t t h e y w o u l d k i l l h i m b e c a u s e t h e y t h o u g h t h e i n t e n d e d t o arrest her . A M i l w a u k e e p a t r o l m a n responding to a d is tur b a n c e at a h o u s e w h e r e p o l i c e had b e e n f i f ty prev ious 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 t h e h u s b a n d beat ing h i s wi fe h a d p i c k e d up a . 3 0 - 0 6 r i f le on h i s w a y h o m e and w o u l d s h o o t t h e of f icer for " m e s s i n ' i n . " A G e o r g i a o f f i cer w h o w a l k e d up to t h e door of a c o c k t a i l l o u n g e t h a t w a s ajar after n o r m a l c los ing t i m e did n o t k n o w — u n t i l he w a s shot d e a d — t h a t an a r m e d burglar w a s ins ide .
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 ree t or r e c e i v e an a s s i g n m e n t f r o m a d i s p a t c h e r , a l l y o u k n o w for c e r t a i n is t h e genera l d i r e c t i o n in w h i c h to p r o c e e d . W h a t y o u ' l l f ind w h e n y o u arr ive , t h e r e ' s n o w a y of t e l l ing .
W i t h a surviva l o r i e n t a t i o n , y o u k e e p t h i s f i rmly in m i n d and 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 , an of fender h a s a p lan in m i n d for h o w h e w i l l s h o o t . S o y o u w a n t to plan ahead , too , b u t y o u ' l l h a v e to le t t h e circumstances dictate tactics, n o t v i c e versa .
E a c h s tep 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 an of fender m i g h t h a v e for s h o o t i n g at y o u and t h e w a y s in w h i c h y o u m i g h t fores ta l l or respond to an a t t a c k . In o t h e r words , y o u m a k e a h a b i t of f iguring, " I f 'A ' h a p p e n s , I ' m going to do ' B , ' " adj u s t i n g for n e w d e v e l o p m e n t s as y o u go . I t ' s a hab i t y o u p r a c t i c e f a i t h f u l l y , regardless of your ass ignm e n t . H o w e v e r crude, y o u d i s c u s s your p l a n n e d m o v e m e n t s w i t h your p a r t n e r and r e h e a r s e t h e m m e n t a l l y , and h a v e a b a c k - u p plan in m i n d in case t h e f irst fa i l s . O n c e t h e a c t i o n s tar t s , y o u w o n ' t h a v e t i m e to t h i n k t h i n g s out r a t i o n a l l y . You have to be ready to carry out your plan instinctively, w i t h 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 poss ib le , y o u w a n t to cultivate tactics that are unexpected, to b e " 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 of f i cers responding in pred ic tab le , " r o u t i n e " w a y s to assignm e n t s , and if y o u are ab le to 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 b e able to t h w a r t an a s s a i l a n t ' s p lan w h i l e s t r e n g t h e n i n g your o w n p o s i t i o n .
W i t h s o m e c a l l s — " s h o t s f i r e d , " " m a n w i t h a g u n , " c r i m e s - i n - p r o g r e s s and d i s t u r b a n c e s w h e r e a f i rearm m a y b e a v a i l a b l e — y o u h a v e an early warning of poss ib le 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 h a v e to depend o n being o b s e r v a n t 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 there is some c l u e or " d a n g e r s i g n " to v i o l e n c e , s o m e t h i n g about a s c e n e or a s u s p e c t ' s b e h a v i o r tha t i s n ' t q u i t e r ight . 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 on h i s part or so s m a l l a th ing as h is 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 in h i s rear -v iew m i r r o r as y o u approach o n a traff ic s t o p . W i t h t a c t i c s and a m e n t a l a t t i t u d e tha t s t ress a n t i c i p a t i o n , y o u ' l l be in t h e b e s t p o s i t i o n 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 to pay a t tent ion to i t .
M a n y of f i cers get t h e m s e l v e s s h o t at by app r o a c h i n g an a s s i g n m e n t c a r e l e s s l y , h a s t i l y , s loppily 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 f a m i l iar i ty breeds c o m p l a c e n c y . As an a r m o r e d car driver in C o n n e c t i c u t said af ter three of h i s f e l l o w guards
were m u r d e r e d by robbers , " T h e hard part is t h a t after a w h i l e y o u b e c o m e lax . Y o u r ' r e n o t 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 tha t t h e r e is n o o n e r ight w a y to w o r k and n o o n e w a y to b e t o t a l l y prepared at al l t i m e s . T r u e . B u t there are approach t a c t i c s tha t involve r ight t h i n k i n g , and it is c e r t a i n l y poss ib le to develop preparedness far b e y o n d tha t displayed b y m a n y of f i cers w h o b e c o m e i n v o l v e d in gu nf ights .
Here are s o m e proven field t e c h n i q u e s t h a t can help y o u plan, perceive and perform tor surv iva l in a var ie ty of c o m m o n s i t u a t i o n s . T h e y are n o t n e c e s sari ly b l u e p r i n t s that can be applied arb i t rar i ly to every i n s t a n c e , but gu ide l ines and o p t i o n s tha t y o u w i l l w a n t to cons ider , adapt and expand u p o n .
Building Approach
A scenar io tha t o c c u r s w i t h h a u n t i n g f r e q u e n c y 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 off icers k i l l e d c o n c e r n s an of f icer w h o a n s w e r s a d i s t u r b a n c e or robbery- in-progress ca l l , h u r r i e s toward t h e front of t h e r e s i d e n c e or b u s i n e s s es tabl i s h m e n t involved and before h e c a n t a k e appropriate 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 , r if le or h a n d g u n b las t fired at h i m t h r o u g h t h e door . He a n s w e r s a ca l l r o u t i n e l y and is r o u t i n e l y shot , as eas i ly as if h e had a " t e n - r i n g " p a s t e d o n h i s c h e s t .
M o d e r n c o m m u n i c a t i o n puts o f f i cers on t h e s c e n e of any c o m p l a i n t ca l l fas t . T h e c h a n c e s today are greater t h a n ever tha t you w i l l arrive w h i l e t h e a c t i o n is s t i l l in progress or at least w h i l e t h e s u s p e c t is s t i l l in t h e area. Y o u r o b j e c t i v e is c lear : Y o u h a v e to locate t h e p r o b l e m that p r o m p t e d t h e c a l l . . . i s o late t h e offender(s) f rom i n n o c e n t c i v i l i a n s . . . a n d eliminate t h e hazard presented by t h e o f fender (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 coopera t ion in doing all tha t . C a r e e r c r i m i n a l s are a l w a y s ant i c ipa t ing t h e i m m i n e n t arrival of t h e po l i ce and are very of ten wi l l ing to g a m b l e desperate ly for freed o m by c o m m i t t i n g a greater c r i m e t h a n t h e o n e t h e y ' r e invo lved i n — s u c h as your assau l t or h o m i c ide . " A m a t e u r s , " l i k e w i f e - b e a t e r s , p s y c h o s and drunks , are o f ten m o r e t o t a l l y absorbed in w h a t t h e y ' r e doing and are o f ten less v ig i lant . B u t , in t h e pass ion of t h e m o m e n t , t h e y m a y b e jus t as prepared and d e t e r m i n e d to s h o o t .
W h a t you w a n t is an unexpected approach that m a y delay a s u s p e c t ' s a w a r e n e s s of your p r e s e n c e u n t i l y o u have a c h a n c e to assess t h e s i t u a t i o n y o u are c o n f r o n t i n g .
One proper approach to a domestic disturbance call involving a residence.
4 8
Y o u ' r e bes t off to anticipate t h e address y o u ' r e l o o k i n g for as y o u approach t h e s c e n e and p a r k your patrol car three or four doors a w a y on t h e s a m e side of t h e s t ree t , before y o u r e a c h i t . T h i s fores ta l l s your driving d i rec t ly i n t o t h e " k i l l z o n e . " (Here w e ' r e us ing " k i l l z o n e " to m e a n t h a t area w h i c h an a r m e d suspec t in a g iven l o c a t i o n c a n 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 f ire. T h e t e r m also m e a n s t h a t part of t h e a n a t o m y w h e r e i n c o m i n g r o u n d s w i l l m o s t l i k e l y 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 poss ib le . T h a t m e a n s : avoid us ing your e m e r g e n c y l ights and s i ren in your approach (if d e p a r t m e n t pol i cy p e r m i t s ( . . . turn your radio d o w n l o w so i t c a n ' t be heard outs ide your patrol c a r . . . r o u n d corners w i t h o u t squea l ing your t i r e s . . . a t n i g h t , c o n s i der turn ing off your e ng i ne and h e a d l i g h t s and c o a s t ing the last 1 0 0 feet or so before y o u s top , u s i n g t h e e m e r g e n c y b r a k e so as n o t to a c t i v a t e t h e b r a k e l ights . S o m e d e p a r t m e n t s p e r m i t of f icers to d i sconn e c t t h e b u t t o n s in patrol car doors t h a t t u r n o n inter ior l ights w h e n a door is o p e n e d . H a v i n g d o n e t h i s w i l l he lp k e e p your approach u n o b t r u s i v e . W h e n y o u ex i t your u n i t , ease your car door s h u t as q u i e t l y as y o u can or leave i t s l ight ly ajar if s e c u r i t y a l l o w s . A t n ight espec ia l ly , sound t rave ls far and fast ; even at l o w v o l u m e , your radio or a door s l a m m i n g m a y be audible a b l o c k a w a y . A q u i e t approach m a y k e e p y o u f r o m a t t rac t ing n e i g h b o r s and t r o u b l e s 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 .
C e r t a i n l y , d o n ' t jus t " g i v e " yourse l f to a suspect , as a n e w p a t r o l m a n in T e n n e s s e e did. R e s p o n d ing to a c o m p l a i n t of a middle -aged m a n , a k n o w n m e n t a l case , bea t ing o n an old t r u c k b e h i n d h i s h o u s e , t h e of f icer s topped h i s pat ro l car in t h e susp e c t ' s dr iveway . As h e strode up to t h e r e s i d e n c e , h e w a s easy p i c k i n g s for h i s assa i lan t , w h o k i l l ed h i m w i t h a s ho t to t h e c h e s t w i t h a 7 . 6 5 m m r i f le .
Approach ing t h e address of y o u r ca l l , y o u should survey all v e h i c l e s parked or m o v i n g in t h e i m m e d i a t e n e i g h b o r h o o d and al l p e d e s t r i a n s or lo i te rers . A lay-off m a n m a y be w a i t i n g in a car or on t h e s i d e w a l k as a l o o k - o u t . A car parked 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 . In s o m e cases , s u s p e c t s h a v e b e e n k n o w n to h ide under v e h i c l e s . O r , if a c r ime- in -progress has b e e n reported, t h e offender(s) m a y be in t h e process of f lee ing as you arr ive.
As y o u m o v e in o n foot , y o u w i l l w a n t to c o n s i d er ava i lab le c o v e r w h i c h y o u c a n u s e in t h e e v e n t of ser ious t r o u b l e . E m p l o y an i n v i s i b l e a d v a n c e to t h e ful les t e x t e n t poss ib le , fust t h e s ight of y o u m a y b e enough to i m p e l an a r m e d s u s p e c t to s h o o t . W h e r e t h e r e ' s reason to b e l i e v e y o u m a y be deal ing w i t h a v io lent s i t u a t i o n , inv i s ib le d e p l o y m e n t is c r i t i c a l . It
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.
is u s u a l l y eas ier in d a r k n e s s , b u t e v e n in dayl ight or u n d e r br ight l ights by m o v i n g b e h i n d parked cars , f e n c e s , t rash c a n s or s h r u b b e r y or by t a k i n g an indir e c t r o u t e , y o u m a y b e able to get c l o s e to t h e bui lding w i t h o u t b e i n g observed by a n y o n e ins ide . T r y to b l e n d i n t o b a c k g r o u n d s tha t m a t c h your u n i f o r m c o l o r w h e r e poss ib le , and w h e r e co lors d o n ' t m a t c h , try at l e a s t to k e e p your b a c k g r o u n d as dark as your c l o t h i n g . If y o u m u s t pass w i n d o w s , try to go over t h o s e t h a t are n e a r or b e l o w ground leve l and under t h o s e t h a t are h i g h e r . T r y to s tay p r o t e c t e d b y cover w h e n p o s s i b l e and to k n o w a l w a y s w h e r e your nearest c o v e r is . M o v e rapidly t h r o u g h o p e n areas , t ry ing to m o v e f r o m covered p o s i t i o n to c o v e r e d p o s i t i o n .
Y o u w a n t to c o n s t a n t l y guard aga ins t t h e " o s t r i c h e f f e c t ; " t h a t ' s t h i n k i n g t h a t b e c a u s e y o u c a n ' t see t h e s u s p e c t , h e c a n ' t see y o u . A c t u a l l y , h i s pers p e c t i v e on t h e s c e n e is l i k e l y to b e e n t i r e l y di f ferent f r o m y o u r s . T h i s w a s d r a m a t i c a l l y i l lus t r a t e d to a y o u n g C i n c i n n a t i p a t r o l m a n o n e a f t e r n o o n w h e n h e responded to a s i l en t ho ldup a l a r m at a d o w n t o w n b a n k . H e properly parked around t h e c o r n e r f r o m t h e e n t r a n c e and w a s c a u t i o u s l y approach ing o n foot a long t h e b u i l d i n g ' s s ide w a l l . H e w a s a l m o s t to t h e end w h e n h e suddenly rea l ized a m a j o r overs ight ; t h e w a l l w a s of r e f l e c t i v e glass , and b e c a u s e i ts m i r rored sur face had k e p t h i m f r o m see ing t h r o u g h it , h e ' d f o r g o t t e n tha t f r o m t h e o t h e r side t h a t k i n d of glass is l i k e a n o r m a l w i n d o w . People ins ide t h e b a n k had b e e n ab le to see h i m p e r f e c t l y a l l a long. F o r t u n a t e l y , t h e ca l l t u r n e d o u t to be a fa lse a l a r m , or r o b b e r s ins ide c o u l d h a v e sho t t h r o u g h t h e glass and k i l l e d h i m a n y t i m e t h e y c h o s e .
The contemporary design of buildings often works against a safe response for law enforcement.
50
Stay conscious of your surroundings in a n o t h e r regard, a l so : before your arr ival , a s u s p e c t , as part of his plan, m a y h a v e left t h e p r e m i s e s y o u ' r e approaching and m o v e d to a n o t h e r vantage p o i n t f r o m w h i c h h e can s h o o t . In a n o t h e r O h i o c a s e , t w o sheri f f ' s deput ies o n e a f t e r n o o n w e r e s i m u l t a n e o u s l y approaching t h e front and rear of a h o u s e w h e r e a rape had b e e n reported in progress . T h e i r a t t e n t i o n w a s so focused o n t h e r e s i d e n c e and w h a t t h e y w o u l d e n c o u n t e r t h e r e tha t t h e y ignored a garage bes ide i t . T h e al leged rapist had h idden there and f rom ins ide w a s able eas i ly to t ra in a . 12 ga. s h o t g u n on one of t h e deput ies . W i t h o u t w a r n i n g , h e shot t h e deputy t w i c e and k i l l e d h i m . As y o u approach , then , be alert to poss ib le hiding p l a c e s , i n c l u d i n g roof tops and nearby v e h i c l e s .
If y o u need to ro u nd a corner o n foot in your approach, y o u m a y be easy prey to a s u s p e c t w a i t i n g on t h e o t h e r side if y o u charge a r o u n d a s s u m i n g there is n o o n e there or even if y o u s l o w l y s t i c k your head around to look . A young sher i f f ' s d e p u t y in Florida, responding to a robbery- in-progress ca l l , hurr iedly rounded a corner of a bui ld ing w i t h h i s shotgun in h a n d and ran s m a c k i n t o t w o s u s p e c t s and a hos tage ; o n e of the robbers s h o t h i m fa ta l ly in t h e c h e s t w i t h a . 4 5 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 of f i cers 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.
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.
A profile view of Step 2. Notice the torso and hand positioning relative to the wall barricade.
Quickly peek out, then pull your head back to your original position. If the suspect shoots, he will probably fire at shoulder height.
4
Again apply the quick peek technique. If you have a visual on the suspect with no civilians behind, you now can return fire safely.
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 , to 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 t h i s , y o u squat o n t h e ba l l s of your feet , fac ing c l o s e to your side of t h e w a l l w i t h your legs apart and w i t h your p a l m s against t h e w a l l in a b a l a n c i n g brace . B e careful n o t to e x p o s e a n y of your body past t h e corner and stay low—at or b e l o w w a i s t level . T h e n , sh i f t ing your w e i g h t o n t o your foot neares t t h e corner , suddenly dart y o u r head out beyond t h e c o r n e r and b a c k in o n e iapid m o t i o n . Y o u ' l l get a fast but fairly t h o r o u g h l o o k at t h e area around t h e bend, yet your p e e k w i l l b e so fast that a suspec t w i l l n o t be able to respond e f f e c t i v e l y . If h e does s h o o t re f lex ive ly , your head w i l l b e safe ly b a c k b e h i n d t h e w a l l before t h e b u l l e t c a n h i t , probably before h e e v e n pul ls t h e tr igger. If y o u w a n t a n o t h e r look , again do t h e u n e x p e c t e d by q u i c k peek ing f r o m a different l eve l .
Q u i c k p e e k i n g can a lso b e used for see ing around barr iers o t h e r t h a n w a l l s . G e n e r a l l y , y o u ' l l i n c u r t h e least r i sk by p e e k i n g a r o u n d t h e s ides ra ther t h a n over t h e top 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 less l i k e l y to s i l h o u e t t e yourse l f .
The dotted lines indicate an armed suspect's effective kill zone when you approach the front of a stucco or wood surface residence.
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.
53
T h r o u g h o u t your approach , y o u w a n t to u t i l i z e all your senses to h e l p e v a l u a t e a ca l l . B e f o r e enter ing, y o u m a y b e able to q u i c k p e e k at w i n d o w s to get a v i s u a l on t h e a c t i o n , i ts p a r t i c i p a n t s and, 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 long s tares 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 good a target . ) Y o u r s e n s e of s m e l l m a y suggest w h e t h e r y o u w i l l b e c o n f r o n t i n g indiv iduals w h o s e j u d g m e n t h a s 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 drugs. S o m e t i m e s w h a t y o u hear w i l l he lp y o u p lan . Approaching t h e rear door of a h o u s e w h e r e a burglary had b e e n reported o n e n ight , an of f icer heard n o i s e s of drawers be ing y a n k e d o u t and d u m p e d t h a t led h i m to b e l i e v e t h e burglar w a s s t i l l ins ide . I n s t e a d of a t t e m p t i n g an 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 off i cer t ipped over a p i c n i c tab le in t h e yard and 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 e m e r g e d w i t h a gun and h i s loo t a f e w m o m e n t s la ter , t h e of f icer a n n o u n c e d h i m s e l f and ye l led at h i m t o s top . T h e burglar f ired wi ld ly and i n e f f e c t u a l l y i n t o t h e dark, u n c e r t a i n w h e r e t h e off i c e r w a s . B u t t h e of f i cer , f r o m his p r o t e c t e d , c lear -v i e w p o s i t i o n , w a s ready t o f ire b a c k i m m e d i a t e l y — on target . T h e old w a r n i n g is a good o n e : "stop, look, listen" as y o u approach . 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 approach ing a s c e n e w i t h a b a c k - u p or par tner , y o u w a n t to b e ab le 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 a long t h e w a y . A v o i d 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 ide-by-s ide , b u t in s tay ing apart be sure y o u k e e p p o s i t i o n e d so tha t y o u c a n e a c h r e t u r n f ire 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 o t h e r in cross - f i re . M a i n t a i n v i s u a l 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 going to do. H a n d s ignals c a n h e l p y o u m a i n t a i n a d iscree 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 be an appropriate s ignal s u b s t i t u t e at n i g h t , provided y o u t a k e care n o t to i l l u m i n a t e e a c h o t h e r . O r prearranged code words c a n 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 there is an i m m i n e n t t h r e a t to e i t h e r of y o u , s h o u t out abrupt ly . Don't assume that youi partner sees and hears everything you do, and v i ce versa . As w i t h t h e o s t r i c h e f fec t , your po in ts of v i e w m a y b e signifi c a n t l y di f ferent .
If y o u are a lone , y o u m a y w a n t t o p r e t e n d to b e c o m m u n i c a t i n g w i t h a h idden partner , o n c e y o u fee l your 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 su ing " 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 , in a v o i c e audible to any of fender . S u s p e c t s are n o t a l w a y s i n t i m i d a t e d by t h e p r e s e n c e of m o r e t h a n o n e off icer , 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 an of f i cer o u t there w h o m h e c a n ' t see , h e m a y be l ess sure of h i s ab i l i ty to shoot you and s u c c e s s f u l l y e s c a p e .
O n e of t h e m o s t dangerous m o m e n t s in an approach is w h e n you r e a c h a door y o u c a n ' t see through and are dependent on s o m e o n e e lse to open, as is typica l ly t h e case w h e n y o u respond to a ca l l at a r e s i d e n c e . Y o u w a n t to stay to the side of the door, so if an assa i lant ins ide dec ides to s h o o t through it y o u are n o t d i rec t ly in h i s l i n e of f i re .
l i t ' *
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 of surprise lies solely with the subject. The woman holding a semi-automatic in her left hand has just set her house afire and threatened to take her life as well as her daughter's.
Y o u r p o s i t i o n 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 tand, y o u squa 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 ir ing l eve l against t h e w a l l , as y o u r e a c h out w i t h your n i g h t s t i c k in your n o n - g u n h a n d to rap o n t h e door and a n n o u n c e your p r e s e n c e . T h i s w a y , if he t r ies to f ire t h r o u g h t h e w a l l , h i s shot is l i k e l y to b e too h i g h to h i t y o u .
A s s u m i n g there are n o spec ia l c o v e r poss ib i l i t i e s , your b e s t p o s i t i o n is probably to t h e r ight 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 be least readi ly v i s ib le to a n y o n e w h o m a y be w a i t i n g ins ide t h e r o o m as t h e door o p e n s .
O n c e t h e door is opened , don't be too quick to enter. Y o u r i m m e d i a t e i n t r u s i o n c o u l d p r e c i p i t a t e 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 poss ib le and w i t h your gun side away f r o m t h e per son in t h e door, try to 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 want to 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 threat to your o w n safe ty ; 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 are 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 lse is ins ide and 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. D u r i n g a s h o o t i n g inc ident t h a t grew out of an a t t e m p t to serve an arres t warrant , a she r i f f ' s deputy in S o u t h C a r o l i n a w a s ki l led by a s u s p e c t wie ld ing an a n t i q u e r i f le .
5 6
If there is any 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 or has a c c e s s to a gun, try to get t h e c o m pla inant outs ide w i t h y o u to a p o s i t i o n of c o v e r . . . ca l l for b a c k - u p to h e l p c o n t a i n t h e of f e n d e r . . . and cons ider t rea t ing t h e s i t u a t i o n as a barr icaded suspec t i n c i d e n t . T h e passage of t i m e , n e g o t i a t i o n and/or t h e u s e of c h e m i c a l agents are l i k e l y to prove far safer a l t e r n a t i v e s t h a n your barging in in an 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 lus t ra t ion of th i s po int o c c u r r e d in T e x a s w h e r e t h r e e escaped pr isoners w e r e l o c a t e d in a pr ivate h o m e . W h e n of f icers arrived at t h e s c e n e , severa l p r o m p t l y entered t h e h o u s e and s tar ted upsta i r s to f lush out t h e s u s p e c t s . B e f o r e t h e y r e a c h e d t h e s e c o n d f loor , o n e of t h e e s c a p e e s suddenly leaned over t h e ra i l ing and shot t h e lead p a t r o l m a n dead w i t h a b las t to t h e n e c k f r o m a . 16 ga. s h o t g u n . O n l y af ter a gun b a t t l e did the surviving of f icers re t rea t , s t a t i o n t h e m s e l v e s outs ide t h e dwel l ing and f ina l ly f ire tear gas ins ide . Even if t h e suspect (s ) escape t e m p o r a r i l y , i t ' s b e t t e r than your ge t t ing k i l l e d during an i l l - c o n c e i v e d 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 alert a l w a y s to t h e p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t you may not get reliable information f r o m c i v i l i a n s y o u enc o u n t e r during your approach . B e s u s p i c i o u s . T a k e n o t h i n g for granted . In N e w Y o r k , a h u s b a n d w h o a n s w e r e d t h e door w h e n t w o of f icers 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 and c o u r t e s y : " C o m e on in, o f f i cers ! E v e r y t h i n g is a l l r ight h e r e , j u s t a l i t t l e f a m i l y s q u a b b l e . " T h e y re laxed and a c c e p t e d 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 be ing w a r y of o n e h a n d he ld b e h i n d h i s b a c k . It he ld a revolver w i t h w h i c h h e m o m e n t a r i l y s h o t and k i l l e d t h e m b o t h .
Indeed , in s o m e c a s e s , y o u m a y n o t e v e n b e t a l k i n g to w h o m y o u think y o u are . T w o of f icers in M e m p h i s responding t o an a r m e d robbery a l a r m at an a l l -n ight grocery s t o r e , for e x a m p l e , w e r e m e t by a m a l e adul t w h o said h e w a s t h e m a n a g e r and had set off t h e a l a r m a c c i d e n t a l l y . In fac t , as t h e y found o u t t o o la te , h e w a s t h e robber .
( N o t e : W e h a v e t a l k e d h e r e a b o u t approach ing a bu i ld ing in t h e c o n t e x t of your responding to a spec i f i c a s s i g n m e n t . B u t a n y t i m e y o u e n t e r a bui ld ing , e s p e c i a l l y a p lace of b u s i n e s s , t ry to v i e w t h e i n t e r ior first, p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e c a s h reg is ter area , to determ 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 cers going a f ter a p a c k of c igarets or a cup of co f fee h a v e b e e n t a k e n by surprise and sho t w h e n , w i t h o u t paus ing to be o b s e r v a n t , t h e y w a l k e d r ight i n t o an a r m e d robbery- in-progress . )
Room Approach
A building search is something no officer should undertake alone. T o do so 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 i n v i t e s t h e c o n s e q u e n c e s suffered b y a middle -aged c o n s t a b l e in W e s t V i r g i n i a w h o w e n t to a s u s p e c t ' s h o m e to arrest h i m for d e s t r o y i n g pr ivate proper ty . R e c e i v i n g n o r e s p o n s e w h e n h e k n o c k e d at t h e door, t h e c o n s t a b l e c l i m b e d i n t o t h e h o u s e t h r o u g h a w i n d o w . T o h i s surpr ise , t h e s u s p e c t w a s w a i t i n g ins ide w i t h t w o s t rong, y o u n g b u d d i e s , w h o eas i ly o v e r p o w e r e d t h e of f i cer , s t a b b e d h i m o n c e , t h e n sho t h i m four t i m e s .
W h e n y o u h a v e a par tner , 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 , an a s s i g n m e n t m a y require t h a t y o u m o v e f r o m r o o m to r o o m in a h o u s e , an a p a r t m e n t c o m p l e x , a s tore or an o f f i ce bui ld ing in s e a r c h of a s u s p e c t w h o m a y be a r m e d .
Y o u m a y n o t k n o w w h e t h e r t h e s u s p e c t i s , in fac t , in t h e bu i ld ing . Y o u m a y b e r e s p o n d i n g to a p r o w l e r ca l l or c o m p l a i n t of s igns of forced e n t r y or to 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 of fender h a s f led t h e p r e m i s e s . If y o u .know h e ' s in t h e r e , i t ' s safest to try to isolate and contain h i m w i t h i n t h e bui ld ing , t h e n force h i m to c o m e out to y o u . In m o s t cases , y o u ' r e at an advantage to deal w i t h t h e s u s p e c t o n your ground (outside) ra ther t h a n h i s ( ins ide) . If y o u d o n ' t k n o w , y o u ' l l h a v e to go in , for w h a t is a l w a y s a t r e a c h e r o u s , t e n s i o n - c h a r g e d — a n d s o m e t i m e s b l o o d y — g a m e of ca t and m o u s e .
Y o u r disadvantages are l eg ion in t h i s s i t u a t i o n : quar ters are l i k e l y to be c l o s e , cover sparse , l ight poor; y o u are probably 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 m y r i a d o b s t a c l e s , b l i n d c o r n e r s , booby- traps and p laces of c o n c e a l m e n t a long t h e w a y — y e t y o u m u s t t a k e t h e i n i t i a t i v e in m o v i n g forward to c o n d u c t a t h o r o u g h i n s p e c t i o n . T h e suspect , on t h e o t h e r hand , c a n s e c r e t e h i m s e l f in a good hiding place , get h i s gun(s) ready to s h o o t . . . a n d m e r e l y w a i t for your arr ival . T h i s m a k e s bui ld ing searches one of the m o s t d i f f i cul t and dangerous of your a s s i g n m e n t s .
W i t h survival in m i n d , your goals are to approach as q u i e t l y as poss ib le and to get a good prev i e w of terr i tory y o u h a v e to cross 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 gain t a c t i c a l advantage, try to e n t e r w h e r e t h e s u s p e c t l eas 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 loor w i n d o w or an opening in t h e roof . S tar t at or m o v e to t h e upperm o s t s e c t i o n of t h e bui lding, and c o n d u c t your search f rom top down, if poss ib le . I t ' s eas ier to f ight for your l i fe f r o m a high p o s i t i o n m o v i n g d o w n t h a n f rom 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 stairs fas ter t h a n y o u c a n go u p . A l s o , if y o u l eave t h e of fender a w a y to e s c a p e — i . e . , b y going d o w n and o u t — h e m a y b e captured w h e n h e e x i t s f r o m t h e bui lding. If h e is trapped o n t h e top f loor , h e m a y fee l h e h a s n o c h o i c e b u t to s tand and f ight .
Ideal ly , all o f f i cers search ing a bu i ld ing s h o u l d be in u n i f o r m . T h i s is e spec ia l ly i m p o r t a n t w h e n m a n y of f icers are involved and/or w h e n t h o s e part i c ipa t ing d o n ' t k n o w e a c h o t h e r . E v e n w h e n u n i f o r m s can he lp te legraph i n s t a n t r e c o g n i t i o n , a l l of f icers s h o u l d b e aware 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 bui lding, so t h e y c a n a n t i c i p a t e o n e ano t h e r ' s l o c a t i o n and 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 h i g h - r i s k s i t u a t i o n l i k e t h i s , y o u should a t t e m p t to c o v e r a n y s h i n y i t e m s ( l ike your n a m e p l a t e ) w h i c h m a y re f l ec t l ight and draw a s u s p e c t ' s a t t e n t i o n to your l o c a t i o n . S o m e of f icers carry a s m a l l rol 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 purpose .
O n c e of f icers e n t e r a bui ld ing , t h e r e s h o u l d b e no filing on the structure by a n y f e l l o w of f icers 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.
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 to 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 t h e o u t s i d e o f f i cers c o u l d see all t h o s e ins ide and d e t e r m i n e t h a t t h e y w e r e s u f f i c i e n t l y i so la ted f r o m t h e s u s p e c t tha t s h o t s a i m e d at h i m w o u l d in n o w a y jeopardize t h e m .
T o a d e q u a t e l y guard bu i ld ings , at l eas t t w o of f i cers are required outs ide , s i t u a t e d at d iagonal ly oppos i te 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 posi t i o n s p e r m i t e a c h of f i cer to w a t c h t w o s ides for a f lee ing s u s p e c t , ye t avoid cross - f i re . D o n ' t , h o w e v e r , s tay c l o s e to t h e bui ld ing , for t h a t a l l o w s a s u s p e c t w h o is in an upper w i n d o w or o n t h e roof to get an easy 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 , in your patro l car if n o b e t t e r c o v e r is avai l ab le , so t h a t y o u c a n w a t c h up as w e l l as a long t h e s ides of t h e bu i ld ing .
Ins ide t h e bui ld ing to be s e a r c h e d , y o u w a n t your g u n drawn, ready for u s e . W i t h a f i r m , t w o -handed grip, y o u can m o v e t h e w e a p o n in a short arc and b a c k as y o u approach l o c a t i o n s w h e r e t h e s u b j e c t m i g h t b e . T h e gun s h o u l d f o l l o w your e y e s .
6 0
If t h e r e are 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 di f f i cul t to m o v e and shoot a c c u r a t e l y at t h e s a m e t i m e , so w h i l e o n e covers , t h e o t h e r m o v e s to a n e w p o s i t i o n , a l ter na t ing ro les as y o u a d v a n c e . C o n c e n t r a t e on m o v i n g s i l e n t l y . N o i s e f r o m your l e a t h e r be l t , f r o m lea ther -soled and -hee led shoes or b o o t s or f r o m m e t a l jangling against m e t a l , l i k e k e y s and p o c k e t c h a n g e , c a n q u i c k l y s ignal your approach.
As 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 r o o m s , y o u m a y c o n f r o n t n u m e r o u s doorways tha t open i n t o c l o s e t s , s torage spaces , b e d r o o m s , o f f i ces and o t h e r r o o m s . T o bypass any w i t h o u t c h e c k i n g t h e area it leads to 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 be w a i t i n g jus t ins ide for y o u to m o v e on past , allowing h i m t h e c h a n c e t h e n to e m e r g e and s h o o t you f rom b e h i n d . C o m m u n i t y t o i l e t s in l o w e r - c l a s s a p a r t m e n t bui ld ings and h o t e l s s e e m to b e espec ia l ly popular p laces for s u s p e c t s to h ide , b u t don't assume that any potential hiding place is safe to ignore. In a survival c o u r s e in N e w Y o r k C i t y , based on real -l i fe episodes , t ra inees sent d o w n a h a l l w a y in s e a r c h of an a r m e d suspec t c o m e to o n e door m a r k e d : D A N G E R ! H I G H V O L T A G E ! K E E P D O O R C L O S E D ! T h o s e w h o obey t h e sign and go o n are 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 f l ings t h e door open and pops out b e h i n d t h e m . If y o u carry w i t h y o u a s m a l l rol l of e l e c t r i c a l or m a s k i n g tape , you can press a p iece across t h e c r a c k of e a c h door you 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 tape brok e n or pul led off as y o u r e t r a c e your 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 plan your approach to a doorway , k e e p in m i n d w h a t ' s ca l led t h e " f a t a l 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 sure e x a c t l y w h e r e the suspect w i l l be , you h a v e to be c o n c e r n e d w i t h every 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 point of v i e w of o n e or m o r e s u s p e c t s inside 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 to jus t tha t s m a l l opening . I t ' s your only w a y in, al l they need to 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 target .
U s i n g an approach tha t m i n i m i z e s your f u n n e l f raming, t h e n , you a d v a n c e s i l e n t l y toward t h e doorw a y by m o v i n g low a long a w a l l , u t i l i z i n g w h a t ever cover y o u can a long t h e w a y — r e c e s s e s , ha l l w a y t rash cans , 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 your par tner can approach t h e doorway f r o m oppos i te s ides . B u t if t h a t ' s n o t poss ib le , o n e of y o u should q u i c k l y m o v e across t h e c losed d o o r w a y at a level below t h e d o o r k n o b so y o u are o n oppos i te s ides before a t t e m p t i n g e n t r y . (Even if t h e door is open, a low, fast j u m p is l i k e l y to get y o u across q u i c k l y e n o u g h tha t y o u w o n ' t be h i t by s o m e o n e s h o o t i n g f r o m 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 your 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 i n s t a n c e s , o f f i cers h a v e forced e n t r y t h r o u g h doors tha t t h e y la ter d i scovered w e r e unl o c k e d . S o a l w a y s try t h e s e n s i b l e and q u i e t m e t h o d of l eas t r e s i s t a n c e f i rs t . If t h e door is u n l o c k e d , open it in o n e c o n t i n u o u s m o t i o n as y o u ho ld y o u r gun ready t o f i re . If t h e door is a l ready ajar, y o u m a y b e able to m a n e u v e r it fu l ly o p e n by u s i n g y o u r n i g h t s t i c k , f l ash l ight , a b r o o m h a n d l e or s o m e o t h e r probe 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 w a l l .
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 h i n g e s can te l l y o u w h e t h e r t h e door o p e n s out or in . If t h e h inge p ins are o n t h e o u t s i d e , t h e door should open out ; t h e of f icer n e a r e s t t h e doork n o b w i l l get t h e f irst and 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 ins are ins ide , t h e door s h o u l d o p e n in , and t h e of f icer oppos i te t h e k n o b w i l l get t h e q u i c k est l o o k .
W i t h doors tha t open in , t h e o f f i cer n e a r e s t t h e k n o b p u s h e s it in . B e sure to push hard e n o u g h t h a t t h e door bangs b a c k w i t h m a x i m u m force against the wall behind it. If i t fa i ls to do so , t h a t m a y b e a c lue tha t a s u s p e c t is h iding in t h a t p o s i t i o n . Off i cers e x p e r i e n c e d in search ing r o o m s k n o w t h i s is a favored hiding spot of a r m e d of fenders . F r o m t h i s vantage p o i n t , t h e y c a n hear of f i cers approach ing and n o t e the 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 door swings outward , i n s t e a d of in , t h e off icer n e a r e s t t h e k n o b or h a n d l e ge t s it open , t h e n pushes it to h i s par tner , so t h a t n e i t h e r of y o u h a s to s tand or s t r e t c h fu l ly in f ront of i t . G e t t h e door open 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 put y o u at a l o w , u n e x p e c t e d level s h o u l d a s u s p e c t ins ide dec ide to s h o o t .
A proper position for two officers responding to a call at a door which opens in.
6 3
64
If t h e door is l o c k e d and m a n p o w e r p e r m i t s , post a sent ry there to guard it w h i l e y o u proceed w i t h t h e search , e l i m i n a t i n g o t h e r less r e s i s t a n t hiding p l a c e s . W h e n m a n p o w e r ' s shor t or t h e r o o m s e e m s a very 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 every p lace e l se , try f irst to get t h e door open w i t h a passk e y f r o m t h e bui lding m a n a g e r . . . o r t a k e t h e door off i ts h i n g e s if t h e y are e x p o s e d . . . o r poss ib ly te le p h o n e t h e of f ice or a p a r t m e n t b e y o n d t h e door and see if a n y o n e is inside w h o ' l l a n s w e r and give y o u s o m e c l u e s to w h o ' s t h e r e . If y o u m u s t force e n t r y , cons ider us ing 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 too l ava i lab le f r o m m o s t a u t o body repair shops . T h i s too l has a threaded s c r e w on t h e end tha t f i ts i n t o t h e k e y w a y of a l o c k and pops it open 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 hard. Y o u r last resort is to k i c k t h e door in . M a n y doors wi l l defy t h e hardes t k i c k s . Y o u r b e s t c h a n c e is to s tand at an o b l i q u e angle to t h e door, ra ther t h a n di rec t ly in f ront of it , and k i c k at t h e m o s t v u l n e r a b l e spot : a d j a c e n t to t h e l o c k s y s t e m .
A s s u m e t h e door is opened by o n e m e a n s or ano t h e r and y o u and your b a c k - u p are p o s i t i o n e d as w e descr ibed earl ier o n e i t h e r side of t h e doorway , b e l o w t h e level 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 to f ire . N o w your c o m b i n e d vantage p o i n t s s h o u l d give you a v i sua l on m o s t of t h e r o o m , provided t h e l ight is a d e q u a t e . Y o u w o n ' t , h o w e v e r , be ab le to see to t h e sides of you i m m e d i a t e l y on t h e o t h e r s ide 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 spots for a s u s p e c t to 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 and your par tner can u s e t h e " q u i c k p e e k " t e c h n i q u e to dart your heads t h r o u g h t h e doorway and b a c k fast e n o u g h to see w h o or w h a t , if anyth ing , is a long t h e w a l l y o u ' r e e a c h s tanding b e h i n d . R e m e m b e r , y o u c a n m a k e th is m o v e m e n t in t h e least e x p e c t e d and safest w a y by peek ing first at a l o w leve l , t h e n at a high l e v e l . . . a n d never looking from the same level twice.
A n o t h e r opt ion for c h e c k i n g around d o o r w a y s and corners is to use a s m a l l m i r r o r o n t h e end of a probe, w h i c h y o u c a n eas i ly carry in your shir t or hip p o c k e t . S o m e off icers u s e 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 escoping w a n d or a dent i s t ' s m i r r o r taped to an old car aer ia l , b u t y o u ' l l get b e t t e r resu l t s w i t h a m i r r o r w h o s e r e f l e c t i n g sur face is at l eas t t w o i n c h e s in d i a m e t e r . At a hardware or auto supply s tore y o u can b u y a p a r a b o l i c m i r r o r of t h e type a t t a c h e d to the side v i e w m i r r o r s of t r u c k s and c a m p e r s . If it has a se l f -adhes ive b a c k , you c a n a t t a c h it d i rec t ly to t h e surface of t h e s m a l ler denta 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 holding it cupped in your h a n d . Angled t h r o u g h a doorway or around a corner , t h e m i r r o r c a n re f lec 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.
any danger in t h e r o o m or o n t h e o t h e r s ide of t h e w a l l , w h i l e y o u s tay b a c k , u n e x p o s e d .
F r o m t h e d o o r w a y , y o u m a y b e a b l e t o s e e — b u t n o t see i n t o — o t h e r o b v i o u s p o t e n t i a l h id ing p l a c e s , l i k e a c l o s e t , for 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 t o b luf f h i m out b y i s s u i n g a verba l c h a l lenge 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 idea is to a c t as if y o u k n o w h e is t h e r e so if h e is h e ' l l fee l i t ' s h o p e l e s s to do a n y t h i n g b u t surrender . If n o o n e e m e r g e s f r o m t h e h id ing p lace , h o w e v e r , y o u ' l l s t i l l n e e d to c h e c k i t . And if t h e s u s p e c t i s , in fac t , w a i t ing t h e r e , h e ' l l n o w be fu l ly a ler ted to your p r e s e n c e , so p r o c e e d 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 t i m e , w h i l e t h e o t h e r c o v e r s . Y o u r s w i f t e s t en t ry for nanow doorways is t h e " c r i s s - c r o s s . " T h e off icer on the r ight darts across t h e t h r e s h o l d to an inside p o s i t i o n on t h e lef t , and v i c e versa . Again , k e e p low w h e n m o v i n g ; s o m e of f icers , o n c e t h e y s tar t to m o v e , h a v e a t e n d e n c y to s tand up, w h i c h m a k e s t h e m eas ier targets . W i t h w i d e d o o r w a y s , c o n s i d e r keeping your b a c k c l o s e to t h e f r a m e and ' 'wrapping a r o u n d " swi f t ly to t h e o t h e r s ide, r a t h e r t h a n plunging across t h e opening . T h i s p r e s e n t s a m i n i m u m target . 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 to get out of t h e doorway as 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
Ins ide , w i t h your b a c k aga ins t t h e w a l l , k n e e l in your n e w p o s i t i o n and l i s t e n for sounds t h a t m a y s ignal t h e s u s p e c t ' s p r e s e n c e 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 cers , paus ing in a r o o m t h a t h a d j u s t b e e n entered , " 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 odor of f resh e x c r e m e n t " — c o m i n g f r o m b e y o n d a n o t h e r door . Sure e n o u g h , t h a t p i n p o i n t e d t h e s u s p e c t ' s l o c a t i o n !
O n c e r o o m ent ry is m a d e w h e r e par tners are invo lved , o n l y o n e of f icer 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 t h e o t h e r s tays s t i l l and c o v e r s . A t n i g h t or in l o w - l i g h t s i t u a t i o n s , i t m a y b e hard to see your p a r t n e r as y o u m o v e apart . S o if y o u s i m u l t a n e o u s l y try to s e a r c h di f ferent w a l l s , y o u m a y lose 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 by 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 near t h e door ready to provide defending f ire , w h i l e t h e o t h e r m o v e s al l t h e w a y d o w n o n e w a l l to t h e f irst c o r n e r .
If y o u ' r e t h e f irst s e a r c h i n g of f icer , 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 snap of your f i n g e r s — t o i n d i c a t e y o u h a v e r e a c h e d t h e corner . Y o u r par tner c a n 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 heard y o u and t h a t h e n o w is m o v i n g a long a n o t h e r w a l l — w h i l e y o u provide c o v e r . B y c o n t i n u i n g to a l t e r n a t e in t h i s f a s h i o n , t h e c o v e r i n g of f icer k e e p s a f ix on h i s p a r t n e r ' s l o c a t i o n and is free to s h o o t a n y w h e r e in t h e r o o m e x c e p t a long t h e w a l l h i s par tner is search ing .
As m u c h as p o s s i b l e , try to s tay b e h i n d barricades , l i k e p i e c e s of f u r n i t u r e , as y o u c a u t i o u s l y m o v e a long t h e w a l l s , a round 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 wa r d t h e n e x t door . Dont forget to always look up in searching the room. In s o m e p l a c e s , as in ra f ters in a h o m e garage or a lof t in a w a r e h o u s e , s u s p e c t s are able t o h ide a b o v e eye- leve l , w h e r e o f f i cers operat ing in a r o u t i n e f a s h i o n o f t e n n e g l e c t to c h e c k .
C o n t i n u e t ry ing to k e e p y o u r e x a c t 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 c a n give a w a y your p o s i t i o n , t o o . In an e a s t e r n c i t y , an of f icer t u r n e d off a por tab le radio t h a t w a s b lar ing ac id r o c k m u s i c w h e n h e e n t e r e d a t e n e m e n t r o o m in s e a r c h 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 out , w a s h id ing in a c l o s e t , u n a b l e to see t h e o f f i cer . B u t he k n e w e x a c t l y w h e r e t h e radio w a s . T h e m o m e n t i t c l i c k e d off, h e burs t o u t s h o o t i n g , w i t h deadly a c c u r a c y .
Pay c l o s e a t t e n t i o n to t h e d o o r w a y a h e a d . Off i cers in a D e t r o i t n a r c o t i c s case w e r e c o m p l e t i n g the i r s e a r c h of a l iv ing r o o m w h i c h appeared 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 losed b e d r o o m door turn s l ight ly . S e c o n d s la ter , f ive s h o t s spl intered t h e door, b u t b e c a u s e t h e y had b e e n alert , t h e
off icers had b e e n able to t a k e cover and escaped injury . (In a s i t u a t i o n l i k e th i s , it w o u l d be r i s k y to fire b a c k t h r o u g h t h e c losed door 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 in t h e r o o m . If a h o s t a g e , a ch i ld or s o m e o t h e r i n n o c e n t person is t h e r e , too , your f ir ing and endanger ing t h e m c o u l d be cons idered r e c k l e s s c o n d u c t . )
In m o v i n g forward, d o n ' t get so engrossed t h a t you forget to watch behind you. B y us ing o t h e r passageways and o t h e r r o o m s , a s u s p e c t m a y be able to c i rc le a r o u n d b e h i n d y o u and a t t a c k . In s o m e c a s e s , you m a y be able to rig up a w a r n i n g s y s t e m against that t h r e a t . W h e n y o u c h e c k and pass b y a door tha t swings out 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 wedging it or m o v i n g s o m e sort of barr ier in f ront of i t . If a n y o n e tr ies to c o m e t h r o u g h it t o get b e h i n d y o u , h e ' l l e i t h e r be b l o c k e d e n t i r e l y or at least m a k e racket to a lert y o u .
If i t ' s n e c e s s a r y to m o v e f r o m f loor to f loor , avoid e l e v a t o r s . B e c a u s e t h e y te legraph l o c a t i o n , c o n f i n e m o v e m e n t and offer few if a n y c o v e r opt i o n s , t h e y can be d e a t h traps. U s e t h e s t a i r s — e v e n if t h e c h a l l e n g e y o u face is t h e s e a r c h of a h igh-r i se bui lding.
Field Interrogation
O n e of your patro l o b l i g a t i o n s , as ide f r o m responding to spec 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 pedes t r ians y o u e n c o u n t e r on your beat , according to procedures t h a t legal ly p e r m i t y o u to do so . T h e s e p e r s o n s m a y i n c l u d e individuals w h o fit d e s c r i p t i o n s of w a n t e d persons or o thers 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 lo c a t i o n s t rongly suggests t h e p r o b a b i l i t y t h a t t h e y are involved in c r i m i n a l a c t i v i t i e s . S h o o t i n g s o f t e n o c cur during 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 tr ian s t o p s . " B e c a u s e t h e o f f i cer is in c l o s e proxi m i t y to t h e s u s p e c t and b e c a u s e t h e d e a t h rate f r o m a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n s tends to b e i n v e r s e l y re la ted to d i s t a n c e , fa ta l i t i es are q u i t e l i k e l y to resu l t f r o m t h e g u n f i r e — u n l e s s a proper approach h a s b e e n m a d e f irst .
W h e n y o u see a person w h o bears i n v e s t i g a t i o n , try f irst to observe h i m for a f e w m o m e n t s , w h e t h e r you are in your patro l car or on foot yourse l f . T h e s e ex t ra m o m e n t s w i l l a l low y o u t i m e t o c h e c k h i s a c t i o n . . . r e i n f o r c e w h a t e v e r ca l led your a t t e n t i o n to h i m in t h e f irst p lace to provide probable c a u s e to d e t a i n . . . b e g i n f o r m i n g 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 . . .
and, 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 an e s t i m a t e d 4Vi m i l l i o n p e o p l e in t h e U . S . carry ing c o n c e a l e d loaded f i r e a r m s , t h i s is always & p o s s i b i l i t y .
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 irst see h i m , let h i m pass by y o u as if y o u are paying h i m n o spec ia l a t t e n t i o n . Y o u w a n t to approach h i m f r o m b e h i n d , if p o s s i b l e , and f r o m a p o s i t i o n w h e r e cover is c l o s e by if n e e d e d . If y o u s e e m t o ignore h i m as h e passes , y o u m a y b e ab le t o b u i l d an e l e m e n t of surpr ise i n t o y o u r c h a l l e n g e .
W h e n observ ing a s u s p e c t , s c a n h i m f r o m top to b o t t o m for 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 s i t t i n g s t ra ight o n h i s he a d w h e n i t ' s s ty led to be w o r n at a j a u n t y angle m a y be p o s i t i o n e d t o he lp b a l a n c e a r e v o l v e r 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 adult w i t h o n e side of h i s s h i r t t a i l out m a y be u s i n g it to c o n c e a l a loaded 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 open or s lung over h i s a r m in co ld w e a t h e r or 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 h o t , c o n s i d e r t h a t h e m a y be a r m e d . L i k e w i s e , a bulge 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 side m a y b e s u s p i c i o u s . People w h o are n o t acc u s t o m e d to carrying a gun o f t e n t o u c h t h e gun as t h e y w a l k , for r e a s s u r a n c e t h a t i t ' s s t i l l t h e r e , to p r a c t i c e r e a c h i n g for it and to en joy t h e fee l of i t s p r e s e n c e . T h i s can b e a p a r t i c u l a r l y s t rong c l u e w h e n p o t e n t i a l s u s p e c t s are approach ing people w h o m a y b e i n t e n d e d robbery v i c t i m s . E v e n a l i m p or st i f f - legged w a l k m a y be a w a r n i n g sign. In ne ighbor hoods w h e r e s t ree t gang f ights 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 , s trapped to t h e i r legs .
W h e n y o u b e l i e v e y o u are deal ing w i t h s o m e o n e w h o m a y b e dangerous , try to e n g i n e e r t h e s top so it t a k e s p lace a w a y f r o m c r o w d e d p laces l i k e res taur a n t s , p u b l i c b u i l d i n g s , m o v i e t h e a t e r s , bars , and in s o m e m o r e i so la ted spot w h e r e i n n o c e n t c i v i l i a n s are l ess l i k e l y t o b e h i t by any gunf i re , to in ter fere 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 sus p e c t . If i t ' s n e c e s s a r y to f o l l o w t h e s u s p e c t on foot , y o u u s u a l l y w i l l w a n t to s tay to h i s le f t rear . H e ' s l i k e l y to b e r ight -handed, (about 9 0 per c e n t of t h e p o p u l a t i o n i s ) , and if so, t h i s p o s i t i o n w i l l require t h a t h e t u r n t h e fa r thes t to s h o o t y o u , t h u s affording y o u s l ight ly m o r e t i m e to r e a c t . (An e x c e p t i o n to t h i s ru le m i g h t b e w h e n good, q u i c k l y a c c e s s i b l e c o v e r — s u c h as doorways , t rees , parked cars or l ight p o l e s — i s to your r ight . T h e n your b e s t o p t i o n m i g h t b e to f o l l o w to h i s r ight 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 h e h a s done , w h i l e y o u m a y n o t be c e r t a i n . H e m a y i n i t i a t e a deadly assau l t at a n y t i m e to prevent arrest , 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 rongly s u s p e c t a person you w a n t to q u e s t i o n has a gun , y o u w a n t to p i c k a l o c a t i o n to s top h i m w h e r e y o u can b e b e h i n d cover or at l eas t c o n c e a l e d f r o m v i e w before 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 des i rable 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 . (Cover p e r t a i n s to o b s t a c l e s tha t are di f f icul t or i m p o s s i b l e for b u l l e t s to p e n e t r a t e , s u c h as u t i l i t y poles , m a i l b o x e s or f ire plugs. C o n c e a l m e n t m e a n s t h a t y o u are h idden f r o m v iew, t h o u g h n o t n e c e s s a r i l y sh ie lded by a r e s i s t a n t barr ier . Y o u m a y b e c o n c e a l e d at n ight , for e x a m p l e , beh ind your patrol c a r ' s headl ights , if t h e s u s p e c t is facing toward t h e m . ) In s topping a p o t e n t i a l l y dangerous s u s p e c t , y o u w a n t to h a v e your g u n drawn and p o i n t e d at h i m before y o u address h i m . And y o u w a n t to b e in a p o s i t i o n w h e r e y o u c a n respond to and be p r o t e c t e d f r o m any sudden t h r e a t . C o n s e q u e n t l y , y o u avoid an approach l i k e t h a t m a d e by t w o p a t r o l m e n in a s o u t h e r n c i t y w h o responded to a s h o o t i n g in a r e s i d e n t i a l area and spot ted t h e sus pec t w a l k i n g a long t h e s t r e e t . W i t h t h e i r revo lvers s t i l l h o l s t e r e d and w i t h o u t t a k i n g cover o u t s i d e the i r patrol car , t h e y ca l led for h i m to s top . I n s t a n t ly, he pul led a . 3 8 f r o m h i s w a i s t b a n d and began s h o o t i n g i n t o the i r patro l car . O n e of f icer w a s w o u n d e d in t h e head and th igh , t h e o t h e r fa ta l ly shot in t h e face . In n u m e r o u s o t h e r of f icer f a t a l i t i e s , t h e v i c t i m s h a v e approached s u s p e c t s d i r e c t l y and f r o n t a l l y — l i k e t h e off -duty M a r y l a n d p o l i c e sergeant w h o w a l k e d up and a n n o u n c e d h i m s e l f to a b a n k robbery suspec t s i t t ing at a bus s top , w h o t h e n drew a gun and s h o t h i m in t h e c h e s t . . .or t h e Arkansas p a t r o l m a n w h o spot ted 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 serv ice s t a t i o n and s t rode toward h i m ask ing 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 pul led o u t a handgun ins tead and shot t h e u n p r o t e c t e d of f icer t w i c e in t h e c h e s t .
Ideal ly , y o u w a n t to be c l o s e e n o u g h w h e n y o u in i t i a te t h e s top tha t y o u d o n ' t h a v e to run and get out of b r e a t h to reach t h e suspec t , b u t n o t so c l o s e tha t he c a n lunge for y o u and start f ight ing . Also , y o u w a n t a spot tha t l i m i t s h i s poss ib le a v e n u e s for escape .
Y o u r order to s top , g iven f r o m a p o s i t i o n of cover , s h o u l d be explicit...direct...forceful: " P o l i c e ! D o n ' t m o v e ! I w a n t to ta lk to y o u . " If h i s b a c k is n o t already to you , order h i m to turn around i m m e diate ly so h e c a n ' t w a t c h w h a t y o u ' r e doing. If h i s hands 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 , y o u w a n t h i m to k e e p t h e m t h e r e u n t i l af ter h e is fac ing away f r o m y o u . If h e ' s going to c o m e out w i t h a f i rearm, i t ' l l be harder for h i m to shoot y o u if h e has to turn around f irst to f ind y o u .
72
Keep in m i n d tha t your s u s p e c t m a y n o t b e coopera t ive in t h e leas t . Even your p o i n t i n g a gun at h i m m a y n o t scare h i m . T h e n you should ca l l for b a c k - u p and, from a position of cover, c o n t i n u e to repeat your v o i c e c o m m a n d s u n t i l he lp arr ives .
O n c e h e ' s in a p o s i t i o n of re la t ive w e a k n e s s and y o u ' r e in p o s i t i o n to respond to sudden t h r e a t , c o n c e n t r a t e o n ge t t ing his hands in view. T h e y are the m o s t dangerous th ing about a n y s u s p e c t f r o m your point of v i e w . If t h e y ' r e in h i s p o c k e t s , te l l h i m to r e m o v e t h e m " v e r y , very s l o w l y , " w i t h h is elb o w s e x t e n d e d away f r o m his body . E v e n if h e h a s n o gun in h is hand , order h i m to ra ise h i s h a n d s as h igh as poss ib le over h is head and s l o w l y turn completely a round, w h i l e y o u c h e c k for g u n s in h i s w a i s t b a n d . If y o u see any 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 ground, f a c e - d o w n , head a w a y f rom you , a r m s out , p a l m s u p . W i t h your par tner or back-up providing cover , t h e n approach h i m as y o u w o u l d an i n c a p a c i t a t e d suspec t .
W h e r e no w e a p o n s are v i s ib le , h a v e h i m s tand w i t h h is b a c k to you and te l l h i m to i n t e r l a c e h i s f ingers b e h i n d h i s head, push ing 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 ta lk to h i m f r o m a d i s t a n c e in t h i s pos i t ion , and if you decide to approach for c loser i n s p e c t i o n and in ter rogat ion , y o u can grasp the top three f ingers of o n e of h is h a n d s w i t h your n o n - g u n hand and squeeze 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 you h a n d c u f f and f r i sk h i m . B e c a u s e of t h e in ter lac ing , e v e n s l ight pressure o n h is f ingers w i l l in f l i c t c o n s i d e r a b l e pain and k e e p h i m at a d isadvantage . Y o u m a y a lso w a n t h i m on h is k n e e s w i t h h i s legs crossed at t h e a n k l e s to further i n c a p a c i t a t e h i m .
If y o u are m a k i n g an arrest , t h e suspec t ( s ) should be handcuf fed at f irst o p p o r t u n i t y and t h e n thoroughly searched . W h e n search ing an of fender , a lways h u n t in t h e l i k e l i e s t p lace for a gun f irst . A
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!
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
h i g h w a y p a t r o l m a n w h o stopped to i n v e s t i g a t e a h i t c h h i k e r on a t u r n p i k e in K a n s a s ignored t h i s rule and s tar ted h is search by going 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 to s tand by un-handcuf fed and w i t h o u t having b e e n pat ted d o w n . As it turned 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 rooper w a s probing h is luggage, t h e suspec t drew a . 3 2 c a l . r evo lver f r o m h i s w a i s t b a n d and fata l ly shot t h e o f f i cer in t h e h e a d .
In s o m e c a s e s , f ie ld i n t e r r o g a t i o n w i l l require less dras 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 least 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 to approach a w i t n e s s or c o m p l a i n a n t for q u e s t i o n i n g . W i t h any on- foot approach, a l w a y s s tand at an obl ique angle to t h e sub jec t ; tha t is , w i t h your n o n - g u n side turned toward h i m so t h a t your 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 eas i ly d a m a g e d areas of your 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 w i t h a s e e m i n g l y " h a r m l e s s " s u b j e c t , try to p o s i t i o n yourse l f so s o m e cover is b e t w e e n t h e t w o of y o u or nearby , and c l o s e r to y o u t h a n to h i m . If h e suddenly p r e s e n t s a gun, y o u d o n ' t w a n t h i m to get to t h e neares t cover f i rs t .
Y o u s h o u l d cons ider a d i s t a n c e around y o u of at least three feet as your " s a f e t y z o n e . " C l o s e r t h a n tha t , the danger tha t you w i l l b e s t r u c k or tha t an a t t e m p t w i l l be m a d e to grab your gun is vas t ly m u l t i p l i e d . S t r e e t - w i s e s u s p e c t s m a y try to p e n e t r a t e t h i s z o n e by: fe igning deafness in order to draw c l o s e r . . . a c t i n g " c o o l , " pol i te and c o u r t e o u s to b lunt your a l e r t n e s s . . . t r y i n g d ivers ionary t a c t i c s s u c h as sp l i t t ing apart w h e n there are t w o or 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 c l o s e to t h e body in hopes y o u ' l l r e a c h out or s tep n e a r e r to get t h e m . Don't permit anyone to move in closer than 36 inches or try to touch you.
Having b e g u n an 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 s ight , 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 w h e r e y o u c a n ' t see . H e m a y b e heading to get a gun f rom a n o t h e r l o c a t i o n . A sher i f f in W y o m i n g e n c o u n t e r e d a m a n on a r a n c h road w h o had b e e n dr ink ing and reportedly t h r e a t e n i n g sui c ide . T h e sheri f f t a lked w i t h h i m a b i t , t h e n w a l k e d w i t h h i m t o w ard t h e m a n ' s n e a r b y c a b i n . H e allowed t h e s u s p e c t to go ins ide , out of s ight , w h i l e i e w a i t e d in t h e yard to r e s u m e t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n , ns tead of c o m i n g b a c k out , t h o u g h , t h e s u s p e c t
: i red a . 3 0 - . 3 0 c a l . r i f le t h r o u g h t h e c a b i n w i n d o w , l i t t i n g t h e sherif f in t h e c h e s t and k i l l i n g h i m instantly. T h e assa i lan t t h e n turned t h e g u n o n h i m self and c o m m i t t e d su ic ide . T h e k e e p - i n - s i g h t prin-: iple applies , 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 indoors 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.
off icer h a s b e e n s la in w h e n t h e s u s p e c t 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 i n t e r r o g a t i o n — a n d e m e r g e d w i t h h i s t r u s t y deer r i f le , 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 to q u e s t i o n s u s p e c t s in a parked car . 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 are b e h i n d cover . O r , if y o u c a n approach w i t h o u t be ing seen , a n o t h e r o p t i o n is to c o m e up l o w b e h i n d t h e r ight rear fender of t h e i r car , w h e r e y o u ' l l b e able to see ins ide , and u s e t h a t as your 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 wa r d t h e s u s p e c t s w h e n y o u first spot t h e m , y o u pass by , fak ing d i s i n t e r e s t , and t h e n q u i c k l y w h i r l and t a k e p o s i t i o n b e h i n d t h e b a c k fender . Y o u r p a r t n e r or b a c k - u p s h o u l d a s s u m e a n o t h e r p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n t h a t p u t s h i m at a d i f ferent ang le f r o m t h e car , w h e r e h e c a n cover y o u w i t h o u t expos ing y o u to c ross - f i re . (You s h o u l d n o t a t t e m p t to q u e s t i o n m o r e t h a n t w o s u s p e c t s in a car by yourse l f . ) As y o u r e a c h t h e fender, slap it sharply w i t h your n o n - g u n h a n d to 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 and at t h e s a m e t i m e f i r m l y direc t t h e m to face forward and n o t m o v e . G e t the i r h a n d s in s ight o n t h e s teer ing w h e e l , o n top of t h e dashboard or b e h i n d t h e i r h e a d s , or order t h e m to h a n g t h e i r h a n d s out of t h e w i n d o w s , be fore beginn ing a n y f ield i n t e r r o g a t i o n .
T h e r e ' s a l w a y s t h e poss ib i l i ty , of c o u r s e , t h a t t h e person y o u ' v e s ingled out for f ie ld i n t e r r o g a t i o n is n o t g u i l t y of wrongdoing . In t h a t c a s e , apologize and e x p l a i n w h a t p r o m p t e d y o u t o d e t a i n h i m : " Y o u r v e h i c l e r e s e m b l e d o n e w a n t e d o n a burg l a r y , " or " Y o u ' r e dressed 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 to ld y o u bea t up your w i f e , " e t c . M o s t people w i l l a c c e p t an e x p l a n a t i o n and an apology for the i r i n c o n v e n i e n c e if y o u e m ploy an u n d e r s t a n d i n g m a n n e r , w i t h o u t a r r o ga nce .
Don't fail to quiz people who arouse your suspicions merely because you fear embarrassing them. M o s t c i v i l i a n s o n l e g i t i m a t e b u s i n e s s c a n eas i ly prove i t . And e v e n if t h e y a r e n ' t grac ious e n o u g h to a c c e p t your e x p l a n a t i o n for a c t i n g as y o u did, i t ' s b e t t e r to h a v e t a k e n s teps t h a t a l l o w y o u to b e a r o u n d to a n s w e r t h e i r c o m p l a i n t t o m o r r o w t h a n for there to b e n o t o m o r r o w .
Traffic Stops
F e w patro l e v e n t s s e e m m o r e " r o u t i n e " t h a n v e h i c l e p u l l o v e r s , yet in an average year 12 per c e n t of o f f i cers k i l l e d are 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 even before y o u are o u t of your patrol car . A young c i ty p a t r o l m a n in M i s s o u r i w a s k i l l ed s t i l l b e h i n d h is s teer ing w h e e l , w h e n a stopped driver leaped out and 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 pat ro 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 af ter 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 F lor ida case w h e r e a h ighw a y p a t r o l m a n w a s c a l m l y c h e c k i n g a c o o p e r a t i v e driver 's i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w h e n a passenger , w h o had appeared to be as leep , suddenly popped up and opened fire w i t h a . 2 2 p i s to l .
D a n g e r o u s m o t o r i s t s and passengers c a n n o t a lways be ident i f ied in a d v a n c e . T h i s is w h y it is so c r i t i ca l to control your s top . P e o p l e y o u s top m a y have b e e n involved in a c r i m e y o u k n o w n o t h i n g about and fear you 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 traff ic v i o l a t i o n a l o n e m a y k i n d l e an angry, v i o l e n t 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, a l l o w i n g m u c h to be h idden f r o m your v iew during your approach, inc luding 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 h a v e t h e advantage should s h o o t i n g start , your b e s t m e n t a l a t t i t u d e is o n e that a c k n o w l e d g e s , " T h i s t i m e I real ly could go d o w n " — e v e n if y o u r " s u s p e c t " is an 85-year -o ld w o m a n w i t h b l u e hair , s topped for having n o ta i l l ight . V e h i c l e approaches s h o u l d be v iewed 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 tor is t invo lved . R e p e t i t i o n of good 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 holes in this windshield capture the eeriness of a non-felony stop which became a fatal stop. Two undercover officers died inside this car.
77
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.
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 car y o u i n t e n d to s top , re lay t h e l i c e n s e n u m b e r and d e s c r i p t i o n 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 I n f o r m a t i o n C e n t e r ( N C I C ) 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 has b e e n reported s t o l e n or invo lved in 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 to k n o w it before y o u i n i t i a t e t h e s top . T h e s a m e is t rue , 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 p a n t s f r o m a " w a n t e d " d e s c r i p t i o n .
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 " and it appears at t h e o u t s e t t h a t y o u w i l l be m a k i n g o n l y a m i s d e m e a n o r or s u s p i c i o u s v e h i c l e s top r a t h e r t h a n a ful l - f ledged fe lony pul lover , t h e r e ' s n o a s s u r a n c e , 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 does n o t c o n t a i n g u n s and people ready to u s e t h e m . A m o t o r i s t m a y give every a p p e a r a n c e of be ing a nor m a l c i v i l i a n up to t h e las t m o m e n t . In O k l a h o m a , a y o u n g t r u c k driver w h o h a d d o n e n o m o r e t h a n c o m m i t a m i n o r traf f ic i n f r a c t i o n ign i ted a p o l i c e k i l l i n g spree w h e n a c i t y m a r s h a l s topped h i m to i s s u e a t i c k e t . Enraged, t h e driver m u r d e r e d t h e 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 la ter k i l l e d an a u x i l i a r y o f f i cer and a sher i f f ' s deputy and c r i t i c a l l y w o u n d e d a p o l i c e c h i e f w h o tr ied t o arrest h i m . K e e p in m i n d t h a t m o r e of f i cers are k i l l ed 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 guard is d o w n and t h e y are n o t a n t i c i p a t i n g t r o u b l e .
W h e n y o u ' r e pul l ing 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 ive c o m m u n i c a t i o n s y o u r e x a c t l o c a t i o n and t h e car l i c e n s e n u m b e r and d e s c r i p t i o n . // you're alone, the dispatcher will be your only partner. Y o u w a n t to k e e p 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 sure h e r e s p o n d s to al l your i n q u i r i e s and m e s s a g e s before y o u leave y o u r patro l car .
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 to get o u t of your patro l car and get b a c k as fast 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 b o t h v e h i c l e s h a v e c o m e to a s top w i t h 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 . Errors y o u m a k e t h e n m a y b a c k f i r e a f e w m o m e n t s la ter . A l e r t n e s s and c a u t i o n are m a n d a t o r y . D o n ' t l e t your c o n c e r n for your o w n c r e a t u r e c o m f o r t s divert y o u f r o m a good surv iva l a t t i t u d e .
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 s top , 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 looking for 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 la te proper ly s e c u r e d , or is i t a f f ixed in a m a n n e r or in a c o n d i t i o n t h a t m a y indic a t e it is s to len? Are passengers revea l ing u n d u e c o n c e r n a b o u t your presence? T h i s m a y be i n d i c a t e d by fac ia l e x p r e s s i o n s , e x c i t e d c o n v e r s a t i o n s , e t c .
78
Y o u w a n t to be sure all doors are closed completely, to l e ssen t h e c h a n c e of t h e driver or a passenger suddenly leaning out and s h o o t i n g , or s e t t i n g off a f i rearm bui l t i n t o t h e door. T h e t r u n k l id, t o o , should be c losed t ight , w i t h i t s l o c k in p l a c e . In s o m e cases , a r m e d s u s p e c t s h a v e h idden in t r u n k s and t h e n h a v e suddenly t h r o w n t h e l id up t o confront u n s u s p e c t i n g of f icers , or t h e y ' v e s h o t at off i cers t h r o u g h t h e h o l e left by a pul led l o c k . W h e n y o u ' r e deal ing w i t h a van 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 to order t h e driver o u t and h a v e h i m open t h e rear doors for y o u so y o u c a n see ins ide , on t h e c h a n c e a r m e d passengers are h iding t h e r e , ready to s h o o t . H e r e y o u h a v e your s i d e a r m o u t , b u t n o t in p la in v i e w . Y o u open your door s l ight ly and p o s i t i o n yourse l f b e h i n d your w i n d s h i e l d pos t so tha t your head and c h e s t are g iven s o m e c o v e r prot e c t i o n . W i t h y o u s taying in t h i s s o m e w h a t prot e c t e d p o s i t i o n , t h e dr iver ' s body, n o t y o u r s , i s l i k e l y to be in t h e l ine of any gunf i re .
W i t h ordinary v e h i c l e s w h e r e t h e driver rem a i n s ins ide , w a t c h h i s shoulders and t h o s e of any passengers for m o v e m e n t s tha t m a y suggest t h e y are drawing or a i m i n g a f i rearm. 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 , under a seat or above a s u n visor , t h e y m a y b e going for a gun. If y o u see a n y fur t ive or u n u s u a l m o v e m e n t , order t h e driver and 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 the i r h a n d s in p la in 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 and get to cover . It m a y be n e c e s s a r y f r o m tha t p o i n t forward t o t reat the i n c i d e n t as a felony t raf f ic s top .
D o n o t , as s o m e of f icers s e e m p r o n e to do, a l low a driver to approach y o u r patro l car to display h is l i c e n s e or reg is t ra t ion . If h e s tar ts t o w a r d y o u , order h i m to s top and b e sure y o u c a n see h i s h a n d s . A driver in Indiana approached a l i e u t e n a n t during a traff ic s top w i t h h i s hands b e h i n d h i s b a c k — t h e n , i t c l o s e range, suddenly produced a . 4 5 s e m i a u t o m a t i c and fa ta l ly shot t h e l i e u t e n a n t in t h e ; h e s t .
W h e n y o u are ready to approach t h e s topped vehic le , 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 leave yours on. C o n s i d e r h a v i n g :he of fender turn h is w h e e l s to t h e r ight , to i n h i b i t l i s driving off. U s e your e x t e r i o r s p e a k e r to t e l l l i m , if y o u h a v e to . 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 to gun t h e car b a c k w a r d s and :rush y o u b e t w e e n t h e v e h i c l e s or d isab le your >atrol car and t h e n drive off . O n s o m e v e h i c l e s , vhen t h e m o t o r ' s on , a c losed t r u n k c a n be opened l u t o m a t i c a l l y f r o m t h e ins ide .
As y o u prepare t o ex i t your pat ro l car , crank 'our steering wheel to the left. It s o m e o n e t r ies to h o o t y o u as y o u s tep out , y o u m a y b e ab le to drop iehind t h e w h e e l for 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 your legs 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 e x i t y o u r car , c o n s i d e r p lac ing your radio m i c r o p h o n e o u t s i d e t h e w i n d o w b e h i n d y o u r s ide m i r r o r for fast a c c e s s i b i l i t y .
If y o u are w o r k i n g w i t h a par tner , h e should f l a n k out on t h e passenger s ide o p p o s i t e your approach to a p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n w h e r e h e c a n l o o k d i r e c t l y i n t o t h e s ide and rear w i n d o w s of t h e s topped v e h i c l e , perhaps c o n c e a l e d b e h i n d a t ree or u t i l i t y p o l e . H e w i l l t h e n b e able to see i n t o t h e v e h i c l e f r o m a di f ferent angle t h a n y o u c a n . If h e ' s h idden f r o m t h e o c c u p a n t s , h e c a n u n o b t r u s i v e l y draw h i s s i d e a r m or a i m h i s s h o t g u n and h a v e i t ready to defend y o u at any 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 , h i s p r e s e n c e in s u c h an u n e x p e c t e d p o s i t i o n c a n b e p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y u n n e r v i n g to an a r m e d s u s p e c t and m a y c o n v i n c e h i m t h a t t h e odds against 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 should b e care fu l , of c o u r s e , n o t to t a k e a p o s i t i o n w h e r e h e w o u l d b e jeopardized by cross - f i re f r o m your s i d e a r m in t h e e v e n t y o u h a v e to s h o o t , or v i c e versa .
As y o u w a l k t o wa r d t h e v e h i c l e , c o n s i d e r un-snapping t h e s e c u r i t y strap on y o u r h o l s t e r and res t ing your s t rong h a n d o n y o u r gun b u t t , in p o s i t i o n to draw your w e a p o n w i t h o u t de lay if n e c e s s a r y . Y o u can g ive t h i s h a n d p o s i t i o n a n o n -t h r e a t e n i n g appearance by a lso r e s t i n g y o u r w e a k h a n d o n your o t h e r h i p . Y o u w i l l t h e n s e e m m e r e l y to be approach ing in a s o m e w h a t s a u n t e r i n g posture , a l t h o u g h in fac t y o u are ready for t r o u b l e .
An a l t e r n a t i v e is to carry 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 ipboard w i t h a t h i c k shea f of papers in your n o n - g u n h a n d . S h o u l d an a r m e d of fender s tar t s h o o t i n g w h i l e s t i l l s i t t ing in h is car , t h e s e i t e m s m a y s top or def lec t s o m e b u l l e t s w h i l e l eav ing your gun h a n d free . B u l l e t - r e s i s t a n t c l ipboards are avai l ab le , w h i c h are l ight and u n o b t r u s i v e , ye t offer p r o t e c t i o n against m a n y h a n d g u n r o u n d s .
D u r i n g your approach to t h e driver, w a t c h 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 eyes on t h e v e h i c l e ' s o c c u p a n t s , t o u c h t h e t r u n k c r a c k to be sure t h e l id 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 seat for f i r e a r m s or h idden passengers . S t a y close to t h e v e h i c l e as y o u m o v e forward. 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 di f f i cul t for h i m to t u r n and f ire at y o u t h r o u g h h i s s ide 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 greates t danger o n c e y o u ' v e r e a c h e d t h e v e h i c l e . T h e c h a n c e s of your s idearm b e i n g grabbed or y o u r being c o n f r o n t e d by a w e a p o n f r o m ins ide are greatest f r o m h e r e on . So y o u w a n t to do w h a t y o u can to k e e p t h e o t h e r guy off b a l a n c e .
81
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.
Don't stop directly opposite the driver's window. B y s t a n d i n g s l ight ly behind h i s door, y o u h a v e a v i s u a l ins ide b u t y o u m a k e i t a w k w a r d for h i m to see or r e a c h y o u . If h e tr ies to f l ing h i s door open, 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 and y o u m a y be a b l e to s l a m it s h u t w i t h a hard thrus t of your n o n - g u n h a n d or left k n e e . D o n ' t b e c o n c e r n e d t h a t h e h a s to t w i s t to h a n d y o u h i s dr iver ' s l i c e n s e ; h e ' l l h a v e t o t w i s t to s h o o t y o u , t o o . A n d in t h e e x t r a s p l i t - s e c o n d t h a t t a k e s h i m , y o u c a n b e r e a c t i n g t o rega in c o n t r o l . Remain watchful. H o l d t h e l i c e n s e a n d c i t a t i o n b o o k up in your n o n - g u n h a n d so t h a t t h e driver and a n y o t h e r o c c u p a n t s r e m a i n w i t h i n your per iphera l v i s i o n , and your s i d e a r m h a n d is f ree . T o help y o u k e e p t r a c k of t h e dr iver ' s h a n d s , e s p e c i a l l y if h e appears n e r v o u s , y o u m a y w a n t to i n s t r u c t h i m to k e e p t h e m o n t h e s t e e r i n g w h e e l . If y o u w a n t h i m to s tep f r o m t h e v e h i c l e , o p e n t h e door for h i m so h e k e e p s h i s h a n d s in s ight . 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 door so y o u c a n m a i n t a i n a v i sua l o n t h e driver and passengers . G e n e r a l l y , h o w e v e r , y o u ' l l h a v e b e t t e r c o n t r o l if e v e r y o n e s tays ins ide .
As you approach, touch the trunk crack while maintaining a visual on the interior.
82
»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 non-felony 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.
Whatever the driver is doing, your best visual is with his hands in the steering wheel area.
Stay alert against distractions. P a s s e n g e r s m u s t b e w a t c h e d , as w e l l as t h e driver . T h e y are o f ten t h e g u n m e n (or w o m e n ) in t raf f ic s top s h o o t i n g s . Fem a l e drivers or passengers c a n pose a par t i cu lar t h r e a t in t h i s regard, b e c a u s e t h e y m a y try to divert your 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 an o b v i o u s p loy , b u t a show of s e x , w h i c h is harder t o i g n o r e . D u r i n g a surviva l e x e r c i s e in C a l i f o r n i a , 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 traf f ic s tops w a s to ld to t u r n in her seat w h e n of f i cers approached h e r car , so t h a t h e r s k i r t h i k e d up to e x p o s e her b i k i n i p a n t i e s . 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 t h e w o m a n w a s " a r m e d " and w o u l d try to " k i l l " t h e m . Y e t every m a n f lashed h i s e y e s f r o m h e r h a n d s to h e r t h i g h s t h e m o m e n t h e r sk i r t w e n t u p . Al l w e r e " s h o t " o n t h e spot . H u m a n n a t u r e is very p r e d i c t a b l e .
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 dr iver ' s door, y o u inv i te a verba l c o n f r o n t a t i o n , you are m o r e eas i ly d is t rac ted and y o u are dangerous ly c l o s e s h o u l d s o m e o n e in t h e suspec t v e h i c l e dec ide to t a k e y o u on . W r i t e t h e c i t a t i o n in a p o s i t i o n t h a t ' s to your a d v a n t a g e — a n d never w h i l e s tanding d i r e c t l y beh ind t h e s u s p e c t v e h i c l e .
W h e n for t h i s or any o t h e r reason y o u n e e d to re turn to your patrol car, w a l k w i t h your head cont i n u a l l y turned b a c k or walk backwards, keep ing a v isual on t h e o c c u p a n t s . T h i s m a y s e e m e m b a r r a s s ing or o v e r r e a c t i v e to y o u , b u t e m b a r r a s s m e n t is a big k i l l e r of o f f i cers . O f f i c e r s lay ings during traf f ic s tops o f t e n o c c u r as t h e y did to a p a t r o l m a n in T e x a s , w h o m a d e a pul lover and t a l k e d to t h e 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 tar ted b a c k to h i s patrol car to run a radio c h e c k o n a m a l e passenger , h o w e v e r , h e t u r n e d h i s b a c k on t h e s topped car to w a l k " n o r m a l l y . " U n b e k n o w n to t h e o f f i cer , t h e passenger w a s w a n t e d o n f raudulent c h e c k charges . W i t h t h e of f icer u n a b l e to see h i m , t h e s u s p e c t brought a R u s s i a n - m a d e a u t o m a t i c r i f le up f r o m under t h e seat , f ired through t h e rear w i n d o w and dropped h i s v i c t i m w i t h four b u l l e t s , l eaving h i m to die as t h e car sped a w a y .
87
E v e n ins ide your patro l 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 y o u fai l to k e e p an eye o n 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 t rooper w h o ' d b r o u g h t a t ipsy w o m a n ' s l i c e n s e b a c k to h i s pat ro l car , for e x a m p l e , c o n c e n t r a t e d o n it so e x c l u s i v e l y t h a t h e d idn ' t n o t i c e h e r h u s b a n d e m e r g e f r o m t h e s topped c a r — e v e n t h o u g h t h e m a n carr ied a r i f le . H e s h o t t h r o u g h t h e w i n d s h i e l d and p e n e t r a t e d t h e t r o o p e r ' s h e a d .
Af ter y o u ' v e de l ivered t h e c i t a t i o n , 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 patro l car . M a i n t a i n a v i s u a l o n t h e v io la t o r ' s v e h i c l e u n t i l it h a s safe ly m e r g e d b a c k i n t o t ra f f i c .
T h r o u g h o u t your approach , 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 c o n f r o n t a t h r e a t e n i n g m o v e . Y o u r plan s h o u l d a l l o w y o u to c a p i t a l i z e o n m o v e m e n t and surprise to b u y t i m e for yourse l f and s tea l t i m e f r o m your a s s a i l a n t . And y o u m u s t b e ready to e x e c u t e i t 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 y o u are deal ing w i t h indiv iduals w h o m a y b e c r i m i n a l s , y o u h a v e a h i g h l y dangerous s i t u a t i o n o n your h a n d s . For your o w n safe ty , y o u s h o u l d assume they are armed felons, w h o may shoot at any opportunit y . C o n s e q u e n t l y , your t a c t i c s w i l l differ in impor 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 t h a t are a l l t o o c o m m o n , a p a t r o l m a n in A r k a n s a s s topped a p i c k u p t r u c k f i t t ing t h e descr ipt i o n of a v e h i c l e u s e d in a grocery s tore robbery . A l t h o u g h h e w a s a l o n e and t h e r e w e r e t h r e e w o m e n in t h e t r u c k , s u s p e c t e d e s c a p e e s f r o m a r e f o r m a t o r y , h e 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 . H e w a s s h o t in t h e c h e s t w i t h a . 3 2 ca l . revolver , t h e n s h o t again af ter h e fe l l , w h e n o n e of t h e susp e c t s y a n k e d o u t t h e o f f i c e r ' s o w n s e r v i c e revolver and u s e d i t aga inst h i m . S i m i l a r l y , a h i g h w a y patro 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 years o n t h e job , t r ied s i n g l e h a n d e d l y to apprehend t h r e e b a n k robbery s u s p e c t s h e had s topped in a s e m i - r u r a l area . As h e a p p r o a c h e d t h e i r car , o n e s u s p e c t sho t h i m in t h e n e c k and c h e s t w i t h a sawed-of f . 1 2 ga. s h o t g u n .
A safer approach is to radio for b a c k - u p ass is t a n c e , e v e n if y o u h a v e a par tner . 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 surviva l s e n s e . Spec i fy your e x a c t l o c a t i o n and d i r e c t i o n of t r a v e l . . . w h y y o u need t h e a s s i s t a n c e . . . w h e r e y o u w a n t i t . . . a n d h o w m a n y patro l cars y o u fee l are required to safe ly cont ro l t h e s i t u a t i o n . If poss ib le , t ra 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 feet u n t i l your b a c k - u p is in v i e w .
P u l l t h e v e h i c l e over at a p lace of your c h o o s i n g , w h e r e t h e v i s i b i l i t y . . . n e a r b y c o v e r . . . a n d m i n i m a l a m o u n t of v e h i c u l a r and pedes t r ian t raf f ic w o r k in 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 in ter fere , be in jured or b e t a k e n h o s t a g e in t h e e v e n t of t r o u b l e . T o o m u c h v e h i c u l a r and/or pedes t r ian traff ic m a y i n h i b i t u s e of your f i rearm should your l i fe b e c o m e in danger . ) If t h e s u s p e c t t r ies to s top w h e r e y o u d o n ' t w a n t h i m to , u s e your o u t s i d e s p e a k e r s y s t e m t o direct h i m on to your c h o i c e of s top . Do not pull abreast of h i m to get h i s a t t e n t i o n . T h i s g ives h i m or h i s passengers an easy target . If h e h i t s h i s b r a k e s , y o u w i l l suddenly b e in f ront of h i m , a very poor t a c t i c a l p o s i t i o n . As y o u are m a k i n g t h e s top , n o t i f y c o m m u n i c a t i o n s of your 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.
8 9
The back-up unit [Car 9] during the At night, the primary unit [Car 21} uses night felony pullover, also uses his his high beams for general illumination high beams for general blinding illumiof the suspect vehicle. Car 21 's left spot nation. Car 9's left spotlight will blind light is aimed at the driver's side mirror. the driver as he exits. The right spotThe right spotlight is aimed at the right light will blind other occupants as they front passenger's side mirror. are removed.
O n a f e l o n y stop w h e r e a b a c k - u p u n i t is ass i s t ing, c o n s i d e r p o s i t i o n i n g your patro l car d i f ferent ly t h a n you 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 on t h e l o c a t i o n involved , 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 topping so your patro l car j u t s out 3 feet as y o u ordinar i ly w o u l d to p r o t e c t yourself f rom traff ic as y o u w a l k to t h e dr iver ' s w i n d o w , park in line with the suspect vehicle and about 3 0 feet b a c k . At n ight , t h i s w i l l a l l o w y o u to u s e your l ights to i l l u m i n a t e t h e car ahead . Y o u r b a c k - u p u n i t can t h e n pul l up d i rec t ly a long t h e dr iver ' s side of your car , b l o c k i n g traf f ic in t h a t l a n e . T h e r e should be jus t e n o u g h r o o m b e t w e e n so t h a t y o u can open your dr iver ' s door and t h e p a s s e n g e r officer in t h e b a c k - u p car c a n open h is door , w i t h space for the of fender to 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 there is k n o w n danger , a l l of f icers open the i r doors , 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 in h i s seat so h i s b a c k res ts against a door post for support and h e is p r o t e c t e d at l eas 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 res ts o n t h e f loorboard w h i l e t h e o t h e r is braced against t h e door j a m b or t h e open door, not res t ing on t h e ground w h e r e your legs are exposed to 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 are t h e driver of t h e f irst patro l car , y o u h a v e your serv ice h a n d g u n t ra ined o n t h e dr iver ' s s ide of t h e s u s p e c t v e h i c l e . T h e passenger of f icer of t h e back-up car also aims at that side with his handgun. Your partner covers the passenger side of the suspect vehicle with his shotgun; the driver of the back-up uni t covers the suspects inside their vehicle with a shotgun, if one is available.
As t h e driver of t h e f irst responding patro l car , y o u a l o n e give orders, ye l l ing or us ing your o u t s i d e speaker to address s u s p e c t s and a lso to order pedest r ians to leave t h e area. Y o u r f e l l o w of f i cers say n o t h i n g u n l e s s t h e y see a s u s p e c t going for a f i r e a r m . Y e l l (or broadcas t over your 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 f ingers . . . put your hands b e h i n d your h e a d s . . . l o o k s tra ight ahead. D r i v e r ! S h u t your m o t o r off and t a k e t h e k e y s in your h a n d . " (If y o u h a v e to m a k e t h e stop before he lp arr ives , y o u c a n i s s u e t h e s e orders and k e e p t h e s u s p e c t s in th i s p o s i t i o n u n t i l y o u h a v e b a c k - u p . A n y m o v e y o u w a n t a n y o c c u p a n t to m a k e , i n c i d e n t a l l y , t e l l h i m to m a k e w i t h h is left hand. )
N o w you w a n t to get t h e m out of t h e i r v e h i c l e , one at a t i m e , on t h e driver's s ide . ( O n e of t h e less desirable m e t h o d s of m a n e u v e r i n g fe lony traf f ic s tops i n v o l v e s e x i t s f r o m t h e passenger s ide of t h e suspect v e h i c l e , w i t h t h e o c c u p a n t s put up against
a w a l l for 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 passenger-s ide ex i t is u s u a l l y less des i rab le b e c a u s e good c o v e r — l i k e parked cars , t rees , u t i l i t y po les , d o o r w a y s — i s l i k e l i e r to b e o n t h a t s ide and t h u s readi ly ava i lab le to s u s p e c t s as t h e y e m e r g e . O n t h e dr iver ' s s ide, t h e y ' l l ord inar i ly h a v e f e w e r barr i cades b e h i n d w h i c h to e s c a p e or s h o o t . In addi t ion , e x i t i n g i n t o t h e s t reet adds to 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 to your 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 jus t w h o all t h e o c c u p a n t s are . 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 are l ined up in t r a d i t i o n a l f a s h i o n against a w a l l and s h o o t i n g s tar t s , i n n o c e n t people in t h e l ine -up m a y u n k n o w i n g l y be s h o t by an off ic 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 s topped v e h i c l e and n o t u n d e r p h y s i c a l res t ra in t l e s s e n s your ab i l i ty to c o n t r o l t h e s i t u a t i o n . ) S tar t w i t h g e t t i n g t h e driver o u t . W h e r e several s u s p e c t s are p r e s e n t , t h e driver is u s u a l l y t h e leader , so y o u w a n t to i s o l a t e h i m as p r o m p t l y as p o s s i b l e . Y o u w a n t h i m to br ing t h e car k e y s with him, so t h e y are n o t left b e h i n d for t h e o t h e r s u s p e c t s or dropped on 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 to y o u . If h i s w i n d o w is ro l led d o w n , order h i m to r e a c h out w i t h h i s le f t h a n d s l o w l y and open h i s door f r o m t h e 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 up , y o u ' l l h a v e to a l l o w h i m to l o w e r h i s left (and h o p e f u l l y w e a k ) h a n d o u t of s ight long e n o u g h to open t h e door . T h e s p o t l i g h t o n t h e f irst responding patro l car or t h e b a c k - u p u n i t s h o u l d b e t ra ined o n t h e dr iver ' s s ide at a b o u t f ive feet off t h e ground so tha t t h e driver w i l l f ace t h e glare of t h e l ight as h e s teps o u t and l o o k s t o w a r d t h e patro l cars . As h e s teps out , h a v e h i m rol l d o w n h i s w i n d o w (if it i s n ' t a l r e a d y ) . . . k i c k t h e door s h u t . . . a n d get b o t h h a n d s up over h i s h e a d as h igh as h e c a n r e a c h , w i t h h i s f ingers spread apart . R e m e m b e r , t h e k e y in t h i s s i t u a t i o n is contwl.
As t h e driver of t h e f irst patro l car , y o u and t h e passenger o f f i cer f r o m t h e b a c k - u p u n i t c o n c e n t r a t e o n h a n d l i n g t h e s u s p e c t w h o h a s e x i t e d . Y o u w a n t h i m t o t u r n s l o w l y in a ful l c i r c l e w h i l e y o u l o o k for any v i s i b l e w e a p o n s . If y o u see any , order h i m to k e e p h i s h a n d s i n t e r l a c e d on h i s h e a d and to w a l k backwards t o wa r d y o u . Advise 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 going for h i s 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 appears 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 p lace h i s h a n d s b e h i n d h i s he a d and 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 y o u w o u l d an a r m e d s u s p e c t .
T o h i s f e l l o w s u s p e c t s w h o m a y be w a t c h i n g f r o m t h e s topped v e h i c l e , i t w i l l appear tha t h e is
disappearing i n t o a w h i t e void of l ight as h e m o v e s toward y o u . S u s p e c t s w h o h a v e e x p e r i e n c e d t h i s i l lus ion c o n c e d e tha t it h a s a s trong, i n h i b i t i n g p s y c h o l o g i c a l i m p a c t . As t h e driver b a c k s b e t w e e n t h e open patro l car doors , t h e passenger o f f i cer f r o m t h e b a c k - u p car wi l l s tand b e h i n d h i m and grasp t h e top three f ingers of o n e of t h e s u s p e c t ' s h a n d s , as descr ibed for f ie ld i n t e r r o g a t i o n s . T h i s o f f i cer t a k e s c o n t r o l of t h e s u s p e c t ' s car 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 on a n y of t h e passengers or in t h e car and a b o u t o t h e r passengers w h o m a y n o t be v i s i b l e . . . t h e n l o c k e d in t h e b a c k seat of one of t h e patrol cars .
The key to the felony pullover is con- Command the driver to place his hands trol. Here you have the driver exit by over his head. Then you can see any gun opening his door from the outside. in his waistband.
Now order the driver to interlace his fingers behind his head and kick his door shut.
Then command him to walk backward with his hands still interlaced behind the head
F o l l o w i n g t h e s a m e p r o c e d u r e s , a l l v i s i b l e passengers are 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 car , al l f r o m t h e dr iver ' s s ide . C l e a r t h e f ront seat f i rs t (after t h e driver, t h e m o s t l i k e l y leader of a gang is t h e r ight f ront passenger ) , 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 car is a two-door , b a c k seat passengers c a n push t h e dr iver ' s seat by tr ipping t h e l o c k i n g l a t c h w i t h a foot so t h e y c a n ex i t w i t h o u t l o w e r i n g the i r h a n d s .
T h e s e procedures in e m p t y i n g a s u s p e c t v e h i c l e w i l l w o r k to your advantage at m o s t l o c a t i o n s . H o w ever , w h e n t h e s top is be ing 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 are o t h e r o v e r w h e l m i n g hazards to t h e le f t , a d j u s t m e n t in t h e t a c t i c s m u s t b e m a d e . It m a y t h e n be 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 ide . If so , t h e b a c k - u p u n i t should pul l up o n t h e r ight of t h e f irst responding patro l car , e v e n if it m e a n s j u m p i n g a c u r b to do so . T h e ro les of t h e o f f i cers are reversed, and t h e e x i t b e g i n s w i t h t h e r ight f ront passenger , w h o br ings t h e k e y s . S t i l l , t h e s u s p e c t s are 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 t h e t w o patro l 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 t h e s u s p e c t v e h i c l e appears e m p t y , y o u w a n t to 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 and t h e n t h e t r u n k , w h e r e addi t iona l a r m e d p a s s e n g e r s have b e e n k n o w n to s e c r e t e t h e m s e l v e s . T h e r e are several 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 approach is to t a k e o n e of t h e h a n d c u f f e d pr i soners w i t h y o u to w i t n e s s your s e a r c h . B e f o r e advanc ing , m a k e sure y o u h a v e s e c u r e d t h e p r i s o n e r ' s cooperat i o n in br ing ing h i m t o t h e t r u n k , e l se y o u are infr inging o n h i s r ights as a pr i soner . W h e n i t ' s t i m e to open t h e car doors or t r u n k l id, do so by holding h i m s e c u r e l y w i t h y o u r n o n - g u n h a n d and r e a c h i n g around f r o m b e h i n d h i m . ( D o n ' t grip jus t h i s handcuffs a l o n e . E x p e r i e n c e d f e l o n s c a n t w i s t t h e cuf fs and t a k e off o n e of your f ingers ) . Y o u r f e l l o w officers , of c o u r s e , cover y o u as y o u m a k e your approach , t a k i n g care to avoid cross - f i re p o s i t i o n s .
9 4
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 non-gun 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 O b v i o u s l y , y o u c a n n o t h a v e your s i d e a r m o u t
and ready to u s e e v e r y t i m e y o u a n s w e r a radio ca l l , c o n d u c t a f ie ld i n t e r v i e w or m a k e a t raf f ic s top . E v e n if d e p a r t m e n t p o l i c y and 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 and 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 w i l l f r ighten and of fend c i v i l i a n s and m a y , in fac t , 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 t h a t c o u l d o t h e r w i s e b e p e a c e f u l l y reso lved .
M a n y of f i cers , h o w e v e r , do n o t draw t h e i r s ide-a r m s w h e n t h e y should. B a c k - u p of f i cers arr iving at t h e s c e n e w h e r e an of f icer h a s b e e n k i l l e d o f t e n d iscover 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 s ide-a 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 to draw, s h o o t or o t h e r w i s e defend h i m s e l f . Y e t in 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 prior w a r n i n g of danger .
T h e ru le h a s b e e n : d o n ' t draw u n l e s s y o u i n t e n d to s h o o t . T h a t suggests y o u w a i t u n t i l t h e las t i n s t a n t to get y o u r s i d e a r m in your h a n d . T h e survival approach is : d o n ' t draw u n l e s s y o u are prepared to s h o o t , m e n t a l l y and t a c t i c a l l y , if y o u h a v e t o . T h i s a l l o w s for t h e f a s t e s t p o s s i b l e " d r a w " : hav ing your s i d e a r m in your h a n d before t h e f ight s t a r t s . Y o u s h o u l d h a v e y o u r f i rearm ready w h e n ever :
1 . y o u are approaching 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 deadly w e a p o n ;
2. y o u are i n v o l v e d in a h i g h - r i s k a c t i v i t y , s u c h as a bui ld ing s e a r c h or h a v e 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 a n y r e a s o n to fear for y o u r sa fe ty or t h e sa fe ty of o t h e r s .
W h e n in doubt , y o u m a y w a n t to go w i t h your gun a n d r i s k ruff l ing a f e w c o m m u n i t y r e l a t i o n s 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 o w n f u n e r a l .
A n o t h e r aspec t of f i r e a r m s r e a d i n e s s is hav ing t h e m o s t e f f e c t i v e g u n in 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 and 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 pat ro l by 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 an 18- or 2 0 - i n c h barre l ; ye 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 in m a k i n g an approach is o f t e n o v e r l o o k e d and 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 your pat ro l car , a s h o t gun m a y m a k e a s t rong p s y c h o l o g i c a l i m p a c t . I t s a p p e a r a n c e and r e p u t a t i o n m a y be e n o u g h in t h e m se lves to sober a s u s p e c t w h o ' s c o n s i d e r i n g s h o o t i n g y o u . Y o u c a n i n d u c e an addi t iona l " 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 heard , in t h e s t i l l of t h e n i g h t , i t ' s a sound n e v e r f o r g o t t e n . If y o u are jus t i f i ed in u s i n g deadly
force and do h a v e to u s e it , t h e s h o t g u n c a n b e even 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 gun, ye t , if you are s h o o t i n g at re la t ive ly c l o s e range , t h e pe l l e t s are n o t l i k e l y to spread out w i d e e n o u g h t o endanger people o t h e r t h a n your a s s a i l a n t . For l o n g - d i s t a n c e shoot ing , r i f led s lugs c a n be f ired to an e f f e c t i v e range of about 1 0 0 yards . In addi t ion , t h e s h o t g u n can be used to f ire c h e m i c a l a g e n t s .
T h e s h o t g u n does h a v e i ts d r a w b a c k s . If y o u have to run or y o u get i n t o a p h y s i c a l f ight , it m a y prove c u m b e r s o m e . . . i f y o u n e e d to put it as ide, it has n o h o l s t e r . . . i f y o u are us ing your f l ash l ight it m a y be a w k w a r d to carry . B u t w h e n y o u know y o u are facing a poss ib le a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n , t h e s e are def in i te ly of s e co ndary 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 f i re power , 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 your shotgun any time y o u are approaching :
1. t h e s c e n e of a f e lony- in -progress ; 2. a hazardous v e h i c l e s top; 3 . a w a n t e d fe lon , 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
shot or k i l l ed is h igh . L i k e m a n y of f icers , y o u m a y try to avoid t h e
shotgun in your patro l 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 ra in ing y o u h a v e rece ived 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 scope and direc t ion m a y h a v e b e e n so l i m i t e d t h a t y o u fee l y o u h a v e fa i led to m a s t e r th 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 y o u ' r e on a par t i cu lar ly dangerous a s s i g n m e n t , w h e r e y o u m a y n e e d to draw o n m a x i m u m t ra in ing r e s o u r c e s to e m e r g e a l ive . S o m e range i n s t r u c t o r s s e e m to feel t h a t e v e n w i t h o u t s u f f i c i e n t p r a c t i c a l e x p e r i e n c e y o u c a n p r o t e c t your l i fe or o t h e r i n n o c e n t l ives w i t h a s h o t g u n s i m p l y b y v i r t u e of i t s capabi l i ty to expel p o w e r f u l m u l t i p l e p r o j e c t i l e s . W h e r e l ives are on t h e l ine , t h a t ' s a poor a s s u m p t i o n to m a k e . Part of survival 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 prof i c ient w i t h all f i r e a r m s at your c o m m a n d . Later , w e ' l l e x a m i n e par t i cu lar ly t h e procedures for safely t ransport ing and 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 y o u r s u b s e q u e n t in ter rogat ion of indiv iduals y o u e n c o u n t e r there .
Af ter c o m p l e t i n g any approach and arres t ing or re leas ing t h e suspect (s ) involved , t a k e a f e w m o m e n t s to 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 , d i scuss t h e a c t i o n s y o u b o t h t o o k . Q u i c k l y r e v i e w i n g your job p e r f o r m a n c e and discover ing w e a k n e s s e s tha t c o u l d h a v e w o r k e d to a s u s p e c t ' s advantage w i l l he lp y o u s h a r p e n your procedures and t a c t i c a l m a n e u v e r s in t h e f u t u r e .
LIGHT CONTROL
W h e n t h e l ights go d o w n , your r i s k goes up, as a r u l e . L i k e a c a m e r a , y o u r e ye n e e d s l ight t o record i m a g e s , and o n n ight patro l , in d a r k n e s s or t h e deep s h a d o w s of s t r e e t s , a l l eys , yards, roof tops , h a l l w a y s and r o o m s , t h e r e m a y b e too l i t t l e i l l u m i n a t i o n for y o u to q u i c k l y p e r c e i v e i m a g e s tha t w a r n of danger . E v e n 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 ight l eve l l o c a t i o n s l i k e bars or b a s e m e n t s , y o u m a y be t e m p o r a r i l y b l inded w h i l e your eyes adjust to t h e s c e n e . A s u s p e c t a lready t h e r e , c l o a k e d in and adapted to t h e dark, c a n p r e s e n t a m e n a c e y o u w o n ' t e v e n see .
M o r e t h a n hal f t h e t i m e s a r m e d s u s p e c t s t a k e on t h e p o l i c e , t h e y do so at d u s k . . . a f t e r d a r k . . . o r w h e r e ar t i f i c ia l l ight is l i m i t e d . M o r e t h a n t w o -th i rds of t h e s h o o t i n g s in w h i c h o f f i cers die 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 in t h e m o r n i n g , w i t h t h e deadl ies t h o u r s t h e d a r k e s t o n e s , b e t w e e n 10 P M and 2 A M .
Y e t d a r k n e s s is n o t a l w a y s your 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 to c o n c e a l your m o v e m e n t s in r e s p o n d i n g to c r i m e s . It m a y provide y o u w i t h a h iding p l a c e . And during p o t e n t i a l l y dangerous n i g h t t i m e t raf f ic s tops , for e x a m p l e , it m a y p e r m i t y o u an i m p o r t a n t t a c t i c a l edge: t a k i n g advantage of t h e dark, y o u m a y be able to draw your gun 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 door 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 driver . O r — a n d t h i s is fas ter b e c a u s e y o u c a n ra ise a g u n up fas ter t h a n y o u c a n l o w e r it f r o m an e l e v a t e d p o s i t i o n — y o u m a y be able to s tand at t h e v e h i c l e w i t h y o u r gun a longs ide y o u r leg. In e i t h e r c a s e , t h e driver w i l l
l ike ly n e v e r b e aware tha t y o u h a v e a f i r e a r m in hand.
W h a t ' s required is t h a t y o u control t h e double -edged sword of d a r k n e s s . Y o u w a n t to be c o n s t a n t l y aware of t h e s o u r c e s of l ight ava i lab le t o y o u and t h e w a y s y o u can m a n i p u l a t e l ight and dark to your advantage and a s u s p e c t ' s d i sadvantage . L i k e a proper approach , th i s c o n t r o l m a y h e l p y o u abort a p lanned s h o o t i n g or at least put y o u in t h e bes t p o s i t i o n should b u l l e t s f ly .
T h e l ights ins ide bui ld ings , your f l a s h l i g h t and l ights on your patrol car are a m o n g t h o s e y o u c a n c o n t r o l in 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 your o p t i o n s w i t h t h e m , y o u w a n t to plan a h e a d and to a n t i c i p a t e jus t h o w your c o n t r o l w i l l a f fec t your v u l n e r a b i l i t y to an a s s a i l a n t ' s s h o t s and y o u r o w n capab i l i ty in s h o o t i n g b a c k .
Building Lights
W h e r e you need to enter a d a r k e n e d bui ld ing or a sui te of dark of f ices , t h e r e ' s a l w a y s t h e danger tha t t h e suspec t y o u ' r e l o o k i n g for is s e c r e t e d ins ide , jus t w a i t i n g for a bad approach by an of f i cer . T h a t proved to be t h e case in A l a s k a w h e n a p a t r o l m a n responded to a burglary- in-progress ca l l at a drug t r e a t m e n t c e n t e r . T o l a u n c h a r o o m - b y - r o o m s e a r c h w i t h f e l l o w off icers , h e c r a w l e d i n t o a d a r k e n e d r o o m through an open w i n d o w . T h e s u s p e c t w a s hiding ins ide tha t very r o o m — a n d shot 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 .
Try to avoid positioning yourself against any outside background which forces you to become silhouetted.
99
This photo was taken from the general location of an armed hostage-taker. The officer inside this apartment was unaware that lights were setting him up as a target.
As an a l t e r n a t i v e t o m o v i n g b l i n d l y i n t o an area y o u c a n ' t see , it m a y b e poss ib le to get s o m e or al l of t h e l ights 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 bu i ld ing j an i tor , m a n a g e r or o w n e r w i l l p r o b a b l y k n o w t h e s w i t c h e s ' l o c a t i o n and t h e e x a c t l ight ing t h e y c o n t r o l . O b v i o u s l y , h a v i n g t h e l ights o n a u t o m a t i c a l l y e l i m i n a t e s m a n y s u s p e c t h id ing p l a c e s and i m p r o v e s y o u r v i e w of areas to be c r o s s e d and s e a r c h e d . B u t t h e l ights s h o u l d not b e a c t i v a t e d u n t i l a l l o f f i cers i n v o l v e d in t h e s e a r c h are in 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 ie ld of v i s i o n m a y a l so b e e n h a n c e d .
W h e r e genera l l ight ing is n o t poss ib le , i t ' s usually safer to turn o n l ights area by area as y o u progress , as opposed to m o v i n g in t h e dark and n o t k n o w i n g w h a t is o u t f ront . Again , y o u w a n t to b e b e h i n d c o v e r — a n d w i t h y o u r s i d e a r m d r a w n — before a n y l ight ing is t u r n e d on . R e a c h for s w i t c h e s f r o m a l o w p o s i t i o n r a t h e r t h a n s tanding bes ide t h e m at your 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 gas , do n o t turn o n a n y l i g h t s . A n e l e c t r i c a l a r c f r o m t h e s w i t c h c a n eas i ly t o u c h off an e x p l o s i o n .
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.
1 0 0
If c o v e r is n o t readi ly ava i lab le , y o u m a y dec ide y o u are b e t t e r off in t h e dark, p o s s i b l y re ly ing on sporadic burs t s of l ights f r o m your f l a s h l i g h t . Y o u m a y e v e n w a n t to turn r o o m l ights off if t h e y are already on, giving yourse l f at least t h e c o n c e a l m e n t benef i t s of darkness as y o u m o v e to a safe area. If y o u h a v e p r a c t i c e d at a range under n i g h t t i m e c o n d i t i o n s , y o u k n o w i t ' s harder to s h o o t and h i t a target i:i t h e dark. A s u s p e c t w i l l h a v e t h e s a m e di f f i cul ty . If y o u are search ing an open area l i k e a w a r e h o u s e and t h e s u s p e c t h a p p e n s to b e h id ing in t h e raf ters , hav ing l ights on w i l l aid h i m and jeopardize y o u . E v a l u a t e t h e type of bui ld ing y o u are in and play off your 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. L ight c o m i n g f r o m b e h i n d you , s u c h as s t reet l ight t h r o u g h a w i n d o w or l ights left o n in a r o o m y o u h a v e jus t searched, can s i l h o u e t t e y o u as a per fec t target . S o c a n l ights over doorways y o u i n t e n d to e n t e r . If, as part of your approach, y o u c a n ' t w o r k a s w i t c h to turn off l ights above doors or r e a c h up and 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 yourse l f in t h e doorway , consider s m a s h i n g t h e b u l b s w i t h your n i g h t s t i c k or f lash l ight . R e m e m b e r a lso t h a t l ight h i t t i n g your body f r o m c e r t a i n angles w i l l cas t s h a d o w s . If, for e x a m p l e , your s h a d o w e x t e n d e d out b e y o n d a cor ner , a suspec t w a i t i n g on t h e o t h e r s ide c o u l d see it and be a ler ted to your approach .
Flashlight An i m p o r t a n t po int to r e m e m b e r a b o u t t h i s
versa t i l e too l is that it does n o t a l w a y s h a v e to rem a i n c o n n e c t e d to your h a n d in order to he lp y o u detec t and defend yourse l f against p o t e n t i a l 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 ple, y o u .md your par tner or b a c k - u p c a n i l l u m i n a t e a darkened r o o m in search of a s u s p e c t w i t h o u t h a v i n g to leave p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n s o n e a c h side of t h e doorway. W i t h t h e door open all t h e w a y b a c k and t h e f lash l ight in your w e a k hand , squat bes ide t h e doorway and ho ld t h e f lash l ight so i t s l e n s end is s t i c k i n g through t h e e n t r y . P u s h t h e s l ide b u t t o n " o n " and re lease t h e f lash l ight so it ro l l s off your cupped f ingers toward t h e oppos i te side of t h e doorw a y . T h e f lashl ight s h o u l d rol l a c r o s s t h e opening a l m o s t s t ra ight or in a s l ight arc . Y o u r par tner c a n p i c k it t.p w i t h o u t s igni f i cant e x p o s u r e and t h e n roll it b a c k f r o m h i s pos i t ion of cover .
As the f lashl ight is rol l ing, 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 ro l l ing b e a m p e n e t r a t e s , w i t h your f i r e a r m s ready. B e t w e e n b o t h your vantage p o i n t s y o u ' l l be able to see m u c h of
t h e area and m a y d i s c o v e r a s u s p e c t w h o o t h e r w i s e w o u l d r e m a i n h idden . 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 an u n e x p e c t e d l ight , a s u s p e c t m a y i n s t i n c t i v e l y f ire d i r e c t l y at t h e s o u r c e , f iguring an of f icer is b e h i n d i t . A l s o , u n d e r s t a n d t h a t f l a s h l i g h t s w i t h c e r t a i n s h a p e s — n o t a b l y , large on-of f s w i t c h e s — m a y n o t w o r k w e l l for t h i s t a c t i c , b e c a u s e t h e y prec lude t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of a s m o o t h ro l l . S o know your equipment and m a k e sure it w o r k s proper ly be fore y o u u s e i t .
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 s e a r c h t a c t i c i n v o l v e s t h e f lashl ights of b o t h o f f i cers . F i rs t , y o u h o l d y o u r l ight a r o u n d t h e door 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 your body b e h i n d t h e w a l l . F r o m a l o w or prone p o s i t i o n o n h i s s ide, y o u r p a r t n e r c h e c k s t h e 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 by y o u r l ight . T h e n y o u r e v e r s e r o l e s : h e puts h i s l ight a r o u n d h i s side of t h e f r a m e , w h i l e y o u c h e c k . In b o t h c a s e s , t h e of f icer w i t h t h e l ight w a n t s to ho ld it a b o v e t h e leve l of h i s h e a d w h i l e in a s q u a t t i n g p o s i t i o n , to be as d e c e p t i v e as p o s s i b l e about h i s t rue p o s i t i o n .
A w a y f r o m doorways , y o u s t i l l s h o u l d be b e h i n d s o m e k i n d of c o v e r — a c h i m n e y , a garbage c a n , a s tore c o u n t e r , e t c . — w h e n t ry ing t o s e a r c h an area w i t h your f l a s h l i g h t . Y o u w a n t to h o l d t h e l ight as far f r o m your body as poss ib le , w i t h as l i t t l e of yourse 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 ight as spar ingly as p o s s i b l e . . . a n d m o v e to a n e w p o s i t i o n i m m e d i a t e l y af ter y o u s h i n e i t .
W h e r e c o v e r is n o t a v a i l a b l e , probably your 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 drawn and your legs apart and b e n t , y o u ho ld your f l a s h l i g h t at a r m ' s l e n g t h in
1 0 2
your w e a k h a n d . . . h i g h e r t h a n t h e l eve l of your h e a d . . . a n d out f r o m your s h o u l d e r at a b o u t a 4 5 -degree angle . T h i s p laces t h e l e n s to t h e s ide , a b o v e and s o m e w h a t ahead of your body and k e e p s your v i ta l areas f r o m be ing b r i g h t l y i l l u m i n a t e d by t h e aura of l ight t h r o w n off a round t h e f l a s h l i g h t h e a d . B e sure y o u s tay behind t h e b e a m of l ight , n o t in i ts per iphery , to m i n i m i z e t h e r i sk of be ing v i s ib le in t h e f l a s h l i g h t ' s " b a c k - s p l a s h . " Y o u r f l a s h l i g h t should h a v e a dark and n o n - r e f l e c t i n g sur face of fairly heavy-gauge m e t a l and s h o u l d be equipped w i t h b o t h sl ide and b u t t o n c o n t r o l s . Press t h e button jus t e n o u g h to b l i n k t h e l ight o n for an ins tant , a l l o w i n g y o u a q u i c k f ix on t h e area , t h e n m o v e i m m e d i a t e l y to a n e w l o c a t i o n , preferably toward cover . If y o u leave t h e l ight on c o n s t a n t l y , t h e n y o u m a k e yourse l f a c o n s t a n t target . If y o u have to shoot , s h o o t and m o v e w i t h t h e l ight off . T h e n u m b e r o n e c o n s i d e r a t i o n in s u c h a s i t u a t i o n , of course , w i l l be pos i t ive i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of your in tended target . Y o u d o n ' t w a n t to s h o o t a f e l l o w off icer , a pr ivate s e c u r i t y of f icer 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 t h e dark.
If t h e s u s p e c t s h o o t s , h e ' l l probably f ire d i r e c t l y at t h e pJace h e last s a w t h e b e a m or jus t to h i s r ight of i t . If y o u ' r e holding your l ight as w e ' v e descr ibed , you s h o u l d be c lear of t h e s h o t . In o n e c a s e , in w h i c h of f icers entered a darkened h o u s e to apprehend a m a n w h o had gone b e r s e r k and m u r d e r e d h i s landlady, t h e suspec t s h o t so a c c u r a t e l y w i t h a r i f le that he s h a t t e r e d t h e f lash l ight he ld in o n e o f f i c e r ' s hand. T h e b u l l e t kept going, but b e c a u s e t h e of f icer had e x t e n d e d t h e l ight to h i s s ide, h i s body w a s c lear of i:he s ho t e n t i r e l y and h e w a s able to k i l l t h e suspec t w i t h r e t u r n f i re . Do not try to control your flashlight with its slide switch. T h e b u t t o n is fas ter and there is n o t the danger, if you drop it , of t h e l ight r e m a i n i n g o n and h i g h l i g h t i n g y o u for an adversary.
If y o u ' r e m o v i n g f r o m o n e area to a n o t h e r , try to avoid us ing your 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 ight f r o m n a t u r a l ( m o o n , stars) or a r t i f i c ia l (street l ights , signs) s o u r c e s to a l l o w y o u to m a k e your w a y . U s e of t h e f lash l ight w i l l des t roy your n ight v i s ion , at least m o m e n t a r i l y , and m a y p i n p o i n t your 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 feel y o u m u s t use your f lash l ight , angle it toward t h e ground and part ia l ly c o v e r t h e b e a m w i t h your h a n d so t h e l ight is jus t large e n o u g h to i n s u r e safe foot ing . Keep t h e l ight l o w . . . a h e a d of your b o d y . . . a s far to o n e s ide . . . and turned o n as br ief ly as p o s s i b l e , n e v e r for long per i sds of t i m e . Y o u d o n ' t w a n t to s i l h o u e t t e yoursel f .
D u r i n g traff ic s tops , your f l ash l ight and patro l car spot l ight can be t ra ined on t h e dr iver ' s side v i e w
m i r r o r as y o u approach . If h e ' s t ry ing to w a t c h y o u , t h e b e a m w i l l b l i n d h i m t e m p o r a r i l y , and h e ' l l l i k e l y t u r n a w a y . O n c e y o u r e a c h h i s door, s h i n e t h e l ight d i r e c t l y i n t o h i s e y e s , des t roy ing h i s n ight v i s i o n . If h e t u r n s o u t to be o k a y , y o u c a n a l w a y s apologize and 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 delayed h i s g e t t i n g o n target if h e h a s a gun.
Under no circumstances should you use your flashlight in 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 hazard of doing so w a s b izarre ly i l lus t ra ted by t h e fa te of a burglar 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 under o n e a r m , a . 4 5 c a l . T h o m p s o n s u b m a c h i n e gun under t h e o t h e r and 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 s e c u r i t y of f icer w a i t i n g in t h e d a r k n e s s ins ide saw t h e l ight 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 red 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 w a s s t i l l in t h e burg lar ' s m o u t h . T h e b u l l e t h i t t h e f l a s h l i g h t , drove t h e b a t t e r y spring deep i n t o t h e m a n ' s t o n g u e and angled t h r o u g h h is m o u t h and o u t h i s n e c k w i t h fa ta l r e s u l t s .
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.
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 two-hand instinct shooting position.
1 0 4
Vehicle Lights
R e c e n t t e s t s 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 1
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 and d is t rac t an a r m e d s u s p e c t you c a n o f t e n delay h i s s h o o t i n g by an apprec iable span of t i m e . Y o u m a y b e able to dis tract h i m w i t h a loud n o i s e or by t h r o w i n g s o m e th ing at h i m . B u t even w i t h o u t d i s t r a c t i o n , b l indness a l o n e w i l l c a u s e ser ious d i s o r i e n t a t i o n in s o m e suspec t s , e spec ia l ly if t h e y are t ry ing to engage m o r e t h a n one of f icer in a gunf ight or if t h e y h a v e to shoot m o r e t h a n o n c e at t h e s a m e of f i cer .
A m o n g your bes t t o o l s are t h e h i g h - b e a m f lashl ights and spot l ight(s) o n y o u r patro l car , p a r t i c u larly during n i g h t t i m e traff ic s tops and f ield in ter ro ga t ions . U s i n g t h e l ights of y o u r car and a b a c k - u p car, y o u re able to 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 c a n d l e p o w e r to your advantage .
• " S o m e Comments on the Hostage Situation," by J.C. Muirhead, The Police Ch.ef, February, 1978.
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, for e x a m p l e , y o u w a n t to q u e s t i o n a s u s p e c t in a d a r k e n e d a l ley , y o u c a n approach w i t h your pat ro l car p o i n t e d d i rec t ly at h i m , h i g h - b e a m s and spot l ight o n . S t o p a b o u t 15 to 2 0 feet f r o m h i m . N o w h e and t h e area around h i m are c lear ly l ighted , 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 in y o u r d i r e c t i o n , h e ' l l see a c u r t a i n of br ight , w h i t e l ight , and very 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 does dec ide to s h o o t , h e ' l l probably f ire i n t o t h e l ights o n t h e dr iver ' s s ide , w h e r e h e f igures y o u ' r e m o s t l i k e l y to b e . T o defeat t h a t p o s s i b i l i t y , y o u w a n t to m o v e a r o u n d l o w to t h e rear of t h e car as s o o n as y o u s top, or f l a n k o u t to a p o s i t i o n of c o v e r n e a r b y , be ing care fu l to s tay behind t h e c u r t a i n of l ight c r e a t e d by your h e a d l i g h t s .
T h e t a c t i c is to put some distance between yourself and your light source and yet t a k e advantage of t h e b l inding e f fec t it affords. F r o m a p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n b e h i n d t h e l i g h t s , y o u c a n k e e p your gun on t h e s u s p e c t w h i l e y o u i s s u e h i m verba l c o m m a n d s . H e w o n ' t be ab le to see your e x a c t l o c a t i o n , and 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 hard t i m e p i n p o i n t i n g jus t w h e r e your v o i c e is c o m i n g f r o m . As y o u m o v e a w a y , y o u c a n m a i n t a i n t h e i m p r e s s i o n y o u ' r e s t i l l s t a t i o n a r y by speak ing s l ight ly louder .
W h i l e y o u k e e p a s u s p e c t d i s t r a c t e d w i t h c o m m a n d s , your p a r t n e r or b a c k - u p m a y b e ab le t o keep h i m s e l f c o n c e a l e d in s h a d o w s and m o v e a r o u n d t h e p e r i m e t e r of t h e l ights so tha t h e c o m e s up 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 ac ing t o wa r d your l i g h t s . Provided y o u p r o t e c t y o u r par tner and yourse l f f r o m cross - f i re , your p a r t n e r t h e n w i l l be in a good p o s i t i o n to surprise your s u s p e c t if h e appears t h r e a t e n i n g .
T w o surv iva l - savvy p a t r o l m e n in C a l i f o r n i a s h o w e d a p o l i c e i n s t r u c t o r jus t h o w e f f e c t i v e th i s t e c h n i q u e c a n be w h e n t h e y w e r e b e i n g t e s t e d on r o u t i n e f ie ld i n t e r r o g a t i o n t a c t i c s . T h e y turned t h e i r l ights d i r e c t l y o n t h e i n s t r u c t o r , w h o w a s p laying t h e r o l e of a s u s p e c t , and t h e dr iver-of f icer began in ter rogat ing h i m f r o m b e h i n d t h e l ight curta in . Af ter 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 ca l l ed a h a l t to t h e e x e r c i s e and said h e 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 driver-of f icer . " B e c a u s e , " t h e i n s t r u c t o r a n n o u n c e d , " y o u r p a r t n e r is so lazy h e n e v e r e v e n got out of t h e pat ro l c a r ! " At t h a t i n s t a n t , d i r e c t l y b e h i n d h is head , t h e i n s t r u c t o r heard t h e c l i c k of a s e m i a u t o m a t i c b e i n g c o c k e d . T h e s e c o n d of f i cer w a s s tanding i n c h e s b e h i n d h i m . W h i l e t h e i n s t r u c t o r w a s b l i n d e d by t h e l ights and assuming t h e s e c o n d of f icer had r e m a i n e d in t h e car , h e a c t u a l l y had f l a n k e d o u t in d a r k n e s s around t h e edge of t h e
headl ights and s i l en t ly crept up b e h i n d t h e " s u s p e c t " to a p o s i t i o n of s t rong advantage .
O n n i g h t t i m e traff ic s tops , y o u m a y w a n t to use your e x t e r n a l s p e aker t o order t h e s topped driver to turn on h is ins ide d o m e l ight . T h i s ploy tends to u n n e r v e s u s p e c t s and a l l o w s y o u to get a b e t t e r v isual of t h e in ter ior before y o u leave your patrol car . Y o u can t h e n get an e v e n b e t t e r v i e w and disor ient t h e driver a b i t m o r e by f looding t h e in ter ior t h r o u g h t h e rear w i n d o w w i t h your h igh b e a m s and spot l ight ( s ) . If y o u are a l o n e and h a v e t w o spot l ights on your patrol car, b e sure to turn on both and open your passenger door . T h i s m a y fool a s u s p e c t i n t o be l i ev ing y o u h a v e a par tner w h o s e w h e r e a b o u t s c a n ' t be seen f r o m t h e s u s p e c t v e h i c l e .
B e careful during traf f ic s tops n o t to w a l k b a c k toward your patrol car and s tand d i rec t ly in f ront of t h e headl ights to w r i t e a t i c k e t , as s o m e of f i cers do. T h e br ight l ights w i l l l i k e l y des t roy your n ight v i s ion w h i l e t h e y c lear ly s i l h o u e t t e y o u f r o m t h e perspec t ive of t h e s topped driver, t h e r e b y turn ing your headl ights to t h e s u s p e c t ' s advantage .
S i m i l a r l y , b a c k - u p cars responding to a n ight t i m e cal l m u s t t a k e care tha t the i r h e a d l i g h t s do not b l ind or m a k e s i l h o u e t t e targets of o f f i cers already o n t h e s c e n e . If poss ib le , b a c k - u p s s h o u l d turn off all the i r l ights as t h e y n e a r t h e s c e n e , e x cept the i r parking l i g h t s . T h e c a r s ' roof top e m e r g e n c y l ights should be i n c l u d e d in t h i s b l a c k o u t . T h e y can b e d is t rac t ing , as w e l l as dangerous ly ill u m i n a t i n g . Park ing l ights w i l l k e e p t h e b a c k - u p cars m i n i m a l l y v i s ib le , b u t n o t m a k e t h e m des t r u c t i v e to the i r o w n 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 your " n i g h t v . s i o n " to develop to t h e p o i n t tha t your eyes c a n d is t inguish o b j e c t s in d i m l ight w i t h ful l a c u i t y . B u t t h e r e are w a y s y o u can h a s t e n t h e process a b i t w h e n your a s s i g n m e n t d e m a n d s t h a t y o u m o v e q u i c k l y f r o m l ight t o u a r k areas .
Say, for e x a m p l e , y o u are ca l led to a d i m l y l i t bar or res taurant to stop a f i g h t — a s i t u a t i o n in w h i c h a n u m b e r of of f icers have los t the i r l i v e s . W h i l e you are st i l l in t h e w e l l - l i g h t e d outdoors s tar t ing your approach to t h e s c e n e , c l o s e o n e eye , preferably your strong e y e . T h e n , as y o u step ins ide , open tha t eye . Y o u r v isual a d j u s t m e n t w i l l a lready be a s tep ahead.
In a darkened area, try to u t i l i z e o f f - center v i s ion . In o t h e r words , w h e n y o u f o c u s your a t t e n t ion on an ob jec t , d o n ' t l o o k d i rec t ly 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 ye c e l l s t h a t are least 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 ight ly to t h e s ide, a b o v e or b e l o w an 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 area of t h e eye w i t h ce l l s m o s t s e n s i t i v e in d a r k n e s s . T h e m o s t s e n s i t i v e eye area var ies w i t h ind iv idua ls , b u t u s u a l l y y o u c a n h i t i t b y l o o k i n g 6 to 10 degrees a w a y f r o m an o b j e c t , so y o u see i t , in e f fec t , out of t h e c o r n e r of your e y e .
S c a n n i n g s t r e n g t h e n s your o f f - c e n t e r v i s i o n . If y o u try to h o l d an i m a g e in t h e c o r n e r of y o u r e ye longer t h a n a b o u t 4 to 10 s e c o n d s , i t gradual ly " b l e a c h e s " o u t . B u t if y o u shi f t y o u r e y e s every f e w s e c o n d s in abrupt , i rregular m o v e m e n t s over and 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 , y o u c a n m o v e t h e i m a g e to f resh c e l l s . C o l d s , h e a d a c h e s , fa t igue , n a r c o t i c s u s e , h e a v y s m o k i n g and e x c e s s i v e u s e of a l c o h o l reduce your ab i l i ty to see at n i g h t . In addi t ion , of c o u r s e , t h e y adverse ly af fec t y o u r s k i l l s at a n t i c i p a t i n g and r e s p o n d i n g to danger , w h e t h e r t h e l ight is good or bad. In shor 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 surv ival .
VERBAL CHALLENGE
" P o l i c e ! D o n ' t m o v e ! " I t ' s hard to predict w h a t w i l l h a p p e n w h e n y o u
v o i c e t h i s c o m m a n d to an a r m e d s u s p e c t . H e m a y stop dead in h i s t r a c k s , t h r o w d o w n h i s gun and plead w . t h you n o t to s h o o t h i m . . . h e m a y ignore y o u or pretend h e d idn ' 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 of f icer a n d order you to put a w a y your g u n . . . h e m a y c o n s i d e r your words an i n v i t a t i o n to a g u n f i g h t — a n d star t s h o o t i n g . . . .
A n y w a y y o u s l i ce i t , 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 — " P o l i c e ! D o n ' t m o v e ! " — o f t e n m a r k t h e t u r n i n g point of an a r m e d e n c o u n t e r . Y o u m a y be a c c u s t o m e d to individuals doing w h a t y o u say, b u t w h e n y o u issue a c o m m a n d to a person w h o h a s a loaded gun, y o u have to be 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 and 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 , there is a l w a y s o n e persuas ive a r g u m e n t for a t t e m p t i n g a verba l c h a l lenge before s h o t s are f ired: situations where you confront armed individuals are not always what they seem. B y c lear ly a n n o u n c i n g your of f ice and giving an order to s top t h e a c t i o n , y o u m a y be ab le to buy t i m e in w h i c h to b e t t e r e s t a b l i s h t h e susp e c t ' s i d e n t i t y and i n t e n t i o n s . T h e last th ing y o u w a n t is to use deadly force against s o m e o n e w h o did not c o m m i t a c r i m e .
T w o contras t ing episodes i l l u s t r a t e t h e p o i n t . O n e n i g h : in C h i c a g o an of f icer w a s ca l l ed to a
t a v e r n to put d o w n a f ight a m o n g t h e p a t r o n s . H e got e v e r y b o d y c a l m e d d o w n and w a s preparing to leave 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 of f i cer ran t h e l e n g t h of t h e bar, and as h e r o u n d e d t h e end, h e s a w o n e of t h e b a r t e n d e r s f lat o n h i s b a c k o n t h e f loor , a y o u n g L a t i n o s i t t ing o n h i s c h e s t . A f lash 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 had a g u n or a k n i f e at t h e b a r t e n d e r ' s t h r o a t . T h e o f f i cer ' s revo lver w a s o u t , ready to 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 h e paused long e n o u g h to i s s u e a verba l c h a l l enge . 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 grateful for . T h e b a r t e n d e r t u r n e d out to b e e x p e r i e n c i n g an e p i l e p t i c s e i z u r e . T h e L a t i n o w a s t h e c o o k in t h e p lace w h o w a s t ry ing to ho ld t h e m a n ' s t o n g u e in p lace w i t h a f o r k to k e e p h i m f r o m s w a l l o w i n g i t .
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 n ight , in M i c h i g a n , an of f -duty of f icer heard three s h o t s f ired in rapid s u c c e s s i o n in a ha l l w a y outs ide h is b e d r o o m . It sounded 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 p i c k e d up h is revo lver and shot b a c k in t h e d i r e c t i o n of t h e n o i s e . H i s b u l l e t 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 s ix-year-old daughter , w h o w a s p laying w i t h h e r b r o t h e r ' s cap p i s t o l .
A c o n s i s t e n t c o m m a n d l i k e " P o l i c e ! D o n ' t m o v e ! " can prevent s u c h t ragedies . C o m m i t it to m e m o r y r ight n o w if your d e p a r t m e n t d o e s n ' t spec i fy a di f ferent c o m m a n d . E v e n w h e n used against a g e n u i n e suspec t , t h i s s t a t e m e n t , force ful ly del ivered f r o m a p o s i t i o n of cover e i t h e r by your d irec t v o i c e or over your e x t e r i o r speaker , m a y be s u f f i c i e n t l y i n t i m i d a t i n g to k e e p t h e s i t u a t i o n f rom 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 es tabl i shes w h o y o u are and te l l s t h e person 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 to do. If he f o l l o w s your order, his safety is p r o t e c t e d and y o u can gain c o n trol of the a c t i o n w i t h o u t gunf i re .
B e c a u s e of t h e s t ress and h e i g h t e n e d e m o t i o n involved :n m o s t c o n f r o n t a t i o n s , a verba l c h a l l e n g e is rare ly a s i m p l e , cut -and-dr ied m a t t e r . Y o u r cha l l eng ing a suspec t s u c c e s s f u l l y and m a k i n g i t s t i c k in m a n y cases w i l l h e a v i l y depend on your abi l i ty to u n d e r s t a n d and u s e applied p s y c h o l o g y . And l i k e o t h e r survival procedures , your t a c t i c s c a n b a c k l i r e if n o t properly and c o n f i d e n t l y e m ployed.
P r a c t i c e and e x p e r i e n c e w i l l s h a r p e n your s k i l l s . M e a n w h i l e , here 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 k e e p in m i n d in us ing verba l language, depending on w h e t h e r y o u ' r e fac ing a c r i m i n a l . . . a f e l low off icer 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 safest 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 that t h e person y o u ' r e c h a l l e n g i n g is an of fender and w i l l respond v i o l e n t l y . W h e r e tha t proves n o t to be t h e case , y o u ' v e los t n o t h i n g w i t h a c o n s e r v ative approach, and w h e r e i t is so , y o u m a y ga in everything. T h e r e f o r e , w h e r e p o s s i b l e :
1. issue your command from behind cover. This t a c t i c c o u l d h a v e saved a s t a t e t rooper in update N e w Y o r k w h o tr ied to arrest a y o u n g m a n w h o vas s tanding in a s t ree t w i t h a . 2 2 c a l . r i f le after laving murdered h i s g ir l f r iend. W h e n t h e t rooper ;ot out of h i s car and ordered t h e s u s p e c t to drop lis r i f le , t h e m a n ins tead abrupt ly ra ised it . H e shot
t h e u n p r o t e c t e d of f i cer in t h e t h i g h , t h e n , as h e fe l l to t h e ground, r u s h e d up and k i l l e d h i m w i t h a shot in t h e h e a d .
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 fast , as in t h e case a b o v e , or, if h i s b a c k is to y o u w h e n y o u i ssue your c o m m a n d , h e m a y h a v e a gun in his h a n d tha t y o u c a n n o t see . If y o u know h e ' s a r m e d , h a v e your f i rearm o n target before y o u o p e n your m o u t h .
3 . voice your verbal challenge before the suspect makes one of his own. S o m e t i m e s , w h o e v e r m a n a g e s to s p e a k f irst ga ins an i m p o r t a n t p s y c h o log ica l , and 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 prevai l t h r o u g h o u t t h e i n c i d e n t . W h e r e a c h a l l e n g e h a s a n t i c i p a t e d t r o u b l e and w a s p l a n n e d ahead, i s su ing t h e c h a l l e n g e is l i k e l y to 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 eve l of preparedness . In o n e m i d w e s t e r n c a s e , 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 " in an a l ley w a t c h e d t w o off icers drive t h e i r patro l car up to h i m and get out to 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 tepped a w a y f r o m t h e car , h e w h i p p e d a sawed-of f s h o t g u n f r o m u n d e r h i s c o a t a n d t h e n i s sued a verba l c h a l l e n g e : " D r o p your g u n s , or I ' l b l o w y o u a w a y . " O n e - u p p e d , t h e o f f i cers w e r e in n o p o s i t i o n t h e n to i s sue h i m a n y orders . O n e w a s kidnapped a n d he ld h o s t a g e for severa l h o u r s w i t h a gun t o h i s h e a d before o t h e r of f i cers n e g o t i a t e d an end to t h e ep isode . F r o m t h e o u t s e t , y o u w a n t to m a i n t a i n an offensive p o s i t i o n , n o t a d e f e n s i v e o n e .
If y o u f o l l o w t h e s e procedures and t h e s u s p e c t s t i l l ignores w h a t y o u te l l h i m and k e e p s m o v i n g , y o u c a n pursue h i m . . . c o n t i n u e i s su ing t h e c h a l l e n g e . . . and, ideal ly , w i t h t h e h e l p of b a c k - u p of f i cers , try to 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 your order (he m a y h a v e a radio to h i s ear or t u r n e d up louc if h e ' s in 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 fore ign language) or d i d n ' t t h i n k y o u m e a n t i t . In o n e C a l i f o r n i a c a s e , o f f i cers spot ted a young m a n o n t h e s t ree t w h o a n s w e r e d t h e descr ip t ion o: a sn iper s u s p e c t . A s h e w a l k e d t o wa r d t h e m they ordered h i m t o s t o p — b u t h e k e p t c o m i n g . . . a n c r e a c h e d t o wa 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 g u n , t h e y s h o t and k i l l e d h i m — t o discovei t h a t h e r e a l ly w a s r e a c h i n g for h i s w a l l e t to show t h e m a card t h a t ident i f i ed 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 jus t i f i ed in s h o o t i n g 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 fe or o t h e r s in m o r t a l danger , or w h e n y o u know h e is f l ee ing 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 your f i r e a r m s preparedness i n v o l v e s u n d e r s t a n d
1 1 2
ing precisely w h a t t h e l a w s t a t e s in your jur i sdic t ion . ) 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 reasonably appl ies if a suspec t c o n t i n u e s to p o i n t h i s g u n at y o u (or shoots ) w h e n y o u te l l h i m to put it d o w n . As to t h e la t ter , y o u n e e d to b e very c e r t a i n 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 of f icer spot ted t w o s u s p e c t s s tanding ins ide a d a m a g e d screen door at a c losed grocery s tore o n e n i g h t . W h e n t h e y ignored h i s verba l c h a l l e n g e and f led, he shot at t h e m . A n o t h e r o f f i cer did t h e s a m e w h e n h is words w e r e i n e f f e c t i v e in h a l t i n g a m a n h e s a w r u n n i n g t h r o u g h an a l ley carry ing a t e l e v i s i o n set and a tape player . A l t h o u g h n e i t h e r o f f i cer h i t h i s target , b o t h w e r e of f ic ia l ly r e p r i m a n d e d — t h e f irst b e c a u s e s u b s e q u e n t i n v e s t i g a t i o n s h o w e d n o burglary had a c t u a l l y o c c u r r e d and 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 lony had b e e n c o m m i t t e d . In o t h e r words , jus t b e c a u s e y o u ' r e f r u s t r a t e d . . . c a n ' t run any f a r t h e r . . . o r c a n ' t t h i n k of a n o t h e r w a y to stop a suspec t is n o j u s t i f i c a t i o n for us ing deadly force if your verbal c h a l l e n g e fai ls to w o r k i n i t i a l l y . Indeed, even in j u r i s d i c t i o n s t h a t p e r m i t t h e s h o o t i n g of f lee ing fe lons , m a n y d e p a r t m e n t s , to l e ssen t h e c h a n c e of a tragedy, l i m i t t h e i r off i cers to f ir ing only w h e n n e c e s s a r y to defend a l i fe . Legal ly , t h a t ' s t h e safest p o s i t i o n .
In s o m e s ta tes , of f icers h a v e t h e o p t i o n of te l l ing a suspec t , " Y o u ' r e under a r r e s t , " i m m e d i a t e l y after i ssuing t h e i r in i t i a l c h a l l e n g e . A n y d isobed ience or aggressive b e h a v i o r on h i s part a f ter tha t is res i s t ing arrest , w h i c h is a f e l o n y in t h o s e jur 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 for y o u , of c o u r s e , depends o n your s t a t e l a w s .
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. "
1 1 3
S o m e of f i cers b e l i e v e t h e y c a n persuade r e l u c t a n t s u s p e c t s to c o o p e r a t e b y u n d e r s c o r i n g the i r c h a l l e n g e s w i t h v e r b a l t h r e a t s . T h e y argue tha t s t rong t a l k , a la " D i r t y H a r r y , " c a n o v e r p o w e r an adversary m e n t a l l y and c o n v i n c e h i m h e h a s n o c h a n c e of surviv ing a c o n f r o n t a t i o n . T h e idea is to appear u t t e r l y m e n a c i n g , e v e n eager for an e x c u s e to s h o o t . At t h e very leas t , fac ing a s u s p e c t o n t h e s t ree t , an o f f i cer 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 up aga ins t t h e f u c k i n g car or I ' l l b l o w your head o f f ! " O r : ' ' Y o u fee l l u c k y today? Y o u w a n t to die t o d a y ? " O r , in 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 t h a t gun? I hope y o u ' r e s tupid e n o u g h to t r y ! " " M a k e h i m t h i n k , if h e does , y o u ' r e g o n n a put s ix in t h e big t e n r i n g , ' ' e x p l a i n s a d e v o t e e of t h i s approach . " I f y o u ' r e c l o s e e n o u g h , m a y b e y o u s t i c k your gun up against h i s he a d and le t h i m hear y o u c o c k i t . Say , ' M a n , if y o u e v e n fart your h e a d ' s g o n n a be all over t h a t w a l l ! ' Y o u w a n t t h e c r o o k to t h i n k A t t i l a t h e H u n w a s a pussy c o m pared to y o u . "
M o s t d e p a r t m e n t s ' brass get a p o p l e x y t h i n k i n g a b o u t s u c h dia log. T h e y p o i n t o u t , q u i t e properly , t h a t i t s u s e c o n s t i t u t e s u n p r o f e s s i o n a l c o n d u c t . And t h e y ra ise t h e val id q u e s t i o n , W h a t do y o u do if fear fa i l s to w o r k and t h e s u s p e c t c a l l s your bluff? W e k n o w , of c o u r s e , t h a t verba l t h r e a t s are used o n t h e s t ree t and t h a t t h e y do w o r k for some s u s p e c t s . B u t t h e r e are rea l hazards y o u s h o u l d 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 tha t y o u ' l l be bes t off to l e a v e t h i s approach to t h e te le v i s i o n c o p s .
For o n e t h i n g , i t ' s d i f f i cul t to shoot at t h e s a m e t i m e y o u ' r e talking: u s u a l l y y o u r m o u t h h a s to s top before y o u r trigger f inger c a n s tar t . T h e r e f o r e , if y o u get i n v o l v e d in an e x t e n d e d verba l c h a l l e n g e , y o u ' r e a c t u a l l y s l o w i n g d o w n your o w n r e a c t i o n t i m e .
In addi t ion , t h r e a t e n i n g language can fue l an a lready v o l a t i l e s i t u a t i o n . Ideal ly , w i t h a verba l 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 , rea l ly , by n o one f ir ing a s h o t . B y us ing aggress ive t h r e a t s , y o u m a y p r o v o k e v i o l e n c e in a s u s p e c t w h o w o u l d o ther w 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 t a k i n g h i m o n and fee l , in despera t ion , t h a t h i s o n l y hope is to t ry to s h o o t h is w a y o u t . O r h e m a y in terpre t your exaggerated language as e v i d e n c e t h a t y o u are rea l ly t e r r i f i e d — a n d v u l n e r a b l e .
T h e n , too , if y o u are forced to s h o o t h i m and a c o m p l a i n t is f i led as a resu l t , y o u r defense w i l l u n d o u b t e d l y be w e a k e n e d if your verba l c h a l l e n g e has m a d e it appear y o u w e r e u n s c r u p u l o u s l y aggress ive 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 o u t s t a n d i n g 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 probably b e t t e r off to draw on s o m e of t h e b a s i c p r i n c i p l e s beh ind t h r e a t e n i n g c h a l l e n g e s and o m i t t h e a b u s i v e language . T h a t is , in de l iver ing a c h a l l e n g e , y o u w a n t to s o u n d 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 c o n t r o l and d o m i n a t e t h e s c e n e . B a r k o u t 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 very i m p o r t a n t . You mean business. I t ' s n o t : " D o n ' t m o v e , " i t ' s D O N ' T M O V E ! " — w i t h y o u r v o i c e c o n v e y i n g tha t y o u ' r e on t h e very b r i n k of a c t i o n . If you feel y o u need to u n d e r s c o r e your c o m m a n d , k e e p your words short , p la in , u n c l u t t e r e d : " D r o p t h e gun or y o u ' r e d e a d . . . N o w ! " In al l c a s e s , y o u avoid te l l ing a suspec t , " I d o n ' t w a n t to s h o o t y o u , " or pleading, " 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 your part tha t h e m a y try to e x p l o i t . I t ' s b e s t a lso to avoid s ta t ing q u e s t i o n s , even r h e t o r i c a l o n e s ; y o u ' r e telling, n o t ask ing .
If y o u feel y o u must t ry to reason w i t h a suspect , b e t t e r t h a n t h e m a c h o approach m i g h t be to te l l h i m : " P u t d o w n t h e gun. Y o u h a v e n ' t k i l l e d a n y o n e y e t . If y o u try to s h o o t m e , I ' l l s t i l l get a shot o f f . " M a k e it c lear tha t n o o n e is going to e s c a l a t e v i o l e n c e u n l e s s h e d o e s — a n d tha t h e h a s a ves ted in teres t in n o t doing so .
W h a t e v e r you te l l h i m , be sure i t ' s n o t h i n g m o r e t h a n y o u ' r e prepared to b a c k u p . U n l e s s i t ' s true, y o u d o n ' t say t h i n g s l i k e , " I ' m te l l ing y o u one last t i m e , " e t c . If h e ca l l s your bluff and y o u do n o t h i n g , y o u ' v e lost y o u r c redib i l i ty as w e l l as your of fens ive 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 does obey you , be care ful . T h e t e n d e n c y t h e n is to re lax , le t your guard d o w n . T h i s c a n be t h e m o s t dangerous m o m e n t for y o u of t h e c h a l l e n g e .
T h r o u g h o u t your c h a l l e n g e , w a t c h h i s h a n d s . Hands kill. If h e has one in h i s p o c k e t , order h i m to turn h is b a c k to y o u if i t ' s dayl ight or face your spot l ight 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 , pul l it o u t yourself , slowly f rom b e h i n d h i m . Y o u d o n ' t w a n t h i m to bring h is h a n d out 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 he has a gun in h is hand, order h i m to drop it or, even safer, to lay it down s l o w l y .
E x c e p t for carrying out your orders , y o u w a n t to l o l d f i rm w i t h your 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 any w a y c o n t r a r y to your irders , y o u ' l l be " f o r c e d to t a k e appropriate ac -i o n . " T h a t ' s t e c h n i c a l l y vague, b u t h e ' l l draw h e r ight 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 to n o v e of h i s o w n v o l i t i o n , you 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 r e l a x . . . a n d t h e n le m a y m a k e h is big m o v e , u n e x p e c t e d l y .
Ordinar i ly , w h e n y o u issue a verbal c h a l l e n g e , ou have the suspec t in s ight 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 to det e r m i n e w h e r e h e is . Y o u do t h i s hy a n n o u n c i n g your of f ice and s h o u t i n g c o m m a n d s at l i k e l y h iding p l a c e s . D u r i n g a r o o m search , 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 out w i t h your h a n d s u p ! " A s u s p e c t ins ide m i g h t be b luf fed i n t o t h i n k i n g y o u rea l ly k n o w h e ' s t h e r e . B u t again , i s s u e your c h a l l e n g e f r o m b e h i n d cover and b e prepared for a n y t h i n g . H e 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 burs t o u t . . . o r s h o o t t h r o u g h t h e door . A n d if t h e r e ' s n o r e s p o n s e f r o m t h e p o s s i b l e h id ing p l a c e , y o u ' l l s t i l l h a v e to c h e c k it o u t be fore pass ing o n .
B e t t e r to try a b luf fed c h a l l e n g e t h a n to be left w o n d e r i n g if i t w o u l d h a v e w o r k e d , af ter i t ' s too l a t e . L i k e t h e of f i cers in L o u i s i a n a w h o w e r e s e a r c h i n g a long an 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 h a d k i l l e d a c i v i l i a n and w o u n d e d a p o l i c e m a n . As t h e y l o o k e d ahead , t h e y spot ted 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 an i m p r o b able p lace to h i d e . B u t i n s t e a d of f irst s h o u t i n g a c h a l l e n g e , t h e y w a l k e d up o n t h e s h u t t e r , co ld . T h e s u s p e c t w a s s tanding b e h i n d i t . As t h e of f i cers got c l o s e , h e f ired o n t h e m w i t h a . 3 5 7 c a l . revolver , s t r i k i n g a d e t e c t i v e fa ta l ly 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 , bear ir m i n d if y o u see tha t h e ' s a r m e d t h a t he m a y be l a w e n f o r c e m e n t of f icer , o u t of u n i f o r m because h e ' s off duty or ass igned to a p l a i n c l o t h e s deta 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 hard for y o u to tel ! i m m e d i a t e l y . Say , for e x a m p l e , y o u ' r e o n patrol w h e n s o m e o n e c l a i m s h e h a s jus t b e e n robbed. Y o i run d o w n an a l ley 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 t rash d u m p s t e r y o u spot o n e m a n face d o w n o n t h e ground, a n o t h e r b e n d i n g over h ir p o i n t i n g a gun at h i s h e a d . B o t h are c a s u a l l y dressed 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 gun a robber , f l eec ing a n o t h e r v i c t i m , or ar u n d e r c o v e r d e t e c t i v e m a k i n g a p i n c h ?
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 Long Island N e w Y o r k . An of f icer w o r k i n g a t raf f ic deta i l hearc a s h o t near h i s i n t e r s e c t i o n and w h e n h e ran t( i n v e s t i g a t e , h e f o u n d a m a n w i t h a gun s tandin; over a n o t h e r m a n , w i t h b lood on t h e ground aroun( t h e m . W h e n t h e p a t r o l m a n ye l led , " D r o p i t ! " thj a r m e d s u s p e c t turned toward t h e o f f i cer . " I sav t h e barre l of t h e gun d i rec t ly at m e , and I c o u l d se<
t h e loaded c h a m b e r s o n b o t h s i d e s , " t h e p a t r o l m a n said. H e f ired a s ingle shot . T h e " s u s p e c t " h e h i t w a s later ident i f i ed as a d e t e c t i v e — b u t b y t h e n t h e bul le t had r i c o c h e t e d f r o m a b o n e in t h e pla in-c l o t h e s m a n ' s shoulder and p e n e t r a t e d severa l v i t a l organs , c a u s i n g h is death . In a n o t h e r N e w Y o r k case , an of f icer w a s to ld by an e x c i t e d c i v i l i a n tha t t w o b l a c k m e n were f ight ing over a gun in f ront of a s tore . H e c a u t i o u s l y approached and ident i f i ed h i m s e l f f r o m b e h i n d t h e m . O n e of t h e " s u s p e c t s " — in fact , a p l a i n c l o t h e s m a n trying to subdue a r o b b e r — t u r n e d toward t h e c h a l l e n g i n g of f i cer w i t h a n o n - r e g u l a t i o n revolver in h is h a n d . T h e of f icer shot and k i l l e d h i m .
Off-duty officer lies wounded in the abdomen after being shot by another off-duty officer while reaching for identification. The other officer thought he was reaching for a firearm.
As t h e n u m b e r of of f icers h a s prol i ferated in r e c e n t years and m o r e h a v e b e e n ass igned to c iv i l i an dress , s u c h r i sks h a v e m u s h r o o m e d . E v e n if y o u ' r e in a s m a l l t o w n w h e r e y o u k n o w all your fe l low of f icers , your n o t recogniz ing a s u s p e c t w i t h a gun as a l a w m a n m a y n o t be c o n c l u s i v e . Suppose h e ' s o n a s s i g n m e n t f r o m an outs ide a g e n c y . . . o r jus t an o u t - o f - t o w n off icer o n v a c a t i o n w h o happened t o w i t n e s s t h e c r i m e - i n - p r o g r e s s and responded w h i l e pass ing through. O r suppose i t ' s jus t too dark for you to see p la in ly . In large c i t i e s , of course , t h e r e c o g n i t i o n p r o b l e m is i m p o s s i b l y m a g n i f i e d . In N e w Y o r k C i t y , b e s i d e s t h e p o l i c e d e p a r t m e n t , t h e r e are t h e FBI , t h e S e c r e t S e r v i c e , t h e T r e a s u r y D e p a r t m e n t , t h e S t a t e ' s A t t o r n e y ' s O f f i c e , t h e T r a n s i t A u t h o r i t y , t h e H o u s i n g A u t h o r i ty , t h e C o r r e c t i o n s D e p a r t m e n t , A m t r a k , t h e Port A u t h o r i t y . . . a laundry l i s t of i n d e p e n d e n t agenc ies w i t h a to ta l of s o m e 4 1 , 0 0 0 a r m e d of f i cers , in u n i f o r m and p l a i n c l o t h e s , at w o r k or off -duty in t h e m e t r o p o l i t a n area on a n y g iven day. S c a l e d down appropriate ly , t h e s a m e s i t u a t i o n e x i s t s in o t h e r c i t i e s coas t to coas t .
117
O f f i c e r s in p l a i n c l o t h e s are e x c e p t i o n a l l y v u l n e r a b l e . C o m p a r e d to t h e p e r c e n t a g e of p o l i c e a c t i o n s t h e y are invo lved in, t h e ra t io at w h i c h t h e y are k i l l e d by g u n s h o t s is d i s p r o p o r t i o n a t e l y h igh . And in i n c i d e n t s tha t are e s p e c i a l l y t rag ic , a disturb ing n u m b e r of t h e m are s h o t by f e l l o w of f i cers w h o m i s t a k e t h e m for a r m e d a s s a i l a n t s . S u c h a case o c c u r r e d in L o u i s i a n a w h e n p o l i c e responded to a s tore robbery . T h e v i c t i m reported t h a t a w h i t e car sped past h is b u s i n e s s jus t af ter t h e b a n d i t ran o u t . P o l i c e spot ted t h e car and gave c h a s e . S o o n , t h e v e h i c l e s topped, and t h e driver e m e r g e d w i t h a gun in h i s h a n d . H e w a s s h o t i m m e d i a t e l y in t h e c h e s t b y approaching o f f i cers and died. U n f o r t u n a t e l y , he t u r n e d out to be a p o l i c e t o w t r u c k operator w h o h a d b e e n c h a s i n g t h e real r o b b e r in h is pr iva te a u t o m o b i l e .
T h i s r i s k c a n be m i n i m i z e d w i t h an appropriate " c h a l l e n g e and r e p l y " procedure and an i m m e d i a t e c o n c e r n for be ing u n d e r s t o o d . In t h i s c a s e , t h e c h a l lenge b e c o m e s a t w o - w a y s t ree t , i n v o l v i n g respons ib le w o r d s and a c t i o n s by b o t h t h e c h a l l e n g i n g of f icer and t h e c h a l l e n g e d " s u s p e c t . " R e a l i s t i c a l l y
You 're a uniformed officer just arriving at this scene. How would you react to the man with the gun!
118
speaking , t h e of f icer be ing c h a l l e n g e d h a s t h e pr imary r e s p o n s i b i l i t y to g ive proper r e s p o n s e s , b u t t h e c h a l l e n g i n g off icer h a s t h e o b l i g a t i o n to use s o u n d j u d g m e n t and t a c t i c s in h i s approach .
If you are the challenging officer:
T r y to t a k e cover , as a l w a y s , be fore v o i c i n g your c h a l l e n g e . P o s i t i o n i n g yourse l f b e h i n d a " s u s p e c t " a l l o w s y o u m o r e t i m e to judge h i s r e a c t i o n s and gives y o u a c e r t a i n t a c t i c a l advantage over be ing to h is s ide. B u t r e m e m b e r , a p l a i n c l o t h e s of f icer surprised by a c h a l l e n g e f r o m b e h i n d w h i l e h e ' s m a k i n g an arrest or engaged in o t h e r p o l i c e a c t i v i t y m a y i m p u l s i v e l y w h i r l and s h o o t , or at least s tar t to turn in your d i r e c t i o n . T h i s p o s s i b i l i t y is par t i cu lar ly k e e n s h o u l d y o u n e g l e c t to a n n o u n c e tha t you are a p o l i c e of f icer at t h e o u t s e t of your c o m m a n d . If y o u are b e h i n d cover , y o u m a y n o t have to s h o o t at h i m i m m e d i a t e l y .
Actually, he's a detective. Here he has taken time to protect himself by exiting the doorway with the badge visible.
119
Don't b e c o m e a v i c t i m of t h e " s y m b o l i c o p p o n e n t s y n d r o m e , " t h a t i s , m a k i n g a s s u m p t i o n s b e c a u s e of a p r e c o n c e i v e d n o t i o n t h a t p l a c e s a person i n t o a " b a d g u y " ca tegory b e c a u s e of h i s r a ce , n a t i o n a l i t y , age, g r o o m i n g or m o d e of dress . Looks can be deceiving and s h o u l d n o t b e used as t h e bas i s for i r revers ib le p o l i c e a c t i o n . O f f i c e r s in t a c t i c a l u n i t s or o n u n d e r c o v e r a s s i g n m e n t s m a y be del ibera te ly dressed to l o o k l i k e " s u s p e c t t y p e s " in order to b l e n d in w i t h the i r w o r k e n v i r o n m e n t . T h e i r h a n d g u n s , too , m a y b e s m a l l , c h e a p or o t h e r w i s e u n c o n v e n t i o n a l . At o n e t i m e , an o f f i c e r ' s gun w a s l i k e l y to b e " f a c t o r y b l u e d , " w i t h a 2- or 4 - i n c h barre l a n d m a n u f a c t u r e d by S m i t h & W e s s o n or C o l t . I n r e c e n t years , h o w e v e r , t h e r e h a s b e e n a t rend t o w a r d t h e s t a i n l e s s s t e e l or n i c k e l / c h r o m e pla ted revolver , o n c e s t e r e o t y p e d as carr ied by c r i m i n a l s . U n d e r c o v e r p e r s o n n e l , e s p e c i a l l y , m a y carry derr ingers or s m a l l s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s , so a v a r i e t y of guns are " p o l i c e g u n s " n o w a d a y s .
If, in r e s p o n s e to your c h a l l e n g e , t h e " s u s p e c t " c l a i m s h e is a p o l i c e of f icer , f i rs t order h i m to s l o w l y h o l s t e r h i s gun. T h e n in a f i r m b u t c o u r t e o u s m a n ner , t e l l h i m to s l o w l y p r o d u c e h i s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n card, badge or any o t h e r c r e d e n t i a l s t h a t w i l l ident i fy h i m . E x a m i n e t h e m c a r e f u l l y to d e t e r m i n e t h e i r v a l i d i t y and, w h e r e p o s s i b l e , c h e c k to see t h a t a n y descr ip t ion in t h e c r e d e n t i a l s f i t s t h e s u s p e c t . Y o u m i g h t w a n t to p u r s u e h i s i d e n t i t y by a s k i n g h i m s o m e t h i n g p o l i c e o f f i cers , b u t n o t m o s t c i v i l i a n s , m i g h t r e a s o n a b l y k n o w — l i k e t h e n u m bered d e s i g n a t i o n for h o m i c i d e in your s t a t e ' s p e n a l c o d e .
Do not take your gun off the "suspect" until you are 100 per cent certain h i s s tory is l eg i t . E v e n t h e n , r e m a i n o n guard and a t t e n t i v e . C r e d e n t i a l s c a n be f o r g e d . . . p o l i c e badges c a n b e los t , s t o l e n or c o u n t e r f e i t e d .
If y o u are the challenged officer:
K e e p f i r m l y in m i n d t h a t y o u are at a s t rong t a c t i c a l d i sadvantage . R e m e m b e r : to t h e c h a l l e n g i n g of f icer , y o u are a s u s p e c t . Act as you would have a suspect act if y o u w e r e c h a l l e n g i n g h i m . A l s o , r e m e m b e r t h a t t h e of f icer m a y or m a y n o t be in u n i f o r m and m a y or m a y n o t c o n f o r m to your s t e r e o t y p e of a l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i cer .
As s o o n as y o u are c h a l l e n g e d verba l ly , ident i fy yourse l f as a l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i cer in a loud, c lear v o i c e , t h e n s t a t e y o u r r a n k . . . n a m e . . . a n d a s s i g n m e n t . . . and t h e n a t u r e of your a c t i o n s ( m a k i n g
1 2 0
arrest , e t c . ) . If your s idearm or s h o t g u n is n o t drawn or is w h e r e h e c a n ' t see i t , i n f o r m h i m y o u are a r m e d . If y o u are cover ing a s u s p e c t , a s k y o u r c h a l l enger ' s p e r m i s s i o n to keep your g u n o n h i m . If h e ins i s t s y o u drop it , p lace t h e f i r e a r m out of t h e s u s p e c t ' s r e a c h and try to m a i n t a i n c o n t r o l over h i m as bes t y o u can .
F o l l o w all your c h a l l e n g e r ' s i n s t r u c t i o n s , w i t h o u t " t a k i n g an a t t i t u d e " a b o u t b e i n g c h a l l e n g e d . Remain motionless, even if it m e a n s s topping your pursui t of a f l ee ing s u s p e c t . If in doubt a b o u t your c h a l l e n g e r ' s d i r e c t i o n s or q u e s t i o n s , a s k h i m to repeat . D o n ' t argue; h e ' s in c o m m a n d .
As s o o n as poss ib le , try to deve lop dialog w i t h your cha l l enger , us ing words and p h r a s e s c o m m o n l y f a m i l i a r o n l y to po l i ce p e r s o n n e l . N e w Y o r k C i t y , for e x a m p l e , advises c h a l l e n g e d of f i cers to perhaps begin a r e s p o n s e w i t h " I ' m on t h e j o b ! " w h i c h c o n s t i t u t e s s o m e t h i n g of a code phrase .
It m a y be n e c e s s a r y for y o u to a s k your c h a l lenger w h a t h e w a n t s y o u t o do, in t e r m s of m o v e m e n t s . If h e does n o t d e m a n d your I D , a s k p e r m i s s ion to s h o w i t . Be fore r e a c h i n g for i t , i n f o r m h i m of i ts e x a c t l o c a t i o n and get h i s p e r m i s s i o n before m o v i n g . In a n t i c i p a t i o n of be ing c h a l l e n g e d , o n e opt ion is to carry your badge or o t h e r c r e d e n t i a l s in a n o n - s h o o t i n g h a n d p o c k e t w h e n y o u ' r e in p l a i n c l o t h e s . T h e n y o u c a n r e a c h for i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h o u t m o v i n g your s i d e a r m , if your c h a l l e n g e r has a l lowed y o u to r e t a i n i t . R e a c h in and w i t h d r a w your h a n d s l o w l y . . . i n a c o n t r o l l e d m a n n e r . . . a n d w i t h o u t u n n e c e s s a r y m o v e m e n t . A n o t h e r poss ib i l i ty is to hold your badge or c r e d e n t i a l s in your w e a k hand w i t h your a r m raised w h e n m a k i n g a p la inc l o t h e s p o l i c e i n t e r v e n t i o n . T h e n if y o u are c h a l lenged, t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n c a n readi ly be s h o w n to t h e c h a l l e n g e r . A v a r i a t i o n is to h o l d your badge and f i rearm together in a t w o - h a n d e d grip, so a n y o n e seeing y o u r gun w o u l d have to see your badge, t o o . R e m e m b e r tha t in a n y s u s t a i n e d p o l i c e a c t i o n , your sh ie ld s h o u l d be fas tened to y o u r o u t e r m o s t g a r m e n t .
As w i t h o t h e r survival t a c t i c s , t h e r e are f e w a b s o l u t e s . Y o u w i l l n e e d to m a i n t a i n f l e x i b i l i t y . H o w e v e r , t h e r e are c e r t a i n g u i d e l i n e s t h a t are a lways i m p o r t a n t to k e e p in m i n d .
N o m a t t e r w h a t t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s :
DO NOT S i m u l t a n e o u s l y r e a c h for your i d e n t i f i c a t i o n and te l l t h e c h a l lenging of f icer w h o you are . If you d o n ' t h a v e your gun in hand , r e a c h i n g for your I D m a y reveal i t and c a u s e t h e of f icer to t h i n k y o u are t ry ing to draw.
DO NOT T u r n and face your c h a l l e n g e r unt i l h e t e l l s y o u to do so , e spec ia l ly if y o u h a v e a f i rearm in hand. T h e s ight of a f i r e a r m is m o s t l i k e l y to m a k e h i m reac t in a m a n n e r d a n g e r o u s to y o u .
DO NOT M o v e y o u r h a n d s in a n y m a n n e r t h a t c o u l d be in terpre ted u n d e r t h e s t ress of t h e m o m e n t as a h o s t i l e or m e n a c i n g m o v e m e n t .
S o m e d e p a r t m e n t s try to r e d u c e t h e l i k e l i h o o d of u n w i t t i n g e n c o u n t e r s b e t w e e n of f i cers b y i ssuing c o l o r - c o d e d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n i t e m s to p l a i n c l o t h e s and u n d e r c o v e r u n i t s . T h e y are d i s t r ibuted o n l y at rol l ca l l and are c h a n g e d dai ly .
If s u c h i t e m s are n o t a v a i l a b l e t o y o u and y o u are in p l a i n c l o t h e s , y o u m a y b e ab le to u s e your radio to ga in s o m e p r o t e c t i o n . W h e n responding to a c r i m e s c e n e w h e r e u n i f o r m e d of f i cers are l i k e l y to b e p r e s e n t , n o t i f y c o m m u n i c a t i o n s t h a t y o u are going in and give a d e s c r i p t i o n of y o u r v e h i c l e and c l o t h i n g . T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n c a n t h e n b e broadc a s t to a ler t u n i f o r m e d of f icers a p p r o a c h i n g t h e s c e n e . If y o u are n o t ordered to t h e s c e n e , y o u ' r e safest to s tay a w a y u n t i l t h i n g s c o o l off, if p o s s i b l e .
N o t e : E v e n if y o u are in u n i f o r m y o u m a y b e m i s t a k e n as a s u s p e c t by a n o t h e r of f icer . T h i s is m o s t l i k e l y to h a p p e n in d i m l ight w h e n t h e c h a l lenger is b e h i n d y o u and y o u are w e a r i n g a b l a c k l e a t h e r j a c k e t . . . a r e in n e e d of a h a i r c u t . . . a r e n o t w e a r i n g your u n i f o r m hat . O n e w a y to l e s s e n th is r i s k is to w e a r y o u r ha t w h e n e v e r y o u leave your v e h i c l e for a n y r e a s o n , if y o u r d e p a r t m e n t i s sues h a t s .
Apologies
O c c a s i o n a l l y , y o u w i l l i s s u e a v e r b a l c h a l l e n g e to a p e r s o n w h o t u r n s o u t to b e n e i t h e r a c r i m i n a l n o r a f e l l o w of f icer , b u t an i n n o c e n t c i v i l i a n w h o jus t h a p p e n e d to be in t h e w r o n g p lace at t h e w r o n g t i m e or w h o s e a c t i o n s y o u r e a s o n a b l y in terpre ted as s u s p i c i o u s . H e m a y , for e x a m p l e , b e t h e v i c t i m of a c r i m e w h o has a r m e d h i m s e l f to pursue h i s a s s a i l a n t , or h e m a y be carry ing a gun for s o m e o t h e r good r e a s o n . B y t h e t i m e y o u get t h e f a c t s s t ra ight e n e d o u t , t h i s person m a y be c o n f u s e d and r e s e n t f u l a b o u t your " u n n e c e s s a r y " display of f o r c e .
W h e n y o u rea l ize f u r t h e r a c t i o n is u n w a r r a n t e d , apologize and give t h e c i v i l i a n an explanation.
1 2 2
S o m e t i m e s , h e m a y verba l ly a b u s e y o u or even f i le a f o r m a l c o m p l a i n t . B u t in n o c a s e s h o u l d worry a b o u t t h e c o n s e q u e n c e s c a u s e y o u to b e r i d i c u l o u s l y c a u t i o u s w h e n y o u fee l a verba l c h a l lenge and q u i c k fo l low-up a c t i o n are n e e d e d .
123
Two officers, surprised by a shotgun
USE OF SURPRISE
O n e n ight in C a l i f o r n i a , t w o of f i cers o n s t a k e out w e r e s i t t ing in the i r pat ro l car, c h a t t i n g q u i e t l y to w h i l e a w a y t h e dragging h o u r s . In t h e d a r k n e s s , a m a n s i l e n t l y crept up f r o m b e h i n d , l eve led a . 30 ca l . c a r b i n e at the i r b a c k w i n d o w and care fu l ly drew a bead on o n e o f f i cer ' s h e a d . W i t h o u t a word , he r a c k e d a ro u nd i n t o t h e c h a m b e r and pul led t h e trigger. B u l l e t s s h a t t e r e d t h r o u g h t h e b a c k g lass .
T o t h e o f fender ' s a s t o n i s h m e n t , n e i t h e r of f icer w a s h i t — b e c a u s e n e i t h e r w a s any longer t h e r e w h e n t h e b u l l e t s w h i z z e d over t h e f ront seat and s m a s h e d i n t o t h e dashboard and w i n d s h i e l d .
At t h e sp l i t - second s o u n d of t h e r i f le b e i n g racked , w i t h o u t e x c h a n g i n g a word or a g l a n c e , e a c h had i n s t a n t l y dived b e l o w t h e l i n e of f ire , f lung open h i s door and rol led out of t h e patro l car to a p o s i t i o n of c o v e r — a l l in o n e f luid m o t i o n . B y t h e t i m e the i r would-be k i l l e r absorbed w h a t had happened, he w a s o n t h e r e c e i v i n g end of then f i re .
S o m e c o n f r o n t a t i o n s are so h e a v i l y w e i g h t e d in t h e s u s p e c t ' s favor t h e y s e e m i m p o s s i b l e to survive . A n y a t t e m p t to s h o o t your w a y o u t as a f irst r e a c t i o n m a y be u n r e a l i s t i c or o u t of t h e q u e s t i o n . Y o u r of fender m a y h a v e t h e drop on y o u c o l d . . . o r , as in t h e case of t h e C a l i f o r n i a o f f i cers , h e ' s in t h e process of s h o o t i n g before y o u are even aware of h is p r e s e n c e . . . o r , one of t h e w o r s t predicam e n t s , h e h a s s n a t c h e d away your gun t o u s e against y o u .
W h e t h e r y o u e m e r g e a l ive f r o m s u c h a " n o w i n " s i t u a t i o n w i l l probably h i n g e , as it did w i t h
125
t h e s e o f f i cers , o n y o u r a b i l i t y to c o n t r o l lag t i m e and c o n f o u n d a s u s p e c t ' s a ssau l t t h r o u g h t h e u s e of p l a n n i n g and surpr ise .
Lag t i m e r e l a t e s to h e s i t a n t r e a c t i o n . Spec i f i ca l ly , i t ' s t h e delay t h a t ' s i n v o l v e d w h i l e : your s e n s e s p e r c e i v e d a n g e r . . . t r a n s m i t t h e a l a r m t o your b r a i n . . . y o u r b r a i n dec ides w h a t y o u s h o u l d d o . . . re lays t h e m e s s a g e to t h e part of your body it w a n t s to r e a c t . . .and y o u t h e n a c t u a l l y respond.
T h i s t a k e s longes t w h e n y o u are d i s t rac ted , unprepared or i n a t t e n t i v e at t h e m o m e n t of t h r e a t and y o u r bra in m u s t f irst b e ca l l ed b a c k f r o m w h e r e v e r it h a s w a n d e r e d and c h a n g e gears before i t c a n e v a l u a t e t h e a l a r m and d i s p a t c h a r e a c t i v e m e s s a g e . Lag t i m e is s h o r t e s t — a n d c a n a l m o s t be e l i m i n a t e d , w i t h p r a c t i c e — w h e n your bra in is p r i m e d to send a " g o " s ignal b e c a u s e y o u h a v e a n t i c i p a t e d p o s s i b l e danger and h a v e p o t e n t i a l r e a c t i o n s in m i n d . It d o e s n ' t h a v e to t h i n k w h a t i t w i l l h a v e y o u d o ; it a l ready knows a n d is jus t w a i t i n g for your s e n s e s to p e r c e i v e t h e n e e d .
W h e n y o u are ab le to s h o r t - c i r c u i t your o w n lag t i m e , y o u o f t e n c a n turn t h e t a b l e s by i n d u c i n g i t in y o u r adversary . B y u s i n g sudden, d e c i s i v e a c t i o n t h a t h e ' s n o t e x p e c t i n g — i n o t h e r words , s u r p r i s e — y o u m a y t h r o w h i m off b a l a n c e so h e ' s forced to sh i f t gears m e n t a l l y in order to grasp and reac t t o w h a t h a s h a p p e n e d . W h i l e h e ' s h e s i t a t i n g , you ga in p r e c i o u s s e c o n d s in w h i c h to r e - e s t a b l i s h c o n t r o l of t h e s i t u a t i o n .
In s o m e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , y o u m a y be able to u s e n o i s e to c r e a t e surpr ise . S o m e t i m e s b l inding l ight w i l l w o r k . S o m e s u s p e c t s m a y fa l l for a real is t i c b luf f . In T u l s a , an i n t e n d e d s h o o t i n g v i c t i m s tared w i d e - e y e d at h i s a s s a i l a n t ' s gun , gasped for b r e a t h , grabbed h is c h e s t , w e n t rigid and c r u m p l e d o v e r — i n a f a k e hear t a t t a c k . T h e s u s p e c t w a s so d i s c o n c e r t e d h e f led w i t h o u t s h o o t i n g .
B u t m o r e t i m e s t h a n n o t — a n d e s p e c i a l l y w h e n y o u are in desperate s t r a i t s — a l l y o u ' l l h a v e to surprise an of fender w i t h w i l l b e your a b i l i t y to m o v e . E x e c u t e d properly , t h a t m a y b e e n o u g h . If y o u ' r e a h u n t e r , y o u k n o w t h a t any m o t i o n b y t h e a n i m a l y o u h o p e to bag m a k e s it harder to h i t . If t h e m o t i o n is u n e x p e c t e d and t h e n erra t i c , i t c o m p o u n d s t h e d i f f i c u l t y of g e t t i n g o n target . T h e s a m e p r i n c i p l e s apply w h e n you axe t h e prey.
T h e b e s t m o v e m e n t s are t h o s e t h a t :
1. befuddle or i m m o b i l i z e t h e s u s p e c t ;
2. get y o u out of t h e l i n e of f ire q u i c k l y , and
3 . carry y o u to a l o c a t i o n or i n t o a p o s t u r e f r o m w h i c h y o u c a n s h o o t or o t h e r w i s e i n c a p a c i t a t e your a s s a i l a n t .
1 2 6
T h o s e d iscussed here are t h e l i k e l i e s t to w o r k in c o m m o n c o n f r o n t a t i o n s i t u a t i o n s . B u t k e e p in m i n d t h a t t h e r ight m o v e at t h e r ight t i m e is hard to pul l off. C e r t a i n of t h e s e t e c h n i q u e s require a c t i o n o n y o u r part tha t is oppos i te o n e ' s n o r m a l i m p u l s e . T h a t m a k e s t h e m t o u g h to m a s t e r — b u t adds i m m e a s u r a b l y to the i r e l e m e n t of surpr ise .
Exiting the Kill Zone
A n i m p o r t a n t t ru th to r e m e m b e r w h e r e a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n s are c o n c e r n e d is tha t despi te c e r t a i n superf ic ia l r e s e m b l a n c e s , a l a w e n f o r c e m e n t agency is not an a r m y . C o n s e q u e n t l y , p o l i c e a c t i o n at a s h o o t i n g s c e n e s h o u l d n o t be regarded t h e s a m e as a m i l i t a r y m a n e u v e r . It i s n ' t P o r k C h o p H i l l , w h e r e you h a v e to ho ld t h e ground at al l c o s t s . In f a c t , your b e s t — a n d m o s t s u r p r i s i n g — r e s p o n s e in s o m e s h o o t i n g s i t u a t i o n s is to pull back and t e m p o r a r i l y yield terr i tory to t h e suspec t . In o t h e r words , get out of t h e k i l l z o n e , tha t area t h e s u s p e c t c a n e f fec t ive ly 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 f i re . T h i s c a n w o r k b o t h w h e n you first spot an a r m e d s u s p e c t w h o has n o t ye t s tar ted to s h o o t . . . a n d w h e n y o u are already under f ire .
E x i t i n g t h e k i l l z o n e is m o s t p r a c t i c a l w h e n t h e r e ' s s o m e d i s t a n c e b e t w e e n y o u and your assa i lant and w h e n y o u are s t i l l in your patro l car . I t ' s espec ia l ly advisable w h e n :
• your adversary h a s h o s t a g e s . . . • f ires o n y o u f r o m a sniper p o s i t i o n y o u c a n ' t
s e e . . .
• has super ior fire power , s u c h as a r i f le or shot g u n . . .
• is p o s i t i o n e d at a h igher l eve l , so y o u ' d h a v e to s h o o t up to r e a c h h i m , or
• w h e n h i s s h o t s or your r e t u r n f ire w o u l d endanger i n n o c e n t b y s t a n d e r s . M o s t o f f i cers in t h e s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s s top
the i r patro l cars and try to f igure o u t w h a t ' s happening. O r t h e y ex i t w i t h t h e i n t e n t i o n of s tanding the i r ground. O n an Indian r e s e r v a t i o n in A r i z o n a , for e x a m p l e , t w o tr ibal p o l i c e m e n responding to a ca l l about an individual s h o o t i n g o u t s t ree t l ights were fired upon as t h e y pul led up. T h e s u s p e c t had a . 3 0 - . 3 0 ca l . r i f le . H i s f irst s h o t s h a t t e r e d t h e w i n d s h i e l d and sprayed f r a g m e n t s of g lass i n t o o n e o f f i cer ' s face . H e d u c k e d t o t h e f l o o r — b u t h i s par tner ex i t ed t h e v e h i c l e in t h e o p e n and s tar ted f iring h is h a n d g u n at t h e s u s p e c t , w h o w a s w e l l p r o t e c t e d b e h i n d a parked car . W i t h u n d e r s t a n d a b l e
ease , t h e a s s a i l a n t k i l l e d t h i s p a t r o l m a n w i t h w o u n d s to t h e he a d and c h e s t .
U n d e r c i r c u m s t a n c e s l i k e t h e s e , w h e r e t h e odds of h i t t i n g y o u r a s s a i l a n t are so h e a v i l y against y o u , q u i c k l y leaving t h e k i l l z o n e as your f irst r e a c t i o n is n o t c o w a r d i c e , b u t good s e n s e . B y avoiding a s h o o t - o u t , y o u m a y save n o t o n l y y o u r o w n l i fe b u t o t h e r s in t h e k i l l z o n e , as w e l l . B e c a u s e o n c e y o u r e m o v e yourse l f , y o u probably r e m o v e t h e a s s a i l a n t ' s m o t i v a t i o n for f ir ing.
T h e d i r e c t i o n y o u ex i t w i l l depend o n t h e e n v i r o n m e n t around y o u and t h e l o c a t i o n of t h e s u s p e c t , as near as y o u can f igure i t . Y o u r o p t i o n s m a y i n c l u d e :
1. making a fast tight-angle turn into an alley, driveway or street. If, by us ing t h i s m o v e m e n t , y o u c a n put bu i ld ings or o t h e r barr iers bet w e e n yourse l f and t h e a s s a i l a n t , y o u e f f e c t i v e l y r e m o v e yourse l f f rom t h e k i l l z o n e a n d gain e x c e l l ent c o v e r to m a n e u v e r b e h i n d . In r e s i d e n t i a l areas , y o u m a y be ab le to drive i n t o a garage, w h i c h w i l l afford o t h e r c o v e r p o s s i b i l i t i e s .
2. slamming your car into reverse and peeling backward or doing a "f-turn" or a "U-turn" (provided t h e r e ' s a c lear f ie ld b e h i n d ) . P e r h a p s y o u ' v e jus t e n t e r e d a k i l l z o n e (say y o u ' v e rounded a corner and s p o t t e d a s u s p e c t w i t h a long-gun ahead) b u t t h e s u s p e c t h a s n o t y e t f i red. O r y o u ' r e already t a k i n g rounds f r o m t h e f ront or s ide. T h i s m a n e u v e r is l i k e l y to b e your least e x p e c t e d r e s p o n s e . E s p e c i a l l y if a s u s p e c t is " t r a c k i n g " y o u w i t h h i s gun, i t ' l l t h r o w h i m off.
3. floorboarding the accelerator and speeding forward. T h i s r e s p o n s e is rare ly t h e m o s t des i rable , b e c a u s e i t is t h e o n e a s u s p e c t is m o s t l i k e l y to a n t i c i p a t e . Indeed, y o u m a y b e driving ahead t o wa r d a s e c o n d a r y a m b u s h prepared by lay-off m e n . B u t if y o u must drive across t h e k i l l z o n e to safe ty , y o u w a n t as m u c h p r o t e c t i o n and speed as p o s s i b l e out of y o u r pat ro l car . Get down low, fast. Y o u r dropping d o w n at t h e f irst h i n t of danger c a n foi l a susp e c t w h o ' s e x p e c t i n g your head and c h e s t l eve l to r e m a i n c o n s t a n t . E i t h e r s c o o t far d o w n in your seat to sh ie ld as m u c h of y o u r upper body as y o u c a n and l o o k ahead t h r o u g h t h e s teer ing w h e e l . . . o r lean over o n t o t h e seat , s teer ing w i t h your left h a n d and b o b b i n g up and d o w n erra t i ca l ly to c h e c k ahead . W h a t e v e r y o u r e x i t , radio for h e l p as y o u m o v e . Do not stop or c o n s i d e r ge t t ing out of your car w h i l e u n d e r f i re , u n l e s s it is d isab led or b e t t e r c o v e r is i m m e d i a t e l y a c c e s s i b l e . O n c e y o u are o u t of t h e k i l l z o n e , turn at t h e f i rs t r ight angle t h a t w i l l put a barr ier b e t w e e n y o u and t h e a s s a i l a n t .
Hostile weapons fire against officers on patrol can involve a primary ambush whose arc is indicated by the solid line. One surprise response for Car 9 is to make a fast right-angle turn.
1 3 0
The right-angle turn tactic is also effective if a secondary ambush [indicated by dotted lines] is part of the offenders' assault plan.
131
A serpentine movement forward can be effective if you 're being fired upon from the rear or side.
1 3 2
In your radio c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , give as m u c h i n f o r m a t i o n as p o s s i b l e about t h e n u m b e r of assa i l ants , t h e i r w e a p o n s and p o s i t i o n s . Advise responding u n i t s about h o w to approach t h e area for m a x i m u m safety . Y o u h a v e a r e s p o n s i b i l i t y to o t h e r of f icers n o t to draw t h e m i n t o t h e k i l l z o n e .
Because you leave a scene does not mean you abandon it. F r o m your n e w p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n , y o u w a n t to lay t h e ground w o r k for procedures to t a k e c o n t r o l of t h e suspec t . Spec ia l ized , t a c t i c a l t e a m s and h o s t a g e n e g o t i a t o r s m a y n e e d to be b r o u g h t in . B u t u n t i l he lp arr ives , y o u try t o p o s i t i o n y o u r s e l f w h e r e y o u c a n : observe t h e s u s p e c t ' s l o c a t i o n . . . keep h i m c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n i t . . . a n d w o r k to seal off the area f r o m c i v i l i a n i n v o l v e m e n t .
T h e w a y t w o of f icers h a n d l e d a s h o o t i n g episode on a res ident ia l s t reet in a s u b u r b of C h i c a g o i l lus t ra tes good survival procedures . Fired on in the i r patrol car f r o m an a p a r t m e n t h o u s e by a sniper a r m e d w i t h a p i s to l and r i f le , t h e y i m m e d i a t e l y m o v e d — g u n n e d the i r patrol car to a p o s i t i o n of safety w h e r e t h e y c o u l d w a t c h t h e b u i l d i n g — r a t h e r t h a n stopping abrupt ly and t ry ing to s h o o t b a c k . W h e n r e i n f o r c e m e n t s arrived, t h e a s s a i l a n t w a s t reated as a barr icaded s u s p e c t . H i s n e i g h b o r s w e r e e v a c u a t e d . . . t e a r gas c a n n i s t e r s w e r e lobbed i n t o h is r o o m s . . . a n d , e v e n t u a l l y , h e w a s shot in t h e s t o m a c h and a r m w h e n h e e m e r g e d and tr ied to fire at an of f icer .
In C l e v e l a n d , a s u c c e s s f u l re t reat w a s m a d e at c loser range w h e n a b e a t p a t r o l m a n u n e x p e c t e d l y in terrupted a drugstore robbery . T h e robber grabbed the druggist as a sh ie ld and f ired at t h e of f i cer , w h o , ra ther t h a n s h o o t i n g b a c k , d u c k e d o u t of t h e s tore to a p o s i t i o n of safety o u t s i d e . T h e r e h e t ra ined h i s revolver on t h e doorway . T h e robber c a m e o u t w i t h t h e druggist as a h o s t a g e , b u t in m a n e u v e r i n g through t h e ex i t , h e turned in s u c h a w a y t h a t t h e off icer w a s able to fire three s h o t s i n t o h i s c h e s t . B o t h t h e of f icer and t h e h o s t a g e escaped t h e i n c i d e n t u n i n j u r e d . (Shoot ing under s u c h c i r c u m s t a n c e s is e x t r e m e l y r i s k y , h o w e v e r , and s h o u l d n o t b e a t t e m p t e d u n l e s s y o u are certain t h e i n n o c e n t party wi l l n o t be h a r m e d . )
Movement Inside the Kill Zone
S o m e t i m e s , t raf f ic or o t h e r f a c t o r s m a y prevent a p r o m p t ex i t f r o m t h e s c e n e , a n d y o u w i l l b e res t r i c ted to m o v i n g within t h e k i l l z o n e . Again, depending o n your surroundings and l o c a t i o n re la-
t ive to your a s s a i l a n t , y o u m a y h a v e several poss i b i l i t i e s for surpris ing m o v e m e n t .
For purposes of i l l u s t r a t i o n , a s s u m e y o u ' r e c r u i s i n g a r e s i d e n t i a l s t ree t w h e n s o m e o n e w i t h a r i f le suddenly s h o o t s at y o u f r o m a ground- leve l p o s i t i o n . If y o u are a l o n e , o n e o p t i o n is to turn at a r ight angle and he a d t o wa r d t h e s u s p e c t ' s l o c a t i o n , us ing a d r i v e w a y or b o u n c i n g over t h e c u r b . T h i s is a b a s i c m i l i t a r y t a c t i c — t o s t o r m t h e s n i p e r ' s n e s t . R ight a w a y y o u surprise h i m . B y s tay ing l o w in t h e seat and driving so your side of t h e car is a w a y f r o m his h o s t i l e f ire , y o u m a i n t a i n t h e p r o t e c t i o n afforded by your v e h i c l e . . . a n d q u i t e l i k e l y y o u c a n drive d i r e c t l y to a t ree or barr icade in t h e yard t h a t w i l l provide good c o v e r . If t h a t is n o t p o s s i b l e , drive s t ra ight t o wa r d h i m . A s s a u l t h i s p o s i t i o n w i t h your v e h i c l e . D o n ' t t o u c h t h e b r a k e , d o n ' t s top , b u t try to run r ight over h i m .
A n o t h e r p o s s i b i l i t y w h e n you are a l o n e is to m a k e a fast U - t u r n , a s s u m i n g , of c o u r s e , t h a t t h e h o s t i l e w e a p o n s f ire is c o m i n g f r o m your side of t h e v e h i c l e . D e p e n d i n g o n t h e s u s p e c t ' s angle to y o u , y o u c a n w h i p t h e turn to t h e r ight , to t h e left , b y b a c k i n g — w h a t e v e r m o v e ge t s your s ide of t h e car a w a y f r o m h i m f a s t e s t . N o w y o u h a v e t h e w i d t h of t h e car to sh ie ld y o u w h i l e y o u ba i l out , s tay l o w , and m o v e t o a p o s i t i o n of cover b e h i n d o n e of t h e w h e e l s .
If y o u h a v e a p a r t n e r in t h i s i l l u s t r a t i o n , y o u ' d h a v e to m o v e to get and/or k e e p h i s side of t h e patro l car a w a y f r o m t h e s u s p e c t ' s f i re w i t h o u t expos ing your o w n . Here , a p o s s i b i l i t y is to turn sharply in a d i r e c t i o n oppos i te t h e s u s p e c t ' s locat i o n . T h e n drive a w a y a long a l ine p e r p e n d i c u l a r to h i s p o s i t i o n . T h i s p u t s at l eas t hal f your patrol car b e t w e e n y o u and t h e s u s p e c t and p r e v e n t s h i m f r o m g e t t i n g a broadside sho t at e i t h e r of y o u . T h i s t a c t i c m a y a lso w o r k , of c o u r s e , w h e n y o u ' r e a l o n e .
W h a t e v e r t a c t i c y o u u s e -with your pat ro l car , y o u n e e d to m o v e i m m e d i a t e l y . If y o u get p i n n e d d o w n , e s p e c i a l l y in a w e l l - p l a n n e d a m b u s h s i tuat ion , y o u c a n b e in e x t r e m e l y s e r i o u s t r o u b l e .
In s o m e c a s e s , y o u m a y n e e d to m o v e f r o m p lace to p lace w i t h i n t h e k i l l z o n e on foot , to r e a c h b e t t e r c o v e r . Indeed, t h a t ' s l i k e l y t o b e t h e only r e a s o n y o u ' l l m o v e w h e n under f i re ; y o u d o n ' t w a n t to c h a n g e f r o m o n e p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n to a n o t h e r jus t for t h e s a k e of m o v e m e n t . W h e n i t ' s des i rable to c h a n g e l o c a t i o n , y o u ' r e safest if y o u c a n s tay l o w and r u n in short spr ints f r o m c o v e r to cover u n t i l y o u r e a c h your u l t i m a t e goal . If i t ' s n e c e s s a r y to t rave l across open space d i r e c t l y toward or dir e c t l y a w a y f r o m t h e s u s p e c t , run in a zigzag pa t te rn to m a k e yourse l f a harder target .
1 3 4
In reaching cover, on foot, try to keep your movement low and erratic.
U n d e r c e r t a i n c i r c u m s t a n c e s , y o u m a y w a n t to roll f rom place t o p lace , ra ther t h a n r u n . T h i s m i g h t be t rue w h e n y o u are under i m m e d i a t e assau l t by a s u s p e c t in a fort i f ied p o s i t i o n , w h e r e c o v e r is re la t ive ly c l o s e y e t far e n o u g h a w a y tha t r u n n i n g di rec t ly to it s e e m s e x t r e m e l y dangerous , or w h e r e you can readi ly r e a c h t h e p r o t e c t i o n of a g u t t e r by rol l ing. R o l l i n g has i ts d i sadvantages ; i t ' s s l o w e r t h a n r u n n i n g , you lose your ab i l i ty to c h a n g e direct ion rapidly, your v iew is d is tor ted and y o u m a y lose v isual c o n t a c t w i t h t h e s u s p e c t or be u n a b l e to w a t c h for addi t ional a s s a i l a n t s ; if y o u ' r e o n c o n c r e t e or o t h e r hard sur face , low rounds m a y r i c o c h e t i n t o your face w h e n y o u ' r e so c l o s e to t h e ground. O n t h e o t h e r hand, be ing c l o s e to t h e ground, y o u are l i k e l y to appear a s m a l l e r target f r o m t h e susp e c t ' s perspec t ive . If h e is c o n s i d e r a b l y h i g h e r t h a n you, in an upper w i n d o w or o n a roof top , t h e ef fect is e v e n b e t t e r . M a n y people , w h e n s h o o t i n g d o w n , tend to over-shoot w h a t t h e y ' r e a i m i n g for. B y rol l ing, y o u m a y exaggerate th i s t e n d e n c y b e c a u s e you are so m u c h lower t h a n a n y h e i g h t an a s s a i l a n t is n o r m a l l y c o n d i t i o n e d to e x p e c t .
W i t h o n e t a c t i c , ro l l ing a l l o w s y o u to lay d o w n
135
As you move over a wall, you want to create the smallest possible target. Assume the low crawl position, rolling over, rather than standing up or jumping over.
f ire c o v e r as y o u m o v e . T h i s is m o s t e f f e c t i v e w i t h a s h o t g u n . As y o u b e g i n your ro l l , y o u ho ld t h e s h o t g u n in a s h o o t i n g grip, l e n g t h w i s e aga ins t your body, w i t h t h e barrel e x t e n d i n g over t h e shoulder of y o u r s h o o t i n g s ide. Y o u r a c k t h e g u n (or re load it) w h i l e y o u are on your b a c k . W h e n y o u rol l a round o n your c h e s t , y o u ' r e ready to s h o o t w i t h a s l ight brac ing of your e l b o w s . B y repeat ing t h i s pa t te rn , y o u c a n c o n t i n u e s h o o t i n g as y o u m o v e , w i t h o u t los ing m o m e n t u m . Y o u r s h o t s c o m i n g in fast f r o m a l o w p o s i t i o n w i l l probably b e s o m e t h i n g your assa i lan t is n o t e x p e c t i n g and w i l l l i k e l y t h r o w h i m off guard and delay h is r e a c t i o n t i m e . T h i s t a c t i c can be o n e of your b e s t u s e s of surpr ise , b u t t h e r e ' s n o doubt t h a t it r equi res extensive p r a c t i c e to m a s t e r .
O f c o u r s e , y o u s h o u l d a lso use a ro l l ing m o v e m e n t to get over w a l l s and o t h e r o b s t a c l e s . T h a t is, y o u hug t h e top of t h e barr i cade and " w r a p " y o u r s e l f over to t h e o t h e r s ide , p r e s e n t i n g as s m a l l a target as p o s s i b l e , if you j u m p or go over upr ight , y o u a t t r a c t m o r e a t t e n t i o n and m a k e yourse l f a larger target , by s i l h o u e t t i n g yourse l f against t h e b a c k g r o u n d .
Close-Up Surprise
F r o m t h e s t a t i s t i c s a b o u t o f f i cer k i l l i n g s , y o u k n o w t h a t your danger i n c r e a s e s m a r k e d l y w h e n an a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n erupts suddenly and t h e suspec t is c l o s e to y o u . If a n y t h i n g , t h e t i m e y o u h a v e
1 3 6
to reac t w i l l be even shor ter ( the e n c o u n t e r is l i k e l y to be over , s tart to f in i sh , in less t h a n three seconds) and t h e space in w h i c h y o u c a n m a n e u v e r w i l l probably be r e s t r i c t e d . Y o u r m o v e s m u s t be sca led down to re f lec t t h e a r m e d s u s p e c t ' s p r o x i m i t y . And w i t h t h e u s e of surprise , y o u c a n r e a l i s t i c a l l y e x p e c t to b u y o n l y m i l l i s e c o n d s .
Y o u ' r e l i k e l y to be bes t off, of c o u r s e , if y o u have y o u r s idearm out and ready w h e n a s u s p e c t suddenly t r ies to draw h i s g u n or y o u suddenly c o n f r o n t a suspec t w i t h a gun a lready d r a w n . W h e n an of fender is as surprised by your a r m e d p r e s e n c e as y o u are by h i s , your ready f i re -power m a y p e r m i t a s tandoff w h e r e y o u c a n n e g o t i a t e a r e s o l u t i o n , if for s o m e reason y o u feel i m m e d i a t e s h o o t i n g on your part is u n d e s i r a b l e . A N e w Y o r k C i t y p o l i c e sergeant c h a s i n g an a r m e d robber t h r o u g h a t e n e m e n t , for i n s t a n c e , rounded a c o r n e r to f ind t h e robber w a i t i n g , gun in hand , f ive feet a w a y . B e c a u s e t h e sergeant had h is revolver ready to s h o o t , t o o , t h e suspec t h e s i t a t e d — a n d t h e sergeant m a n a g e d to persuade h i m h e w a s wiser to surrender and t a k e a fall for robbery t h a n to r i sk a f i rs t -degree m u r d e r charge or be ing k i l l ed h i m s e l f , by f ir ing.
W h e r e t h e suspec t is c o m m i t t e d to s h o o t i n g , you m a y , w i t h your s idearm ready, be able to m o v e swi f t ly i n t o an " i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g " p o s i t i o n and fire on h i m before h e can s h o o t y o u . I n s t i n c t shoot ing , w h i c h w e ' l l d i scuss in deta i l la ter , bas i ca l ly i n v o l v e s p o i n t - a n d - s h o o t m a n e u v e r i n g . Y o u can adapt it to m a x i m i z e surpr ise . Had t h e N e w Y o r k sergeant e n c o u n t e r e d a d e t e r m i n e d s u s p e c t w h e n h e rounded t h e t e n e m e n t c o r n e r , h i s least e x p e c t e d a c t i o n probably w o u l d h a v e b e e n to drop b a c k w a r d s to t h e f loor and s h o o t f r o m a s i t t ing p o s i t i o n . For t h i s t a c t i c , you cross your a n k l e s , f lex your k n e e s and bring your h a n d s t o g e t h e r as y o u are fa l l ing. T h e force of t h e landing w i l l r o c k you b a c k , and as your crossed a n k l e s c o m e up, y o u q u i c k l y lay t h e barrel of your gun b e t w e e n t h e m and fire w i t h a t w o - h a n d e d grip. T h e s u s p e c t u n doubtedly is a n t i c i p a t i n g a target at n o r m a l head or c h e s t level ; if h e f ires re f l ex ive ly , t h e b u l l e t w i l l go through t h i n air. B y t h e t i m e h e reg is ters w h e r e y o u a c t u a l l y are, y o u s h o u l d be able to r e t u r n f ire e f fec t ive ly . (As w i t h o t h e r u n u s u a l t a c t i c s , t h i s requires e x t e n s i v e p r a c t i c e so t h a t it is e x e c u t e d as a re f lex ive r e a c t i o n w h e n c i r c u m s t a n c e s are appropriate . If y o u t a k e t w o s e c o n d s to t h i n k about doing it , t h e advantage is los t . )
If you don't h a v e your s i d e a r m u n h o l s t e r e d for a c o n f r o n t a t i o n , your c h a n c e s for survival d i m i n i s h . A fast draw may w o r k . In C i n c i n n a t i , an of f icer c h e c k i n g a bar in s e a r c h of a robbery s u s p e c t a s k e d one patron to get up out of a b o o t h for q u e s t i o n i n g .
138
T h e m a n c a m e out w i t h a .25 ca l . s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , w h i c h h e j a m m e d i n t o t h e o f f i c e r ' s s t o m a c h . As fast as h e could , t h e of f icer drew h i s revo lver and p u m p e d f ive s h o t s i n t o t h e s u s p e c t ' s s t o m a c h . T h e suspec t did n o t f ire o n c e . H e e v i d e n t l y w a s so s tar t led tha t t h e of f icer w o u l d draw aga ins t h i m under t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s t h a t he deve loped m o n u m e n t a l lag t i m e .
Fas t -draw s u c c e s s e s , h o w e v e r , are extremely rare. M o r e of ten t h a n w i n t h e c o n f r o n t a t i o n for y o u , t h e y ' l l prove suic idal if your adversary is c l o s e t o or already on target . After al l , y o u ' r e n o t fas t -drawing against h is fast d r a w — h e ' s got a head s tar t and can , if h e ' s p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y prepared to k i l l , s h o o t in about one- th i rd t h e t i m e it t a k e s y o u to get o n target . M o r e o v e r , t h e type of h o l s t e r t h a t m o s t readily f a c i l i t a t e s fast drawing is poor ly des igned for s t reet u s e . In order to a c c o m m o d a t e speed, t h i s s ty le h o l s t e r sacr i f i ces s e c u r i t y . I ts des ign i n c r e a s e s t h e r i sk of your s i d e a r m fal l ing out during a f ight or o t h e r e x e r t i o n and p e r m i t s dangerous ly easy a c c e s s to a s u s p e c t grabbing for your g u n . In a large proport ion of c a s e s w h e r e of f i cers are s h o t w i t h the i r o w n f i r e a r m s , t h e in i t i a l loss of t h e g u n c a n be d i rec t ly a t t r i b u t e d to t h e h o l s t e r .
A s s u m i n g fast draws to b e inappropr ia te , t h e n , in t h e o v e r w h e l m i n g p r e p o n d e r a n c e of s i t u a t i o n s , o ther , m o r e surpris ing m o v e m e n t m a y s t i l l be used to derai l a s u s p e c t ' s i n t e n t i o n and s t r e t c h o u t t h e a c t i o n e n o u g h for y o u to br ing your gun i n t o play . D u r i n g your q u e s t i o n i n g of a driver in a t raf f ic s top , for e x a m p l e , t h e c l ipboard, c i t a t i o n b o o k or f lashl ight y o u ' v e carried in your non-gun hand during your approach c a n m a k e a p o w e r f u l d i s t r a c t i o n if he suddenly r e a c h e s for or c o m e s out w i t h a g u n at c l o s e range before y o u h a v e a c h a n c e to draw yours . As soon as you perce ive t h e t h r e a t , hur l t h e ob jec t in h i s face w i t h your w e a k h a n d , w h i l e s i m u l t a n e o u s l y drawing your gun w i t h your s t rong h a n d . As h is eyebal l is t h r e a t e n e d , h i s body a l a r m r e a c t i o n w i l l force an i n v o l u n t a r y r e s p o n s e on h i s part tha t m a y delay h is s h o o t i n g or at l eas t t h r o w h i m off target . M e a n w h i l e , y o u can f ire and/or drop b e l o w w i n d o w level and rol l to t h e rear of h i s v e h i c l e , o u t of t h e k i l l z o n e , w h e r e y o u ' l l h a v e b e t t e r c o v e r . In D e t r o i t , a n a r c o t i c s addict w h o had jus t m a d e a b u y f rom an u n d e r c o v e r d e t e c t i v e s i t t ing in an u n m a r k e d v e h i c l e suddenly drew a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , s t u c k it in t h e w i n d o w at t h e of f icer and c o c k e d t h e h a m m e r . Without hesitation, t h e d e t e c t i v e s w u n g t h e door open w i t h all h i s s t r e n g t h and k n o c k e d t h e suspec t b a c k w a r d s , as h e drew h i s o w n s e m i a u t o m a t i c and f ired.
If y o u ' r e w o r k i n g w i t h a par tner , h e m a y b e able to c a u s e d i s t r a c t i o n . A s h o u t or o t h e r loud
Being part of a hostage incident involving a fellow officer required a plan and firearm discipline. Would you try to shoot this offender! Did you consider the lives of civilians sitting in the restaurant behind them!
n o i s e to t h e s ide m a y c a u s e t h e s u s p e c t to turn h i s head long e n o u g h for y o u to draw a n d s h o o t . N o i s e f r o m b e h i n d — a w i n d o w b e i n g s m a s h e d , for ins t a n c e — i s e s p e c i a l l y e f f e c t i v e . I t ' s c o r n y , b u t s o m e t i m e s j u s t sh i f t ing your g l a n c e to l o o k b e h i n d a s u s p e c t as if s o m e o n e e l se is approaching w i l l be e n o u g h to i n d u c e lag t i m e . R e m e m b e r , any u n e x p e c t e d m o v e m e n t , n o m a t t e r h o w m i n u t e , is b e t t e r t h a n jus t s tanding t h e r e w a i t i n g to b e s h o t .
S o m e t i m e s y o u c a n c a p i t a l i z e o n d i s t r a c t i o n s t h a t are surpr is ing to y o u , as w e l l as to t h e s u s p e c t . N o i s e s or m o v e m e n t m a y o c c u r a r o u n d y o u , indep e n d e n t of a n y a c t i o n by y o u or a par tner , and if y o u are a ler t y o u c a n i n s t a n t l y e x p l o i t t h e m . In a m i d w e s t e r n c i t y , an of f -duty of f i cer w a s w a i t i n g at a b u s s top w h e n a car pul led up and a m a n ins ide a s k e d d i r e c t i o n s . As t h e o f f i cer w a s responding , a p a s s e n g e r in t h e b a c k seat s u d d e n l y p o i n t e d a revol ver at h i m and snapped, " T h r o w al l your m o n e y in t h e c a r ! " At t h a t m o m e n t , a pass ing car b a c k f ired w i t h a l o u d bang, and t h e o f fenders d u c k e d . T h e of f i cer i m m e d i a t e l y dropped d o w n and c i rc led t h e rear of t h e i r v e h i c l e , c o m i n g up to t h e i r surpr ise o n t h e o t h e r s ide, h i s revo lver ready.
In a C h i c a g o c a s e , an o f f i cer w a s c h a t t i n g w i t h an e m p l o y e e of a drugstore w h e n an apparent c u s t o m e r a p p r o a c h e d and jo ined in t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n . T h e s t ranger said h e w a s a p o l i c e m a n , t o o , and s h o w e d a s tar and i d e n t i f i c a t i o n f r o m a s u b u r b a n p o l i c e d e p a r t m e n t . T h e n , suddenly , h e drew a . 2 2 c a l . r e v o l v e r and a n n o u n c e d a h o l d u p . U n d e r s t a n d ably , t h e o f f i cer did n o t have h i s revo lver in h a n d . B u t as t h e s t o r e ' s e m p l o y e e s f o l l o w e d t h e r o b b e r ' s orders to get m o n e y , get w a t c h e s , and get b a r b i t u ra tes , o n e of t h e m m a d e s o m e m o v e m e n t t h a t c a u s e d t h e of fender m o m e n t a r i l y to l o o k a w a y . In t h a t s p l i t - s e c o n d , t h e o f f i cer drew h i s revo lver .
1 4 0
W h e n t h e s u s p e c t spun b a c k , t h e odds w e r e suddenly c h a n g e d . T h e of f icer f ired o n e s h o t , and t h e robber fe l l to t h e f loor, h i t by t h e o f f i c e r ' s b u l l e t .
A spec ia l c i r c u m s t a n c e t h a t m a y d e m a n d c l o s e -up u s e of surprise for survival is w h e n you , your par tner or a f e l l o w of f icer are t a k e n h o s t a g e by o n e or m o r e s u s p e c t s . H e r e , as in o t h e r danger s i tuat i o n s , a pie-ananged plan and q u i c k a c t i o n w i l l aid an e f fec t ive r e s p o n s e .
In C a l i f o r n i a , a b a c k - u p o f f i cer responding to a robbery- in-progress at a p a w n shop w a s greeted by t w o s u s p e c t s w a l k i n g out of t h e p lace w i t h t h e f irst responding of f icer at g u n p o i n t . T h e y h a d t a k e n h i s gun, and t h e y i n t e n d e d to escape in h i s car . T h e y d e m a n d e d t h e s e c o n d o f f i c e r ' s gun , t o o . F o r t u n a t e l y , t h e b a c k - u p of f icer had p o s i t i o n e d h i m s e l f b e h i n d cover during h i s approach, w i t h h i s s i d e a r m d r a w n . He fired o n e s h o t over t h e s u s p e c t s ' h e a d s . A t t h a t i n s t a n t , t h e h o s t a g e of f icer dropped d o w n , leaving t h e s tar t led s u s p e c t s m o m e n t a r i l y u n s h i e l d e d . T h e b a c k - u p of f icer w a s ab le to k i l l t h e m b o t h .
In o t h e r i n s t a n c e s , h o s t a g e o f f i cers h a v e faked heart a t t a c k s and gone l i m p as dead w e i g h t in the i r c a p t o r ' s a r m s . In t h e s p l i t - s e c o n d c o n f u s i o n t h a t fo l lowed, f e l l o w of f icers w e r e able to t a k e e f f e c t i v e a c t i o n . Whatever you do, it must be instantaneous and believable, with complete follow through. D o n ' t try ha l f -hear ted m e a s u r e s , or y o u or s o m e o t h e r of f icer m a y w i n d up in an e v e n w o r s e pred i c a m e n t .
In this incident, the officer on the right was led out of a bar as a hostage. He faked a heart attack. The offender was so surprised, his reaction was to drop his gaze. This gave the partner officer the opportunity to disarm the offender.
141
Just h o w unprepared m o s t o f f i cers are to reac t is d e m o n s t r a t e d by an e x e r c i s e used at o n e surviva l s c h o o l . T w o of f icers w h o h a v e b e e n par tners for severa l years are ca l l ed to t h e f ront of t h e r o o m . W h e n t h e y are c l o s e , t h e i n s t r u c t o r suddenly grabs o n e o f f i cer and p u t s a gun loaded w i t h b l a n k s to h is h e a d . " I ' m going to c o u n t to t e n , " t h e " h o s t a g e -t a k e r " t e l l s t h e o f f i c e r ' s par tner , " t h e n I ' m going to s h o o t . O n e . . . t w o . . . t h r e e . . . . "
T h e free of f icer u s u a l l y s p u t t e r s s o m e t h i n g l i k e , " H e y , w a i t ! I w a s n ' t r e a d y . . . . "
' ' . . . F i v e . . . s i x . . . s e v e n . . . . " " W a i t ! W a i t ! " " . . . N i n e . . . t e n ! " B A N G ! T h e g u n goes off . T h e
h o s t a g e o f f i cer is " d e a d " w i t h a s h o t to h i s head before h i s par tner does a n y t h i n g to h e l p h i m .
O f f i c e r s on w h o m t h i s e x e r c i s e is pul led o f t e n a d m i t a f terwards t h a t in f ive years or m o r e of r iding t o g e t h e r t h e y had day af ter day or n i g h t af ter n ight d i s c u s s e d great broads , great r e s t a u r a n t s , great f i sh ing h o l e s , great p l a c e s to b u y c l o t h e s and a h u n d r e d o t h e r t i m e - k i l l i n g s u b j e c t s . B u t n o t o n c e had t h e y d i s c u s s e d o p t i o n s for a c t i o n s h o u l d o n e or b o t h of t h e m f ind t h e m s e l v e s at t h e m e r c y of despera te ind iv idua ls .
Firearm Retention
In s o m e c l o s e e n c o u n t e r s , a s u s p e c t m a y grab for your s i d e a r m in an effort to d i s a r m y o u . T h e n y o u r e q u i p m e n t , your s t a n c e and your ab i l i ty to reac t m a y l i t e r a l l y dec ide your fa te . L o s e y o u r gun and y o u q u i t e l i k e l y w i l l l o s e your l i fe . A n o t o r i o u s l y h igh p e r c e n t a g e — s o m e e s t i m a t e s say 90 per cent—of suspects who succeed in disarming police officers, end up attempting to kill them. M o r e t h a n 2 0 per c e n t of o f f i cer d e a t h s e a c h year are c a u s e d by t h e o f f i c e r ' s o w n s i d e a r m s , in t h e h a n d s of s u s p e c t s . 1
Y o u r f irst l ine of d e f e n s e is to p r e v e n t a s u s p e c t f r o m se iz ing c o n t r o l of your s i d e a r m . T h a t ' s far preferable to t ry ing t o get it b a c k o n c e h e has t a k e n i t . Y o u r l e a t h e r gear s h o u l d be c h o s e n w i t h t h i s in m i n d . A good h o l s t e r h ides and p r o t e c t s as m u c h of your s i d e a r m as poss ib le , b a l a n c i n g your a c c e s s to it w i t h s e c u r i t y against s o m e o n e e l se y a n k i n g it o u t . F a u l t y l e a t h e r g e a r — s p e c i f i c a l l y fas t -draw-type h o l s t e r s — p r o v e s to be a m a j o r c o n t r i b u t i n g fac tor every year to of f i cers los ing t h e i r f i r e a r m s .
A s tudy in K a n s a s C i t y h a s revea led t h a t
1 Revolver Retention, Marvin Van Kirk, Kansas City (MO) Police Dei partmcnt, 1976.
1 4 2
a n o t h e r c o m m o n fac tor in of f icer d i s a r m i n g s is leaving t h e h o l s t e r u n s n a p p e d or snapped i m p r o p erly in t h e s u s p e c t ' s p r e s e n c e . If y o u do r e l e a s e your ho ls ter , at l eas t k e e p your h a n d p r o t e c t i v e l y o n t h e b u t t of your gun. O r if y o u h a v e a t h u m b - b r e a k h o l s t e r , y o u c a n leave t h e sa fe ty s trap in p l a c e u n t i l y o u are ready to draw.
E v e n w i t h t h e s e p r e c a u t i o n s , s o m e s u s p e c t s m a y be drunk, drugged, m e n t a l l y d i s turbed , c o c k y
Many trainers won't teach firearm retention because they feel it takes too much time to perfect. What odds do you give this deputy for survival, knowing he wasn't prepared to deal with this moment!
One effective alternative when the suspect tries to disarm you when your sidearm is holstered.
1 4 4
or desperate e n o u g h t o t ry to s n a t c h a w a y your f i r e a r m a n y w a y . T h e n your a b i l i t y to m o v e dec i s i v e l y and w i t h o u t h e s i t a t i o n — a n d know what you are doing—will be c r i t i c a l . R e t e n t i o n p r o c e d u r e s require p r a c t i c e , and t h e y m a y b e d i f f i cu l t to e x e c u t e e f f e c t i v e l y aga ins t a s t ronger o p p o n e n t or w h e n y o u are fac ing m u l t i p l e s u s p e c t s . B u t t h e y m a y b e t h e o n l y o p t i o n y o u h a v e at t h a t p a r t i c u l a r m o m e n t .
// a suspect lunges for your sidearm while it's in your holster, your b e s t defense is to i n d u c e s o m e d i s t rac t ing , i n v o l u n t a r y r e a c t i o n in h i m . G o for h is e y e s . O n e or t w o f ingers jabbed at h i s e y e s w i l l at t h e very l e a s t c a u s e h i m to c l o s e t h e m m o m e n t a r i l y . S o w i l l a b l o w to t h e forehead b e t w e e n h i s e y e s . If h i s bu i ld m a k e s i t f eas ib le , a sudden p u n c h to t h e solar p l e x u s or a hard s h o v e to h i s c h e s t w i t h your n o n -gun hand , p a l m open, m a y k n o c k h i m b a c k w a r d s and off b a l a n c e w h i l e y o u draw your gun w i t h your s t rong h a n d . O r p ivot your g u n h ip to t h e rear to p r o t e c t your f i r e a r m . As y o u turn , de l iver a hard e l b o w to t h e j a w or w i t h your h a n d st i f f and f lat , a sharp jab t h a t s t r i k e s h i s throat b e t w e e n your t h u m b and f irst f inger . E i t h e r m o v e m e n t w i l l l e a v e y o u in a good p o s i t i o n to draw and to c o n t i n u e h i t t i n g and s h o v i n g w i t h your n o n - g u n h a n d . It m a y surprise h i m e v e n m o r e if y o u grab h i s c l o t h i n g w i t h your w e a k h a n d and y a n k h i m forward. A t t h e s a m e t i m e , de l iver a k n e e k i c k to h i s gro in as y o u p u s h h i m a w a y f r o m your gun.
When a suspect manages actually to get his hand on youi gun butt, y o u w a n t i m m e d i a t e l y to pin h is h a n d w h e r e it i s . C l a m p d o w n hard w i t h your gun h a n d o n top of his h a n d as t h o u g h y o u w e r e going to draw your f i r e a r m . T h i s w i l l k e e p h i m f rom pul l ing your gun f r o m t h e h o l s t e r and a lso give y o u c o n t r o l over h is h a n d . At t h e s a m e t i m e , u s e your w e a k hand to fur ther h o l d your g u n . N o w , w i t h your gun hand, cur l your f ingers i n t o t h e s u s p e c t ' s p a l m and press your t h u m b i n t o t h e b a c k of h is h a n d . Y o u r n e x t m o v e i n v o l v e s t h r e e s i m u l t a n e o u s a c t i o n s : 1) keep your w e a k h a n d f i r m l y on your g u n ; 2) p ivot your gun side a r o u n d to t h e rear so y o u end up fac ing your a t t a c k e r af ter a 1 8 0 -degree turn ; 3) as you turn , t w i s t h i s p a l m o u t . T h i s w i l l b e n d h is wr i s t , forc ing h i m to r e l e a s e h i s ho ld on your gun. W h e n you c o m p l e t e y o u r turn , y o u can force h is h a n d and a r m h igher i n t o t h e air, w h i c h w i l l drop h i m to his k n e e s f r o m t h e pa in . Y o u w a n t to t a k e h i m d o w n i n s t a n t l y ; if h e s tays o n h i s fee t , h e m a y be able to t w i s t out of your h o l d . W i t h h i m down, y o u ' r e n o w in a p o s i t i o n to s w i t c h h a n d s : bring y o u r w e a k h a n d up to c o n t i n u e t h u m b pressure to t h e b a c k of h is hand and u s e y o u r s t rong hand to draw your gun.
S o m e t i m e s an assa i lant m a y j u m p y o u w i t h t h e i n t e n t i o n of grabbing your gun f r o m i ts h o l s t e r during a b r a w l . As y o u try t o subdue h i m , your pr inc ipal c o n c e r n is t h e h a n d t h a t is n e a r e s t your
145
The close quarters position with the sidearm resting just above the hip. If the suspect now makes a sudden move, you can easily move back while pushing the suspect forward with your weak hand.
g u n . S o long as y o u c a n c o n t r o l t h a t , t h e r e ' s h o p e of c o n t r o l l i n g h i m .
In a situation where you're standing with your gun drawn, a s u s p e c t m a y c o n s i d e r grabbing your w r i s t or t h e barre l of your gun in an effort t o c o n t r o l w h e r e y o u ' r e p o i n t i n g i t or f o r c e y o u to drop i t . In s tandard t ra in ing c o u r s e s , o f f i cers o f t e n are taught c o m p l i c a t e d m a n e u v e r s for r e t a i n i n g t h e i r f i r e a r m s in t h e e v e n t t h e s u s p e c t m o v e s w i t h s u c h i n t e n t . T h e s e p r o c e d u r e s are rare ly d e m o n s t r a t e d or pract i c e d u n d e r r e a l i s t i c c o n d i t i o n s or m a s t e r e d t o t h e p o i n t t h e y c a n be r e m e m b e r e d in c r i s i s .
A s i m p l e r , m o v e e f f e c t i v e a p p r o a c h is to avoid t a k i n g a s t a n c e t h a t o p e n s y o u to t h i s k i n d of a t t a c k in t h e f irst p l a c e . W h e n y o u are c l o s e e n o u g h to a s u s p e c t t h a t h e m i g h t r e a c h y o u or y o u r drawn gun, y o u r gun s h o u l d b e in t h e " c l o s e q u a r t e r s " p o s i t i o n . T h a t i s , y o u r gun h a n d is pul led b a c k so tha t t h e w r i s t is aga ins t y o u r s ide jus t a b o v e your h ip . Y o u r g u n is not t h r u s t o u t at a r m ' s l e n g t h t o w a r d t h e s u s p e c t , w h e r e it or y o u r w r i s t c a n b e grabbed. S o m e of f icers i m a g i n e t h a t p o i n t i n g a gun o u t at a n e a r b y s u s p e c t l i k e an a c c u s i n g f inger m a k e s it appear m o r e t h r e a t e n i n g . A c t u a l l y , t h e y m e r e l y m a k e t h e m s e l v e s m o r e v u l n e r a b l e . B y keeping your gun b a c k in t h e c l o s e q u a r t e r s p o s i t i o n and s t a n d i n g o b l i q u e to t h e s u s p e c t w i t h y o u r gun side t u r n e d s l ight ly a w a y f r o m h i m , y o u c a n eas i ly s ides tep , m o v e b a c k w h i l e d e f l e c t i n g h i s h a n d or k n o c k h i m a w a y if h e does l u n g e t o w a r d y o u . Also , y o u ' r e in a good p o s i t i o n to b l o c k h i m w i t h your w e a k - s i d e leg if h e t r ies to k i c k y o u in t h e gro in .
4 <
If h e s h o u l d s o m e h o w r e a c h your g u n or w r i s t , d o n ' t get i n t o a w r e s t l i n g m a t c h for t h e w e a p o n . Y o u w a n t to get h is m i n d off your g u n as q u i c k l y as poss ib le . H a n g o n t o it f i r m l y — w h i l e k i c k i n g h i m in t h e t e s t i c l e s or pok ing h i s eyes to d i s t rac t h i m . Y o u w i l l m a i n t a i n c o n t r o l . B y r e m a i n i n g a ler t y o u of ten c a n a n t i c i p a t e a s u s p e c t ' s t h r e a t e n i n g m o v e before i t ' s m a d e . If h i s eyes go to your g u n w h i l e y o u ' r e q u e s t i o n i n g h i m , for e x a m p l e , h e ' s t e l e graphing to y o u tha t h e ' s at least c o n s i d e r i n g t h e poss ib i l i ty of tak ing it a w a y .
Disarming
P h y s i c a l l y d i sarming a s u s p e c t w h o h a s a g u n po inted at y o u is probably t h e most desperate m a n euver y o u can a t t e m p t . If h e has t a k e n your o n l y gun or for s o m e o t h e r r e a s o n y o u see n o c h a n c e of s u c c e s s f u l l y drawing and s h o o t i n g , y o u m a y h a v e n o c h o i c e b u t to try to w r e s t t h e w e a p o n f r o m h i m . T h e a l t e r n a t i v e of c o m p l y i n g w i t h h i s orders , if h e does n o t s h o o t y o u p r o m p t l y , does n o t g u a r a n t e e y o u w i l l be spared. N o t a typica l ly , a F lor ida sher i f f ' s deputy w h o w a s surprised at g u n p o i n t during a f i v e - m a n grocery s tore ho ldup o b e y e d w i t h o u t res i s t a n c e w h e n h e w a s ordered f a c e - d o w n o n t o t h e f l o o r — o n l y to h a v e o n e of t h e r o b b e r s t h e n s h o o t h i m in t h e b a c k of t h e head at p o i n t - b l a n k range .
N o n e t h e l e s s , disarming should be recognized as a last resort. M o s t d i s a r m i n g t e c h n i q u e s are e x t r e m e l y di f f icul t t o pul l off. E v e n in n o n - s t r e s s s i t u a t i o n s , o n e o u t s t a n d i n g t a c t i c a l i n s t r u c t o r c o n cedes t h a t h e m a y m i s s t w o o u t of t e n t i m e s . C o n s e q u e n t l y , you s h o u l d a t t e m p t d i s a r m i n g only in a n i n t h - i n n i n g s i t u a t i o n , when you honestly feel your assailant will kill you o t h e r w i s e .
A b o u t t h e o n l y advantage y o u h a v e is in k n o w i n g what y o u are going to and when y o u ' r e going to do i t — i n o t h e r words , y o u r a b i l i t y t o surprise y o u r adversary. O b v i o u s l y , a d i s a r m i n g a t t e m p t is rea l i s t i c o n l y w h e n t h e s u s p e c t is ac tua l ly t o u c h i n g you w i t h t h e g u n or if i t ' s w i t h i n your a r m ' s l ength . O t h e r w i s e h e ' l l b e ab le to s h o o t Defore y o u c a n r e a c h h i m . Y o u r b e s t h o p e is to c o m m i t yourse l f to a d i s a r m i n g t a c t i c immediately, and t h e n to f o l l o w t h r o u g h w i t h o u t s topping and with to ta l f o r c e . If your a c t i o n is delayed or t e le graphed, it m a y o n l y w o r s e n y o u r r i s k of b e i n g s h o t .
Left to the i r o w n i n s t i n c t s , m o s t o f f i cers m a k e i i s a r m i n g m o v e s tha t are i n e f f e c t i v e . E x p e r i m e n t s n one m i d w e s t e r n p o l i c e d e p a r t m e n t h a v e revea led :hat four out of f ive of f icers , i n c l u d i n g s e a s o n e d
v e t e r a n s , e i t h e r pul l o n t h e s u s p e c t ' s gun or t w i s t it f r o m side to side in an effort to r e m o v e it f r o m h i s h a n d . W h i l e doing so, m a n y a l so ignore t h e f i rs t i m p e r a t i v e of d i s a r m i n g : to direct the muzzle so you are out of the line of fire as y o u try to t a k e c o n t r o l of t h e f i r e a r m . A f e w of f i cers , u n f o r t u n a t e l y , s t i l l b e l i e v e old w i v e s ' t a l es s u c h as t h e c l a i m t h a t j a m m i n g t h e m e a t y part of your p a l m against t h e m u z z l e of a . 4 5 s e m i - a u t o m a t i c w i l l p r e v e n t t h e gun f r o m f ir ing b e c a u s e it w i l l i n t e r f e r e w i t h t h e s l ide m o v i n g . Al l t h a t ' s rea l ly n e c e s s a r y to foi l tha t m o v e is for t h e s u s p e c t t o pul l t h e g u n b a c k s l ight ly and s q u e e z e t h e tr igger.
S u c h m o v e s w i l l m o r e probably get y o u sho t t h a n get t h e s u s p e c t d i s a r m e d . W h a t ' s l i k e l i e r to be u n e x p e c t e d and disabl ing to h i m is o n e of t h e f o l l o w i n g o p t i o n s . W i t h e a c h , y o u ' l l m a x i m i z e surprise if y o u m a i n t a i n eye c o n t a c t w i t h t h e s u s p e c t ( a s s u m i n g h e ' s fac ing you) and u s e your per iphera l v i s i o n to w a t c h h i s h a n d s , u n t i l y o u ' v e m a d e your i n i t i a l m o v e . U s u a l l y , you c a n m o v e m o s t e f fect i v e l y if y o u f irst t ry to d i s t rac t h i m w i t h t a l k . If y o u s tar t t o te l l h i m s o m e t h i n g , h e ' s l i k e l y t o shi f t h i s c o n c e n t r a t i o n s l ight ly to p r o c e s s w h a t y o u ' r e saying . W h i l e h e ' s t h i n k i n g a b o u t t h a t , h e c a n ' t b e t h i n k i n g a b o u t s h o o t i n g y o u at t h e s a m e t i m e . In tha t s p l i t - s e c o n d of d ivers ion , y o u a c t .
O P T I O N 1: If t h e s u s p e c t is s tanding in f ront of y o u w i t h a g u n and y o u s t i l l h a v e y o u r s i d e a r m in your h o l s t e r , s w i n g your w e a k h a n d hard, p a l m open , d i r e c t l y aga ins t t h e side of h is w e a p o n . F o l l o w t h r o u g h so your a r m s w e e p s a c r o s s t h e f ront of your body to give your hi t t h e m o s t p o w e r f u l i m p a c t . Y o u probably w o n ' t k n o c k t h e gun o u t of h i s hand , b u t t h e b l o w m a y p u s h t h e m u z z l e off y o u for an i n s t a n t . S i m u l t a n e o u s w i t h t h i s m o v e , draw your o w n g u n . Y o u m a y b e able t o s h o o t h i m before h e c a n get b a c k o n target . O n e l i m i t a t i o n : y o u c a n ' t fu l ly c o n t r o l t h e s u s p e c t ' s g u n .
O P T I O N 2 : If y o u ' r e c o n f r o n t e d w i t h a revolver tha t is uncocked, grab t h e r e v o l v e r w i t h your h a n d c l a m p e d d o w n hard a r o u n d t h e cy l inder , your f ingers under t h e trigger guard. If y o u c l u t c h t ight ly e n o u g h , y o u c a n k e e p t h e c y l i n d e r f r o m turning and t h i s w i l l prevent a l ive car t r idge f r o m m o v i n g under t h e f ir ing pin w h e n t h e s u s p e c t pul l s t h e trigger. B y s i m u l t a n e o u s l y t w i s t i n g t h e revo lver so h is f ingers are b e n t b a c k w a r d s , y o u m o v e t h e m u z z l e a w a y f r o m y o u and a l so in f l i c t u n e x p e c t e d pain. If he k e e p s h is f inger ins ide t h e tr igger guard, th i s m o v e w i l l b reak i t . In N e w Y o r k C i t y , an of f icer used t h i s t e c h n i q u e to k e e p an e x - c o n v i c t w h o had already k i l l e d t w o p o l i c e m e n in a s i d e w a l k gunf ight f r o m s h o o t i n g a third w h o m h e h a d d i s a r m e d and w a s holding at g u n p o i n t . // the revolver is cocked, grabbing the cylinder will not keep the gun from being fired. T h e n y o u ' l l n e e d to try to h i t t h e revolver w i t h your h a n d in t h e m a n n e r of O p t i o n 1. If y o u m o v e fast , t h e b u l l e t w i l l l i k e l y go by y o u should it f i re . N o t e : W i t h s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s , grabbing hold w i l l n o t prevent t h e w e a p o n f r o m f ir ing. B u t if y o u are able to de f lec t t h e s e m i - a u t o m a t i c and k e e p your grip, y o u can prevent t h e f ired r o u n d f rom e jec t ing or t h e n e x t round f r o m c h a m b e r i n g and t h u s j a m t h e f i r e a r m .
O P T I O N 3 : C l a m p b o t h h a n d s over t h e susp e c t ' s gun h a n d . Press your t h u m b s hard i n t o t h e b a c k of h i s h a n d s as y o u ra ise h i s a r m and turn t h e gun toward h i m . U s e your f ingers to pul l h i s f ingers open as y o u push t h e barre l i n t o h i m . H e c o n t r o l s t h e trigger u n t i l y o u re lease h is i n d e x f inger , b u t if the gun does go off, t h e m u z z l e is n o w p o i n t e d at a des irable target .
O P T I O N 4 : W h e r e a s u s p e c t is behind y o u , say w i t h a s h o t g u n or r i f le p o i n t e d at y o u r b a c k , you m a y b e able to turn and grab t h e barre l . F i rs t , try to l o o k over your shoulder s l ight ly to see w h i c h of your a r m s h e ' s c l o s e s t t o . T h a t w i l l d e t e r m i n e t h e d i r e c t i o n of your turn . If h e ' s c l o s e s t to your r ight s ide, for e x a m p l e , t w i s t or p ivot b a c k q u i c k l y so your r ight e l b o w and upper a r m sharply k n o c k t h e gun to h is le f t . As s o o n as y o u h i t t h e gun off target , grab t h e barrel w i t h your r ight h a n d and hold t h e m u z z l e a w a y f r o m y o u . T h e n u s e your lef t hand to help t w i s t t h e gun a w a y f r o m h i m as y o u bring your k n e e up to h is groin . O f c o u r s e , reverse if h e ' s c l o s e s t to your left s ide . If t h e gun does discharge w h i l e y o u ' r e s truggl ing, it is l i k e l y to s h o o t i n t o t h e air . S t i l l , t h e b las t m a y i n c a p a c i t a t e y o u t e m p o r a r i l y if i t ' s near your h e a d . If y o u d o n ' t
Option 2
Option 3
h a v e easy a c c e s s to h is groin as y o u turn , ho ld t h e gun a w a y w i t h o n e h a n d . W i t h y o u r o t h e r a r m , r e a c h over h i s s h o u l d e r and a r o u n d t h e b a c k of h i s hea d and h o o k your f ingers over t h e l e n g t h of h i s n o s e f r o m t h e o t h e r s ide . E x e r t i n g as m u c h s t r e n g t h as y o u c a n , y o u pul l h i s n o s e to t h e s ide as if y o u w e r e " p e e l i n g " h is f a c e . T h e force and pa in w i l l q u i c k l y t w i s t h i m to t h e g r o u n d .
1
1 5 0
Option 4
O P T I O N 5 : A pivoting t e c h n i q u e c a n also w o r k w h e n your assailant is behind y o u w i t h a h a n d g u n . Say he has it in his right hand, against y o u r head . Y o u s i m u l t a n e o u s l y d u c k and pivot a round t o w a r d y o u r left. Y o u r left a r m goes up and hi ts his g u n a r m , knocking t h e gun off target and a w a y f r o m y o u as y o u slide y o u r a r m d o w n t o w a r d his wris t . G r a b the g u n w i t h y o u r left h a n d as y o u c o m p l e t e y o u r pivot . A t t h e s a m e t i m e , s l a m t h e inside edge of your stiffened right hand into his throat ( this blow c a n c r u s h his larynx) and bring your k n e e up to his groin.
R e m e m b e r , w h a t e v e r disarming t a c t i c y o u t r y — and y o u m a y k n o w of o thers besides these that are e f f e c t i v e — d o n ' t let go once you have a grip on the gun or the suspect's gun hand. Strike h i m w i t h your k n e e s and e l b o w s . . . r a k e his shin w i t h your s h o e . . . p u n c h or jab his windpipe, eyes and nose , and cont inue trying to w r e n c h t h e w e a p o n a w a y f r o m h i m , but D O N ' T L E T G O .
Also , t ry to use your p o w e r s of observat ion before m a k i n g y o u r m o v e . For i n s t a n c e , if your assai lant is holding a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , is it a double-a c t i o n m o d e l or single-action? D o u b l e - a c t i o n s e m i -a u t o m a t i c s h a v e t h e trigger in t h e m i d d l e of t h e trigger guard; w i t h a s ingle-act ion, t h e trigger is to
This double-action semi-automatic is ready to shoot and the safety [S] is in the "off" position. Notice the trigger [T] is in the middle of the trigger guard.
This single-action semi-automatic is cocked, but the safetyisin the "on" position. Notice the trigger is to the rear.
t h e rear . If t h e gun is a s i n g l e - a c t i o n and t h e h a m m e r is down, it m e a n s tha t t h e s u s p e c t w i l l h a v e to c o c k t h e gun before h e can f ire . T h i s m a y give y o u an ext ra f r a c t i o n of a s e c o n d , a s l ight edge, to u s e to your advantage . If t h e h a m m e r is d o w n o n a double -a c t i o n s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , h o w e v e r , t h e g u n is ready to s h o o t . U n l e s s h e ' s t o o surprised to a c t , t h e s u s p e c t can respond by f ir ing i m m e d i a t e l y . A n o t h e r fac tor to observe is w h e t h e r t h e sa fe ty o n a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c or long gun is on or off.
In d i sarming , as in so m a n y o t h e r c o m p o n e n t s of s treet survival , i t ' s i m p o r t a n t tha t y o u r e c o g n i z e and u n d e r s t a n d f i r e a r m s and t h e i r s t a t e s of readin e s s . H a v i n g m o r e t h a n jus t a pass ing k n o w l e d g e of f i r e a r m s w i l l s i g n i f i c a n t l y h e i g h t e n y o u r surv iva l q u o t i e n t .
Practice
I t ' s n o t e n o u g h tha t you k n o w h o w t h e t a c t i c s of surprise s h o u l d be done . For surv iva l , y o u n e e d to be able to per form t h e m , w i t h o u t lag t i m e , and tha t t a k e s a great amount of regular practice and persona l c o m m i t m e n t . P r o b a b l y n o t a c t i c s require m o r e p r a c t i c e t h a n d i s a r m i n g t e c h n i q u e s .
In a sense , w h a t ' s required is t h a t y o u c o n d i t i o n yourse l f as you w o u l d for a h igh-speed sport , so your re f l exes are sharp . . .your c o o r d i n a t i o n s m o o t h . . . your m o v e m e n t s i n s t i n c t u a l and a n t i c i p a t o r y . Y o u should p r a c t i c e w i t h a par tner , us ing d e a c t i v a t e d w e a p o n s or toy guns , b u t w e a r i n g or carry ing al l t h e e q u i p m e n t y o u ordinar i ly do o n t h e job (except , of course , your f i r e a r m s ) , i n c l u d i n g t h e a c c e s s o r i e s on your l e a t h e r gear . U n d e r t h e pressure of t i m e l i m i t s , t a k e t u r n s springing o n e a c h o t h e r w i t h t h e wides t var ie ty of a t t a c k s y o u can i m a g i n e . T h e prof i c i e n c y y o u a t t a i n w i l l d o u b t l e s s be d i r e c t l y re la ted to t h e a m o u n t of t i m e you p r a c t i c e and t h e t o t a l n u m b e r of t i m e s y o u per form e a c h t e c h n i q u e .
T r y to i n v o l v e s o m e p a r t i c i p a n t s in y o u r pract i ce w h o do n o t k n o w t h e t e c h n i q u e s y o u ' l l be t rying. T h e r e ' s less c h a n c e t h e n of be ing ab le to m e r e l y w a l t z t h r o u g h t h e e x e r c i s e s w i t h a coopera t ive par tner . At t h e very leas t , y o u ' l l l earn h o w very hard it c a n be to gain c o n t r o l over a s u s p e c t w h o h a s t h e drop o n y o u .
Ideal ly , y o u w a n t to c o n d i t i o n yourse l f to m o v e )y instinct as soon as y o u see a gun c o m e up against you. M o v e w i t h o u t h e s i t a t i o n — t h e s a m e as y o u would if you s a w a baseba l l f ly ing t o w a r d y o u r h e a d .
COVER AWARENESS
T h e w a y s o m e of f icers r e a c t w h e n shooting t h r e a t e n s , y o u ' d t h i n k t h e y ' d g o t t e n t h e i r surviva t r a i n i n g f r o m w a t c h i n g High Noon o n t h e Lat( S h o w . L i k e t h e o l d - t i m e w e s t e r n m a r s h a l , t h e ) a d v a n c e on t h e s u s p e c t or s tand t h e i r ground in the open, n o m a t t e r w h a t . S e e k i n g p r o t e c t i v e cove: is s o m e t h i n g t o o m a n y t h i n k of t o o l a t e .
W h e n a s m a l l t o w n p o l i c e c h i e f in N o r t l C a r o l i n a a n s w e r e d a " m a n - w i t h - a - g u n " c a l l at < l o c a l r e s i d e n c e , for e x a m p l e , h e s p o t t e d t h e suspeel s i t t i n g o n t h e f ront porch , a . 1 2 ga. s h o t g u n cradlec o n h i s lap. T h e c h i e f p r o m p t l y c l i m b e d o u t of h i : v e h i c l e and s tar ted across t h e open yard towarc h i m . . . A t a h i g h w a y rest s top in C a l i f o r n i a , i she r i f f ' s deputy l o c a t e d a t r u c k c a m p e r t h a t b e longed to a m a n sought for f ir ing g u n s h o t s in i r e s i d e n t i a l n e i g h b o r h o o d . T h e deputy had w a l k e c d i r e c t l y to t h e side of t h e c a m p e r w h e n t h e drivei suddenly t h r u s t a . 3 0 c a l . r i f le t h r o u g h t h e w i n d o w . . . I n C i n c i n n a t i , t w o p a t r o l m e n w e r e invest igat ing v i c e l a w v i o l a t i o n s w h e n t h e y s a w a m a n they had b e e n w a r n e d w a s a r m e d n e a r a t a v e r n . As they a p p r o a c h e d h i m o n foot , t h e s u s p e c t suddenly pul led a .38 c a l . revolver and f ired a s h o t i n t o the air . T h e o f f i cers s tood s t a t i o n a r y o n t h e s idewal a f e w feet f r o m h i m , ident i f i ed t h e m s e l v e s and tolc h i m to s top . H e t u r n e d t o w a r d t h e m and pointec h i s r e v o l v e r at t h e s t o m a c h of o n e , as h i s f ingei t i g h t e n e d o n t h e trigger a g a i n . . . .
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , b u t n o t surpr is ingly , t h e off icer in e a c h of t h e s e c a s e s w a s s h o t dead. Y e t in these and n u m e r o u s o t h e r i n s t a n c e s w h e r e of f i cers are
1 5 4
ki l led , sol id o b j e c t s w e r e in t h e i m m e d i a t e v i c i n i t y tha t c o u l d h a v e provided a p r o t e c t i v e sh ie ld f r o m t h e g u n m e n , had t h e v a l u e of c o v e r and t h e w a y s to r e c o g n i z e and u s e it o n l y b e e n part of t h e v i c t i m s ' o r i e n t a t i o n .
I j | ^ r ^ H k An officer positioned on the roof <
w^m MI I liquor store adjacent to a robbery-progress. This is the suspect's vis
I HB HB I I as he exited the store. In developing s u r v i v a l - m i n d e d n e s s , t h e r e are
t w o p o i n t s of o b s e r v a t i o n t h a t d e m a n d your c o n s tant , c o n s c i o u s a t t e n t i o n . F irs t , as y o u c r u i s e your bea t or speed to t h e s c e n e of a c r i m e , y o u s h o u l d a lways k n o w t h e last i n t e r s e c t i o n y o u passed; y o u m a y n e e d to re lay your l o c a t i o n w i t h o u t fa l ter ing in a ca l l for h e l p . S e c o n d , and of e v e n grea ter i m p o r t a n c e , y o u w a n t a l w a y s to b e aware of y o u r near est cover . As y o u approach any s i t u a t i o n , y o u w a n t to be in t h e h a b i t of l o o k i n g for cover , so y o u c a n reac t a u t o m a t i c a l l y to r e a c h i t s h o u l d t r o u b l e erupt . I t ' s d i f f icul t to go s e e k i n g it af ter t h e lead is f ly ing. C o v e r a w a r e n e s s appl ies w h e t h e r y o u are in your car or o n f o o t — a p p r o a c h i n g a s c e n e , s e a r c h i n g an area, q u e s t i o n i n g a suspec t , m a k i n g an arrest , e v e n eat ing your l u n c h .
A l t h o u g h c o v e r is probably t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t s ing le t a c t i c for surviv ing a d a n g e r o u s s i t u a t i o n , a b o u t t w o - t h i r d s of t h e o f f i cers w h o b e c o m e inv o l v e d in s h o o t i n g s m a k e no u s e of i t . S o m e t i m e s t h e a c t i o n h a p p e n s t o o fast or in an area w h e r e cover is t o o far a w a y . B u t o f ten , e v e n a f ter s h o t s h a v e already b e e n f ired, t h e r e ' s s t i l l t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to get b e h i n d p r o t e c t i o n , if y o u c a n o v e r c o m e t h e t e n d e n c y to s tand and fire f r o m w h e r e v e r y o u h a p p e n to b e .
In m a n y e n c o u n t e r s , o f f i cers h a v e s tood 2 feet f r o m a t ree and s h o t it o u t w i t h a s u s p e c t , w h e n a q u i c k m o v e b e h i n d it w o u l d h a v e g i v e n t h e m exc e l l e n t p r o t e c t i o n — a n d s t i l l a l l o w e d t h e m to s h o o t . I t ' s a rare s i t u a t i o n in w h i c h some type of c o v e r is n o t a v a i l a b l e : O U T D O O R S — a w o o d e n or m e t a l u t i l i t y po le , a u t o m o b i l e , t r a s h can , ca l l or s ignal b o x , f ire h y d r a n t , m a i l b o x , e m b a n k m e n t , c o n c r e t e or s t e e l s t e p s or t h e c o r n e r of a bui ld ing ; IND O O R S — a s tore c o u n t e r , w a l l s , h e a v y f u r n i t u r e , e t c . E v e n if t h e s i t u a t i o n is so u r g e n t t h a t y o u need to f ire at t h e s u s p e c t i m m e d i a t e l y a n d then m o v e to cover , t h a t ' s u s u a l l y b e t t e r t h a n s t a y i n g i n d e f i n i t e l y in w h a t a m o u n t s to a " f r e e f i r e " z o n e . R e m e m b e r : No exposed firing position offers you as much insurance as firing from cover.
O f c o u r s e , w h e n y o u k n o w in a d v a n c e t h a t y o u are c o n f r o n t i n g a p o t e n t i a l l y dangerous f i r e a r m s s i t u a t i o n , as did t h e o f f i cers in t h e t h r e e i n c i d e n t s c i t e d a b o v e , y o u w a n t t o k n o w n o t o n l y w h e r e your n e a r e s t c o v e r i s , y o u w a n t to u t i l i z e it in m a k i n g your approach . B y s tay ing b e h i n d c o v e r in s u c h c i r c u m s t a n c e s a n d i s su ing verba l c h a l l e n g e s to t h e s u s p e c t , y o u c a n :
1 . b u y a d d i t i o n a l t i m e in w h i c h t o p o s i t i v e l y ident i fy your adversary (espec ia l ly i m p o r t a n t in d i m - l i g h t s i t u a t i o n s ) ;
2 . b e t t e r e v a l u a t e t h e s i t u a t i o n y o u are fac ing before m a k i n g r i s k y or d e c i s i v e m o v e s , and
3 . ga in t h e advantage of a p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n , w h i c h w i l l a l l o w y o u t o r e t u r n f ire w i t h l ess l i k e l i h o o d of b e i n g h i t if a gunf ight does deve lop .
T o get t h e m a x i m u m b e n e f i t f r o m cover , y o u m u s t u n d e r s t a n d : t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n yourse l f , your cover , y o u r gun and t h e s u s p e c t ' s l o c a t i o n . . . h o w to s e l e c t t h e b e s t c o v e r f r o m v a r i o u s o p t i o n s y o u m a y h a v e a v a i l a b l e . . . h o w to p o s i t i o n yourse l f b e h i n d it in order to get off a c c u r a t e s h o t s w i t h o u t e x p o s i n g y o u r o w n body t o g u n f i r e . . . w a y s t o overc o m e c o v e r y o u r a s s a i l a n t m a y be u s i n g . . . a n d t h e i m p o r t a n c e of m a i n t a i n i n g good cover , regardless of p r o v o c a t i o n , w h e n " b l o w i n g " it m i g h t s u b j e c t y o u to an adversary ' s k i l l i n g s h o t s .
1 5 6
For t h e s e and o t h e r a s p e c t s of c o v e r a w a r e n e s s , here are s o m e t h i n g s to k e e p in m i n d and a c t i v e l y apply.
Cover and Concealment
M a n y of f icers u s e t h e s e t e r m s s y n o n y m o u s l y , t h o u g h t h e y are s i g n i f i c a n t l y d i f ferent . L e a r n i n g to d i s t inguish b e t w e e n t h e m is t h e f irst s tep t o surv iva l and e f fec t ive cover u s e .
Tall grass and bushes offer concealment only. Because of body position, the officer on the right is less concealed than the one on the left.
An officer attempting to use a trunk lid as cover. This approach probably offered limited concealment as well because of the officer's exposed feet and the fact that the trunk was up in the first place.
Concealment per ta ins to p r o t e c t i o n f r o m be ing seen by a s u s p e c t . It m a y be provided by n a t u r a l or m a n - m a d e o b j e c t s — b u s h e s , b r u s h , s m a l l t rees , ta l l grass , h e a v y s h a d o w s , s m o k e , c r o w d s , l i n e s of m o v i n g v e h i c l e s — a n y t h i n g t h a t w i l l hide your p r e s e n c e or m o v e m e n t s f r o m your adversary . C o n c e a l m e n t m a y k e e p y o u f r o m g e t t i n g s h o t e v e n if t h e s u s p e c t does d e t e c t y o u r p r e s e n c e . H o w e v e r , c o n c e a l m e n t a l o n e w i l l not stop bullets.
Cover w i l l — o r at least de f lec t t h e m or s l o w t h e m d o w n . U s u a l l y cover i n c o r p o r a t e s c o n c e a l m e n t , b u t i t s s a l i e n t f ea ture is i t s c a p a c i t y for p r o t e c t i n g y o u f r o m h o s t i l e f i re .
T o i l l u s t r a t e : A pas teboard p a c k i n g c a r t o n m i g h t provide y o u e x c e l l e n t c o n c e a l m e n t , b u t a s u s p e c t c o u l d s h o o t t h r o u g h it and i n t o y o u as eas i ly as h e c o u l d t h r o u g h a n y o t h e r paper product . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , a s ix- to e i g h t - i n c h c o n c r e t e s t reet curb in f ront of a h o u s e m i g h t provide l i fe -saving c o v e r aga ins t a s u s p e c t s tanding s o m e d i s t a n c e a w a y in t h e yard. If y o u kept your h e a d d o w n , s h o t s
• ft
4 i f
1 H I
I II li 1 T \
t 1 In this incident, the officer first took a ' 'standard position'' inside a doorway. Then after other officers radioed that he could be seen by the suspect, he stepped back 6 feet and was still able to maintain a visual.
158
h e f ired at y o u r l o c a t i o n w o u l d m o s t l i k e l y h i t t h e f lat top of t h e curb and r i c o c h e t r ight over y o u .
W h a t ' s t ragic is t h a t s o m e of f i cers h a v e b e e n shot to d e a t h b e h i n d w h a t t h e y t h o u g h t w a s s u i t a b l e cover . T h e y c r o u c h e d b e h i n d w o o d e n f e n c e s , plywood doors , s m a l l shrubs , t h i n w a l l s — w i t h o u t d i s t inguish ing tha t t h e s e o b j e c t s m a y be s o m e w h a t c o n c e a l i n g , but by n o m e a n s i m p e n e t r a b l e .
N e i t h e r is d a r k n e s s . B e c a u s e it c a n h ide y o u so w e l l , i t ' s t e m p t i n g t o t h i n k of d a r k n e s s as a shie ld . S t a n d i n g b a c k in s h a d o w s 3 to 6 feet c a n give y o u good c o n c e a l m e n t . B u t n i g h t t i m e s h a d o w s s o m e t i m e s c a n b e turned i n t o traps by an u n e x p e c t e d swing of a u t o m o b i l e h e a d l i g h t s . A n d a s t r e e t - w i s e suspec t m a y de l ibera te ly s h o o t i n t o h e a v y s h a d o w s to " c l e a r " t h e m , w h e t h e r or n o t h e t h i n k s y o u ' r e there . F inding g e n u i n e cover and k e e p i n g i t b e t w e e n you and your adversary is as i m p o r t a n t in t h e dark as it is in dayl ight .
N o r is d i s t a n c e a n y r e a s o n to a b a n d o n cover c o n s c i o u s n e s s . W i t h a good, sol id b e n c h res t and t h e r ight gun, if y o u ' r e w i t h i n t h e range w h e r e a suspec t c a n see y o u , h e can s h o o t — a n d h i t . In o t h e r words, if y o u c a n b e seen , y o u can b e h i t , and if y o u can be h i t , y o u c a n b e k i l l e d .
Evaluating Choices
A n y cover is b e t t e r t h a n n o n e , b u t c e r t a i n c o v e r is b e t t e r t h a n o t h e r s . And w h e r e y o u h a v e t h e c h o i c e , t h e secre t is to k n o w t h e d i f f e r e n c e . O f t e n in s h o o t i n g s i t u a t i o n s , o f f i cers t e n d to l o o k o n l y to s i z e — c h o o s i n g t h e largest o b j e c t as cover , regardless of i ts p o w e r to s top b u l l e t s . In range t ra in ing , t h e y ' v e probably rece ived m o r e e m p h a s i s on h o w to s tand and ho ld a s idearm b e h i n d a p l y w o o d barricade t h a n any real a p p r e c i a t i o n of t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s and l i m i t a t i o n s of c o v e r a v a i l a b l e o n t h e s t r e e t .
M u c h of w h a t d i s t i n g u i s h e s good c o v e r f r o m bad a c t u a l l y has to do w i t h f o r m , t h i c k n e s s and d e n s i t y . B r i c k s and c e r a m i c s u b s t a n c e s t e n d to b e good cover , c o n c r e t e b l o c k s poor ; m a n y b u l l e t s w i l l b las t r ight t h r o u g h a b l o c k w a l l n o m a t t e r h o w big it m i g h t b e . T h e w o o d in m o s t m o d e r n doors , espec ia l ly h o l l o w - c o r e doors , of fers y o u l i t t l e prot e c t i o n . In a s c e n a r i o t h a t is replayed repea ted ly each year , a s u s p e c t ins ide h is a p a r t m e n t in W i s c o n sin heard of f i cers k n o c k on h i s door to q u e s t i o n l i m about a d ispute over a h o s p i t a l b i l l . H e grabbed
12 ga. s h o t g u n and fired t w i c e t h r o u g h t h e door, cil l ing a p a t r o l m a n as readily as if t h e r e h a d b e e n nothing b e t w e e n t h e m . In C h i c a g o , a sn iper ins ide
159
In this shoot-out, you see two wounded civilians plus four cover alternatives: A patrol car, fireplug, utility pole and metal standard. The officer being fired at took cover behind the fourth option. Why I
1 6 0
a high s c h o o l s h o t t h r o u g h a p l y w o o d door. T h e bul le t t raveled down a corr idor m o r e t h a n 3 0 0 feet before h i t t i n g i ts v i c t i m , and e v e n t h e n s t i l l had m o m e n t u m e n o u g h to pass t h r o u g h b o t h h i s t h i g h s . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , a door j a m b w i l l s top a lo t of b u l l e t s . A n d t h e w o o d of a good-s ized tree is e x c e l l ent c o v e r — " a l m o s t l i k e a sponge in t a k i n g s l u g s , " as one survival expert puts i t . " A l w a y s h a v e a t r e e w i t h y o u " is a good rule , w h e r e y o u c a n f o l l o w i t . A t e l e p h o n e pole is good, t o o , against m o s t a m m u n i t i o n y o u ' l l e n c o u n t e r — y e t a t e n - i n c h pole c a n be p e n e t r a t e d by a . 3 0 c a l . r i f le f ir ing m e t a l j a c k e t e d b u l l e t s .
r7T\
W h e r e m e t a l is c o n c e r n e d , s t e e l u t i l i t y po les , f ire h y d r a n t s or p o s t a l s e r v i c e m a i l b o x e s g e n e r a l l y are super ior to t rash c a n s , car bodies and t h e l i k e . In s h o o t i n g t e s t s , for i n s t a n c e , m a i l b o x e s h a v e b e e n k n o w n t o s top a 125 grain, s e m i - j a c k e t e d h o l l o w p o i n t and a 1 5 8 grain f u l l - j a c k e t e d r o u n d f ired f r o m a . 3 8 S p e c i a l , as w e l l as . 0 0 B u c k f r o m 2 0 - i n c h barre l s h o t g u n s — t h e e q u i v a l e n t , in o t h e r words , o f m o s t of w h a t y o u ' l l e n c o u n t e r o n t h e s t r e e t . F ire h y d r a n t s are t o u g h e r . T h e y ' l l b r e a k up o n i m p a c t a m m u n i t i o n s u c h as . 3 0 - 0 6 ful l m e t a l j a c k e t , . 3 0 8 c a l . j a c k e t e d sof t p o i n t and . 2 2 3 c a l . m i l i t a r y r i f le r o u n d s . T h e d a m a g e to a f ire hydrant f r o m t h e s e p o w e r f u l b u l l e t s , w h i c h c o u l d tear t h r o u g h a car body l i k e b u t t e r , c o u l d be c o r r e c t e d w i t h a dab of p a i n t .
In a c o v e r s w e e p s t a k e s , so l id b r i c k s , large t rees , f ire h y d r a n t s and t h e e n g i n e b l o c k s of cars w o u l d probably c o m e in t o p s . I n c h for i n c h , p o u n d for p o u n d , t h e s e o b j e c t s w i l l s top m o r e b u l l e t s t h a n a n y o t h e r c o v e r y o u ' r e l i k e l y to h a v e a v a i l a b l e in a s h o o t i n g s i t u a t i o n .
Changing Cover
B e c a u s e y o u h a v e s o m e c o v e r in an a r m e d confrontat ion shouldn' t stop you from seeking better cover , provided, of c o u r s e , y o u c a n c h a n g e loca t i o n s w i t h o u t g e t t i n g s h o t in t h e p r o c e s s . As u s u a l , y o u w a n t to p lan ahead ; select youi next position before you move.
If p o s s i b l e , y o u s h o u l d c h a n g e f r o m p lace to p lace behind cover . Y o u m i g h t be ab le to m o v e a r o u n d a r o o m , for i n s t a n c e , by p u s h i n g or pul l ing an overs tuf fed c h a i r a c r o s s t h e f loor w h i l e y o u s tay l o w b e h i n d i t . O u t d o o r s , y o u m a y b e ab le to t a k e advantage of f u r r o w s , c u l v e r t s , t r e n c h e s or n a t u r a l i n d e n t a t i o n s in t h e ground, as w e l l as upr ight obj e c t s .
W h e r e y o u m u s t c r o s s open space w i t h n o cover , y o u r f irst c h o i c e is r u n n i n g , as l o w and as fast as y o u c a n . Y o u ' r e safest if y o u c a n run across your assailant's l ine of f i re ; i t 's hardest to draw a bead o n a target m o v i n g fast in a la tera l d i r e c t i o n . If y o u h a v e to run in a path t h a t ' s para l le l to h i s gun, zigzag or m o v e at an u n e v e n p a c e .
Don't move fust for the sake of moving. And in e v a l u a t i n g t h e c o v e r y o u ' r e heading t o w a r d , be sure it w o n ' t p lace y o u in an u n m a n e u v e r a b l e p o s i t i o n . F l e x i b i l i t y is i m p o r t a n t in a g u n f i g h t . If your c o v e r b o x e s y o u in w h e r e i t ' s i m p o s s i b l e or d i f f i cul t to m o v e rapidly, y o u m a y end up " b o x e d i n , " p e r m a n e n t l y .
1 6 2
Where you must cross open space without cover, your first choice is running, as low and as fast as you can. Here an officer applies that tactic in rushing a child to safety during a sniper attack in which 2 were killed and 44 injured, including 6 policemen.
Position and Grips
G e t t i n g safe is t h e goal of s e e k i n g c o v e r . Y o u r abi l i ty to re turn fire f r o m b e h i n d it and to b e c o m fortable there are s e co ndary c o n s i d e r a t i o n s . T h e r e fore, t h e pos ture y o u a s s u m e b e h i n d c o v e r s h o u l d be geared first and f o r e m o s t to a c h i e v i n g m a x i m u m c o n c e a l m e n t f r o m t h e s u s p e c t and p r o t e c t i o n f r o m his b u l l e t s .
T h i s m e a n s y o u w a n t to blend in with the shape of your cover.
If your c o v e r ' s a m a i l b o x , c r o u c h and spread your legs so e a c h is b e h i n d o n e of t h e b o x ' s supports . If y o u ' r e b e h i n d a u t i l i t y pole or t ree , your i n c l i n a t i o n m a y be to go to a l o w p o s i t i o n if y o u ' r e be ing shot at . B u t if y o u go l o w , y o u ' l l spread o u t , expos ing your k n e e c a p s and legs . Y o u ' r e u s u a l l y safer to s tand upr ight , t u r n e d s i d e w a y s to t h e pole w i t h your w e a k - s i d e leg forward, t a k i n g m o s t of your w e i g h t . S i m i l a r l y , if y o u ' v e s c r a m b l e d b e h i n d a f ireplug or t rash can , y o u m a y be i n c l i n e d to squat there . B u t a l o w k n e e l i n g p o s i t i o n w i l l l i k e l y give you m o r e p r o t e c t i o n . G o d o w n on y o u r s t rong-s ide k n e e and sit b a c k o n tha t leg, w i t h y o u r body h u n c h e d and t u c k e d in t ight to k e e p as m u c h of i t as you can w i t h i n t h e o u t l i n e of your c o v e r . O n o n e k n e e , y o u can s t i l l m o v e q u i c k l y if n e c e s s a r y . W h e n y o u are b e h i n d large cover , l i k e a w a l l , t h e n you m a y r e a s o n a b l y h a v e a c h o i c e b e t w e e n g e t t i n g low or s taying erec t .
T w o p o s i t i o n s y o u a l m o s t a l w a y s w a n t to avoid b e h i n d cover are : 1) s i t t ing and 2) proning o u t . T h e s e are probably a c c e p t a b l e for m i l i t a r y u s e s , but for l a w e n f o r c e m e n t purposes t h e y g e n e r a l l y a l low y o u too Utile maneuverability in c a s e y o u need to m o v e fast to a n e w l o c a t i o n . T h e p r o n e
pos i t ion , par t i cu lar ly , is a d i f f i cul t o n e to s h o o t f r o m if t h e s u s p e c t is a n y p l a c e b u t ground l e v e l . O v e r a long period of t i m e , t h i s p o s i t i o n c a n i n d u c e c o n s i d e r a b l e fa t igue in your head , n e c k and a r m s . In addi t ion , if y o u are o n c o n c r e t e or s o m e o t h e r hard surface , t h e s e p o s i t i o n s i n c r e a s e your r i s k of be ing h i t b y r i c o c h e t b u l l e t s . I n s t e a d of a g l a n c i n g round c a t c h i n g y o u in t h e leg, as i t m i g h t if y o u ' r e s tanding or k n e e l i n g , y o u t a k e t h e c h a n c e of b e i n g s t r u c k in t h e s t o m a c h if y o u ' r e s i t t i n g or in t h e head if y o u ' r e prone . Also , fa l l ing to get i n t o t h e s e p o s i t i o n s m a y n e e d l e s s l y e x p o s e y o u to in jury f r o m r o c k s , r u s t y c a n s , c a c t u s , b r o k e n glass and o t h e r n a t u r a l or m a n - m a d e hazards .
T h e r e are e x c e p t i o n s , of c o u r s e . If a l o w c u r b is your only cover , t h e n i t ' s your b e s t , and p r o n i n g out in t h e g u t t e r is your o n l y p r a c t i c a l c h o i c e . ( G e n e r a l l y t h e curb is h i g h e s t — a n d t h u s m o s t p r o t e c t i v e — n e a r i n t e r s e c t i o n s and s t o r m s e w e r drains . ) A l s o if y o u are o n or jus t b e y o n d t h e s lope of an e m b a n k m e n t — s a y a long ra i l road t r a c k s — t h e prone p o s i t i o n m a y w o r k w e l l . H e r e a n y r i c o c h e t b u l l e t s w o u l d l i k e l y b o u n c e off t h e t r a c k s and over your h e a d .
If rolling into a curb becomes the only cover option, remember that curbs are usually highest near corners where the drains are located.
165
As you move to cover, avoid getting so close to the suspect's location that your position threatens your safety. Hereon officer has positioned himself about 6 feet from occupants of a house who are shooting at police.
In c h o o s i n g c o v e r and p o s i t i o n i n g yourse l f , r e m e m b e r t h e o s t r i c h e f f e c t : t h e s u s p e c t ' s perspect ive m a y b e dras t i ca l ly di f ferent f r o m y o u r s . If y o u are c r o u c h e d b e h i n d c o v e r and h e is l o c a t e d at an upper e l e v a t i o n , t h e barr ier m a y b l o c k h i m f r o m your v i e w — y e t h e m a y be ab le to see over i t t o spot y o u p e r f e c t l y . T h i s w a s t h e case in N e w O r l e a n s w h e r e o f f i cers c o n f r o n t e d a s u s p e c t s h o o t i n g f r o m a h igh-r i se m o t e l . T h e y fe l t t h e y w e r e safe h id ing b e h i n d a h i g h b r i c k f e n c e , n o t rea l iz ing t h a t f r o m t h e i r a s s a i l a n t ' s h i g h angle t h e w a l l w a s n o h i n d r a n c e at al l to p i c k i n g t h e m off .
F r o m b e h i n d cover , y o u w a n t to k e e p a good v i sua l o n your s u s p e c t ' s l o c a t i o n , if y o u c a n ' t see h i m p e r s o n a l l y . So long as y o u k n o w r o u g h l y w h e r e h e is , y o u h a v e h i m c o n t a i n e d . U n o b s e r v e d , h e m a y try to e s c a p e or m o v e to c i r c u m v e n t y o u r cover , c a u s i n g y o u to lose c o n t r o l of t h e s i t u a t i o n . If y o u c a n ' t w a t c h h i m d i r e c t l y f r o m w h e r e y o u ' r e posi t i o n e d , y o u m a y be able to u t i l i z e t h e r e f l e c t i o n s in w i n d o w s to see h is area . O r u s e t h e q u i c k p e e k t e c h n i q u e , g l a n c i n g o u t at d i f ferent l e v e l s f r o m b e h i n d your barr i cade . R e m e m b e r , t ry to p e e k out f r o m l o w , u n e x p e c t e d leve ls and n o t f r o m t h e s a m e leve l c o n s i s t e n t l y .
If a direct assault is not imminent, positioning yourself with your head over the top will give you a broader field of view.
.... However, shooting from the side of the mailbox will offer better cover and concealment. What is sacrificed is your total area of observation.
W h e n y o u ' r e forced to s tay b e h i n d c o v e r for a long period of t i m e , t ry to shi f t your p o s i t i o n s l ight ly every so o f ten if y o u c a n do so safe ly . O t h e r w i s e , t h e fat igue and r e s t r i c t e d b l o o d c i r c u l a t ion t h a t c o m e f r o m rigidly ho ld ing o n e p o s t u r e for an e x t e n d e d t i m e m a y blur y o u r v i s i o n and m a k e it d i f f icul t for y o u to see t h e s u s p e c t . U l t i m a t e l y , y o u w i l l adopt a p o s i t i o n t h a t is c o m f o r t a b l e and w o r k s bes t for y o u .
As far as f ir ing at your adversary is c o n c e r n e d , you w a n t to s h o o t around your cover w h e n p o s s i b l e , ra ther t h a n over t h e top of i t . V i s u a l i z e t h e s e t w o p o s i t i o n s f r o m a m a i l b o x as c o v e r and y o u ' l l see tha t s h o o t i n g f r o m the side w i l l e x p o s e a m u c h s m a l l e r por t ion of your v i ta l a n a t o m y to a s u s p e c t ' s h o s t i l e s h o t s .
T h e e x a c t posture y o u adopt w i l l depend o n t h e shape of your cover and t h e s u s p e c t ' s l o c a t i o n , t h e idea of b e i n g to get o n target w h i l e r i s k i n g as l i t t l e of your h ide as y o u c a n . W h e n b u l l e t s are f ly ing and y o u ' r e under s t ress , y o u w a n t to b e able to c a l l a u t o m a t i c a l l y on survival s k i l l s t h a t are s i m p l e ,
e f f e c t i v e and e a s i l y appl ied. So , as a k e y to s h o o t i n g , y o u n e e d a b a s i c grip t h a t w i l l h o l d your gun s teady and t h a t c a n be adapted to a v a r i e t y of b e h i n d - c o v e r p o s t u r e s . S e l e c t a grip y o u ' r e c o m f o r t a b l e w i t h . . . p r a c t i c e i t r e g u l a r l y . . . t h e n s t i c k w i t h it w h e n y o u get in t r o u b l e . If y o u c a n learn to s h o o t o n e w a y and learn to s h o o t o n e w a y e f f e c t i v e l y , t h a t ' s a s t rong p lus for y o u r s t a y i n g a l ive .
T h e old m e t h o d invo lved press ing your support h a n d f la t aga ins t t h e barr icade w i t h t h e t h u m b j u t t i n g o u t to f o r m an " L . " T h e w r i s t of y o u r gun h a n d t h e n res ted in t h i s c r o t c h , and y o u braced y o u r s e l f w i t h your oppos i te foot forward against t h e w a l l . E v e n w h e n t h e c o v e r w a s c o n v e n i e n t l y f lat , as it u s u a l l y w a s o n t h e ranges w h e r e t h i s f o r m w a s t a u g h t , t h e grip t e n d e d to b e s h a k y . B u t i t w a s e v e n less s u i t a b l e b e h i n d curved or irregular sh ie lds , l i k e p o l e s and f i replugs , w h i c h y o u are far m o r e l i k e l y to e n c o u n t e r o n t h e s t r e e t .
For s h o o t i n g f r o m b e h i n d c o v e r in an a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n , y o u ' l l probably f ind o n e of t h e s e m o r e s t a b l e grips easier to u s e and m o r e effective in de l iver ing a c c u r a t e f i re :
1. the two-handed combat hold. T h i s is t h e s a m e grip u s e d in t h e b a s i c i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g s t a n c e . B a s i c a l l y , o n e h a n d h o l d s your gun, and t h e o t h e r h a n d w r a p s a r o u n d it to provide a d d i t i o n a l support . T h e f ingers of t h e t w o h a n d s m a y b e f i r m l y in ter t w i n e d or l o c k e d t o g e t h e r , or t h e support h a n d m a y s i m p l y wrap a r o u n d your s h o o t i n g h a n d . As y o u f ire , t h e b a c k of your support h a n d b e t w e e n w r i s t and k n u c k l e s presses aga ins t t h e s ide of y o u r cover . T h i s grip a l l o w s for a s l ight g u n - h a n d p u s h and s u p p o r t - h a n d pul l w h i c h w i l l g ive y o u a s teady, so l id grip o n t h e gun.
2 . the wrist clench. H e r e y o u h o l d your n o n -s h o o t i n g a r m b e n t and paral le l to t h e g r o u n d and p lace t h e b a c k edge of i t aga inst y o u r c o v e r . In an o v e r - h a n d e d grip, your n o n - s h o o t i n g h a n d t h e n c l u t c h e s y o u r gun h a n d at t h e w r i s t . T h i s ho ld a l l o w s y o u t o b r a c e yourse l f aga ins t y o u r cover and provides s o m e s teadying of y o u r s h o o t i n g h a n d as y o u f i re .
If y o u ' r e c o m f o r t a b l e us ing i t , the two-hand combat hold is the superior grip for shooting from cover. Y o u s h o u l d p r a c t i c e it u n t i l i t b e c o m e s ins t i n c t i v e . W i t h i t , y o u c a n s h o o t a r o u n d a n y t h i n g , w h e t h e r i t ' s a square c o r n e r , a r o u n d c o r n e r , a f ire h y d r a n t , a m a i l b o x , t h e h o o d of a car or w h a t - h a v e -y o u . T h e grip w o r k s w h e t h e r y o u are s tanding , c r o u c h i n g , k n e e l i n g , e v e n s i t t i n g or proned o u t . In t h e k n e e l i n g p o s i t i o n , y o u c a n b o l s t e r t h e support it g ives your gun by p lac ing t h e e l b o w of your
1 7 0
n o n - s h o o t i n g a r m o n your ra ised k n e e to f o r m roughly a " V " b e t w e e n your s h o u l d e r and g u n . T o k e e p t h i s b r a c e s teadies t , avoid d i rec t c o n t a c t b e t w e e n your e l b o w and k n e e b o n e and i n s t e a d place t h e f l e s h y part of your a r m jus t a b o v e t h e e l b o w against t h e k n e e area.
D e p e n d i n g o n t h e s u s p e c t ' s l o c a t i o n , y o u m a y need to " p o p o u t " s o m e of your upper body f r o m b e h i n d your cover in order to f ire at h i m . B u t by m o v i n g fast and us ing t h e p r i n c i p l e s of i n s t i n c t shoot ing , y o u can k e e p y o u r e x p o s u r e t i m e to a m i n i m u m .
Your best position around most barricade cover will involve the two-hand hold. Notice the relationship of hands to this right-sided barricade. Also notice that at no point does the revolver actually touch the cover surface.
The proper position next to this pole is appropriate to almost every barricade cover situation.
M o r e o v e r , t h e a m o u n t of your b o d y e x p o s e d during t h a t t i m e c a n a lso b e m i n i m i z e d , if y o u t ra in y o u r s e l f to b e an a m b i d e x t r o u s s h o o t e r , ab le to f ire p r o f i c i e n t l y w i t h t h e gun in e i t h e r y o u r left or r ight h a n d , as y o u r c o v e r a n d t h e s u s p e c t ' s l o c a t i o n d i c t a t e . M o s t t ra in ing o n t h e range e m p h a s i z e s o n l y s t r o ng-ha nd s h o o t i n g , b u t in s o m e s t ree t s i t u a t i o n s , y o u m a y f ind y o u r s e l f b e h i n d a " l e f t - h a n d e d b a r r i c a d e , " o n e t h a t requi res y o u to " p o p o u t " t o t h e left to s h o o t a r o u n d . If y o u are n o r m a l l y a r i g h t - h a n d e d s h o o t e r , y o u s h o u l d b e ab le in t h i s c i r c u m s t a n c e to s h o o t a c c u r a t e l y w i t h your gun in y o u r left h a n d . T h e r e is n o d o u b t tha t doing so c a n give y o u e x t r a p r o t e c t i o n . If y o u d o n ' t u s e y o u r left h a n d b e h i n d a l e f t - h a n d e d barr i cade , b u t l ean o u t far e n o u g h ins tead to s h o o t w i t h your r ight h a n d , y o u are expos ing a p p r o x i m a t e l y three times t h e a m o u n t of your body t h a t w o u l d b e n e c e s s a r y for a w e a k - h a n d s h o t . T h i s addi t iona l e x p o s u r e i n v o l v e s m o s t l y your he a d and c h e s t areas . T h a t c r e a t e s a s i g n i f i c a n t i n c r e a s e in your surviva l r i s k , e v e n if t h e e x p o s u r e t i m e i n v o l v e d is m e a s u r e d in s e c o n d s or l e s s . In addi t ion , w e a k - h a n d s h o o t i n g c a n be i m p o r t a n t if your s t rong h a n d is sho t or o t h e r w i s e in jured . If y o u ' r e a m b i d e x t r o u s , y o u c a n s t i l l de fend yourse l f .
A l t h o u g h m o s t o f f i cers h a v e a s t rong p s y c h o log ica l urge to u s e t h e i r s t rong h a n d in s h o o t i n g
1 7 2
f r o m b e h i n d both r ight- and le f t -s ided barr i cades , w e a k - h a n d s h o o t i n g c a n be deve loped t o t h e l eve l tha t y o u will u s e it under s t ress . It is l earned behavior , and y o u c a n learn it w e l l . T h e t a c t i c is w e l l w o r t h t h e effort , but l earn ing i t does require extensive practice. In addi t ion to t ra in ing y o u r h a n d s , y o u have to c o n d i t i o n yourse l f so y o u d o n ' t s t i c k your head all t h e w a y out to s h o o t w i t h b o t h eyes or w i t h your s t ronger e y e . If y o u h a v e n ' t p r a c t i c e d to t h e p o i n t t h a t y o u c a n u s e w e a k - h a n d s h o o t i n g c o m f o r t a b l y and c o n f i d e n t l y , y o u will rever t under pressure to s h o o t i n g w i t h your s t ronger h a n d , w h i c h , in c e r t a i n c i r c u m s t a n c e s , can be l e t h a l .
For w e a k - h a n d s h o o t i n g , of c o u r s e , y o u u s e t h e s a m e grip. Just t ransfer your g u n t o your w e a k h a n d and e m p l o y y o u r s t rong h a n d for support . (If y o u ' r e u s i n g a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , y o u ' l l f ind a def in i te a w k w a r d n e s s in operat ing t h e sa fe ty and sl ide re lease , w h i c h is n o r m a l l y d o n e w i t h t h e t h u m b of your s h o o t i n g h a n d . T h e s e l evers w i l l h a v e to b e m o v e d w i t h t h e i n d e x f inger of your w e a k hand. )
verting to the strong-hand position zft photos] around a left-sided barricade ill expose your head and torso every Tie. The same is true when holding shotgun.
The proper body and shotgun position behind a right-sided barricade. Notice that the shotgun does not touch the barricade.
•
In applying barricade cover, both feet are placed firmly on the ground, with your gun-side foot placed back a comfortable distance.
1 7 4
In s h o o t i n g w i t h e i t h e r h a n d , a proper foot p l a c e m e n t is i m p o r t a n t for b a l a n c e and c o n t r o l . If y o u ' r e in a s tanding p o s i t i o n b e h i n d a barr icade , t h e foot o n t h e s a m e side as your gun h a n d s h o u l d b e p laced a b o u t o n e s tep b a c k . Again , y o u ' l l probably need to e x p e r i m e n t to f ind t h e p o s i t i o n t h a t offers y o u t h e bes t c o m b i n a t i o n of c o m f o r t , b a l a n c e and a c c u r a c y . R e m e m b e r to shi f t your w e i g h t o n t h e ba l l s of your feet f r o m t i m e to t i m e during periods of i n a c t i v i t y to re l ieve fa t igue .
B e sure w h e n s h o o t i n g t h a t no part of youi gun touches your barricade. B e c o n s c i o u s of w h e r e t h e barrel is (cyl inder , t o o , if y o u ' r e u s i n g a r e v o l v e r ) , and k e e p it s l ight ly a w a y f r o m a n y sur face . Y o u m a y h a v e s h o t o n a range b y res t ing your gun on a l i t t l e sandbag, b u t t h i s is n o t c o m p a r a b l e to a hard sur face tha t h a s n o " g i v e . " If your gun is t o u c h i n g s u c h a surface , it w i l l b o u n c e w h e n y o u f i re . T h i s c h a n g e in t h e r e c o i l a c t i o n w i l l m a k e y o u r s h o t s i n a c c u r a t e and l e n g t h e n your recovery t i m e for g e t t i n g b a c k o n target for your n e x t s h o t .
B e careful a lso to k e e p your m u z z l e c o m p l e t e l y c lear of your cover . In I l l ino i s , an o f f i cer suf fered a painful ear in jury w h i l e s h o o t i n g f r o m b e h i n d a rai l road e m b a n k m e n t . H e u n w i t t i n g l y let t h e barre l of h is s h o t g u n drop d o w n so part of t h e m u z z l e w a s po in t ing i n t o t h e t ra in t r a c k h e w a s t ry ing to s h o o t over . T h i s can c a u s e n o t o n l y an u n u s u a l l y i n t e n s e sound r e v e r b e r a t i o n w h i c h c a n in jure your eard r u m s , as happened in t h i s c a s e , b u t a lso c a n c a u s e your a m m u n i t i o n to def lec t dangerous ly , br inging in jury to yourse l f or f e l l o w of f i cers .
E v e n w i t h o u t m i s h a p , shooting from behind covet is different from shooting in the open. Y o u r a c c u r a c y rate is l i k e l y to be lower . T h e o n l y w a y to correc t t h a t is by adher ing to t h e o n e u n c h a n g i n g survival p r i n c i p l e : practice builds proficiency.
Patrol Car as Cover
A lot of s h o o t i n g s go d o w n near patro l cars . O f t e n your c l o s e s t s o u r c e of cover is y o u r car i t se l f . If y o u ' r e ins ide i t , y o u m a y be able to m o v e q u i c k l y to a p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n jus t by sh i f t ing a f e w i n c h e s in your seat . O u t s i d e t h e car, t h e r e are severa l p laces w h e r e t h e v e h i c l e ' s c o n s t r u c t i o n offers y o u e x c e l l e n t sh ie ld ing . If n o t h i n g e lse , y o u m a y b e able to drive your u n i t to a p o s i t i o n w h e r e good cover is a v a i l a b l e .
T h e r e are, h o w e v e r , s o m e popular m i s c o n c e p t ions a b o u t patrol car cover .
M Y T H : Y o u h a v e good cover by c r o u c h i n g b e h i n d a wide-open v e h i c l e door and s h o o t i n g t h r o u g h t h e
open w i n d o w . A c t u a l l y , t h i s p o s i t i o n l e a v e s y o u v u l n e r a b l e in severa l w a y s . Y o u r legs are e x p o s e d b e l o w t h e d o o r ; t h e y c a n b e k n o c k e d o u t f r o m under y o u b y r i c o c h e t f ire f r o m t h e s u s p e c t ' s p o s i t i o n . Y o u r he a d and upper torso are e x p o s e d as y o u r ise up in t h e w i n d o w to s h o o t . A n d if t h e s u s p e c t is s m a r t and h a s e n o u g h f i repower , h e c a n l i k e l y s h o o t r ight t h r o u g h t h e door and h i t y o u . Indeed , t h e r e ' s e n o u g h f i r e p o w e r for t h a t in a . 2 2 c a l . r i f le h o t load. (If y o u must u s e a car door for cover , t ry t o angle t h e door in r e l a t i o n to t h e s u s p e c t ' s f i re . T h e n t h e r e ' s a greater c h a n c e of h i s b u l l e t s r i c o c h e t i n g off .)
// you've ever considered a cover tactic like this, consider yourself lucky you've never tested it during a shooting confrontation.
Patrol car doors make for poor cover and much blood.
M Y T H : F lopping over t h e h o o d , over t h e rear fender or over t h e car top is a good w a y to r e t u r n f i re . S o m e of t h e s a m e l e t h a l p r o b l e m s apply. Y o u ' r e expos ing a s i z e a b l e p o r t i o n of y o u r b o d y to h o s t i l e f ire o n c e y o u get a b o v e cover . If y o u ' r e s h o o t i n g over t h e top , for e x a m p l e , at l eas t your h e a d and shoulders are e x p o s e d o n t h e roof and your m i d - s e c t i o n is vul n e r a b l e t h r o u g h t h e w i n d o w s . A n d your a s s a i l a n t
1 7 6
st i l l m a y b e able to t a k e out your legs by sk ipping b u l l e t s . Indeed, p o s i t i o n s l i k e t h e s e m a y i n v i t e s h o t s . T h e y c e r t a i n l y h a v e in t h e pas t .
M Y T H : W h i l e seated in your car , y o u c a n s h o o t through t h e w i n d s h i e l d and h i t your adversary . T h i s m a y w o r k in C l i n t E a s t w o o d m o v i e s , b u t don't t ry i t in real l i fe . T h e b u l l e t a c t u a l l y m a y t rave l d o w n t h e glass , r a t h e r t h a n t h r o u g h it , and def lec t i n t o your car . O r it m a y jus t lodge in t h e g lass . A t t h e very leas t , your e a r d r u m s w i l l e x p e r i e n c e pa in f r o m t h e shot f ired w i t h i n t h e c o n f i n e s of t h e car .
O n e w a y to r e m a i n ins ide y o u r patro l car and s h o o t e f fec t ive ly , at least w h e n your a s s a i l a n t is in ront of y o u , as m i g h t be t h e c a s e in a t ra f f ic s top
tha t goes sour , is t o u s e t h e b a c k b r a c e p o s i t i o n . W i t h your door at least par t ia l ly open , y o u s l ide over in your seat so your b a c k is res t ing against t h e door post. O n e leg s tays ins ide , y o u k e e p t h e o t h e r up off t h e p a v e m e n t by brac ing y o u r foot aga ins t t h e 3pen door . Scoot down low and p o s i t i o n your side-
177
One tactic for using your vehicle as cover is to position yourself like this. Brace your foot to keep the door open. This position also keeps your legs clear of low rounds.
a r m in t h e c r o t c h f o r m e d b y t h e f ront edge of t h e door and t h e w i n d s h i e l d post . T h e m e t a l c a n serve as a b e n c h res t for y o u r h a n d s , e n a b l i n g y o u to get off m o r e a c c u r a t e r o u n d s w i t h e i t h e r your s i d e a r m or s h o t g u n . In t h i s p o s i t i o n , your face and c h e s t are par t ia l ly p r o t e c t e d b e h i n d t h e h e a v y m e t a l of t h e w i n d s h i e l d pos t , and, depending o n t h e e x a c t loca t i o n of t h e s u s p e c t , y o u m a y a c h i e v e addi t iona l sh ie ld ing f r o m t h e c a r ' s e n g i n e b l o c k . O f c o u r s e , y o u k e e p your e n g i n e r u n n i n g so y o u c a n b a c k up or pul l o u t of t h e r e fast if n e c e s s a r y or des i rab le .
178
If t h e s u s p e c t is p o s i t i o n e d w h e r e y o u ' r e b e t t e r off or h a v e t i m e to ex i t your patro l car , y o u w a n t to exi t on t h e side away f r o m h o s t i l e w e a p o n s f i re . If y o u ' r e t h e driver and i t ' s safe to e x i t t h r o u g h your door, h i t your seat be l t re lease and at t h e s a m e t i m e t u c k your left a r m under t h e s h o u l d e r h a r n e s s . Y o u shed t h e h a r n e s s w i t h a push ing m o t i o n and open t h e door l a t c h w i t h your left h a n d . T h e n push t h e door open w i t h your left k n e e , l eaving b o t h h a n d s free as y o u s tar t out . (If y o u ' r e t h e passenger of f icer , use your r ight h a n d and k n e e for t h i s m a n e u v e r . ) Y o u w a n t to rol l out of t h e car, landing o n your hands and k n e e s and keeping l o w u n t i l y o u r e a c h cover , say b e h i n d a w h e e l .
If y o u need to ex i t f r o m t h e s ide of t h e car opposi te w h e r e y o u ' r e s i t t ing , d u c k d o w n , s t r e t c h out across t h e seat and open t h a t door . G r a b t h e edge of t h e seat and pul l yourse l f a c r o s s o n your b e l l y and side, and c o n t i n u e to sl ide o n o u t . Y o u c a n u s e your feet against t h e opposi te door for an e x t r a p u s h forward. T h i s k e e p s your head and c h e s t , your m o s t vu lnerab le areas , as l o w as poss ib le and a l l o w s y o u to present t h e l o w e s t prof i le w h i l e e x i t i n g — a n d t h a t ' s y o u r top pr ior i ty . Do not try to draw your gun w h i l e going through t h e s e m a n e u v e r s . Y o u m a y end up a c c i d e n t a l l y s h o o t i n g yourse l f . D r a w after y o u ' r e outside, w h e n y o u ' r e capable of r e t u r n i n g fire safe ly .
V e h i c l e e x i t s are u s u a l l y g iven l i t t l e a t t e n t i o n in b a s i c t ra in ing . B u t o n e of t h e t h i n g s y o u ' l l l earn q u i c k l y in t ry ing an opposi te -door e x i t is to k e e p t h e e q u i p m e n t tha t y o u s tore on t h e f ront seat to an a b s o l u t e m i n i m u m . C o n s o l e s , radar and o t h e r n e c essary e q u i p m e n t tha t m a y b e in t h e w a y w i l l s l o w you d o w n e n o u g h . If a s u s p e c t ' s b u l l e t s are t u r n i n g your u n i t i n t o a s ieve , y o u d o n ' t w a n t e x t r a debris to fur ther h a m p e r your get t ing o u t !
O u t s i d e t h e patrol car , m o v e i m m e d i a t e l y to here y o u h a v e m a x i m u m p r o t e c t i o n . C r o u c h i n g or
k n e e l i n g b e h i n d one of t h e w h e e l s is l i k e l i e s t to ful ly c o n c e a l y o u and p r o t e c t y o u f r o m r i c o c h e t ounds and a lso puts a barrier of r u b b e r and m e t a l — oss ib ly t w o of t h e m — b e t w e e n y o u and a s u s p e c t ' s i rect f ire . B e h i n d a f ront w h e e l , y o u m a y a lso be r o t e c t e d by t h e e ng i ne b l o c k , t h e leas t p e n e t r a b l e o m p o n e n t of any v e h i c l e . Beware of standing or neeling between wheel bases. T r u e , y o u ' v e got t h e h o l e l e n g t h or w i d t h of t h e car as cover , b u t your
egs are exposed u n d e r n e a t h . In t h e i n f a m o u s T e x a s ower i n c i d e n t in 1 9 6 6 , an a m b u l a n c e driver t o o k
u c h a p o s i t i o n outs ide h i s v e h i c l e , t h i n k i n g h e w a s afe f r o m t h e sniper s h o t s c r a c k l i n g a r o u n d h i m . har les W h i t m a n s t r u c k h i m at l eas t o n c e b y us ing
i c o c h e t s h o o t i n g under t h e a m b u l a n c e .
Again , depending o n t h e s u s p e c t ' s l o c a t i o n , y o u m a y be able to m o s t safely s ight h i m by q u i c k p e e k i n g u n d e r t h e car . If y o u ' r e up f ront and h e ' s s i t u a t e d appropr ia te ly , o n e w a y for y o u to s h o o t t h a t m a i n t a i n s good cover is to r o c k forward and fire a r o u n d t h e f ront of t h e car , jus t a b o v e t h e b u m p e r . T h i s t e n d s to b e a b e t t e r p o s i t i o n t h a n t h e tradit i o n a l o n e , t a k e n by t w o of f i cers in M a r y l a n d w h o tr ied to a p p r e h e n d a t e e n a g e b a n k robbery s u s p e c t . W h e n h e f ired at t h e m w i t h a . 2 0 ga. s h o t g u n , t h e y s h o t b a c k o v e r t h e i r patro l car . H e k i l l e d t h e m b o t h w i t h b l a s t s t o t h e h e a d .
If y o u r assa i lan t c h a n g e s l o c a t i o n a n d y o u need to m o v e f r o m o n e side of t h e pat ro l car to t h e o t h e r , u n d e r f i re , s tay l o w as y o u c i r c l e t h e end of t h e car . K e e p a v i s u a l o n t h e s u s p e c t t h r o u g h t h e car g lass , so h e ' s under c o n s t a n t s u r v e i l l a n c e . As soon as y o u r o u n d t h e v e h i c l e , again t a k e c o v e r behinc a w h e e l .
Most suspects will expect you to remain by your vehicle. Moments after this picture was taken, the officer with the shotgun was killed by sniper fire from a hotel across the street.
1 8 2
U n d e r s t ress , w e al l t end to rever t to s o u r c e s of t rength . In a cr i s i s , w i t h of f icers , a p r i n c i p a l s o u r c e
tends to be t h e patrol car . I t ' s f a m i l i a r . . . i t ' s m o b i l e . . . i t s radio m a y s y m b o l i z e a l i f e l i n e . B u t in s o m e s i t u a t i o n s , to save your l i fe , y o u ' l l h a v e to a b a n d o n i t . Y o u r p o s i t i o n t h e r e , e v e n if y o u m a k e t h e b e s t poss ib le u s e of t h e car as cover , m a y b e t o o v u l n e r able . T h i s w a s t ragical ly i l lus t ra ted in a m i d w e s t e r n i n c i d e n t w h e r e t w o of f icers w e r e f ired u p o n in t h e i r patrol car by t w o s u s p e c t s in a n o t h e r car . T h e of f icer w h o w a s driving w a s k i l l ed in t h e f i rs t v o l l e y . O n e of t h e s u s p e c t s t h e n c l i m b e d o u t of t h e s u s p e c t v e h i c l e and approached t h e patro l car o n f o o t . T h e passenger of f icer saw h i m e m e r g i n g b u t i n s t e a d of ex i t ing t h e patro l car for cover , h e s tayed ins ide to radio for he lp . H e w a s t h e n shot l i k e a s i t t i n g d u c k by t h e s u s p e c t f ir ing t h r o u g h t h e w i n d s h i e l d .
As y o u m a n e u v e r in and a r o u n d your pat ro l car , keep in mind your other cover options. R e m e m b e r , your car h a s def in i te l i m i t a t i o n s . T h e r e s h o u l d be n o u m b i l i c a l cord ty ing you to i t if y o u c a n sa fe ly r e a c h s o m e t h i n g b e t t e r s o m e w h e r e e l se . T h i s m a y m e a n sacr i f i c ing your c o m m u n i c a t i o n s c o n t a c t u n l e s s y o u have a por tab le radio. B u t p r o t e c t i n g y o u r l i fe is , af ter a l l , your top pr ior i ty . A sol id sh ie ld w i l l probably do tha t b e t t e r t h a n a m i c r o p h o n e in an i m m i n e n t s h o o t - o u t .
enetration Power
M a n y of f icers t h i n k t h a t w h a t t h e y c a n ' t see t h e y c a n ' t s h o o t . A vivid tes t of t h i s t h a t rarely fai ls is p e r f o r m e d regular ly b y o n e i n s t r u c t o r in survival t a c t i c s . O n e at a t i m e , h e a r m s h i s s t u d e n t s w i t h a d e a c t i v a t e d revo lver a n d te l l s t h e m t o
' s h o o t " h i m as h e s i t s fac ing t h e m , a b o u t 2 feet away . T h e t r i c k is t h a t h e h o l d s a s h e e t of typing paper in f ront of h i m . A l m o s t invar iab ly , a c u r i o u s choreography p r o m p t l y deve lops : t h e s t u d e n t m o v e s the gun to try to shoot around t h e paper, t h e i n s t r u c tor j e rks t h e paper in f ront of t h e m u z z l e , t h e s tu-
ent sh i f t s t h e gun, t h e i n s t r u c t o r b l o c k s i t w i t h he paper and so on , ad i n f i n i t u m . Hardly a n y o n e ver " s h o o t s " through t h e paper, t h o u g h a b u l l e t bv ious ly w o u l d p u n c h r ight t h r o u g h to t h e i n s t r u c -or. O n t h e s t reet , t h e s a m e sort of t h i n g s o m e t i m e s appens . O n e off icer saved h i s l ife by ho ld ing up h i s pen p a l m in front of a s u s p e c t ' s gun and con-inuing to m o v e it as t h e s u s p e c t t r ied t o s h o o t round t h e o f f i cer ' s h a n d .
S o m e t i m e s i t ' s t h e s u s p e c t w h o c a p i t a l i z e s o n he fa i lure to a c k n o w l e d g e p e n e t r a t i o n p o w e r . In
Bullets do penetrate walls. A suspect being hunted on a felony charge heard an officer walk into his bathroom during the search. Once the officer's presence was revealed the suspect shot through the wall from another room and killed a target he didn't need to see.
m o r e t h a n o n e a r m e d e n c o u n t e r , t h e of fender h a s d u c k e d b e h i n d a h e d g e — a n d t h e o f f i cer h a s s topped s h o o t i n g at h i m , e v e n t h o u g h h i s l o c a t i o n is k n o w n and t h e o f f i c e r ' s a m m u n i t i o n is c l e a r l y c a p a b l e of p e n e t r a t i n g to i t . T h e of f icer w a i t s to s h o o t u n t i l t h e s u s p e c t ' s he a d pops up.
W i t h a f i r e a r m and a m m u n i t i o n t h a t are powerful e n o u g h , y o u c a n p e n e t r a t e v i r t u a l l y any cover . W i t h a h i g h - v e l o c i t y . 3 0 c a l . r i f l e — l i k e a . 3 0 8 or . 3 0 - 0 6 — y o u c a n p u n c h t h r o u g h a b o u t a n y t h i n g . E v e n w i t h y o u r serv ice h a n d g u n — a n d e s p e c i a l l y w i t h a s h o t g u n loaded w i t h r i f led s lugs r a t h e r t h a n . 0 0 B u c k — y o u c a n s h o o t t h r o u g h m a n y o b j e c t s a s u s p e c t m i g h t c o m m o n l y h ide b e h i n d , i n c l u d i n g doors , e x t e r i o r and i n t e r i o r w a l l s of m a n y bui ld ings and c e r t a i n par ts of cars .
If a s u s p e c t pul l s a gun o n y o u as y o u approach h i s door in a t raf f ic s top, for i n s t a n c e , y o u m a y b e ab le to s h o o t h i m by f ir ing t h r o u g h t h e door as y o u drop i n t o a p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n b e l o w t h e w i n d o w leve l . Y e a r s ago, w h e n cars w e r e m a d e di f ferent ly , t h i s m i g h t n o t h a v e b e e n p o s s i b l e . B u t today, despi te s o m e c l a i m s to t h e c o n t r a r y , car b o d i e s o f t e n can be p e n e t r a t e d by s tandard p o l i c e a m m u n i t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y if y o u are a few feet b a c k f r o m t h e car so t h e b u l l e t h a s a c h a n c e to gain s o m e s t a b i l i t y be fore it i m p a c t s . In o n e C a l i f o r n i a i n c i d e n t , an of f icer f ired 9 m m r o u n d s f r o m a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c at a suspec t s i t t i n g in a Ford P i n t o . E ight b u l l e t s w e n t t h r o u g h t h e t r u n k l id, t h e b a c k seat , t h e f ront seat , i n t o t h e s u s p e c t and o u t again. ( W h e r e car doors are c o n c e r n e d , t h e c h a n c e s of p e n e t r a t i o n are greates t if y o u s h o o t s t ra ight on . E v e n a s h a l l o w l y angled s h o t is l i k e l i e r to r i c o c h e t off t h e m e t a l . If t h e w i n d o w is d o w n , t h a t ' s a n o t h e r f a c t o r h a m p e r i n g penet r a t i o n . C o l d w e a t h e r m a y be , too ; i ce o n t h e m e t a l w o u l d t e n d to h e i g h t e n t h e r i c o c h e t e f fec t . )
S o m e t i m e s f ir ing t h r o u g h c o v e r is t h e surest w a y of i n c a p a c i t a t i n g your a s s a i l a n t . If h e ' s s h o o t i n g at y o u f r o m a w i n d o w , for e x a m p l e , y o u m a y h a v e a t o u g h t i m e c a t c h i n g h i m in t h e o p e n i n g . B u t w i t h a w o o d or s t u c c o bu i ld ing y o u c o u l d p o s s i b l y f ire t h r o u g h t h e w a l l to e i t h e r s ide of t h e w i n d o w or b e l o w it and h i t h i m w h i l e h e ' s s tanding or c r o u c h ing t h e r e b e t w e e n s h o t s .
In a s i t u a t i o n l i k e th i s , i n c i d e n t a l l y , y o u r f irst s h o t s h o u l d probably b e to t h e r i g h t - h a n d w a l l as y o u f a c e t h e w i n d o w . If t h e s u s p e c t is r i g h t - h a n d e d , as 9 0 per c e n t of t h e p o p u l a t i o n is , t h a t ' s w h e r e h e ' s l i k e l i e s t to s t a n d .
O N E C A U T I O N : s h o o t i n g t h r o u g h c o v e r is r i s k y . M a n y d e p a r t m e n t s d i s c o u r a g e it . It should be a t t e m p t e d only w h e n y o u are 1 0 0 per c e n t certain of t h e s u s p e c t ' s i d e n t i t y . . . c e r t a i n of h is e x a c t loca t i o n . . . a n d c e r t a i n t h e r e is no one else w i t h h i m
1 8 4
b e h i n d h i s barr i cade w h o m i g h t b e s t r u c k by your b u l l e t s . Y o u s h o u l d a l s o c o n s i d e r w h a t m i g h t happ e n if y o u r r o u n d s s h o u l d def lec t f r o m t h e cover and r i c o c h e t t o o t h e r l o c a t i o n s . If y o u ignore t h e s e provisos and s h o o t j u s t b e c a u s e y o u can, y o u m a y end up w i t h a t r a g e d y — a n d fac ing an i n d i c t m e n t — i n s t e a d of a dead a s s a i l a n t .
T h e p o t e n t i a l for m i s c a l c u l a t i o n is m e m o r a b l y i l l u s t r a t e d b y a c a s e in t h e m i d w e s t w h e r e o f f i cers arr ived o u t s i d e an a p a r t m e n t in r e s p o n s e t o a dist u r b a n c e c a l l . T h r o u g h t h e door t h e y c o u l d hear loud s o u n d s l i k e a w o m a n b e i n g t o r t u r e d . T h e y ordered t h e door o p e n e d . N o r e s p o n s e . T h e n t h e y tr ied to k i c k i t in , b u t i t fe l t as if s o m e o n e o n t h e o t h e r s ide w a s holding i t s h u t . T h e s o u n d s grew louder and m o r e a n g u i s h e d . In f r u s t r a t i o n a n d c o n c e r n for t h e v i c t i m , o n e of f i cer s h o t t h r o u g h t h e door . L a t e r , t h e y d iscovered t h e n o i s e s w e r e b e i n g
i*X*l*X'l*X*I'.'.*.*.*.*.*.*.'.*.'.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*»*«*«*«*«*»*«*«*i'i*t*«*«*«'t*t*3
If it's completely safe to penetrate the armed suspect's cover, shoot at the surface most likely to contain the largest part of the suspect's body.
1 8 6
m a d e by people in t h e a p a r t m e n t " t r y i n g to i m i t a t e d isco s o u n d s . " T h e r e was n o c r i m e - i n - p r o g r e s s . F o r t u n a t e l y , t h e p e n e t r a t i n g b u l l e t fa i led to h i t a n y t h i n g but t h e f loor o n t h e o t h e r s ide of t h e door .
P e n e t r a t i o n power , i n c i d e n t a l l y , is o n e of t h o s e t w o - w a y s t ree t s tha t an a s t u t e s u s p e c t w i l l t ry to m a k e u s e of, as w e l l as you . M a k i n g sure he c a n ' t , of course , is your p r i m e c o n s i d e r a t i o n in s e l e c t i n g your cover .
"Blowing" Cover
O n c e y o u have good cover , maintain it. D o n ' t " b l o w i t " and sacr i f i ce your sa fe ty b e c a u s e y o u :
• w a n t to r e a c h y o u r radio . S o m e of f icers h a v e b e e n k i l l ed b e c a u s e t h e y left good c o v e r under f ire and tr ied to run to the i r patro l cars . T h e y w o u l d have been b e t t e r off r u n n i n g a w a y f r o m t h e car and us ing s o m e o n e ' s t e l e p h o n e to ca l l for he lp .
• w a n t to he lp a f e l l o w of f i cer w h o h a s b e e n injured. If y o u are s ho t in t h e p r o c e s s of t ry ing to get h i m to safety , y o u o n l y c o m p l i c a t e t h e s i tuat i o n . I t ' s a na tura l i m p u l s e to w a n t to he lp , b u t t h e r e ' s a good poss ib i l i ty tha t s i n c e h e ' s d o w n , he w i l l n o t be fired o n again. W a i t .
• w a n t to get the a c t i o n over w i t h . A sober ing e x a m p l e of h o w i m p a t i e n c e defeats survival procedures is found in a case w h e r e t w o h e a v i l y a r m e d e x - c o n v i c t s , r e c e n t l y paroled as " r e h a b i l i t a t e d , " w e r e surprised by p o l i c e w h i l e robbing a n e i g h b o r h o o d s u p e r m a r k e t . Rea l iz ing t h e m a r k e t w a s surrounded by of f i cers , t h e b a n d i t s t o o k cover by r u n n i n g upsta i rs to t h e m a n a g e r ' s o f f i ce . For t h e n e x t 2 0 m i n u t e s , t h e sergeant in c o m m a n d ca l led on t h e t w o t o surrender , b u t t h e y did n o t respond. S u d d e n l y , a p a t r o l m a n left t h e p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n w h e r e h e had b e e n w a i t i n g and started up t h e s ta i rs , revo lver in hand. T h e sergeant ordered h i m b a c k b e h i n d cover , but he m u t t e r e d , " T h o s e bas tards d o n ' t scare m e any . L e t ' s get t h i s over w i t h . " H e w a s s ix s teps f r o m the top w h e n s i m u l t a n e o u s b l a s t s f rom t w o sawed-off s h o t g u n s reverbera ted f r o m the m a n a g e r ' s o f f i ce . H i s f e l l o w of f icers b e l o w w a t c h e d in horror and disbe l ie f as h i s body t u m b l e d b a c k w a r d d o w n t h e s ta i rs , h i s head b l o w n a l m o s t e n t i r e l y a w a y .
SHOOTING TECHNIQUES
A p a t r o l m a n had jus t g o t t e n off duty and w a s w a l k i n g to h i s car parked o n a s h a d o w y C h i c a g o side s t r e e t , w h e n a m a n driving by s u d d e n l y s l a m m e d to a s t o p . T h e s t ranger got o u t of h i s car and for n o k n o w n r e a s o n fired at t h e o f f i cer w i t h a n i c k e l -p la ted r e v o l v e r . G o o d c o v e r w a s t o o d i s t a n t to r e a c h . . . t h e a s s a i l a n t w a s o n l y 10 feet a w a y ; t h e o f f i cer h a d l i t t l e c h o i c e b u t to s h o o t b a c k in t h e m o s t e f f e c t i v e w a y h e c o u l d . H e drew h i s revo lver and f ired four s h o t s at t h e s u s p e c t , k i l l ing h i m o n t h e spot .
T h e m e t h o d h e u s e d is w h a t w e ' v e referred to p r e v i o u s l y as " i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g . " T h i s t e c h n i q u e a l l o w s y o u to get on target fas t and to c o n c l u d e t h e c o n f r o n t a t i o n as rapidly and e f f e c t i v e l y as p o s s i b l e . W i t h o u t doubt , i t ' s t h e m o s t e f f i c i e n t m e a n s today of f i r ing at m o s t a s s a i l a n t s in m o s t l a w e n f o r c e m e n t s i t u a t i o n s .
I n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g is an a d a p t a t i o n of a t a c t i c deve loped b y A m e r i c a n so ldiers in V i e t n a m to deal w i t h an e n e m y w h o f r e q u e n t l y surprised t h e m at c l o s e q u a r t e r s in areas w i t h l i t t l e a v a i l a b l e cover . B e c a u s e s u s p e c t s c o m m o n l y c o n f r o n t of f i cers under j u s t t h o s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , i t ' s ideal for u s e in l a w e n f o r c e m e n t . B a s i c a l l y , i t i n v o l v e s t a k i n g a i m at y o u r target by pointing youi gun as you would point your index finger, at t h e spot y o u w a n t to h i t . It a l l o w s an ideal b a l a n c e of speed and a c c u r a c y and p o w e r — t h e t r iple h e a d e r t h a t w i n s g u n f i g h t s — w i t h o u t u s i n g t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l s ight p i c t u r e procedure . It c a n h e l p y o u get t h e edge w h e n e v e r y t h i n g s e e m s t o be against y o u : poor l ight ing , i rregular
terrain , an o b s t r u c t e d v i e w , t h e c o v e r and m o v e m e n t of y o u r a d v e r s a r y — n o t to m e n t i o n t h e t r e m e n dous p h y s i c a l and e m o t i o n a l s t ress t h a t s ledge h a m m e r s y o u f r o m t h e m o m e n t y o u p e r c e i v e danger . I n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g is s i m p l e . . . e a s y to l e a r n . . . can be used b e h i n d cover as w e l l as in t h e o p e n . . .and is v e r s a t i l e e n o u g h to serve y o u in a v a r i e t y of p o s i t i o n s , inc luding , as w e ' v e m e n t i o n e d prev ious ly , k n e e l i n g and fal l ing d o w n .
I r o n i c a l l y , t h e pr inc ip le b e h i n d t h i s t e c h n i q u e is u n c o n s c i o u s l y e m p l o y e d b y m o s t s u s p e c t s . T h e y rarely h a v e i l l u s i o n s of be ing t ra ined m a r k s m e n ; t h e y jus t point the i r guns and pul l t h e tr igger. J o h n W i l k e s B o o t h did tha t against L i n c o l n . . . J a c k R u b y against O s w a l d . . . c o u n t l e s s n a m e l e s s , f a c e l e s s assa i lants over t h e years have d o n e it aga ins t c o u n t less o f f i cers . . .and t h e bad guy w h o t a k e s you o n w i l l probably do it against y o u .
H i s v e r s i o n of i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g , h o w e v e r , i s l i k e l y to be a re la t ive ly crude, o n e - h a n d e d f o r m t h a t depends m o s t l y o n s u d d e n n e s s and surprise for s u c c e s s . W h a t y o u c a n per fec t is a p o l i s h e d procedure t h a t is e q u a l l y fast b u t a lso is des igned w i t h spec i f i c survival needs in m i n d .
April 14, 1865. Booth's shooting technique conformed amazingly with today's patterns of encounter.
Sept. 29, 1978. Female suspect shoots into unoccupied patrol car in the start of a siege which involved an exchange of 15 shots. Note the one-hand hold and close distance factor similar to Booth's.
K n o w i n g h o w t o s h o o t , of c o u r s e , is o n l y part of t h e p r e s c r i p t i o n for s u c c e s s f u l l y reso lv ing an a r m e d e n c o u n t e r and probably t h e las t c o m p o n e n t . A m o n g o t h e r t h i n g s , y o u m u s t a lso b e p r o f i c i e n t a t : proper ly id e nt i fy ing y o u r t a r g e t . . . d e a l i n g w i t h m o r e t h a n o n e a s s a i l a n t in a s ingle e p i s o d e . . . a n d coping w i t h u n p r e d i c t a b l e r e a c t i o n s by y o u r s e l f a n d b y t h e s u s p e c t if h i t . In addi t ion , y o u n e e d to u n d e r s t a n d c lear ly w h e n t h e r i s k of s h o o t i n g is greater t h a n t h e probable b e n e f i t and b e able to avoid f ir ing in t h o s e s i t u a t i o n s .
T h a t ' s a lo t to c o o r d i n a t e in a m a t t e r of a f e w s e c o n d s , w h e n y o u ' r e d u c k i n g b u l l e t s s o m e s u s p e c t h a s dec ided h a v e your n a m e o n t h e m . It d e m a n d s a k e e n l eve l of m e n t a l and p h y s i c a l c o n d i t i o n i n g . W h a t f o l l o w s w i l l h e l p y o u a c h i e v e i t .
B e a r in m i n d t h a t any s h o o t i n g w e d i s c u s s h e r e is a s s u m e d to be legal ly j u s t i f i e d . W e ' r e n o t conc e r n e d w i t h e v a l u a t i n g whether y o u s h o u l d s h o o t , o n l y w i t h the methods y o u c a n b e s t e m p l o y if s h o o t i n g is d e m a n d e d .
Instinct Shooting Position
In a t y p i c a l s h o o t i n g , y o u r a s s a i l a n t w i l l f i re f i r s t . H e ' l l be s tanding s t i l l or m o v i n g t o w a r d y o u . A n d h e ' l l b e so c l o s e y o u ' l l h a v e l i t t l e c h o i c e b u t to s h o o t b a c k i m m e d i a t e l y , in an ef fort to put him o n t h e d e f e n s i v e and perhaps a l l o w y o u a c h a n c e to m o v e to cover . S o long as y o u s u b j e c t h i m to ef fect ive f i re , h i s s h o t s are l i k e l y to b e i n e f f e c t i v e . In m i l i t a r y p a r l a n c e , t h i s is ca l l ed e s t a b l i s h i n g and
Under pressure, you will revert to whatever position you have practiced.
m a i n t a i n i n g f ire super ior i ty .
Y o u d o n ' t h a v e to b e an " e x p e r t " s h o o t e r , in t h e u s u a l target p r a c t i c e s e n s e . B u t y o u do h a v e to h a v e good eye-and-hand c o o r d i n a t i o n and be ab le to p o s i t i o n yourse l f c o r r e c t l y and bring your gun i n t o a c t i o n q u i c k l y and properly , w i t h o u t c o n s c i o u s a t t e n t i o n to t h e m e c h a n i s m s of f i r ing.
If y o u ' v e t ra ined c o r r e c t l y , t h e n e c e s s a r y m e c h a n i s m s w i l l c o m e i n s t i n c t i v e l y w h e n y o u ' r e faced w i t h a cr i s i s s i t u a t i o n . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , c r a c k target s h o o t e r s w h o h a v e n o t r o u b l e h i t t i n g a stat ionary target 2 0 yards a w a y b u t w h o h a v e n o t t ra ined for i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g m a y n o t h i t a m o v i n g , f ir ing s u s p e c t o n l y 6 feet a w a y . A c a s e in po int occurred in an eas tern c i t y w h e n a s u s p e c t grabbed a c l e a n i n g w o m a n in t h e federal c o u r t h o u s e , put a gun to her head and d e m a n d e d to see a b a n k r u p t c y referee . D u r i n g t h e n e g o t i a t i o n s t h a t s u b s e q u e n t l y developed, a p l a i n c l o t h e s p o l i c e m a n pos ing as a l awyer w a s ab le to get c l o s e to t h e g u n m a n . T h e of f icer w a s a r m e d w i t h a s n u b - n o s e r e v o l v e r in a c o n c e a l e d a n k l e h o l s t e r and w a s ra ted as an e x c e l l ent target s h o o t e r . At t h e r ight m o m e n t , t h e of f icer drew h i s revolver and s tar ted s h o o t i n g . T h e s u s p e c t w a s less t h a n 5 feet a w a y — l i t t l e m o r e t h a n an a r m ' s r e a c h . Y e t w h e n t h e of f icer f ired, h e missed the suspec t four t i m e s out of f ive .
F r o m analyz ing reports of o f f i cer - invo lved s h o o t i n g s , i t ' s o b v i o u s that m a n y of f i cers in high-s tress s i t u a t i o n s tend to ho ld the i r g u n s w i t h o n e hand and s h o o t one r o u n d . T h i s is b e c a u s e under stress t h e y fall b a c k o n w h a t t h e y k n o w b e s t — b a s i c a c a d e m y range t ra in ing , w h i c h u s u a l l y e m p h a s i z e s a o n e - h a n d grip for f ir ing o n e shot at a t i m e .
O c c a s i o n a l l y , o n e - h a n d e d s h o o t i n g m a y b e n e c e s s a r y ; y o u m a y be w o u n d e d in t h e o t h e r h a n d , or y o u m a y be ho ld ing your gun in o n e h a n d w h i l e c r a w l i n g t h r o u g h a w i n d o w or up a f ire escape , for e x a m p l e . U s u a l l y , h o w e v e r , y o u r preferred opt ion is t h e b e t t e r - c o n t r o l l e d t w o - h a n d e d s h o o t i n g , f ir ing m u l t i p l e s h o t s in rapid s u c c e s s i o n . T h i s g ives y o u t h e b e s t c h a n c e of e f f e c t i v e l y s topping a s u s p e c t w h o is t h r e a t e n i n g your l i fe or s o m e o n e e l s e ' s .
D R A W : If y o u ' v e a n t i c i p a t e d danger , y o u ' l l a lready h a v e your gun u n h o l s t e r e d a n d in t h e f ir ing p o s i t i o n (not at your side) w h e n y o u n e e d to s h o o t . If n o t , y o u b e g i n m o v i n g i n t o t h e i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g p o s i t i o n as y o u draw.
M o s t o f f i c e r s ' draw c o n s i s t s of a ser ies of j e r k s : t h e h a n d c o m e s up, t h e h a n d c o m e s d o w n , t h e gun goes u p , t h e gun goes o u t . T h i s b a c k and for th seq u e n c e is i n e f f i c i e n t . For good i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g , your d r a w s h o u l d b e o n e c o n t i n u o u s m o t i o n , w i t h smoothness more important than an attempt at speed alone. Y o u w a n t to br ing your gun o u t to t h e s a m e p l a c e w i t h t h e s a m e f lu id m a n e u v e r every t i m e y o u w i t h d r a w it f r o m y o u r h o l s t e r . As y o u draw, y o u r h a n d s h o u l d be p o s i t i o n e d for t h e proper s h o o t i n g grip so t h a t y o u do n o t h a v e to read jus t i t o n c e t h e gun c lears l e a t h e r . T h i s h e l p s e n h a n c e y o u r a c c u r a c y . W i t h t h e draw, as w i t h o t h e r i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g c o m p o n e n t s , speed is f i n e ; a c c u r a c y is f i n a l . Y o u r adversary m u s t b e hit to b e i n c a p a c i ta ted ; t h e m e r e n o i s e of y o u r f i r e a r m going off w o n ' t do i t .
T o draw, grasp t h e s t o c k of y o u r gun f i r m l y , w i t h y o u r s h o o t i n g h a n d h igh o n t h e grip p a n e l s . Y o u r t h u m b and f ingers s h o u l d b e in p o s i t i o n for s h o o t i n g — e x c e p t for your tr igger f inger . Keep th is f inger e x t e n d e d o u t s i d e t h e h o l s t e r at f i rs t , paral le l to t h e barre l , and a l l o w it to fa l l a longs ide t h e f r a m e a b o v e t h e trigger as y o u w i t h d r a w t h e g u n . T h i s w i l l p r e v e n t an a c c i d e n t a l d i scharge . D r a w f r o m your w r i s t and a r m . B r i n g t h e m u z z l e up so t h e barre l b e c o m e s para l le l to t h e ground as y o u e x t e n d y o u r s h o o t i n g a r m t o wa r d t h e s u s p e c t . S i m u l t a n e o u s l y , y o u s w i n g your o t h e r a r m up so your h a n d s c o m e t o g e t h e r in a supported grip, j u s t as y o u r gun e n t e r s your per iphera l v i s i o n .
T h e s e m o v e m e n t s s h o u l d be fast and forceful, t a k i n g a b o u t 1 to 1.5 s e c o n d s w i t h p r a c t i c e and c u l m i n a t i n g in your h a n d s and a r m s punching t h e gun o u t at your target , m u c h as y o u ' d t h r o w a l o w p u n c h to h i s body . You don't look down at the gun as you draw a n y m o r e t h a n y o u ' d l o o k at y o u r h a n d
Draw your sidearm before your approach i f v o u i n t e n d e d to jab h i m or s h i n e y o u r f lash l ight to danger. Upon contact with your o n h i m . Concentrate on the suspect. For safe ty , sidearm, your hand and fingers should e v e n if y o u i n t e n d to f ire i m m e d i a t e l y , your f inger be positioned for the proper shooting grip. s h o u l d s tay o u t s i d e t h e trigger guard u n t i l your gun
194
has c leared t h e h o l s t e r and t h e m u z z l e is p o i n t i n g forward, c lear of your body.
G R I P : In a s h o o t - o u t , y o u ' l l be so scared y o u c a n tas te i t . Y o u r hear t and lungs w i l l k i c k i n t o h i g h g e a r . . . y o u r brain w i l l race f u r i o u s l y . . . a d r e n a l i n surge i n t o your b l o o d s t r e a m . . .your m u s c l e s p o s s i b l y t r e m o r . U n l e s s your grip s teadies and s t r e n g t h e n s your s h o o t i n g hand , your a c c u r a c y m a y be ser ious ly a f fec ted .
High angle view of one of the accepted grip positions for instinct shooting.
The recommended grip for a semi-automatic is with the thumb of the weak hand alongside the thumb of the strong hand (left photo). Otherwise, with the traditional placement of the weak-hand thumb (right photo) the slide may scrape your skin as it moves back in firing.
195
The proper tactic for shooting one-handed when your gun-hand has been disabled.
For t h e r e c o m m e n d e d , t w o - h a n d c o m b a t h o l d , your support h a n d c o m e s up u n d e r or a longs ide your s h o o t i n g h a n d as y o u m o v e y o u r g u n o n target . T h e r e are several o p t i o n s for h o w your h a n d s are u l t i m a t e l y p o s i t i o n e d . Y o u m a y : 1) so l id ly l o c k t h e l i t t l e f inger of your s h o o t i n g h a n d b e t w e e n t h e f irst t w o f ingers of your support h a n d ; 2) wrap y o u r support h a n d a r o u n d t h e m i d d l e , r ing and s m a l l f ingers of y o u r gun h a n d , or 3) cup t h e p a l m of your support h a n d u n d e r t h e b u t t of your s i d e a r m and c ross t h e f ingers of your support h a n d over t h o s e of your gun h a n d . In e a c h case , t h e t h u m b of y o u r support h a n d e i t h e r over laps tha t of your s h o o t i n g h a n d , or b o t h t h u m b s l ie a long t h e left side of your s i d e a r m (ass u m i n g y o u are r ight -ha nd e d ) . Y o u r s h o o t i n g h a n d s h o u l d be h igh on t h e b a c k - s t r a p of your gun, and your support h a n d s h o u l d e n c o m p a s s and r e i n f o r c e as m u c h of your s h o o t i n g h a n d as p o s s i b l e . B y t h e t i m e your h a n d s are l o c k e d t o g e t h e r in f ina l posi t ion , y o u s h o u l d be ready to s h o o t . T h i s grip w o r k s b o t h as a b r a c e and a b e n c h for your g u n and a l l o w s y o u to m o v e it in a n y d i r e c t i o n . M o r e o v e r , w i t h p r a c t i c e , it is n o s l o w e r — a n d m u c h m o r e s t a b l e — t h a n o n e - h a n d e d s h o o t i n g .
Y o u w a n t to k e e p a f i r m ho ld o n your gun, b u t don't clutch i t . C l u t c h i n g c a n m a k e y o u r h a n d s s h a k e , des t roy ing t h e purpose of t h i s " l a y e r e d " grip. Also , if y o u are u s i n g a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , be sure your h a n d s are p o s i t i o n e d so tha t t h e s l ide c a n c o m e b a c k w h e n y o u s h o o t w i t h o u t ea t ing up t h e s k i n o n your t h u m b ) s ) or k n u c k l e s .
If for s o m e reason y o u m u s t s h o o t o n e - h a n d e d — say y o u ' v e b e e n w o u n d e d in t h e o t h e r — y o u c a n s t i l l m a k e your n o n - s h o o t i n g a r m u s e f u l b y p o s i t i o n i n g it to provide support , e v e n if y o u c a n ' t use t h a t h a n d for gripping. Y o u ho ld t h e a r m t a u t a n d p lace it u n d e r y o u r s h o o t i n g a r m at t h e w r i s t . T h i s provides s o m e t h i n g of a b e n c h res t for your s h o o t i n g h a n d w h i l e f i r ing.
S T A N C E : Y o u r grip s h o u l d be part of a sol id , f i r m s t a n c e t h a t l e t s your w h o l e body w o r k at k e e p i n g y o u r g u n s teady so y o u c a n c o n c e n t r a t e ful ly o n m a k i n g your s h o t s c o u n t . T w o b a s i c posi t i o n s are s u i t a b l e for i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g . B y exper i m e n t i n g in y o u r p r a c t i c e s e s s i o n s y o u c a n learn w h i c h is m o r e c o m f o r t a b l e and e f f e c t i v e for y o u . R a t h e r t h a n jus t p l a n t i n g your feet and fac ing d o w n -range, t ry t h e s e p o s i t i o n s e x t e n s i v e l y o n surpr ise targets at d i f ferent angles and d i s t a n c e s to get t h e fee l for h o w t h e y ' l l w o r k in a rea l c o n f r o n t a t i o n .
For our purposes h e r e , w e ' l l d e s c r i b e e a c h s t a n c e as i t ' s a s s u m e d if y o u are c a u g h t in t h e open in a g u n f i g h t . W i t h appropriate m o d i f i c a t i o n , e a c h c a n b e adapted for u s e b e h i n d cover , w h e r e y o u n e e d to c o n f o r m to t h e shape of y o u r barr i cade .
1 9 6
T h e m o r e c o m m o n l y taught s t a n c e is t h e i sosc e l e s or c o m b a t s t a n c e p o s i t i o n , so ca l l ed b e c a u s e your a r m s are e x t e n d e d a w a y f r o m y o u r c h e s t l i k e t w o equal s ides of a t r iangle . As your g u n c o m e s out and up, y o u face t h e suspec t square ly , and if y o u ' r e r ight -handed, y o u m o v e your lef t foot s t ra ight o u t to t h e left so your legs are in a sol id, braced p o s i t i o n and you h a v e m a x i m u m m o b i l i t y in a n y d i r e c t i o n , should y o u w a n t to m o v e to cover , engage a s e c o n d o p p o n e n t , e t c . B e n d your torso s l ight ly forward f r o m t h e h ips and f lex your k n e e s to a s s u m e a c r o u c h s i m i l a r to t h a t of a baseba l l in f ie lder .
As your a r m s m o v e up for t h e supported grip, you t h r u s t your hands out at t h e m i d l i n e of your body, s t ra ight out f r o m your c h e s t . N e i t h e r a r m d o m i n a t e s ; in t h e f ina l on- targe t p o s i t i o n , b o t h are p o i n t e d s tra ight toward your a s s a i l a n t . Y o u r w r i s t s , e l b o w s and shoulders are f i r m l y l o c k e d , w i t h t h e m u z z l e of your gun at or jus t s l ight ly b e l o w eye leve l . In e f fec t , your gun b e c o m e s an e x t e n s i o n of your a r m s and f ingers . R e m e m b e r , straight arms help to shoot straight. Also , t h e y carry t h e r e c o i l b a c k i n t o your shoulders to he lp r e d u c e t h e s h o c k to your h a n d s and k e e p you f r o m " b o u n c i n g " off target w h e n y o u f ire .
The proper isosceles stance for instinct shooting involves locking your wrists and elbows with your torso bent slightly forward. Your arms will absorb the recoil and prevent you from pulling off target.
197
S o m e t h e o r i s t s c l a i m tha t c r o u c h i n g , e x c e p t b e h i n d a l o w barr icade , l e s s e n s a c c u r a c y and s l o w s you d o w n . B u t k n o w l e d g e a b l e s h o o t i n g v e t e r a n s u n d e r s t a n d tha t t h i s m o v e m e n t l e t s y o u get your gun up and " o n " q u i c k e r . B o t h your s i d e a r m and your eyes are at about t h e c h e s t l eve l of t h e s u s p e c t , w h i c h s h o u l d he lp your a i m . A l s o , t h e c r o u c h provides b e t t e r b a l a n c e . Real - l i fe s h o o t - o u t s o f ten unfo ld in i cy a l l e y w a y s or o n t e n e m e n t s t a i r c a s e s , and on t h e s e u n e v e n sur faces y o u ' l l n e e d all t h e b a l a n c e b e n e f i t s y o u c a n get . B y g e t t i n g l o w , t h e c r o u c h m a k e s y o u a s m a l l e r target and c a p i t a l i z e s on
Forming the isosceles stance can be t h e fact t h a t m a n y s u s p e c t s t e n d to s h o o t h i g h w i t h thought of as a logical extention of the a h a n d g u n , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n t h e s h o o t - o u t t a k e s one-handhold. The one-hand hold p lace in d i m l ight .
T h e o t h e r b a s i c i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g p o s i t i o n is t h e W e a v e r s t a n c e , n a m e d for i t s C a l i f o r n i a i n v e n t o r . H e r e y o u s tand e s s e n t i a l l y e rec t w i t h y o u r feet s h o u l d e r - w i d t h apart, your w e a k foot forward so tha t your body is t u r n e d at a s l ight angle to t h e suspec t . Y o u r s h o o t i n g a r m is he ld s t ra ight out at shoulder level or f lexed jus t a b i t . Y o u r w e a k a r m provides a support ing grip b u t is f l exed sharply at t h e e l b o w , 3 0 to 4 5 degrees , depending o n y o u r b o n e s t r u c t u r e . In e f fec t , it is p o s i t i o n e d s i m i l a r to a we ight l i f t e r ' s w h e n cur l ing a d u m b b e l l . B y pul l ing b a c k at t h e grip w i t h your support h a n d and s i m u l t a n e o u s l y pushing forward f r o m t h e s h o u l d e r o n y o u r s t rong side, y o u produce a c e r t a i n i s o m e t r i c t e n s i o n tha t h e l p s s teady your gun and r e d u c e t h e r e c o i l .
The Weaver stance involves positioning your weak-hand at a different angle
I t s p r o p o n e n t s argue t h a t t h e W e a v e r s t a n c e " t u r n s a h a n d g u n i n t o a r i f l e — s h o t f r o m t h e s t rong s h o u l d e r a n d braced f r o m b e l o w b y t h e w e a k a r m and h a n d . " U n f o r t u n a t e l y , a h a n d g u n , b e i n g a t o o l for c l o s e c o m b a t , n e v e r rea l ly a p p r o x i m a t e s a r i f le . B u t t h e W e a v e r s t a n c e is e s p e c i a l l y s u i t a b l e for a c c u r a t e , fast s h o o t i n g w h e n y o u ' r e us ing h e a v y loads or a h a r d - k i c k i n g s i d e a r m , b e c a u s e of t h e s h o c k - a b s o r b e r e f fec t c r e a t e d by t h e b e n t e l b o w and push-pul l pressure . T h i s pressure t e n d s to ho ld t h e f i rearm d o w n and in p lace as it d i s c h a r g e s . U s i n g t h i s s t a n c e properly , s o m e s h o o t e r s c a n c o n t r o l e v e n a . 4 4 M a g n u m under very rapid f i re .
H o w e v e r , t h e W e a v e r r e q u i r e s c o n s i d e r a b l e p r a c t i c e to m a s t e r . T h e e x a c t a l i g n m e n t of b e n t a r m s is s o m e t h i n g m a n y of f i cers h a v e t o f u m b l e for. In a f e w words , i t ' s n o t as n a t u r a l for m o s t people as t h e s t r a i g h t - o u t , l o c k e d - i n i s o s c e l e s s t a n c e , e s p e c i a l l y if y o u h a v e b e e n t a u g h t t o c r o u c h .
A s h o t g u n , as w e l l as your h a n d g u n , c a n also b e q u i c k l y p o s i t i o n e d for i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g . Again , y o u h a v e severa l o p t i o n s .
In t h e t rad i t iona l s t a n c e , y o u s t a n d e r e c t w i t h fee t apart , w e a k foot s l ight ly forward and k n e e s b e n t , s o m e w h a t l i k e a boxer , and s w i n g t h e g u n up to your s t rong s h o u l d e r so your c h e e k is against t h e s t o c k . Y o u r s t rong h a n d grasps t h e s t o c k jus t b e h i n d t h e tr igger guard; your w e a k h a n d h o l d s t h e shot g u n ' s fore-grip or s l ide w i t h your w e a k a r m b e n t at t h e e l b o w . T h e w e a p o n is h e l d jus t s l i g h t l y b e l o w your e ye l eve l . T h e barre l is t h e r e f o r e p o s i t i o n e d in y o u r per iphera l v i s i o n as y o u k e e p your pr imary v i s i o n f ixed o n t h e s u s p e c t . T h i s p o s i t i o n has a " b u s i n e s s " l o o k a b o u t it t h a t ' s p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y int i m i d a t i n g , e s p e c i a l l y if y o u r a c k in a r o u n d . In t h e vas t m a j o r i t y of c a s e s in w h i c h a s h o t g u n is used , t h i s p s y c h o l o g i c a l i m p a c t suf f i ces ; a r o u n d is n e v e r f ired. Y e t in t h e e v e n t y o u do need to s h o o t , f ir ing f r o m t h e s h o u l d e r p o s i t i o n is l i k e l y t o give y o u t h e m o s t e f f e c t i v e target a c q u i s i t i o n .
In c a s e s w h e r e y o u d o n ' t h a v e t i m e to br ing t h e s h o t g u n to shoulder l e v e l , t h e r e are severa l a l t e r n a t i v e i n s t i n c t - s h o o t i n g p o s i t i o n s , al l of t h e m k e e p i n g t h e g u n lower .
T h e l o w e s t p o s i t i o n is w i t h t h e s ide of t h e s t o c k pressed f i r m l y against y o u r hip o n your s h o o t ing s ide . (Just press t h e s t o c k against your s idearm if i t ' s in t h e w a y . ) H e r e y o u b e n d s l i g h t l y foward to m a k e a s m a l l e r target , grasping t h e fore-grip w i t h your w e a k h a n d , and l o c k i n g t h e e l b o w of t h a t a r m s t ra ight ; if it is b e n t , t h e r e c o i l w i l l c a u s e t h e barre l to j u m p up and t h r o w off y o u r a c c u r a c y . A l t h o u g h t h i s p o s i t i o n m a y l e s s e n t h e p s y c h o l o g i c a l i m p a c t of a s u s p e c t l o o k i n g d i r e c t l y d o w n t h e barre l of your
2 0 0
s h o t g u n , i t ' s s t i l l a good o n e to u s e for q u i c k response and w h e n y o u are a d v a n c i n g o n a s u s p e c t . Y o u c a n s h o o t a n e w round w i t h every s tep y o u t a k e w i t h a r e a s o n a b l y e f fec t ive range .
O t h e r l o w - l e v e l p o s i t i o n s i n v o l v e press ing t h e s h o t g u n s t o c k f i r m l y against your r ib cage , a b o u t hal f w a y b e t w e e n your h ip and your a r m p i t o n your s h o o t i n g side. O r br ing t h e s t o c k up i n t o y o u r a rmpit , so your s t rong a r m c l a m p s i t t i g h t l y i n t o your side.
Af ter y o u r a c k a s h o t g u n , c o n s i d e r e x t e n d i n g the i n d e x f inger of your support h a n d a long t h e outs ide of t h e s l ide, at t h e s u s p e c t . T h i s w i l l he lp guide y o u r s h o t s . T a k e care n o t to t o u c h t h e barre l , though , b e c a u s e t h e m e t a l h e a t s up f r o m s h o o t i n g and c a n b u r n y o u .
In most cases, your adversary won't give you the time to leisurely close one eye and line up a sight picture. Your primary vision must be on your suspect, not your sights.
A I M : W i t h i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g , y o u d o n ' t w a s t e t i m e t ry ing to l i n e up a s ight p i c t u r e of t h e s u s p e c t . W i t h t h e top of your g u n at or s l i g h t l y b e l o w e ye leve l , y o u r e y e s f u n c t i o n as your s ights , w h e t h e r y o u are s h o o t i n g a h a n d g u n or a long g u n .
Y o u a i m t h e gun b y p o i n t i n g i t , as y o u w o u l d your f inger or your f l ash l ight . Y o u k e e p y o u r eyes f o c u s e d s t ra ight ahead, l o o k i n g over t h e top of your g u n . Y o u r eyes c o n c e n t r a t e o n t h e s u s p e c t , n o t on your s i g h t s . If y o u are ready t o s h o o t , r a t h e r t h a n t ry ing to c o n c e n t r a t e o n h i s w h o l e body, l o o k at t h e c e n t e r of h i s c h e s t .
T h e top of your g u n barre l w i l l be in your per iphera l v i s i o n and as y o u l o o k a long it at t h e area or body m a s s y o u w a n t to h i t , t h e m u z z l e w i l l t e n d to l i n e up a c c o r d i n g l y , jus t as t h e t ip of a p o i n t i n g f inger w o u l d . In o t h e r words , your hands—and gun—will instinctively follow your eyes. B u l l e t s are very dependable,- t h e y t e n d to go w h e r e t h e y are p o i n t e d . W h e n y o u s q u e e z e t h e tr igger, t h e b u l l e t s h o u l d go w h e r e you are l o o k i n g .
H i s t o r i c a l l y , ge t t ing a target in p r e c i s e s ight a l i g n m e n t h a s b e e n e m p h a s i z e d for long-range s h o o t i n g w h e r e t h e r e ' s a des ire for p i n p o i n t a c c u racy . B u t for t h e c lose - range f ir ing of m o s t s t reet
2 0 2
c o n f r o n t a t i o n s , careful a l i g n m e n t is n o t n e e d e d . Indeed, it m a y be a hazard to your survival b e c a u s e it wi l l delay you in g e t t i n g off t h e fas tes t p o s s i b l e s h o t s .
Y o u c a n h i t jus t as w e l l — a n d m u c h f a s t e r — w i t h t h e a i m i n g procedure descr ibed a b o v e at d i s t a n c e s of 7 yards or l e ss . W i t h e x t e n s i v e p r a c t i c e y o u m a y )e able to develop p r o f i c i e n c y at 12 yards or m o r e .
At n ight or in low l ight l eve l c o n d i t i o n s , y o u can st i l l a i m a c c u r a t e l y w i t h t h i s procedure . An off icer depending on t radi t iona l s ight a l i g n m e n t , on t h e o t h e r hand , w o u l d be lost b e c a u s e w i t h insuff i c ient i l l u m i n a t i o n he w o u l d n ' t be able e v e n to see l i s s ights . P a i n t i n g the front s ight w h i t e m a y he lp , )ut i n s t i n c t a i m i n g is l i k e l y to be m o r e re l iab le . //
you can see o r point at your adversary, you can hit him, w h e t h e r your s ights are v i s ib le or n o t .
T h e secre t , regardless of l ight q u a l i t y , is to ceep your eyes " o u t t h e r e " to guide your g u n . Don't
look down, d o n ' t bring t h e barrel of your gun up too l igh. If you do, y o u ' l l get h o o k e d i n t o trying to f o r m a sight p i c t u r e and lose your edge. R e m e m b e r , drawing and sighting to shoot takes over 2Vi times as ong as drawing and shooting with the instinct
technique.
F I R I N G : Y o u r s h o t s should a l w a y s be fired d o u b l e - a c t i o n b e c a u s e t h a t ' s faster and a n a t u r a l c o m p o n e n t of t h e i n s t i n c t procedure . D o n ' t p u m p or jerk t h e trigger, b u t s q u e e z e it s m o o t h l y and q u i c k l y . If y o u ' r e f ir ing a revolver , your trigger inger should be placed so the trigger fa l ls b e t w e e n
t h e first and s e c o n d f inger j o i n t s , to a l l o w a d e q u a t e everage for t h e cock ing/f i r ing m e c h a n i c s of a
d o u b l e - a c t i o n pul l . T h e s a m e f inger p l a c e m e n t w o r k s best for m o s t of f icers o n a s h o t g u n trigger. W i t h a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , you w a n t t h e f l e shy por t ion of your f irst f inger jo in t d i rec t ly o n t h e tr igger . S o you can a n t i c i p a t e the t i m e to re load, t ry to c o u n t your s h o t s or your trigger pul l s . If poss ib le , y o u w a n t to avoid shoot ing your gun dry.
If y o u ' r e shoot ing w i t h a h a n d g u n and your s h o t s are h i t t i n g high, l o w or wide , i t ' s m o s t l i k e l y because y o u are a l lowing your wris t to f l ex w h e n i r i n g . . . b e c a u s e you are holding the gun w i t h a w e a k
gr ip . . .or b e c a u s e you are e r ra t i ca l ly snapping t h e trigger. S o m e t i m e s , in addit ion to be ing dangerous , a very wide trigger or a grooved trigger w i l l a l so adversely affect a c c u r a c y .
W i t h a shotgun, you m a y tend to s h o o t h igh ' rom t h e h ip pos i t ion b e c a u s e your h a n d c o m e s off the s t o c k or your a r m s b e n d w h e n you pul l t h e trigger, and th is a l lows the m u z z l e to e l e v a t e . Y o u ; a n c o m p e n s a t e for th i s by a i m i n g for t h e s u s p e c t ' s abdominal area, if he is at s o m e d i s t a n c e . B u c k s h o t
t e n d s to r ise and t h u s s h o u l d h i t h i s c h e s t area w h e n it i m p a c t s . If y o u a i m for h i s c h e s t , as y o u w o u l d w i t h a h a n d g u n , your s h o t s m a y go over h i s h e a d . Again , p r a c t i c e s q u e e z i n g , n o t j e rk ing , t h e tr igger.
P e r h a p s t h e grea tes t i m p e d i m e n t to your s h o o t ing, u n l e s s y o u ' v e proper ly c o n d i t i o n e d yourse l f for surv iva l , w i l l b e y o u r o w n m e n t a l a t t i t u d e . S h o o t i n g at people is di f ferent f r o m s h o o t i n g at paper targe ts . Y o u m a y b a l k at doing i t . B u t r e m e m b e r : a h u m a n i s t i c a t t i t u d e o n your part at t h e w r o n g t i m e c a n get y o u , your par tner or s o m e i n n o c e n t c i v i l i a n k i l l e d . If y o u are legal ly jus t i f i ed in s h o o t i n g (an o b v i o u s p r e r e q u i s i t e ) , t h e n s h o o t . If y o u m u s t t a k e a l i fe to save i n n o c e n t l ives , t h a t is s i m p l y part of your job .
Multiple Adversaries
W h e n y o u ' r e c o n f r o n t e d w i t h m o r e t h a n o n e a s s a i l a n t — a s h a p p e n s to of f i cers in at l eas t 4 0 per c e n t of a l l a r m e d e n c o u n t e r s — y o u ' l l n e e d to c o m b i n e i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g w i t h t h e u t m o s t e x p r e s s i o n of m e n t a l d i s c i p l i n e . E x t r a o r d i n a r y d e m a n d s for your p h y s i c a l and e m o t i o n a l a t t e n t i o n m a y c o m e s i m u l t a n e o u s l y f r o m several s u s p e c t s , p laced perhaps at w i d e l y di f ferent angles , d i f ferent ranges and/or di f ferent e l e v a t i o n s . T h e y ' r e hard t o deal w i t h b e c a u s e your depth p e r c e p t i o n m a y b e adverse ly a f fec ted by your e x c i t e m e n t and s t ress . Y e t y o u m u s t force yourse l f to c o n c e n t r a t e o n o n e adversary at a t i m e , n o m a t t e r h o w br ie f ly , and del iver t h e m o s t d e s t r u c t i v e rounds y o u can to h i m before c o n f r o n t i n g t h e n e x t . M u l t i p l e a s s a i l a n t s are ext r e m e l y d a n g e r o u s n o t o n l y b e c a u s e of t h e o b v i o u s t a c i c a l p r o b l e m s handl ing t h e m p r e s e n t s , but bec a u s e t h e y tend to energ ize e a c h o t h e r . W h e r e o n e m a n a l o n e m i g h t surrender , t w o or m o r e toge ther m a y give one a n o t h e r t h e " b a l l s " to t a k e y o u on, and to k e e p s h o o t i n g e v e n af ter y o u s h o o t b a c k .
If c o n d i t i o n s p e r m i t , y o u w a n t t o f ire f irst at t h e s u s p e c t w h o p r e s e n t s t h e greatest or most immediate danger to y o u . U s u a l l y , t h a t m e a n s t h e o n e w i t h t h e largest c a l i b e r g u n ; f ac ing o n e assa i l ant w i t h a sawed-off s h o t g u n and a n o t h e r w i t h a . 3 8 S p e c i a l revo lver , for e x a m p l e , y o u ' r e probably b e s t off to t a k e your c h a n c e s w i t h t h e . 3 8 w h i l e y o u try f irst to k n o c k out t h e s h o t g u n . S o m e t i m e s , t h o u g h , p r o x i m i t y b e c o m e s a fac tor ; an a s s a i l a n t 2 feet a w a y f r o m y o u w i t h a h u n t i n g k n i f e m a y b e of m o r e i m m e d i a t e danger t h a n a s e c o n d a s s a i l a n t 2 0 yards a w a y w i t h a h a n d g u n .
Y o u ' l l h a v e to process t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n at c o m puter speed, or t h e purpose for s e l e c t i o n w i l l be
2 0 4
nul l i f i ed . T h e idea is to dec ide f a s t — a n d s h o o t . D o n ' t b e c o m e e n c u m b e r e d w i t h m e n t a l p r o c e s s e s . . . d o n ' t get " t a r g e t f i x a t i o n " o n t h e f irst g u n m a n and b l o c k out h i s par tner (s ) .
B e s i d e s dec iding w h o m to s h o o t f i rst , y o u ' l l have to assess t h e c o n f r o n t a t i o n in t e r m s of h o w m a n y s h o t s to del iver before m o v i n g on to t h e n e x t assa i lan t . T o t h e degree p r a c t i c a l , y o u ' l l probably w a n t to spread your r i sk . H i t t h e f irst s u s p e c t w i t h a t w o - r o u n d burs t , t h e n engage t h e n e x t m o s t dangerous , t h e n turn b a c k to t h e f irst if h e ' s s t i l l n o t d o w n .
If there is n o c o v e r ava i lab le and y o u m u s t rem a i n in the open, try to m o v e l i k e a gun turret o n a t a n k or b a t t l e s h i p w h e n y o u shi f t your f i r e a r m f r o m one assa i lan t to t h e n e x t . Y o u are in t h e i n s t i n c t i v e shoot ing c r o u c h , a r m s l o c k e d at t h e shoulder , e l b o w and w r i s t . K e e p your feet p lanted as t h e y are , k n e e s f lexed. N o w s w i v e l your torso , head and a r m s as o n e u n i t f r o m your f lexed k n e e s . Y o u w a n t to p o i n t your w h o l e body t r u n k at t h e n e x t s u s p e c t y o u ' r e going
s h o o t .
T h i s m e t h o d of m o v i n g m a i n t a i n s t h e eye-gun-shoulder r e l a t i o n s h i p n e c e s s a r y for good i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g . If y o u swing your a r m s f ree ly r a t h e r t h a n m o v i n g t h e m l o c k e d in p lace w i t h your upper body , you r i s k swinging past your adversary and " o v e r s h o o t i n g " h i m , b e c a u s e your a r m s w i l l be hard to stop d i rec t ly o n target .
W i t h t h e " t u r r e t t r a v e r s e , " y o u c a n f ire c o n trol led rounds w i t h i n a 180-degree arc w i t h speed and a c c u r a c y , w i t h o u t m o v i n g your fee t . If y o u need o turn in a w i d e r angle , p ivot ; k e e p your w e i g h t on
your s trong-s ide foot and swing t h e o t h e r out and around y o u as y o u turn .
As in s ing le - suspec t c o n f r o n t a t i o n s , y o u ' l l w a n t fire as m a n y of your s h o t s as p o s s i b l e f r o m b e h i n d
over . If y o u ' r e n o t t h e r e w h e n y o u f irst e n c o u n t e r our m u l t i p l e adversar ies , m o v e t h e r e at y o u r f irst p p o r t u n i t y . G o o d cover offers your b e s t i n s u r a n c e gainst in jury or death , and it w i l l a l l o w your m o r e l m e for target s e l e c t i o n and for re loading, too , if hat b e c o m e s n e c e s s a r y .
Don't make assumptions about the number of dversaries you axe facing. T h o s e y o u see m a y n o t e t h e o n l y o n e s present , and t h e o n e s y o u d o n ' t ee r ight away m a y be t h e m o s t d a n g e r o u s . A n off-u t y of f icer w a s w a l k i n g w i t h h i s g i r l f r iend in ew Y o r k C i t y w h e n a c i v i l i a n ran f r o m a b a n k , out ing tha t it w a s be ing robbed. T h e of f i cer to ld
is girl to ca l l for h e l p . H e t h e n ran i n t o t h e b a n k , here he saw t w o m e n w i t h g u n s . H e ident i f i ed l m s e l f and ordered t h e m t o drop t h e i r w e a p o n s , n k n o w n to h i m , a third robber w a s s tanding b e -
2 0 5
h i n d t h e b a n k ' s e n t r a n c e . A s t h e o f f i cer c o n c e n tra ted o n t h e s u s p e c t s h e saw, t h e th i rd o n e k i l l e d h i m w i t h o n e s h o t .
Center Mass
H o w e v e r m a n y adversar ies y o u face , y o u d o n ' t s h o o t t o s c a r e . . . y o u d o n ' t s h o o t to w o u n d . . . y o u d o n ' t s h o o t to d i s a r m . Y o u s h o o t to stop the action of a threa t b e i n g m a d e to your l i fe or s o m e o n e e l s e ' s . Y o u w a n t to get t h e s u s p e c t to c e a s e h i s i l legal a t t a c k as q u i c k l y and e f f i c i e n t l y as p o s s i b l e . W h e t h e r h e surv ives or dies f r o m your rounds is n o t t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n . G e t t i n g h i m s topped i s .
S h o o t i n g at c e r t a i n parts of h i s body w i l l l i k e l y a c c o m p l i s h t h i s goal m o r e readi ly t h a n s h o o t i n g at o t h e r areas .
T h e area in w h i c h i m p a c t i n g b u l l e t s prove m o s t d e v a s t a t i n g and i m m e d i a t e l y i n c a p a c i t a t i n g is shaped l i k e t h e l e t t e r T . T h e crossbar , 2 to 3 i n c h e s w i d e , e x t e n d s across t h e forehead jus t a b o v e t h e e y e s . T h e v e r t i c a l p o r t i o n , a b o u t t h e s a m e w i d t h , r u n s d o w n t h e c e n t e r of t h e body to t h e l o w e r s t o m a c h . In t h i s z o n e l ie t h e b r a i n . . . t h e m a j o r b lood v e s s e l s . . . t h e s p i n e . . . a n d m o s t of t h e v i t a l o r g a n s — in shor t , t h e b o d y ' s l i fe -support s t r u c t u r e .
A h i t to a s u s p e c t ' s h e a d is h i g h l y e f f e c t i v e . A b u l l e t of any c a l i b e r to t h e bra in w i l l u n d o u b t e d l y p r o d u c e t h e grea tes t and m o s t i n s t a n t a n e o u s i n c a p a c i t a t i o n . B u t t h e head c o n s t i t u t e s a r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l target . A l s o , t h e s u s p e c t c a n eas i ly and i n s t i n c t i v e l y m o v e it o u t of your l i n e of f ire by b o b b i n g , ducking or w e a v i n g if h e sees your m u z z l e p o i n t i n g at i t . E v e n at ranges as c l o s e as 3 fee t , y o u ' l l l i k e l y miss if y o u a i m for t h e h e a d .
S o m e t h e o r i s t s argue tha t t h e b e s t spot to shooi is t h e s u s p e c t ' s a b d o m i n a l c a v i t y , b e c a u s e slug; p u n c h i n g i n t o h i m t h e r e w i l l c a u s e h i m t o " r e l a x ' and p i t c h forward. P r a c t i c a l e x p e r i e n c e i n d i c a t e : t h a t t h a t c o n c e p t de f in i te ly is m o r e t h e o r e t i c a l tha i r e a l i s t i c . S h o o t i n g to t h i s area does t h r e a t e n th< bladder, t h e l o w e r i n t e s t i n e , s o m e i m p o r t a n t ar ter ies and v e i n s and m a y a lso s h a t t e r t h e pe lv is B u t t h e s h o c k i n g and i n c a p a c i t a t i n g e f fec t is l ikeh to be s l o w e r t h a n y o u c a n afford.
If y o u are us ing large c a l i b e r b u l l e t s , say ii t h e .45 s e m i - a u t o m a t i c range, a w o u n d in a n o n v i t a area may be fa ta l t h r o u g h a p h e n o m e n o n ca l le " h y d r o s t a t i c s h o c k . " B e c a u s e t h e body is c o m p o s e largely of w a t e r and b e c a u s e l iquids are n o n c o m p r e . s ib le , t h e s h o c k of a h i g h - v e l o c i t y en t ry by a larg b u l l e t c a n be t r a n s m i t t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e body, i
a w a v e of pressure . T h i s m a y c a u s e widespread organ d a m a g e , d isrupt ion of t h e n e r v o u s s y s t e m and even death .
S t i l l , the best place to shoot foi maximum stopping poweiis "center mass, " t h e p o r t i o n of t h e T tha t c r o s s e s your a s s a i l a n t ' s c h e s t area .
)
' J
The "T" zone, 2 to 3 inches wide, spans above the eye brows and intersects in the middle with an imaginary line which extends to the navel.
2 0 7
Usually, hits to the center mass area are the most devastating because they penetrate vital organs and shatter bone
T h e s o o n e r y o u are ab le t o c a u s e m a j o r in ter f e r e n c e w i t h a s u s p e c t ' s l i fe -support s t r u c t u r e — b y d i rec t ly p u n c t u r i n g v i ta l organs , s h a t t e r i n g b o n e s or by i n d u c i n g profuse b l e e d i n g — t h e q u i c k e r h e is l i k e l y to c o l l a p s e . T h i s w i l l probably r e q u i r e m o r e t h a n o n e s h o t and m a y t a k e m a n y , depending in part o n t h e e f f i c i e n c y of your w e a p o n and a m m u n i t i o n .
S o m e of f i cers m a k e t h e m i s t a k e of s h o o t i n g o n c e a n d t h e n w a i t i n g to see w h a t t h e r o und is going to do . It m a y m i s s e n t i r e l y . S t a t i s t i c a l l y , m o s t b u l l e t s f ired in g u n f i g h t s do jus t t h a t . O r your sho t m a y h a v e f reak c o n s e q u e n c e s . A N e w Y o r k of f icer r e c a l l s f ir ing o n a s u s p e c t w h o tr ied to rob h i m after d u t y ear ly o n e m o r n i n g . T h e y w e r e n o m o r e t h a n 2 feet apart , and t h e of f icer a s s u m e d h i s b u l l e t h i t t h e s u s p e c t ' s a b d o m e n and re laxed after s h o o t i n g . A c t u a l l y , it s t r u c k t h e c y l i n d e r of t h e robber ' s revolver , l eav ing h i m able to f lee be fore t h e bewi ldered of f icer c o u l d get off e f f e c t i v e f i re . A n d even if y o u r f irst sho t h i t s , i t m a y do l i t t l e m o r e than jus t get t h e s u s p e c t ' s p h y s i c a l de fense sys tem r e a c t i n g , e s p e c i a l l y if h e ' s h i g h o n drugs or in some o t h e r a l te red m e n t a l s t a t e . O f c o u r s e , y o u try tc m a k e t h e f irst r o u n d c o u n t , b u t y o u s h o u l d not be t ry ing for t h e s ingle , per fec t s h o t . I n s t e a d , y o i s h o u l d be r e a c t i n g , s u b c o n s c i o u s l y , to t h i s q u e s t i o n "How many rounds can I get into him before hi kills me!" As a minimum, i t ' s w i s e s t to f ire twc s h o t s in rapid s e q u e n c e ; t w o b u r s t s of t w o shot ; e a c h w i l l de l iver e v e n m o r e i n c a p a c i t a t i o n .
2 0 8
Unique series of photographs of a kidnapper who barricaded himself in his car with a hostage, then leaped out to open fire on the police. Notice the body's tendency to go back slightly, then the upper torso moves forward as the body falls to the ground. As these moments were captured on film, the offender was shot with multiple rounds to the head and chest.
T h e upper torso is l i k e l y to b e h i s b iggest body region and t a k e l o n g e s t for h i m t o m o v e , so a i m i n g t h e r e offers y o u t h e b e s t c h a n c e of h i t t i n g as w e l l as i n c a p a c i t a t i n g h i m . Y o u w a n t to l o o k d i r e c t l y at t h e c e n t e r of h i s body, at a b o u t a r m p i t l e v e l , h a l f w a y b e t w e e n h i s b r e a s t n ipples , w h e r e y o u w a n t t h e b u l l e t s t o h i t . As t h e y s l a m h o m e , h e m a y m o v e b a c k w a r d s in r e a c t i o n to t h e pain , t h r o w i n g h i m off b a l a n c e for del iver ing e f f e c t i v e r e t u r n f i re . Perhaps m o s t i m p o r t a n t , s h o t s to h i s c e n t e r m a s s are l i k e l y to prove d o u b l y devas ta t ing to h i s v i t a l organs . G o i n g in , t h e r e ' s a good c h a n c e y o u r b u l l e t s w i l l s h a t t e r o n e or m o r e b o n e s . Sharp f r a g m e n t s of b o n e s w i l l f ly o u t ins ide h i s body at t h e s a m e v e l o c i t y w i t h w h i c h y o u r b u l l e t s h i t . T h i s i n t e r n a l " s h r a p n e l " w i l l c o n t r i b u t e to t h e i m p a c t and to t h e s e v e r i t y of h i s w o u n d s and h i s rapid i n c a p a c i t a t i o n .
H o w e v e r m a n y s h o t s are n e c e s s a r y , y o u s h o u l d k e e p s h o o t i n g — f a s t and a c c u r a t e l y — u n t i l t h e suspec t c e a s e s b e i n g a t h r e a t . If h e ' s a r m e d and determ i n e d to s h o o t , every s e c o n d h e ' s o n h is fee t and ab le to r e s p o n d br ings y o u c l o s e r to d e a t h . T r y to c o u n t y o u r s h o t s so y o u c a n a n t i c i p a t e t h e n e e d to re load, a n d m o v e b e h i n d c o v e r if y o u r are n o t already t h e r e .
N o t e : If c e n t e r m a s s s h o t s h a v e n o e f fec t o n t h e s u s p e c t , h e m a y be w e a r i n g body a r m o r . M a n y of f i cers b e l i e v e t h a t b u l l e t p r o o f v e s t s c a n be sold o n l y t o l a w e n f o r c e m e n t p e r s o n n e l , b u t in fac t n o federal or s ta te l a w p r o h i b i t s t h e sale to a n y o n e w i t h t h e m o n e y . U s e of body a r m o r by c r i m i n a l s dates b a c k to t h e days of J o h n D i l l i n g e r and B a b y -F a c e N e l s o n . S o m e s u s p e c t s today f a s h i o n t h e i r o w n c h e s t p l a t e s o u t of f iberglass b o a t repair k i t s ; o t h e r s b u y v e s t s t h r o u g h m i l i t a r y surp lus s tores . W h e r e a s u s p e c t appears a r m o r e d , super ior f i r e p o w e r m a y s t i l l br ing h i m d o w n . In D e t r o i t , a g u n m a n wear ing body a r m o r s h o t it o u t w i t h p o l i c e , w o u n d i n g o n e o f f i cer . T h e s u s p e c t w a s f i n a l l y k i l l e d by a vo l l ey of . 3 0 c a l . c a r b i n e f ire w h i c h p ierced h i s handgun-rated v e s t . W i t h c o n v e n t i o n a l w e a p o n s , c o n s i d e r s h o o t i n g at t h e s u s p e c t ' s h e a d or, m o r e p r a c t i c a l l y , s h o o t i n g l o w . S h o t s at or b e l o w t h e w a i s t c a n b e fa ta l , as w i t n e s s e d by t h e f a c t t h a t n e a r l y t e n per c e n t of t h e of f i cers k i l l e d in an average year are sho t t h e r e . If n o t h i n g m o r e , y o u m a y b r e a k t h e s u s p e c t ' s h ips or pe lv is or k n o c k h i s legs o u t f r o m under h i m . In C a l i f o r n i a , an a s s a i l a n t w h o k i l l e d t w o d e t e c t i v e s w i t h a . 4 5 ca l . s e m i - a u t o m a t i c c a r b i n e w h i l e h e w a s sh ie lded by a b u l l e t p r o o f ves t w a s f i n a l l y c u t d o w n by a sher i f f ' s deputy w h o got i n t o p o s i t i o n w h e r e h e c o u l d f ire at t h e s u s p e c t ' s b a c k . F r o m t h a t angle , o n e b las t f r o m a s h o t g u n did t h e j o b .
2 1 0
Ricochet Shooting
In s o m e c a s e s , y o u m a y n o t h a v e to f ire d i r e c t l y at an assa i lan t to h i t h i m , b e c a u s e of t h e r i c o c h e t or " b o u n c i n g b u l l e t " p h e n o m e n o n . As w e ' v e seen in d iscuss ing cover , s lugs c a n g l a n c e off hard surfaces and c a u s e ser ious in jury . W h i l e y o u w a n t to protec t yourse l f f r o m being w o u n d e d by s u c h f ire , i t ' s s o m e t h i n g y o u m a y be able to u s e to your advantage against a s u s p e c t . For e x a m p l e , r i c o c h e t i n g your s h o t s off a w a l l if h e ' s s h o o t i n g f r o m a d o o r w a y far ther d o w n . . . o r off t h e p a v e m e n t u n d e r a car if h e ' s b e h i n d i t . . . o r off a s i d e w a l k if y o u ' v e a lready dropped h i m b u t h e ' s s t i l l f ir ing at y o u f r o m a p r o n e pos i t ion m a y be t h e sures t w a y to del iver b u l l e t s that w i l l f ina l ly s top t h e a c t i o n .
Ricochet shooting woiks against any hard surface. [ You are positioned on the left. \
As you adjust your position while maintaining cover, shoot to impact the surface at less than a 45° angle.
The bullet will then flatten out and travel between 1 and 8 inches off the surface until impact with the armed suspect.
2 1 1
To deliver ricochet rounds, you use the same instinct shooting grip.Notice the officer's position relative to cover.
In e a c h of t h e s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , t h e s u s p e c t is a d i f f i cu l t target . Y o u m a y b e able to see o n l y a s m a l l p o r t i o n of h i m , l i k e h i s he a d and s h o o t i n g a r m s t i c k i n g o u t of t h e d o o r w a y or h i s legs u n d e r t h e v e h i c l e . O r , if h e ' s c l o s e to t h e ground or proned out , h i s p o s i t i o n m a y e f f e c t i v e l y m a k e h i s body s m a l l e r . W i t h so l i t t l e to a i m for, d i rec t h i t s are t o u g h . R i c o c h e t s h o o t i n g , for p r a c t i c a l purposes , e x p a n d s t h e target . H i t t h e w a l l , t h e p a v e m e n t or t h e s i d e w a l k at a n y p o i n t in f ront of and in l i n e w i t h h i s body and t h e b o u n c i n g s lugs w i l l t ravel t h e res t of t h e w a y to h i m .
T h a t ' s b e c a u s e lead de f l ec t s off a hard sur face d i f fe rent ly t h a n does a rubber b a l l . A ba l l b o u n c e s off at t h e s a m e angle at w h i c h i t i m p a c t s . B u t s lugs or b u c k s h o t t e n d t o f l a t t e n o u t f r o m t h e force of h i t t i n g and t h e n fly in a s l ight ly e r r a t i c m a n n e r at a very l o w angle a b o v e t h e sur fa ce .
Y o u c a n see e v i d e n c e of t h i s at m o s t indoor f ir ing r a n g e s . U s u a l l y as a b a c k s t o p to targets a range u s e s h e a v y s t e e l a r m o r p la te , t i l t e d at a b o u t a 3 0 - to 60 -degree a ng le . B u l l e t s s t r i k e t h e p la te a n d r i c o c h e t d o w n i n t o sand or a b u l l e t t rap. If y o u l o o k at t h e b o t t o m of t h e b a c k s t o p w h e r e t h e de f lec ted rounds end up, y o u ' l l n o t i c e t h a t t h e y land c l o s e to t h e s t e e l p l a t e . In o t h e r words , t h e i r angle of d e f l e c t i o n h a s b e e n very s l ight .
T h e s a m e ho lds t rue off hard sur faces l i k e y o u ' l l e n c o u n t e r o n t h e s t ree t . O c c a s i o n a l l y , a f r e a k ' ' f l y e r ' ' b e h a v e s d i f ferent ly , b u t m o s t h a n d g u n b u l l e t s and b u c k s h o t w i l l s k i m a long f r o m t h e p o i n t of in i t i a l i m p a c t to w h e r e t h e y f ina l ly c o n n e c t w i t h your target w i t h a d e f l e c t i o n of n o m o r e t h a n 1 to 8 i n c h e s off t h e sur face ( a s s u m i n g t h e r e ' s n o t s o m e defect in t h e sur face t h a t in ter feres w i t h t h e f l i g h t ) . T h e harder t h e sur face , t h e less t h e d e f l e c t i o n . B e c a u s e t h e slug f l a t t e n s out , it t ends t o m a k e a m o r e devasta t ing en t ry w h e n it does h i t t h e s u s p e c t , a l t h o u g h it w i l l h a v e los t s o m e v e l o c i t y af ter i m p a c t i n g w i t h t h e hard sur face .
T o del iver r i c o c h e t r o u n d s , y o u u s e t h e s a m e i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g grip and a i m t h a t y o u do for direct s h o t s . S o m e of f icers t h i n k t h e y get t h e b e s t resu l t s by a i m i n g for a spot o n t h e w a l l or ground a b o u t t w o - t h i r d s of t h e w a y b e t w e e n t h e m and t h e assai l a n t . H o w e v e r , t h e ideal angle w i l l depend on the surface and t h e type and v e l o c i t y of t h e rounds y o u ' r e u s i n g . C o n s e q u e n t l y , y o u ' l l w a n t to p r a c t i c e u s i n g y o u r gun(s) and a m m u n i t i o n off a v a r i e t y of sur faces to deve lop an approach t h a t ' s b e s t for y o u . For your p r a c t i c e s e s s i o n s , y o u c a n u s e b a l l o o n s or cardboard s i l h o u e t t e s to s i m u l a t e a r m e d s u s p e c t s .
N o r m a l l y , w e t h i n k of r i c o c h e t s h o o t i n g w o r k ing off c o n c r e t e , asphal t , b r i c k s or o t h e r r o c k - h a r d ,
2 1 2
n o n p o r o u s sur faces . B u t it m a y a l so w o r k off turf , f lat p a c k e d sand, e v e n s t i l l w a t e r or i ce u n d e r cer ta in c o n d i t i o n s . T h e e f fec t ive range u s u a l l y is up to 25 yards or a b i t m o r e . If y o u try and b o u n c e b u l l e t s i n t o a s u s p e c t m u c h b e y o n d tha t , r e s u l t s b e c o m e errat ic and t h e r i c o c h e t e f fect is of l i t t l e re l iab le va lue .
S o m e r a n g e m a s t e r s t h i n k r i c o c h e t s h o o t i n g is o n l y a g i m m i c k . B u t applied properly , it h a s a reputable p lace a m o n g your survival o p t i o n s . O c c a s i o n al ly , w h e n t h e r e ' s an o b s t a c l e b e t w e e n y o u and t h e suspect , b o u n c i n g b u l l e t s m a y a l l o w y o u your o n l y shot at h i m . . . o r i n n o c e n t people in t h e v i c i n i t y m a y m a k e direct s h o t s u n s a f e . O f c o u r s e , y o u s h o u l d not cons ider r i c o c h e t s h o o t i n g a proper s u b s t i t u t e for w e l l - a i m e d , d i rec t fire in al l or e v e n m o s t a r m e d e n c o u n t e r s .
And you w a n t to r e m e m b e r t h a t a s s a i l a n t s , as we l l as of f icers , s o m e t i m e s k n o w t h i s t a c t i c . T h a t ' s one reason proper cover is so i m p o r t a n t . In a s m a l l m i d w e s t e r n t o w n , for e x a m p l e , a u n i f o r m e d officer approaching a l iquor s tore w h e r e a burglar a l a r m w a s r inging w a s c o n f r o n t e d by t w o s u s p e c t s w h o bo l ted out of t h e f ront door . T h e of f i cer dove to t h e p a v e m e n t and a s s u m e d a prone p o s i t i o n , f r o m w h i c h h e yel led, " P o l i c e ! H a l t ! " O n e of t h e burglars fired at t h e c o n c r e t e 6 feet in f ront of t h e of f icer . T h e slug r i c o c h e t e d and s l a m m e d i n t o t h e o f f i c e r ' s skul l , just b e l o w the bi l l of h i s h a t .
R i c o c h e t e d b u l l e t s can b o u n c e off w a l l s as w e l l as p a v e m e n t . C o n s e q u e n t l y , y o u w a n t to avoid p o s i t i o n i n g yourse l f near any w a l l in s u c h a w a y tha t t h e surface can be used for r i c o c h e t f ire b y a suspec t against you .
S o m e t i m e s s u s p e c t s ' guns a c h i e v e t h i s e f fec t s t r i c t l y by a c c i d e n t . In a w e s t e r n c i t y , a d e t e c t i v e ired at a fugi t ive w h o had drawn a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c
after be ing cornered in a m o d e r n s t e e l - a n d - c o n c r e t e building. T h e o f f i cer ' s s hot h i t t h e s u s p e c t , and h e t u m b l e d b a c k w a r d . R e f l e x i v e l y , h e fired at t h e i l ted c o n c r e t e f loor several feet in f ront of t h e e t e c t i v e . T h e bul le t r i c o c h e t e d up and severed an
artery in the o f f i cer ' s th igh , c a u s i n g h i s dea th . \gain, proper cover in all probab i l i ty w o u l d h a v e
e f lec ted t h e b o u n c i n g b u l l e t and assured t h e off i cer 's survival .
Muzzle Flash
W h e n y o u fire a shot , an i n c a n d e s c e n t burs t of ight f lares out of the space b e t w e e n t h e c y l i n d e r and he barrel and also f rom the m u z z l e . T h i s so -ca l led
2 1 3
Muzzle flash during even daylight hours can be seen at a distance.
" m u z z l e f l a s h " is c a u s e d by t h e sudden r e l e a s e of h igh energy g a s e o u s powder p a r t i c l e s as t h e b u l l e t b l a s t s o u t of t h e c h a m b e r and e x i t s t h e end of t h e barre l . U n d e r a d e q u a t e l ight ing c o n d i t i o n s , y o u ' l l hardly n o t i c e i t . B u t in t h e dark or in d i m l ight , i ts sudden, a c c e n t u a t e d v i v i d n e s s m a y s e r i o u s l y af fec t your p r o f i c i e n c y , b o t h by s tar t l ing y o u and by br ief ly des t roy ing y o u r n i g h t v i s i o n .
B y a n t i c i p a t i n g m u z z l e f lash and g e t t i n g yourself a c c u s t o m e d to i t t h r o u g h n ight - f i r ing p r a c t i c e , it w i l l c o m e as less of a d i s c o n c e r t i n g surpr ise . T h e n y o u ' l l b e in a good p o s i t i o n to u s e t h i s phen o m e n o n to y o u r advantage .
If, for e x a m p l e , y o u ' r e up aga ins t an a r m e d burglar ins ide a w a r e h o u s e w h e r e t h e l ight is so bad y o u c a n ' t see h i m , try t h r o w i n g s o m e t h i n g a w a y f r o m w h e r e y o u ' r e s tanding to draw his f i re . T h e n w a t c h for t h e m u z z l e f lash f r o m h i s g u n t o p o s i t i o n h i m . For an i n s t a n t , t h e f lash w i l l par t ia l ly s i l h o u e t t e h i m . Af terwards , e v e n if y o u c a n n o longer see h i m , y o u s t i l l m a y b e able to h i t h i m . Y o u w i l o n l y s h o o t , of c o u r s e , if y o u are p o s i t i v e of your i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of t h e s u s p e c t .
S h o o t o n b o t h s ides of w h e r e y o u s a w t h e f lash f ir ing f irst jus t s l ight ly to t h e r ight . B e c a u s e m o s t people are r ight -handed , t h a t ' s w h e r e h i s c e n t e r m a s s is l i k e l i e s t to b e , if h e h a s n ' t m o v e d s i n c e f ir ing. In t h e dark, w i t h o n l y m u z z l e f lash as a guide m o s t p e o p l e t e n d to s h o o t h igh , so c o n s c i o u s l y keep your s h o t s l ight ly d o w n . A h i g h s h o t is w o r t h l e s s b u t a l o w s h o t m i g h t at l e a s t p r o d u c e an e f fec t iv r i c o c h e t .
R e m e m b e r , a s m a r t s u s p e c t m a y try to u s e y o u m u z z l e f lash to h i s advantage . If y o u ' r e n o t in a gooc p r o t e c t e d p o s i t i o n , try t o m o v e to o n e as s o o n as yoi s h o o t . If n o c o v e r is ava i lab le , at l eas t try to shi: l o c a t i o n af ter e a c h ser ies of s h o t s to t h w a r t h i h i t t i n g y o u by f ir ing at your f lash . A n u n t r a i n e d o poor ly t ra ined s h o o t e r or o n e w h o d o e s n ' t prac t i c e m u c h h a s a t e n d e n c y to j e rk t h e trigger, a n t h i s , in turn , sends h i s s h o t s to h i s le f t . T h a t m a w e l l be t h e c a s e w i t h a s u s p e c t . S o o n t h e g o o c h a n c e h e ' l l s h o o t to your r ight (his left as h e face you| y o u ' r e probably safest to m o v e t o your left af te you f i re . As y o u m o v e to cover , k e e p l o w to i n c r e a s t h e odds of h is s h o o t i n g over y o u .
Unpredictable Reactions
A m o n g t h e least pred ic tab le a s p e c t s of a gur f ight are w h a t t h e r e a c t i o n s of yourse l f or t h e su;
2 1 4
pect w i l l be if h i t . In e i t h e r c a s e , your surv iva l m a y be d i rec t ly a f fec ted. W h e r e t h e s u s p e c t is c o n c e r n e d , rounds tha t should drop h i m m a y n o t ; h e m a y k e e p going—fir ing b a c k — w i t h a s t a m i n a t h a t def ies c redib i l i ty . B y c o n t r a s t , y o u m a y s u c c u m b to a re la t ive ly m i n o r w o u n d tha t s h o u l d be " s u r v i v -a b l e , " u n l e s s y o u are prepared p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y for t h e p h y s i c a l and e m o t i o n a l i m p a c t of b e i n g s h o t .
M e d i c a l researchers h a v e e s t a b l i s h e d t h a t near ly 20 per cent of the time, suspects who aie shot will not be incapacitated by just one round, even t h o u g h t h e y are fa ta l ly w o u n d e d . T h e y ' r e d e a d . . . t h e y jus t d o n ' t k n o w i t ! S o m e 13 per c e n t w i l l keep going up to f ive m i n u t e s ; n e a r l y 7 per c e n t , e v e n longer . In Ph i lade lphia , an a s s a i l a n t w a s shot square in t h e h e a r t — y e t h e m a n a g e d to w a l k down a f l ight of s ta irs and open t w o doors before h e co l lapsed . In N e w Y o r k , a s u s p e c t h i t in t h e s t o m a c h , bladder and gal lbladder ran t h r e e b l o c k s before co l laps ing . E v e n m u l t i p l e s h o t s w i l l n o t bring d o w n s o m e suspec t s . In Los A n g e l e s , a n o t h e r suspec t kept f ir ing t h r o u g h 20 hits, before t h e 2 1 s t f inal ly dropped h i m . In a n o t h e r c a s e , a s u s p e c t w a s shot 3 3 t i m e s w i t h 9 m m rounds before ceas ing h i s t h r e a t e n i n g m o v e m e n t . E v e n h i t s f r o m m u l t i p l e s h o t g u n rounds have fai led to i m m e d i a t e l y s top s o m e a s s a i l a n t s .
Liquor store robber who was shot 33 times with 9mm rounds before becoming incapacitated.
2 1 5
T h e d a m a g e a s u s p e c t c a n in f l i c t during t h i s so -ca l l ed " a m b u l a t i o n af ter d e a t h " is s u b s t a n t i a l . In an a t t e m p t to t h w a r t t h e robbery of a tavern , an of f icer s h o t o n e s u s p e c t in t h e c h e s t and s t o m a c h and w a t c h e d h i m fall to t h e f loor . Af ter ly ing m o t i o n l e s s for a f e w s e c o n d s , t h e robber , to t h e o f f i c e r ' s a s t o n i s h m e n t , s c r a m b l e d b a c k to h i s fee t , grabbed t h e s h o t g u n t h a t had fa l len f r o m h i s h a n d s and b e g a n s h o o t i n g again . H e k i l l e d t h e o f f i cer i m m e d i a t e l y and w o u n d e d severa l p a t r o n s of t h e bar be fore h e f ina l ly died. D u r i n g a n o t h e r t a v e r n h o l d u p in C a l i f o r n i a , an of f -duty sher i f f ' s deputy w h o w a s a p a t r o n in t h e p l a c e sho t a s u s p e c t in t h e c h e s t , a w o u n d t h a t proved fata l e v e n t u a l l y . B u t in t h e m e a n t i m e , t h e robber engaged t h e o f f i cer in a struggle and m a n a g e d to bea t h i m to d e a t h w i t h a sawed-off r i f l e .
In s t i l l a n o t h e r c a s e , an of f icer e m p t i e d h i s .38 revo lver at c o n t a c t d i s t a n c e i n t o t h e c h e s t of a suspec t w h o w a s t ry ing to s h o o t h i m after hav ing w o u n d e d h i s par tner . T h e b u l l e t s b r o k e severa l r ibs p e n e t r a t e d b o t h lungs and p u n c t u r e d e n o u g h blooc v e s s e l s to p r o d u c e m a s s i v e i n t e r n a l b leed ing . Y e t t h e s u s p e c t fe l l o n l y t e m p o r a r i l y and c a m e b a c k of: t h e g r o u n d s t i l l c l u t c h i n g h i s 9 m m s e m i - a u t o m a t i c . H e p o i n t e d it d i r e c t l y at t h e of f icer t o r e s u m e t h e gun b a t t l e . T h i s of f icer saved h is l i fe b e c a u s e h e w a s a ler t e n o u g h to u s e surpr ise . H e dropped h i s o w n e m p t y gun and lunged for t h e revo lver on t h e be l t of h i s w o u n d e d par tner . W i t h t h i s w e a p o n , h e shot t h e s u s p e c t t h r o u g h t h e h e a d , dropping h i m ins t a n t l y .
S o m e of f icers b l a m e t h e i r a m m u n i t i o n for sho t s u s p e c t s n o t fa l l ing w h e n t h e y s h o u l d . I t ' s t r u e tha t in e x p e r i m e n t a l t es t ing t h e k i n d s of r o u n d s u s e d by m a n y l a w e n f o r c e m e n t a g e n c i e s do n o t a l w a y s display as m u c h " s t o p p i n g p o w e r " as s o m e o t h e r c o m m e r c i a l l y ava i lab le a m m u n i t i o n ; b e c a u s e t h e y fai l to " s p r e a d " or f l a t t e n o u t m u c h as t h e y t ravel t h r o u g h t i s s u e , s o m e t radi t iona l " p o l i c e " b u l l e t s t e n d to p e n e t r a t e too e x t e n s i v e l y , w h i l e n o t expanding in f l e s h and i n c a p a c i t a t i n g . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , s ingle s h o t s of s tandard . 3 8 S p e c i a l h a n d g u n a m m u n i t i o n , l i k e t h a t carr ied by i n n u m e r a b l e o f f i cers , h a v e k i l l e d 3 5 0 - p o u n d bears , w h o s e w e i g h t a n d body m a s s far e x c e e d t h o s e of m o s t s u s p e c t s .
T h e r e ' s probably l ess hard i n f o r m a t i o n avai lable a b o u t b u l l e t e f f e c t i v e n e s s and p o t e n t i a l o n the h u m a n body t h a n a b o u t any o t h e r f a c e t of b a l l i s t i c s . E x p e r t s c a n m e a s u r e v e l o c i t y , range , t r a j e c t o r y anc a n s w e r s o m e o t h e r q u e s t i o n s a b o u t b u l l e t per form a n c e w i t h a h i g h degree of a c c u r a c y and profess i o n a l i s m . B u t w h e n it c o m e s to h o w a m a n oi w o m a n w i l l r eac t w h e n shot , t o o m a n y variables
are invo lved for pat a n s w e r s . T h e idea t h a t a h e a v y " round l i k e a .45 c a l . b u l l e t , w i l l spin a
suspect around and k n o c k h i m d o w n e v e n if i t s t r i k e s h i m o n t h e t h u m b is pure m y t h . N o h a n d g u n bul le t w i l l do t h a t . In addit ion, y o u h a v e to r e m e m ber tha t w h i l e a larger, heav ier b u l l e t m a y per form its in tended t a s k m o r e e f f i c i e n t l y , it w i l l a l so give you a harder reco i l , louder m u z z l e b las t and br ighter m u z z l e f l a s h — a l l of w h i c h m a y adverse ly af fec t your a c c u r a c y , t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r in w h e t h e r
bul le t does i t s job .
Multiple shots to the suspect's center mass are your best hope of producing instant collapse, w h a t e v e r fac tory a m m u n i t i o n your d e p a r t m e n t spec i f ies . H o w e v e r , no pa t te rn of in jury is guaranteed. S u s p e c t s w i t h i d e n t i c a l d a m a g e to t h e s a m e vi ta l organs h a v e responded radica l ly d i f fe rent ly . Fac tors o t h e r t h a n b u l l e t s ' i m p a c t m a y t e m p o r a r i l y d o m i n a t e — a n d t h e p r o b l e m s e e m s to b e g e t t i n g worse .
For i n s t a n c e , y o u ' r e m o r e l i k e l y today t h a n say ten years ago to c o n f r o n t an assa i lan t w h o ' s j a c k e d up on drugs, inc luding powerfu l h a l l u c i n o g e n s and P C P . T h e s e people , a long w i t h t h e s teadi ly prol i ferat ing n u m b e r of d r u n k s a n d p s y c h o s , very o f t e n fail to reac t to b u l l e t s l i k e t h e y " s h o u l d " . Freq u e n t l y , the i r s e n s i t i v i t y to pa in is dul led , a l l o w i n g t h e m to absorb an u n b e l i e v a b l e a m o u n t of i t . A t t h e s a m e t i m e t h e i r a l tered c o n s c i o u s n e s s m a y i m b u e t h e m w i t h e n o r m o u s s t rength t o k e e p going . E v e n n o r m a l s u s p e c t s m a y draw great s tay ing p o w e r jus t f r o m t h e adrenal in and s teroids t h a t rush i n t o t h e i r b l o o d s t r e a m a u t o m a t i c a l l y during an a l a r m e d s t a t e .
O n e a r g u m e n t for of f icers m a k i n g grea ter u s e of t h e s h o t g u n in a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n s is t h a t i t s superior d e s t r u c t i v e n e s s w i l l i n s t a n t l y br ing d o w n t h e assa i lan t in a greater p e r c e n t a g e of c a s e s . Y e t s o m e s u s p e c t s h a v e m a n a g e d t e m p o r a r i l y t o w i t h s tand being h i t even w i t h a r i f led slug f ired f r o m
12 ga. s h o t g u n , cons idered t h e u l t i m a t e in p o w e r n pol ice w e a p o n r y .
T h e l e s s o n here is c l ear : any f i r e a r m y o u ' r e sing m a y n o t do w h a t you t h i n k it w i l l . Don't bet our life on a suspect reacting the way he's sup-osed to when you shoot him. A N D N E V E R S S U M E H E ' L L R E A C T L I K E S U S P E C T S D O O N E L E V I S I O N . B e prepared t o keep on firing u n t i l e c e a s e s to be a threat , even if y o u ' v e a lready h i t i m w i t h ' ' f a t a l ' ' rounds .
Just as y o u prepare for t h e s u s p e c t ' s r e a c t i o n to eing shot , y o u w a n t to prepare for your o w n so y o u o n ' t overreac t . S o m e of f icers s e e m to be c o n d i -ioned to b e l i e v e tha t if t h e y are h i t during a gunf ight hat a u t o m a t i c a l l y m e a n s t h e y m u s t die . P o l i c e
s u r g e o n s te l l of t h o s e w h o s i m p l y a b a n d o n t h e f ight and s u c c u m b to w o u n d s t h a t are super f i c ia l and s h o u l d n o t h a v e b e e n fa ta l , l i k e t h e I l l i n o i s of f icer w h o fe l l d o w n and died af ter b e i n g sho t in t h e a r m w i t h o n e . 2 2 c a l . b u l l e t . W h a t d o c t o r s ca l l " p s y c h o s o m a t i c d e a t h " — t h a t is , sudden d e a t h in w h i c h e m o t i o n a l s t a t e s l i k e h o p e l e s s n e s s , he lpl e s s n e s s and fee l ings of a b a n d o n m e n t are p r i m a r y c o n t r i b u t i n g f a c t o r s — i s be ing i n c r e a s i n g l y recogn i z e d as a s i g n i f i c a n t fac tor in o f f i cer k i l l i n g s .
T h e e f fec t s of t r a u m a t i c s h o c k , s t ress and fear w h e n y o u are sho t c a n be p r o f o u n d and c a n , of c o u r s e , do s t range t h i n g s t o y o u r body . N o t al l are w i t h i n your ab i l i ty to c o n t r o l . N o n e t h e l e s s , a positive mental attitude c a n h a v e a r e m a r k a b l e i n f l u e n c e o n your surv iva l . Because you axe shot, even in a critical area, does not necessarily mean you will die.
If y o u are h i t , try to k e e p o n f ight ing b a c k . A s e n s e of purpose and a s t rong w i l l t o surv ive w i l l he lp y o u s tay a l ive . W h e n t h e s m o k e c lears and y o u c a n assess t h e d a m a g e , your w o u n d m a y n o t b e as bad as y o u t h o u g h t — p a r t i c u l a r l y if, b y s t i c k i n g w i t h t h e e n c o u n t e r and m a r s h a l l i n g t h e surviva l t a c t i c s y o u ' v e t ra ined to u s e , y o u are able to i n c a p a c i t a t e t h e s u s p e c t and prevent h i m f r o m h i t t i n g y o u again.
D o n ' t fal l i n t o t h e trap of a s s u m i n g t h a t b e c a u s e y o u are h i t , t h e s u s p e c t w i l l s top s h o o t i n g . T r y i n g to play p o s s u m or hoping t h a t y o u ' l l b e left for dead or g iven m e r c y if y o u go d o w n are r i s k y g a m e s . In fac t , o n c e y o u fall and stop s h o o t i n g , t h e s u s p e c t is m o r e l i k e l y to try to f in i sh y o u off. T w o N e w Y o r k C i t y i n c i d e n t s i l l u s t r a t e t h i s p o i n t v iv id ly . In o n e , t w o p a t r o l m e n w e r e s h o t f r o m b e h i n d by t w o m e m bers of a b l a c k r e v o l u t i o n a r y group. As o n e of f icer lay o n h i s b a c k , w o u n d e d , h e ra ised h i s a r m s and pleaded, " D o n ' t k i l l m e ! " T h e s u s p e c t s sho t h i m 13 t i m e s . In t h e s e c o n d c a s e , t w o o t h e r of f i cers fe l l w o u n d e d in an a m b u s h . T h e s u s p e c t s t h e n app r o a c h e d and d e l i b e r a t e l y s h o t t h e eyes o u t of o n e fa l len of f icer and sho t t h e o t h e r t w i c e in t h e g e n i t a l s .
If y o u d o n ' t a lready h a v e your f i r e a r m in h a n d w h e n y o u are w o u n d e d , y o u w a n t to draw it i m m e d i a t e l y . Y o u s h o u l d p r a c t i c e so t h a t y o u c a n draw y o u r s i d e a r m w i t h e i t h e r h a n d , f r o m any p o s i t i o n , i n c l u d i n g ly ing o n your face or b a c k .
N e v e r give up! Ins tead , act to s u r v i v e .
2 1 8
RELOADING UNDER FIRE
B a s e d on s t a t i s t i c s , it w o u l d s e e m tha t re loading is n o t an i m p o r t a n t part of g u n f i g h t s . T h e average c o n f r o n t a t i o n is over before e i t h e r s ide f i res e v e n as m a n y as t h r e e r o u n d s , and o n l y a b o u t four per c e n t of of f icers in s h o o t - o u t s ever f ind it n e c e s s a r y to reload under f i r e ; t h e c loser t h e e n c o u n t e r , t h e l ess t h e c h a n c e t h a t re loading w i l l b e c o m e a f a c t o r . For g a m b l e r s , t h e s e odds m i g h t be reassur ing . B u t part of c o n d i t i o n i n g yourse l f for surv iva l is l earn ing to cope w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n a l as w e l l as t h e c o m m o n p l a c e .
Al l t h e s t a t i s t i c s b e l i t t l i n g re loading w o n ' t he lp you a b i t if, l i k e an u n f o r t u n a t e m i n o r i t y of o f f i cers , y o u h a v e to e x p e n d m o r e t h a n t h e " a v e r a g e " n u m b e r of rounds during a long foot c h a s e or a l l -out f iref ight or aga ins t o n e or m o r e w e l l - p r o t e c t e d a s s a i l a n t s — a n d st i l l f ace an adversary w h o ' s u n h i t and firing b a c k w h e n t h e r e ' s n o t h i n g lef t in your o w n gun to s h o o t . W h e t h e r i t ' s " s u p p o s e d to h a p p e n " or n o t , w h e n it does you're better off with a sack full of rocks than standing there with an empty gun.
T h e fas ter your r e c o v e r y r a t e — t h e speed w i t h w h i c h y o u c a n r e p l e n i s h your a m m u n i t i o n and get b a c k o n t a r g e t — t h e s tronger y o u r c h a n c e s of e m e r g i n g f r o m t h e c o n f r o n t a t i o n a l ive . F o r t h e a c t i o n d o e s n ' t c o m e to a ha l t w h i l e y o u re load; indeed, it m a y e s c a l a t e to a n e w and m o r e dangerous leve l .
W h i l e y o u ' r e o u t of c o m m i s s i o n :
• t h e s u s p e c t m a y c h a n g e l o c a t i o n s . If y o u ' r e dist r a c t e d w i t h re loading, y o u m a y n o t b e able to f ind h i m i m m e d i a t e l y w h e n y o u ' r e ready to start s h o o t i n g again . A n d h e m a y h a v e m o v e d to a v a n t a g e p o i n t w h e r e h e c a n k i l l y o u w i t h h i s n e x t r o u n d ;
• he m a y r u s h y o u . In a s t ree t b a t t l e w i t h a burglar , an O h i o of f icer c r o u c h e d b e h i n d h i s patro l car to re load . T h e s u s p e c t , w h o h a d b e e n n e a r t h e f ront of t h e car, ran a r o u n d t h e side and a t t a c k e d t h e of f icer f r o m t h e rear, s h o o t i n g h i m in t h e h e a d ;
• h e m a y get a good " f r e e " s h o t e v e n w i t h o u t m o v i n g . A G e o r g i a p a t r o l m a n a p p r o a c h i n g t h e s c e n e of a d o m e s t i c d i s t u r b a n c e got i n t o a gun-f ight w i t h a s u s p e c t w h o w a s a r m e d w i t h a . 2 2 c a l . r i f le . T h e of f i cer w a s a w a y f r o m h i s pat ro l car w h e n t h e s h o o t i n g s ta r ted and w a s p i n n e d d o w n by t h e s u s p e c t ' s f i re so h e c o u l d n ' t get b a c k . B u t w i t h h i s . 3 8 c a l . r evo lver h e m a n a g e d to k e e p t h e assa i lan t so off b a l a n c e t h a t h e m i s s e d c o n s i s t e n t l y , e v e n w i t h h i s super ior w e a p o n . . . u n t i l t h e of f icer h a d to re load . In t h a t m o m e n t a r y pause , t h e s u s p e c t got t h e o n e good sho t h e n e e d e d . H e k i l l e d t h e p a t r o l m a n w i t h a b u l l e t t o t h e c h e s t .
Efficient Recovery
T h e r e are w a y s t o re load t h a t m i n i m i z e s u c h r i s k s w h i l e m a x i m i z i n g r e c o v e r y e f f i c i e n c y . S o m e 0 1 t h e m e c h a n i c a l procedures vary , depending o n t h e type of f i rearm y o u ' r e u s i n g . B u t regardless of t h e gun, t h e r e are c e r t a i n surviva l p r i n c i p l e s regarding re loading y o u w i l l w a n t to f o l l o w w h e n e v e r p o s s i b l e :
1 . As a g e n e r a l ru le , try to reload during a "tactical pause" or b r e a k in s h o o t i n g and e s p e c i a l l y before y o u a d v a n c e your p o s i t i o n . E v e n if t h e a m m u n i t i o n in your g u n is n o t a l l e x p e n d e d , cons ider u s i n g a n y lapse to get y o u r g u n fu l l again ; t h e r e m a y n o t b e a n o t h e r o p p o r t u n i t y , and i t ' s be t ter to c h o o s e your re loading t i m e t h a n to be forcec i n t o i t . Say , for e x a m p l e , y o u s h o o t t w o or three r o u n d s at a s u s p e c t , w h o t h e n r u n s i n t o a res idence or s tore and se izes h o s t a g e s . A f t e r y o u posi t ion y o u r s e l f to w a i t for b a c k - u p , y o u w a n t t o re load sc w h e n t h e a c t i o n r e s u m e s y o u r g u n is fu l l . D u r i n g i p a u s e in t h e s h o o t i n g , y o u c a n sl ip in a n e w magaz i n e w i t h a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c . W i t h a revolver , ejeci
2 2 0
all t h e car tr idges in your g u n — l i v e and e m p t y — o n t h e ground and load in al l f resh r o u n d s . If t h e r e is n o t a c t i c a l pause , s h o o t u n t i l y o u are o u t of a m m u n i t i o n , t h e n re load i m m e d i a t e l y , w h e t h e r your adversary is s t i l l s tanding or n o t . W h a t e v e r t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , d u m p your spent s h e l l c a s e s d i r e c t l y on t h e ground; t h a t ' s f a s t e s t .
2 . Communicate with your paitnei, if y o u h a v e o n e . Ideal ly , y o u w a n t to avoid r u n n i n g out of a m m u n i t i o n and be ing " d o w n " at t h e s a m e t i m e . T h r o u g h prearranged s ignals , y o u m a y b e able to swap off o n re loading, provided, of c o u r s e , t h a t y o u e a c h c o u n t your s h o t s and k n o w w h e r e y o u s t a n d in t e r m s of r e m a i n i n g r o u n d s . W i t h preplanning , y o u m a y even be ab le t o c o n t h e s u s p e c t . If, by p r a c t i c e d a r r a n g e m e n t , y o u b o t h ye l l , " I ' m o u t ! " at t h e s a m e t i m e , w h e n it i s n ' t t rue , t h e s u s p e c t m a y t h i n k h e has a free s h o t . H e m a y t h e n c o m e out in t h e open to a t t a c k , a l l o w i n g t h e h i t y o u n e e d to end t h e c o n f r o n t a t i o n .
3 . Reload behind cover, or at l eas t in a c o n cea led pos i t ion , e spec ia l ly if your g u n is a r e v o l v e r . A " w h e e l g u n " requires a longer r e c o v e r y ra te , w h i c h m e a n s a longer period in w h i c h y o u r assa i l ant c a n s h o o t at y o u w i t h i m p u n i t y . Y o u n e e d a good barr icade to sh ie ld y o u .
4 . Reload by feel so t h a t al l t h e t i m e y o u ' r e f i l l ing up y o u c a n keep your eyes on the suspect or t h e s u s p e c t ' s l o c a t i o n , n o t o n your f i r e a r m . A n y m o v e h e is able to m a k e w i t h o u t your s u r v e i l l a n c e c a n o n l y w o r k to your d i sadvantage . If y o u k e e p your eyes f o c u s e d o n w h e r e y o u w a n t to h i t h i m , y o u ' l l be ready to s h o o t as s o o n as y o u h a v e l ive rounds . Also , if y o u k e e p t h e e l b o w of your g u n h a n d t o u c h i n g your s ide, it w i l l h e l p y o u s e n s e e x a c t l y w h e r e your gun is .
Swi f t , e f fec t ive re loading requi res t h a t y o u c o m b i n e s h r e w d t a c t i c s w i t h m a n u a l d e x t e r i t y . Here are s o m e of t h e t h i n g s y o u n e e d to k n o w to pul l it off, ta i lored to t h e type of f i r e a r m o n w h i c h your l ife depends .
Revolver
G e t t i n g fresh a m m u n i t i o n i n t o a revo lver is m o r e c o m p l i c a t e d and di f f i cul t t h a n w i t h e i t h e r a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c or a s h o t g u n . T o f ire your las t shot f rom a r e v o l v e r . . . d u m p your c a s e s . . . f u l l y re load and fire again m a y t a k e y o u 10 s e c o n d s or m o r e , depending on t h e type of cartr idge carr ier y o u u s e . W h i l e
Unloading a revolver efficiently will make you feel confident about maintaining your gaze in the direction of the armed suspect.
y o u ' r e re loading , y o u r gun is i n o p e r a b l e . W i t h t h e c y l i n d e r s w u n g open, i t ' s e x t r e m e l y v u l n e r a b l e to dirt , m u d , s l u s h a n d o t h e r fore ign o b j e c t s . . . a n d y o u are l i t e r a l l y d e f e n s e l e s s . Y o u d o n ' t w a n t to p a n i c w h e n faced w i t h a re loading s i t u a t i o n . . . b u t y o u do w a n t to h u r r y .
T o u n l o a d , open t h e c y l i n d e r as s o o n as y o u dec ide to re load, w h e t h e r or n o t y o u h a v e f ired your las t r o u n d . H o l d t h e g u n in your w e a k h a n d w i t h y o u r p a l m u n d e r t h e trigger guard and c u r v e your t w o m i d d l e f ingers a r o u n d t h r o u g h t h e f r a m e so t h e y r e s t o n t h e c y l i n d e r . T h i s w i l l k e e p t h e c y l i n d e r f r o m c l o s i n g . N o w inver t t h e gun so t h e barre l is s t ra ight u p . P l a c e y o u r t h u m b o n t h e t ip of t h e e j e c t o r rod . . . t r igger f inger a r o u n d t h e b a r r e l . . . a n d y o u r l i t t l e f inger over t h e h a m m e r or b e h i n d t h e h a m m e r spur. T h i s g ives y o u a f i r m grip o n t h e g u n ; e v e n if y o u tr ip or fa l l , y o u c a n r e t a i n i t . W h i l e s t a b i l i z i n g t h e c y l i n d e r w i t h t h e t ips of your m i d d l e f ingers , rapidly e j e c t t h e s p e n t c a s e s w i t h a s ingle d o w n w a r d s t r o k e of t h e rod. If y o u k e e p t h e gun v e r t i c a l , t h e c a s e s w i l l e j e c t c l e a n l y w i t h o u t h a n g i n g up or c a t c h i n g o n t h e gun grip o n t h e i r w a y o u t . Let all the brass fall directly onto the ground. S o m e of f icers h a v e b e e n k i l l e d b e c a u s e t h e y t o o k e x t r a t i m e to c a t c h t h e e j e c t e d c a s e s and put t h e m in t h e i r p o c k e t s , as t h e y ' d d o n e w h e n s h o o t i n g targets o n t h e range . A s y o u ' r e m o v i n g your r e v o l v e r i n t o p o s i t i o n for e j e c t i n g t h e spent r o u n d s , your s t rong h a n d s h o u l d b e r e a c h i n g for f resh a m m u n i t i o n .
2 2 2
For re loading, y o u ' l l be g e t t i n g y o u r f resh a m m u n i t i o n f r o m o n e of t h r e e p r i m a r y types of cartr idge carr ier : be l t l o o p s . . . d u m p p o u c h e s . . . o r speed loaders . E a c h has u n i q u e a d v a n t a g e s and disadvantages t h a t w i l l i n f l u e n c e your re loading c a pab i l i ty . T h e type y o u u s e w i l l depend o n t h e f u n c t i o n a l trade-offs y o u are w i l l i n g to a c c e p t (or tha t your d e p a r t m e n t is w i l l i n g to a c c e p t for y o u ) .
For speed, two cartridges at a time should be activated from the cartridge carrier by pushing them up from below. Then grasp the cartridges by the primer end.
If you use a vinyl speed strip, make sure it is grasped properly for easy removal. The speed strip will load two cartridges at a time.
R e l o a d i n g e i t h e r w i t h b e l t loops or t h e d u m p p o u c h requi res n i m b l e f ingers . L e a t h e r loops provide d e p e n d a b l e a c c e s s to addi t iona l a m m u n i t i o n , and t h e y a l l o w y o u a c h o i c e of h o w m a n y rounds to r e m o v e f r o m y o u r a m m u n i t i o n carr ier for reloading . L o o p s m a y be hard t o draw f r o m , t h o u g h , w h e n your f ingers are s w e a t y , co ld or t r e m b l i n g . Y o u c a n m a k e t h e job eas ier by p u s h i n g t h e cartr idges up in t h e loops f r o m b e l o w as y o u r f irst re loading s tep . P u s h up every o t h e r car t r idge , or a l l s ix . E i t h e r w a y , w i t h p r a c t i c e , y o u c a n learn to grasp t w o r o u n d s at a t i m e , r o c k t h e m up and out of t h e loops t o g e t h e r and c h a m b e r t h e m s i m u l t a n e o u s l y . S t i l l , t h e r e ' s a lot of r e p e t i t i v e b a c k - a n d -for th m o t i o n to get t h e c y l i n d e r fu l l . A l s o b e l t loops a l l o w your a m m u n i t i o n to b e e x p o s e d to t h e w e a t h e r and e l e m e n t s . U n l e s s your car t r idges are c h a n g e d f r e q u e n t l y , a green c o r r o s i o n m a y bui ld up on t h e m e t a l , m a k i n g t h e m di f f i cu l t to draw f r o m t h e l o o p s .
2 2 4
W i t h t h e d u m p p o u c h , y o u get s i x b u l l e t s in your h a n d at o n c e , o f ten fac ing diverse d i r e c t i o n s . Y o u h a v e to p o s i t i o n t h e m proper ly be fore y o u c a n load. M o r e o v e r , a d u m p p o u c h is hard to a c t i v a t e properly s h o u l d y o u b e in a prone p o s i t i o n . L e a t h e r loops m a y provide a m o r e dependable a c c e s s to addi t ional a m m u n i t i o n . T h e y a l l o w y o u a c h o i c e of h o w m a n y rounds t o r e m o v e . A l s o , w i t h a d u m p p o u c h , y o u ' l l probably n e e d 12 to 14 s e c o n d s to re load. T a k i n g t w o at a t i m e f r o m b e l t loops , y o u can fi l l up in a b o u t 10 s e c o n d s . B e c a u s e every s e c o n d y o u t a k e m e a n s m o r e exposure to r i s k , i t ' s e s s e n t i a l to shave t i m e w h e r e y o u c a n .
T o re load o n c e y o u h a v e o n e or m o r e l o o s e rounds , e i t h e r f r o m loops or a p o u c h , ready in your f ingers , re ta in t h e grip y o u had o n y o u r revo lver for un loading and t i l t t h e m u z z l e toward t h e ground at about a 45-degree angle . T h e p a l m of your w e a k hand s h o u l d be cupped under t h e c y l i n d e r to c a t c h any cartr idges t h a t drop. W i t h t h e t h u m b and m i d d l e f inger of t h a t hand , grasp t h e cy l inder . Y o u w a n t your t h u m b and f inger in a d j a c e n t grooves ; t h a t w i l l he lp y o u judge w h e r e t h e cartr idge goes , s i n c e e a c h cy l inder opening l ies b e t w e e n g r o o v e s . As y o u r o t a t e t h e c y l i n d e r w i t h t h u m b and f inger , y o u load t h e a m m u n i t i o n w i t h your s t rong h a n d . W h e n y o u ' r e f in ished, c l o s e t h e cy l inder and r e s u m e your f ir ing p o s i t i o n .
S o m e gunf ight v e t e r a n s i n s i s t t h a t t h e fas tes t carr ier for fu l ly re loading a revo lver is t h e round speed-loader, w h i c h ho lds s i x car t r idges in p o s i t i o n for s i m u l t a n e o u s i n s e r t i o n i n t o a c y l i n d e r . W i t h p r a c t i c e , a speed-loader c a n c u t your r e c o v e r y ra te to three s e c o n d s or l e s s — a l m o s t as fast as c h a n g i n g m a g a z i n e s in a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c . A lso , t h e advoca tes of speed-loaders say, t h e s e d e v i c e s w i l l a l l o w you to re load s m o o t h l y , w i t h m i n i m u m h a n d m o v e m e n t , in t h e d a r k . . . w h e n y o u are r u n n i n g or c r a w l i n g . . . w i t h g loves o n . . . w h e n t h e w e a t h e r ' s so cold y o u c a n ' t fee l your f ingers , m u c h less your a m m u n i t i o n . C r i t i c s argue t h a t i t ' s d i f f i cu l t t o reload w i t h a speed-loader w i t h o u t c l o s e l y w a t c h i n g w h a t y o u are doing in order to l i n e up s ix car tr idges s i m u l t a n e o u s l y , e spec ia l ly in t h e fear and t e n s i o n of a gunf ight s i t u a t i o n . W i t h e x t e n s i v e p r a c t i c e , h o w e v e r , y o u c a n m a s t e r t h i s t e c h n i q u e so your eyes w o n ' t h a v e to be diverted f r o m w a t c h i n g t h e suspec t in order to w a t c h y o u r g u n . I t ' s n o m o r e di f f icul t t h a n learning to type w i t h o u t l o o k i n g at the k e y s . L i k e o t h e r m e t h o d s of re loading, speed-loaders are gravi ty d e p e n d e n t . If y o u ' r e o n your b a c k , t h e y w o n ' t w o r k w e l l . Y o u h a v e to get i n t o a p o s i t i o n w h e r e you can point t h e m u z z l e of your gun d o w n perpendicular , so t h e rounds w i l l feed
s t ra ight in w h e n y o u p u s h or t w i s t t h e car tr idge r e l e a s e . B e c a r e f u l n o t to drop t h e loader as y o u r e a c h for it w i t h your s t rong h a n d . S o m e types w i l l spi l l t h e i r car tr idges if dropped, forc ing y o u t h e n to draw y o u r spare r e v o l v e r or to re load f r o m t h e ground. Again , k n o w your e q u i p m e n t t h o r o u g h l y be fore y o u get i n t o a s i t u a t i o n w h e r e your l i fe depends o n y o u r operat ing i t at top speed. A l s o , t a k e care n o t to a c t i v a t e t h e car t r idge r e l e a s e before y o u ' v e f i t t e d t h e b u l l e t n o s e s i n t o t h e c h a m b e r s . T h i s h a s h a p p e n e d to of f i cers u n d e r s t ress or by a c c i d e n t w h e n t h e y s t u m b l e d or fe l l in pursui t of a s u s p e c t . T h e car t r idges t h e n are los t , i n s t a n t l y . O n c e t h e car t r idges are in y o u r gun, t o s s t h e speed-loader as ide . Y o u c a n r e c o v e r i t la ter , a f ter t h e a c t i o n is over ; d o n ' t t a k e t i m e u n d e r f ire to put it in your p o c k e t or b a c k in i t s carry ing c a s e .
W h a t e v e r type of a m m u n i t i o n carr ier y o u u s e , //you carry speed-loaders, use a double Y o u ' n n e e d t o r e l o a d s t r i c t l y by feel, n o t by l o o k i n g leather case and practice opening the d o w n . P a r t l y t h a t ' s to m a k e y o u p r o f i c i e n t in t h e snap for efficient removal. dark, w h e n y o u m a y h a v e t r o u b l e see ing y o u r gun,
2 2 6
hands and a m m u n i t i o n and w h e n u s e of a f lashl ight for re loading w o u l d o n l y s i l h o u e t t e y o u as a target . M o r e i m p o r t a n t , w o r k i n g by t o u c h a l o n e l e t s you k e e p your eyes on your a s s a i l a n t or h i s l o c a t i o n at al l t i m e s . T o f a c i l i t a t e t h i s c o n t i n u o u s s u r v e i l l a n c e , y o u should face toward h i m throughout your recovery per iod.
Y o u m a y w a n t to cons ider br inging your revolver up to eye leve l w i t h your e l b o w s t o u c h i n g y o u r s ide, w h i l e y o u re load. T h i s a l lows y o u to see w h a t y o u ' r e doing w h i l e s t i l l w a t c h i n g t h e s u s p e c t in your per ipheral v i s ion . H o w e v e r , t h i s p o s i t i o n i n c r e a s e s t h e t i m e it t a k e s to get n e w a m m u n i t i o n f r o m its carr ier to t h e cy l inder and also i n c r e a s e s t h e r i s k tha t y o u ' l l drop s o m e e n r o u t e . If y o u ' r e p r a c t i c e d enough, y o u ' r e b e t t e r off w i t h t h e gun at be l t l eve l , as c lose to t h e a m m u n i t i o n s o u r c e as y o u c a n get i t . W h a t your f ingers are doing s h o u l d b e a u t o m a t i c ; your m i n d and eyes should be free to c o n c e n t r a t e o n t h e suspect (s ) and t h e a c t i o n y o u ' r e fac ing .
When cartridges are loaded, always make sure that the cylinder closes properly.
W h e r e y o u are u s i n g s o m e m e t h o d o t h e r t h a n speed- loading, you may not want to reload a full cylinder u n d e r c e r t a i n c i r c u m s t a n c e s . If y o u ' r e out of a m m u n i t i o n b u t u n d e r f i r e . . . b e h i n d poor c o v e r . . . or your a s s a i l a n t is c o m i n g at y o u , your surviva l savvy m a y d i c t a t e t h a t y o u q u i c k l y d u m p your e m p t i e s . . . load o n l y o n e to t h r e e f resh c a r t r i d g e s . . . and get b a c k in a c t i o n . Don't get cut down loading a sixth round in your gun. T h a t ' s e x a c t l y w h a t happ e n e d to a w e s t e r n h i g h w a y p a t r o l m a n ; jus t as h e f i n i s h e d loading t h e las t round, h i s a s s a i l a n t , w h o had b e e n w a t c h i n g , s h o t h i m in t h e h e a d . If h e ' d loaded o n l y t w o , c h a n c e s are he c o u l d h a v e b e e n t h e o n e t o surpr ise t h e s u s p e c t .
Proper technique for reloading a revolver one-handed.
2 2 8
W i t h part ia l re loading, t h e p o s i t i o n of t h e cy l inder h o l e s y o u f i l l w i l l be i m p o r t a n t . Ideal ly , w h e n you c lose t h e cy l inder , y o u w a n t your a m m u n i t i o n pos i t ioned so t h a t a live iound comes under the hammer the first time y o u pul l t h e tr igger. T h a t m e a n s y o u h a v e to k n o w t h e d i r e c t i o n in w h i c h your cy l inder r o t a t e s ; o t h e r w i s e y o u m a y have to s t r o k e t h e trigger severa l t i m e s to m o v e a round i n t o d e t o n a t i n g p o s i t i o n , and t h i s c a n c o s t you t i m e . S m i t h & W e s s o n cy l inders r o t a t e counterclockwise-, y o u w a n t to load t h e s e h i g h o n t h e right side. C o l t cy l inders turn clockwise; load t h e m high on your left. If y o u ' r e us ing a revo lver f r o m a n o t h e r m a n u f a c t u r e r , k n o w h o w your cy l inder r o t a t e s .
Y o u can re load a revolver o n e - h a n d e d . T h i s is c o n v e n i e n t if one hand , a r m or s h o u l d e r has b e e n disabled by h o s t i l e fire or s o m e o t h e r in jury and also if you need to re load w h i l e driving. Y o u a c t i v a t e t h e cy l inder l o c k and force t h e cy l inder open w i t h your good h a n d . S t i c k your t h u m b t h r o u g h t h e f r a m e to keep t h e cy l inder f rom c los ing and u s e your trigger f inger to plunge the e j ec tor d o w n and d u m p your expended rounds . S t i c k t h e barrel of t h e e m p t y gun i n t o your w a i s t b a n d , w i t h t h e cy l inder open and away f r o m your body. T h e e j e c t o r rod s h o u l d be outs ide your be l t to he lp hold your g u n . Load w i t h your free or good hand , c l o s e t h e c y l i n d e r and y o u ' r e se t .
Here , too , there m a y be c i r c u m s t a n c e s in w h i c h one-handed re loading wi l l surprise your adversary . O n e off icer , for i n s t a n c e , e n t e r e d a w a r e h o u s e during a n i g h t t i m e prowler ca l l and w a s i m m e d i a t e l y fired upon by an assa i lant p e r c h e d s o m e w h e r e up high. Zigzagging b e t w e e n c r a t e s and pi les of m e r c h a n d i s e , he f ina l ly loca ted t h e s h o o t e r , far up in t h e rafters . D i r e c t l y b e n e a t h h i m w a s a s t e e l ladder leading to h is l o c a t i o n . In t h e g l o o m t h e of f icer m a n a g e d to r e a c h it w i t h o u t be ing seen , b u t in t h e process he s ho t h is revolver dry. O n t h e w a y up t h e ladder, he s t u c k the gun in h is w a i s t b a n d , loaded in three cartr idges and wai ted , h a n g i n g o n a rung. M o m e n t a r i l y h e heard h is assa i lan t s tar t ing d o w n t h e ladder to look for h i m . T h e of f icer f ired t h r e e rounds w i t h deadly a c c u r a c y at t h e s tar t led s u s p e c t f rom a d i s t a n c e of about 8 fee t .
W h e n y o u ' r e able to c h o o s e your l o c a t i o n for reloading, try to load over an area t h a t w i l l provide s o m e c u s h i o n for your cartr idges s h o u l d y o u drop any . T h e r e have b e e n i n s t a n c e s w h e r e b u l l e t s h a v e exploded f rom the p r i m e r fal l ing on hard or rough surfaces , l i k e c o n c r e t e or p e b b l e s .
Also , for safety reasons , keep your finger outside the trigger guard at al l t i m e s w h i l e u n l o a d i n g and reloading.
2 2 9
N e v e r r e h o l s t e r an e m p t y g u n . W h e n t h e s h o o t i n g is over and y o u re load y o u r gun to r e t u r n to duty , b e sure y o u load the cylinder fully. O n t h e range , y o u m a y load o n l y f ive r o u n d s to m a k e scor ing eas ier . O n d u t y , t o o , s o m e of f icers u s e a f ive - round load so t h e y c a n carry t h e gun w i t h an e m p t y c h a m b e r u n d e r t h e h a m m e r . A c t u a l l y , t h e r e ' s n o sa fe ty b e n e f i t to t h i s if y o u r g u n ' s in good w o r k i n g order, p lus i t r e d u c e s t h e n u m b e r of rounds y o u h a v e a v a i l a b l e in a s h o o t - o u t . O n e m i d w e s t e r n d e t e c t i v e w h o h a b i t u a l l y loaded o n l y f ive r o u n d s in a s i x - s h o t revo lver w a s m a k i n g an e n t r y in h i s n o t e b o o k in h i s u n m a r k e d car o n e n i g h t w h e n a s u s p e c t suddenly appeared f r o m b e t w e e n t w o bui ld ings and ordered h i m o u t of t h e car at t h e p o i n t of a . 3 8 c a l . s n u b - n o s e . T h e of f i cer c o m p l i e d a n d w a s forced to l ie on t h e ground w h i l e t h e of fender w e n t t h r o u g h h is p o c k e t s , t a k i n g h i s m o n e y and h i s badge. B e f o r e h e c o u l d grab t h e d e t e c t i v e ' s gun , a w i t n e s s in o n e of t h e b u i l d i n g s k n o c k e d o n t h e w i n d o w , t h e robber b e c a m e s tar t led and ran . T h e of f i cer c h a s e d h i m d o w n t h e s t ree t and f ired four s h o t s a long t h e w a y , t h e n ran i n t o an a l ley af ter h i m and f ired h i s las t r e m a i n i n g r o u n d . W i t h t h e n e x t tr igger pul l , t h e f i r ing p in c l i c k e d i n t o t h e s i x t h — e m p t y — c y l i n d e r h o l e . W i t h a " f r e e " shot , t h e a s s a i l a n t k i l l e d t h e of f icer and f led in a w a i t i n g car .
Semi-Automatic
P r o b a b l y t h e f a s t e s t f i r e a r m to re load fu l ly is a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c .
For m a x i m u m s t r e a m l i n i n g , y o u w a n t to a n t i c ipate re loading before y o u run dry and draw a spare m a g a z i n e f r o m your l e a t h e r gear w i t h y o u r w e a k h a n d . Y o u c a n ho ld t h i s m a g a z i n e a longs ide your w e a p o n w h i l e your w e a k h a n d is in t h e support p o s i t i o n for f i r ing. T h i s w i l l s o m e w h a t l e s s e n t h e support y o u ' r e ab le to g ive y o u r grip, b u t y o u ' l l b e ready w i t h f resh a m m u n i t i o n t h e i n s t a n t y o u d u m p t h e o ld ; y o u d o n ' t h a v e to spend v a l u a b l e s e c o n d s r e a c h i n g for t h e r e p l a c e m e n t .
T o c h a n g e m a g a z i n e s , depress t h e m a g a z i n e r e l e a s e b u t t o n o n your s e m i - a u t o m a t i c w i t h your gun h a n d , w h i l e k e e p i n g t h e gun in s h o o t i n g posit i o n and y o u r eyes o n t h e s u s p e c t . As t h e e m p t y m a g a z i n e fa l l s out , br ing t h e n e w o n e u n d e r t h e g u n w i t h y o u r w e a k h a n d w i t h o u t l o o k i n g d o w n . Y o u r foref inger s h o u l d l ie a long t h e m a g a z i n e ' s f ront edge, w i t h your t h u m b at t h e b a c k to guide it i n t o t h e m a g a z i n e w e l l . S e a t t h e n e w m a g a z i n e f i r m l y by tapping it i n t o p lace w i t h t h e h e e l of your w e a k h a n d . Y o u d o n ' t n e e d to s l a m it hard t o get i t t o
2 3 0
l o c k ; in fac t , doing so m a y d a m a g e t h e m a g a z i n e and lead to m a l f u n c t i o n s . If y o u ' v e c h a n g e d m a g a z ines before s h o o t i n g dry, y o u are ready to r e s u m e firing i m m e d i a t e l y u p o n t h e n e w m a g a z i n e be ing in p lace . O n t h e o t h e r hand, if y o u s h o o t al l your or iginal rounds before changing , t h e s l ide w i l l h a v e l o c k e d to t h e rear af ter y o u f ired your las t car tr idge , s ignal ing tha t your gun is e m p t y . W i t h t h e n e w m a g a z i n e in p l a c e , y o u ' l l need to r e l e a s e t h e s l ide
w i t h t h e t h u m b of your gun h a n d and le t i t f ly The proper weak-hand placement of foward i n t o f ir ing p o s i t i o n before y o u s h o o t again. fresh magazine prior to speedloading
semi-automatic.
An advantage of some s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s is t h a t y o u can s t i l l f ire e v e n w h i l e re loading. So long as t h e s l ide r e m a i n s forward o n a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , a round is c h a m b e r e d , e v e n t h o u g h y o u r e m o v e t h e m a g a z ine . W i t h a C o l t .45 s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , for e x a m p l e , you can shoot t h a t o n e round w i t h o u t any m a g a z i n e be ing in t h e w e l l . If y o u do, t h o u g h , y o u ' l l h a v e to m a n u a l l y c h a m b e r a n e w round w h e n t h e n e w m a g a z i n e is i n s e r t e d . N o t a l l s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s h a v e th is f ir ing fea ture , however,- S m i t h & W e s s o n m o d e l s 3 9 and 5 9 and t h e B r o w n i n g H i - P o w e r 9 m m , for e x a m p l e , do n o t . U n l e s s t h e m a g a z i n e safety d i s c o n n e c t o n t h e s e g u n s h a s b e e n a l tered ,
t h e y w i l l n o t f ire w i t h o u t a m a g a z i n e in p l a c e e v e n t h o u g h t h e r e is a l i v e r o u n d in t h e c h a m b e r . S o know youi equipment.
It t a k e s longer to load a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c one-h a n d e d , b u t i t c a n b e done , if, for e x a m p l e , o n e of your h a n d s is u s e l e s s b e c a u s e it h a s b e e n w o u n d e d . Af ter y o u drop t h e old m a g a z i n e , p l a c e t h e g u n t i g h t l y b e t w e e n your k n e e s , angled so t h a t t h e m u z z l e is p o i n t e d d o w n and a w a y f r o m y o u and t h e
Proper technique for reloading a semiautomatic one-handed.
2 3 2
b u t t is up and out in f ront of y o u . Inser t t h e n e w m a g a z i n e and tap in i n t o p lace w i t h your good h a n d , t h e n grip t h e gun w i t h tha t s a m e h a n d and r e t u r n i t to s h o o t i n g p o s i t i o n . W i t h a q u i c k press of t h e s l ide re lease , y o u ' r e ready to go, hav ing re loaded in a b o u t f ive s e c o n d s or l e ss .
N o t e : If, to m a x i m i z e t h e speed of re loading, y o u s i m p l y re lease t h e old m a g a z i n e and le t it fal l to t h e ground, do not la ter r e p l e n i s h i t w i t h n e w a m m u n i t i o n and r e t u r n it to your gun or m a g a z i n e carrier w i t h o u t careful i n s p e c t i o n . Y o u w a n t to b e cer ta in tha t t h e drop did n o t dent or c r a c k t h e m a g a z ine or b e n d i t s l ips . S u c h d a m a g e c o u l d r e s u l t in feeding p r o b l e m s , if u n d e t e c t e d .
Shotgun
W h e n y o u t a k e a s h o t g u n i n t o a c t i o n y o u w a n t to have at least t e n rounds along, c o u n t i n g t h o s e already loaded in t h e gun plus e x t r a s . Y o u c a n carry your spare a m m u n i t i o n in your w e a k - s i d e p o c k e t b e c a u s e under fire y o u ' l l re load w i t h your w e a k hand. O r y o u c a n carry an " a m m o s l i n g " o n t h e s t o c k of t h e s h o t g u n so y o u ' l l a l w a y s h a v e e x t r a s w h e n e v e r y o u h a v e t h e gun.
C o u n t your s h o t s . T h a t w i l l h e l p y o u a n t i c i p a t e t h e need to re load. If poss ib le , y o u w a n t to avoid s h o o t i n g t h e s h o t g u n dry. In m o m e n t s of t a c t i c a l pause , y o u c a n load f resh s h e l l s i n t o t h e m a g a z i n e loading port u n d e r n e a t h t h e gun. Y o u c a n do t h i s on t h e m o v e . . . w i t h t h e s h o t g u n in t h e f ir ing posi t ion , r a t h e r t h a n s t ra ight up on your h ip or cradled in your w e a k h a n d as in t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l loading m o d e . T h a t w a y , y o u d o n ' t h a v e to m o v e t h e m u z z l e off the s u s p e c t ' s p o s i t i o n .
W o r k i n g by t o u c h w i t h your eyes c o n c e n t r a t i n g o n t h e suspec t , w i t h d r a w l ive car tr idges f r o m your w e a k - s i d e p o c k e t or s l ing o n e at a t i m e . As y o u pul l
An accessory like this ammunition sling can be effective for speedloading the shotgun but only if it's positioned on the side nearest your body with the shells stored primer-end up.
2 3 3
In speedloading a shotgun with a side ejection port, eject the last spent shell. Now cup the first shell in the curls of your fingers.
Now reach under the receiver to the open ejection port and insert the first shell.
Then pull the slide forward while you prepare to insert additional rounds. Your gaze remains in the direction of the suspect's location.
Additional shells are also loaded by feel, from underneath into the bottom loading port.
a round o u t , feel for t h e brass . Y o u w a n t t h e s h e l l lying a c r o s s t h e folds of your f ingers , w i t h t h e p r i m e r end res t ing against t h e ins ide of your l i t t l e f inger . If n e c e s s a r y , t h i s a l l o w s y o u to grasp t h e foregrip of t h e s h o t g u n and fire w i t h o u t dropping t h e she l l .
Br ing e a c h s h e l l under t h e gun, up aga ins t t h e forward end of t h e trigger guard, t h e n s l ide it forward i n t o t h e t u b e . U s e your t h u m b to p u s h every s h e l l in u n t i l it is f i r m l y seated .
If y o u s h o u l d f ire your las t r o u n d before reloading, h e r e ' s an o p t i o n for ge t t ing b a c k i n t o a c t i o n fast tha t w i l l w o r k o n p o l i c e s h o t g u n s fea tur ing a side e j e c t i o n port , s u c h as R e m i n g t o n , W i n c h e s t e r , Hi -S tandard , M o s s b e r g and S m i t h & W e s s o n . Af ter you s h o o t your las t round, pul l t h e s l ide b a c k to e jec t t h e spent s h e l l — b u t do not run t h e s l ide forward. T h i s l eaves t h e s ide e j e c t i o n port o p e n . Keeping t h e gun in t h e f ir ing p o s i t i o n and w o r k i n g by feel , br ing your w e a k h a n d w i t h t h e f irst l i v e cartr idge up under t h e s t o c k r e c e i v e r and press t h e she l l i n t o t h e open e j e c t i o n port on t h e s ide. T h i s w a y y o u are loading d i rec t ly i n t o t h e c h a m b e r . T h e n m o v e t h e s l ide forward to r a c k t h e r o u n d in p l a c e , and y o u can fire i m m e d i a t e l y . If y o u ' r e u n d e r a t t a c k , you can repeat t h i s c y c l e : a d v a n c e . . . s h o o t . . . e j e c t . . . re load o n e she l l , so long as y o u h a v e spare a m m u n i t i o n . B y loading four addi t iona l r o u n d s i n t o t h e m a g a z i n e loading port u n d e r n e a t h t h e gun, y o u c a n fi l l your s h o t g u n w i t h f ive l ive r o u n d s , so in e f fec t , y o u ' v e gained an e x t r a s h o t . (Wi th t h e b o t t o m -loading I t h a c a brand, w h i c h s o m e d e p a r t m e n t s u s e , you c a n ' t load direc t ly i n t o t h e side e j e c t i o n port b e c a u s e it d o e s n ' t h a v e o n e . B u t y o u c a n s t i l l get l ive she l l s b a c k i n t o your gun w i t h o u t t a k i n g it out of a c o m b a t p o s i t i o n by loading d i r e c t l y i n t o t h e m a g a z i n e loading port , as w e ' v e descr ibed , as s o o n as y o u s h o o t dry. T h e n r a c k t h e a c t i o n . T h e last spent s h e l l w i l l e j ec t and as y o u m o v e t h e s l ide forward, a f resh ro u nd w i l l c h a m b e r . )
R e m e m b e r , t h o u g h , if y o u lose c o u n t of your s h o t s and u n w i t t i n g l y k i c k o u t t h e las t s h e l l and t h e n run t h e sl ide forward o n an e m p t y c h a m b e r before re loading any s h o t g u n , y o u ' l l h a v e to pul l t h e trigger and dry fire o n c e or h i t t h e s l ide re lease b u t t o n on s o m e m o d e l s to be ab le to r a c k a l ive round in p l a c e .
Back-Up Gun
T h e fas tes t re load is a s e c o n d gun. W h i l e y o u ' r e n o t required to carry an a l t e r n a t e w e a p o n , a b o u t 5 0 per c e n t of al l o f f icers do. I t ' s good i n s u r a n c e —
provided y o u h a v e p r a c t i c e d w i t h your b a c k - u p gun to t h e p o i n t t h a t y o u h a v e t h e s a m e p r o f i c i e n c y w i t h i t as w i t h your s e r v i c e f i r e a r m . S o m e of f icers s i m p l y carry a d u p l i c a t e of t h e i r p r i m a r y gun. T h e fac t tha t b o t h w e a p o n s m e c h a n i c a l l y opera te t h e s a m e aids p r o f i c i e n c y ; t h e r e ' s n o n e e d to s w i t c h t a c t i c s or t h o u g h t p r o c e s s e s as y o u s w i t c h w e a p o n s . A l s o , t h e s a m e type of a m m u n i t i o n w i l l f i t b o t h w e a p o n s . M o s t o f f i cers carry f o u r - i n c h barre l revolvers as t h e i r p r i m a r y w e a p o n and c h o o s e t h e t w o - i n c h s n u b - n o s e as a b a c k - u p g u n .
T y p i c a l l y , a b a c k - u p gun is used w h e n y o u ' r e o u t of a m m u n i t i o n or d i s a r m e d . It c a n a lso he lp y o u r e c o v e r f r o m a m e c h a n i c a l m a l f u n c t i o n . T w o C h i c a g o of f i cers responded to a ca l l of " s h o t s b e i n g f ired o n t h e s t r e e t , " and w h e n t h e y arr ived t h e y w e r e f ired on b y t h e s u s p e c t . T h e y t o o k c o v e r and r e t u r n e d f i re . B u t o n o n e o f f i c e r ' s s e c o n d s h o t , h i s . 3 5 7 M a g n u m j a m m e d . L a t e r h e l e a r n e d t h a t t h e f ir ing p in w a s d e f e c t i v e , b u t at t h e m o m e n t t h e m a l f u n c t i o n c a u s e d h i m l i t t l e c o n c e r n . H e h o l s t e r e d t h e r e v o l v e r . . . i m m e d i a t e l y drew a .45 c a l . s e m i a u t o m a t i c f r o m h i s s e c o n d h o l s t e r . . . a n d he lped h i s par tner q u i c k l y reso lve t h e c o n f r o n t a t i o n . In a n o t h e r i n s t a n c e , an of f i cer approaching a grocery s tore w h e r e a robbery w a s in progress r e a c h e d for h i s serv ice r e v o l v e r — a n d d iscovered h i s h o l s t e r w a s e m p t y . A defec t in t h e h o l s t e r had a l l o w e d t h e gun to sl ip o u t u n n o t i c e d w h i l e t h e o f f i cer w a s s t i l l in h i s pat ro l car , a n d it n o w lay yards b e y o n d h is r e a c h b e t w e e n t h e seat and t h e door of t h e v e h i c l e . B e c a u s e h e carr ied a s e c o n d gun, a s n u b - n o s e . 3 8 , h e w a s a b l e to draw it f r o m i ts h o l s t e r and proceed w i t h h i s approach , w h e r e h i s l i fe o t h e r w i s e m i g h t h a v e b e e n in c o n s i d e r a b l e jeopardy.
N o t to b e o v e r l o o k e d is t h e p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t a b a c k - u p g u n c a n give y o u o n e m o r e edge in us ing surpr ise against a s u s p e c t . M o r e t h a n o n c e a s u s p e c t w h o thought an o f f i cer w a s re loading h a s dec ided to j u m p h i m . B u t i n s t e a d of r u s h i n g a d e f e n s e l e s s m a n , t h e s u s p e c t h a s rushed t o w a r d a b a c k - u p gun, w h i c h dropped h i m t h e n and t h e r e .
2 3 6
FINAL APPROACH
T h e s h o o t i n g ' s o v e r . . . t h e s m o k e h a s c l e a r e d . . . your assa i lan t is d o w n or s e e m s ready to surrender . Don't ielax! Y o u ' r e en ter ing o n e of t h e m o s t dangerous phases of an a r m e d e n c o u n t e r .
E v e n in i n c i d e n t s w h e r e t h e r e h a s b e e n n o s h o o t i n g — o r e v e n any e v i d e n c e of f i r e a r m s up to n o w — y o u r f ina l approach for an arrest is f raught w i t h hazard . Y e a r af ter year , t h e grea tes t n u m b e r of of f icers are k i l l e d during t h e period w h e n t h e y are m o v i n g in and trying to t a k e a s u s p e c t i n t o c u s t o d y , regardless of w h a t h a s g o n e be fore .
A s m a l l s a m p l i n g s h o w s jus t a f e w of t h e m a n y w a y s in w h i c h th ings can go wrong :
After a gun b a t t l e w i t h a s u s p e c t w h o ' d shot a w o m a n , of f i cers k i c k e d open t h e door of t h e bedr o o m f r o m w h i c h h e ' d b e e n f ir ing and f o u n d h i m lying o n t h e f loor , apparent ly dead. T h e y re laxed and h o l s t e r e d t h e i r g u n s as t h e y w a l k e d t o w a r d h i m . Suddenly he rol led over and c a m e up w i t h a revo lver in h is hand . H e shot t w o of f i cers before t h e o t h e r s got b a c k on t a r g e t . . . A t an e m o t i o n - p a c k e d s h o o t i n g s c e n e , w h e r e an of f icer had jus t s h o t an a s s a i l a n t , a b a c k - u p of f icer ran up to t h e body and grabbed t h e s u s p e c t ' s .45 c a l . s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , w h i c h w a s ly ing by h is s ide. " I ' v e got t h e gun! I t ' s a l l r ight n o w ! " h e y e l l e d — t h e n , in h i s s t ress and e x c i t e m e n t , h e i n e x p l i c a b l y turned in t h e d i r e c t i o n of o t h e r of f i cers and le t loose t w o s h o t s . . . I n N o r t h C a r o l i n a , a s m a l l t o w n p o l i c e c h i e f arrested a m a n w h o m h e ' d found in a s u s p i c i o u s car w i t h a sawed-of f s h o t g u n . H a v i n g recovered o n e w e a p o n , t h e c h i e f d i d n ' t
b o t h e r t o l o o k for o t h e r s . T h e s u s p e c t had a s e c o n d gun c o n c e a l e d in h i s c l o t h i n g . H e drew it and fa ta l ly w o u n d e d t h e c h i e f in t h e s h o u l d e r . . . A s t a t e t rooper s u c c e s s f u l l y apprehended t h r e e j a i l b r e a k e r s s ingle-handed in A r k a n s a s and h a n d c u f f e d t h e m as t h e y lay d o c i l e l y f a c e - d o w n o n t h e ground. H i s t e c h n i q u e for h a n d c u f f i n g m u l t i p l e s u s p e c t s w a s i m p r o p e r t h o u g h , and as h e w a s g e t t i n g t h e pr i soners to t h e i r fee t , o n e m a n a g e d to draw a . 3 5 7 M a g n u m and s h o o t t h e t rooper d e a d . . . I n W a s h i n g t o n s t a t e , a y o u n g p a t r o l m a n w a s p lac ing a m a n u n d e r arres t in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h a d i s t u r b a n c e c o m p l a i n t w h e n t h e s u s p e c t u n e x p e c t e d l y s tar ted to s t ruggle . H e grabbed t h e o f f i c e r ' s serv ice revolver and fired f ive fa ta l s h o t s i n t o h i m at c l o s e r a n g e . . . U n d e r c o v e r of f i cers in A t l a n t a ordered t h r e e t eenagers up aga ins t a van af ter s p o t t i n g t h e m b r e a k i n g i n t o a u t o s . T h e y appeared to b e u n a r m e d , b u t as t h e o f f i cers app r o a c h e d , o n e of t h e s u s p e c t s w h i p p e d o u t a h idden h a n d g u n and s e n t a fa ta l s h o t b l a s t i n g i n t o o n e o f f i c e r ' s h e a d . . . I n T e x a s , a she r i f f ' s deputy arres ted a t e e n a g e r for burglar iz ing a s e r v i c e s t a t i o n , b u t fa i led to s e a r c h h i m t h o r o u g h l y be fore p lac ing h i m in a pat ro l car . E n r o u t e to t h e she r i f f ' s o f f i ce , t h e s u s p e c t drew a . 2 2 c a l . h a n d g u n , s h o t t h e deputy in t h e he a d and c h e s t , t h e n f led in h i s patro l c a r . . . E l s e w h e r e in t h e s o u t h w e s t , a p a t r o l m a n w a s t ry ing to arrest a m a n on an o u t s t a n d i n g traf f ic w a r r a n t . As h e c o n c e n t r a t e d o n t h i s s u s p e c t , a s e c o n d s u b j e c t w h o m h e h a d n ' t s e e n r u s h e d h i m f r o m b e h i n d , k n o c k e d h i m to t h e ground and s h o t h i m fa ta l ly in t h e c h e s t .
S o m e t i m e s a f ina l approach snafu e s c a l a t e s on a g iant s c a l e . In a w e s t c o a s t u n i v e r s i t y t o w n , a m i d d l e - a g e d sergeant w a s t ry ing to h a n d c u f f a p r o w l e r h e ' d arres ted w h e n t h e s u s p e c t s ta r ted to scuf f le . B e f o r e t h e i n c i d e n t f i n a l l y ended, t h e s u s p e c t : grabbed t h e s e r g e a n t ' s . 3 8 c a l . s e r v i c e r e v o l v e r . . . k i l l e d h i m w i t h a s h o t to t h e h e a d . . . w a s a t t a c k e d w i t h a h a n d axe by a c i v i l i a n w i t n e s s . . . sho t and w o u n d e d t h e c i t i z e n . . . r a n i n t o a n e a r b y r e s i d e n c e , w h e r e h e t o o k t w o p e r s o n s h o s t a g e . . . s h o t and k i l l e d o n e of t h e h o s t a g e s , a four-year -o ld g i r l . . . and w a s e v e n t u a l l y k i l l e d h i m s e l f h o u r s af ter t h e episode s tar ted , by o n e of t h e o f f i cers w h o surr o u n d e d t h e r e s i d e n c e .
M u c h of t h e hazard of a f ina l approach , of c o u r s e , is b u i l t in . If y o u h a v e n ' t b e e n c l o s e to t h e s u s p e c t be fore , t h e f i n a l approach forces y o u t h e r e . T h e c l o s e r y o u c o m e , t h e greater y o u r c h a n c e of, b e i n g in jured or k i l l e d . O n c e y o u m o v e w i t h i n a r m ' s l e n g t h , y o u ' r e in t h e z o n e w h e r e t h e m o s t t r o u b l e o c c u r s — a n d t h e m o s t o f f i cers d ie . Y o u ' r e under p r e s s u r e , t o o , to get t h e i n c i d e n t c o n c l u d e d ; if
y o u ' v e b e e n s ho t at by t h e s u s p e c t a l ready, y o u n a t u r a l l y w a n t to br ing h i m ful ly u n d e r c o n t r o l before h e c a n a t t a c k again, and if h e h a s n ' t y e t presented t h r e a t s of v i o l e n c e , y o u w a n t to r e s t r a i n h i m before h e gets t h e idea t o . T h e r e ' s m u c h to d o — d i s a r m , handcuf f , search , t ranspor t , perhaps d e a c t i v a t e dangerous w e a p o n s , deal w i t h h o s t i l e c rowds , preserve e v i d e n c e . I t ' s easy t o get d i s t r a c t e d . And if y o u have m o r e t h a n o n e s u s p e c t to deal w i t h , your r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , s t r e s s — a n d r i s k s — a r e m u l t ipl ied.
As w i t h your in i t i a l approach to t h e s c e n e , t h e f irst rule for surviving your f ina l approach i s : do not rush...don't be in a hurry to put your g u n a w a y . . . t a k e your t i m e . T h e a c t i o n m a y n o t b e over yet , and your gun w i l l o n l y serve y o u b e s t if i t ' s in your h a n d . Speed breeds c a r e l e s s n e s s and t h e inadv e r t e n t o v e r l o o k i n g of l i fesaving de ta i l s .
In this photograph stands an unhand-cuffed suspect who surrendered to police after he abducted his wife at gunpoint and assaulted a hospital therapist during the abduction. A search later revealed one . 12ga. shotgun and two semiautomatic pistols in his house. Which one is the offender!
2 3 9
If a s u s p e c t appears t o b e s u b m i t t i n g , d o n ' t a s s u m e t h a t h e i s . A p p e a r a n c e s c a n b e fa ta l ly dec e p t i v e . A n of f icer s e n t to s top a bar b r a w l in P h i l a d e l p h i a p o s i t i o n e d h i m s e l f o u t s i d e and ordered t h e p a r t i c i p a n t s to c o m e o u t and surrender . O n e m a n , w e a r i n g a w h i t e apron, e m e r g e d w i t h h i s h a n d s b e h i n d h i s h e a d . H e l o o k e d c o m p l i a n t , b u t w h a t t h e o f f i cer c o u l d n ' t see w h e n l o o k i n g at t h e m a n h e a d - o n w a s t h a t in o n e of h i s h a n d s t h e s u s p e c t he ld a .45 c a l . s e m i - a u t o m a t i c . A n o i s e d i s t r a c t e d t h e of f icer m o m e n t a r i l y . T h e s u s p e c t w h i p p e d h i s h a n d d o w n f r o m b e h i n d h i s h e a d , f ired and h i t t h e o f f i cer square ly .
A s u s p e c t ' s h a n d s , as a l w a y s , s h o u l d be t h e f o c u s of y o u r a t t e n t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y t h o s e y o u c a n ' t see . S o m e of f icers as t h e y get c l o s e t end to l o o k i n t o a s u s p e c t ' s e y e s . His eyes can't kill you, but his hands might. Keep t r a c k of w h a t t h e y ' r e doing.
R e m e m b e r , a n y arrest , e v e n for t h e m o s t insign i f i c a n t o f f e n s e , s h o u l d be regarded as a p o t e n t i a l l y dangerous s i t u a t i o n . A n of fender y o u ' r e approach ing b e c a u s e of a m i n o r c r i m e m a y b e w a n t e d for a ser ious o f f e n s e e l s e w h e r e , or h e m a y b e m e n t a l l y u n s t a b l e and u n p r e d i c t a b l e .
T h e r e are a var ie ty of t a c t i c a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s y o u s h o u l d b e c o n s c i o u s of as y o u m o v e in . If y o u ' v e g o t t e n t h i s far w i t h o u t g e t t i n g shot , t h e r ight procedures n o w c a n s u c c e s s f u l l y carry y o u over t h i s last t r i c k y a n d per i lous h u m p . For t h e r e m a i n d e r of t h i s c h a p t e r , w e ' l l a s s u m e t h e r e h a s b e e n an a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n or t h a t y o u ' v e s e e n a w e a p o n , so y o u know t h e s u s p e c t y o u ' r e approach ing is dangerous . H o w e v e r , m a n y of t h e s a m e p r i n c i p l e s w i l l apply in s i t u a t i o n s tha t s e e m n o n v i o l e n t , a l s o .
Disarming
B e f o r e y o u m o v e o u t f r o m b e h i n d cover , y o u w a n t your assa i lan t d i s a r m e d of any v i s i b l e w e a p o n s . If y o u ' v e s h o t h i m , h e m a y h a v e dropped h i s gun a l ready. O t h e r w i s e , h e m a y respond t o verba l c o m m a n d s . As a f irst s tep , y o u w a n t h i m t o put h i s trigger f inger o u t s i d e t h e tr igger guard. T h e n y o u w a n t h i m to r e l e a s e h i s ho ld o n t h e g u n .
O f t e n s u s p e c t s are r e l u c t a n t t o drop a g u n on a hard s u r f a c e , e s p e c i a l l y if t h e y ' v e paid for it r a t h e r t h a n s t o l e n i t . T h i s w i l l c e r t a i n l y b e t r u e w h e r e t h e " s u s p e c t " rea l ly is an of f -duty or p l a i n c l o t h e s of f icer . A lso , s o m e f i r e a r m s , n o t a b l y s h o t g u n s and c e r t a i n s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s , m a y d i scharge if dropped, e x p o s i n g y o u to t h e r i s k of an u n i n t e n t i o n a l h i t . S o y o u m a y do b e s t if y o u order your a s s a i l a n t to
2 4 0
lay d o w n his gun very slowly. In P h o e n i x , p o l i c e tr ied, u n s u c c e s s f u l l y , to get a barr icaded m e n t a l pa t ient to drop h is r i f le out of a w i n d o w . H e ' d jus t bought it and w a s c o n c e r n e d a b o u t g e t t i n g it scuf fed up. H e f ina l ly did agree to wrap t h e gun in a t o w e l and put it o u t s i d e h is door.
O n c e t h e suspec t r e l i n q u i s h e s h i s gun, h a v e h i m (and any o t h e r suspects ) t a k e at l eas t three s teps a w a y f r o m it so it is out of r e a c h . ( T h i s appl ies , i n c i d e n t a l l y , e v e n w h e r e t h e s u s p e c t ' s w e a p o n is n o t a f i rearm. T w o I l l ino is o f f i cers spot ted a m a n w a l k i n g d o w n a g h e t t o s t ree t w i t h a s e v e n - i n c h b u t c h e r kn i fe in h is hand . F o u r t i m e s t h e y ordered h i m to drop i t . F ina l ly , he s t u c k it in a w a l l b e h i n d h i m . T h e of f icers , h o w e v e r , n e g l e c t e d to h a v e h i m m o v e away , and w h e n t h e y got c l o s e h e grabbed t h e kni fe and tr ied to a t t a c k t h e m . In t h i s c a s e , t h e suspec t w a s shot ; had h i s w e a p o n b e e n a gun, t h e o u t c o m e m i g h t have been m u c h di f ferent . )
O n issuing c o m m a n d s to t h e s u s p e c t , speak s lowly and in short phrases so there w i l l be n o doubt tha t h e u n d e r s t a n d s your i n t e n t i o n s . Under no circumstances should you leave cover to accept a gun directly from a suspect.
Incapacitation
A suspec t is safest for y o u to approach if h e ' s in a p o s i t i o n tha t m a k e s it d i f f icul t for h i m to strugg l e . . . try to grab your f i r e a r m . . . o r to r e a c h a h idden gun. If h e ' s luc id enough to u n d e r s t a n d and f o l l o w orders and able to m o v e , y o u can get h i m s i t u a t e d before y o u s tar t toward h i m . If y o u ' r e w o r k i n g w i t h a partner or b a c k - u p , o n l y one of y o u s h o u l d give t h e orders . T e l l t h e suspec t f i rs t , in summary, w h a t NOU are going to w a n t h i m to do, b u t m a k e c lear p e is n o t to m o v e u n t i l you give t h e c o m m a n d and then do specifically w h a t y o u say and no more. Let h i m k n o w that if h e d isobeys , y o u ' l l be forced :o t a k e " a p p r o p r i a t e a c t i o n . "
T h e r e are several p o s i t i o n s in w h i c h a s u s p e c t ' s capacity to m o v e w i l l be l i m i t e d . T h e t r a d i t i o n a l a c t i c is to use a wal l or o t h e r v e r t i c a l sur face , l i k e h e side of a van . If y o u use t h i s approach , c h o o s e a ;pot away f r o m w i n d o w s . T h e s u s p e c t m a y try to ;scape by plunging through a w i n d o w or t h e g lass nay re f lec t your m o v e m e n t s b e h i n d h i m . W i t h t h e uspec t fac ing t h e wal l , order h i m to spread h i s ingers and place h is hands against t h e sur face a b o u t t to 4 feet apart . T h e n have h i m spread h i s legs nd m o v e h is feet b a c k 4 to 5 feet f r o m t h e w a l l .
Searches should focus on controlling the hands. Yet with this position, consider the possibilities for the suspect to kick your groin, grab your hand or tell the suspect next to him to assault you or disarm you.
2 4 2
T h i s s l a n t s h i s body at about a 45 -degree angle f r o m t h e w a l l , h a m p e r i n g q u i c k m o v e m e n t on h is part .
If y o u ' r e out in t h e open, y o u c a n h a v e t h e suspec t k n e e l , fac ing a w a y f r o m y o u , w i t h h i s f ingers i n t e r t w i n e d b e h i n d h i s n e c k or h e a d . H i s r ight a n k l e should b e crossed over h is le f t . Again , t h i s h a m p e r s any abrupt , m a j o r m o v e m e n t , and, as w e ' l l see , ge ts h i m in a p o s i t i o n w h e r e y o u c a n c o n t r o l h i m during your handcuf f ing and search . If y o u n o t i c e a gun s t u c k in t h e s u s p e c t ' s w a i s t b a n d w h i l e m a n e u v e r i n g h i m i n t o t h i s pos i t ion , i t ' s i m p e r a t i v e t h a t h e n o t be a l l o w e d to m o v e h is hands f r o m b e h i n d h i s n e c k . If h e ' s a t h r e e - t i m e loser , l o o k i n g at a long pr i son t e r m or t h e death p e n a l t y , h e m a y try to go for t h e gun and t a k e y o u o u t even w i t h t h e odds h e a v i l y against h i m . F r o m t h e k n e e l i n g p o s i t i o n , te l l h i m to fall forward w i t h o u t t a k i n g h i s h a n d s d o w n . E v e n if it k n o c k s h i s t e e t h out , t h i s m a y be t h e safest pos i t ion for y o u .
Probably t h e a l l -around b e s t p o s i t i o n for t e m p o r a r i l y i n c a p a c i t a t i n g a s u s p e c t is to h a v e h i m prone o u t . If h e ' s against a wal l , he m a y try to spin off, or if h e ' s k n e e l i n g , he c a n s t i l l r e a c h for a h idden gun. P r o n e , h e has t h e least o p p o r t u n i t y for m o v e m e n t . Order h i m face d o w n o n t h e ground, a r m s o u t s t r e t c h e d s tra ight f r o m h i s body, w i t h h i s p a l m s turned u p . Y o u w a n t h is h e a d a w a y f r o m your in tended r o u t e of approach . T r y to get h is head turned so h is v i s i o n is ful ly b l o c k e d — l i k e l o o k i n g i n t o a t i re , ra ther t h a n out at t h e p e r i m e t e r of a c t i o n . T o t h e e x t e n t poss ib le , you d o n ' t w a n t h i m to k n o w w h a t y o u are d o i n g . . . y o u d o n ' t give h i m a n y s l a c k he m i g h t use against y o u .
Approach Position
As y o u m o v e in c lose , y o u w a n t to shi f t your gun out of t h e t w o - h a n d , i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g ho ld . For c l o s e p r o x i m i t y , a gun out at your a r m ' s l e n g t h is an open i n v i t a t i o n for a suspec t to t ry to grab or k i c k it and d i sarm y o u .
As y o u get w i t h i n 10 or 6 feet of t h e s u s p e c t , you should pul l t h e gun b a c k in your s h o o t i n g h a n d and " l o c k " it in just above your h ip . Y o u r e l b o w w i l l be b e n t and t h e h e e l of your h a n d t o u c h i n g y o u r side b e t w e e n your lower rib and t h e top of your h ip b o n e or gun b e l t . O n l y t h e g u n ' s m u z z l e s h o u l d e x t e n d out b e y o n d your s t o m a c h . In t h i s p o s i t i o n , y o u c a n s t i l l f ire ahead at c l o s e range or p ivot to engage several s u s p e c t s and b e r e a s o n a b l y c e r t a i n of h i t t i n g t h e m in an e f fec t ive spot . A lso , t h i s p o s i t i o n leaves
A suspect wanted in three homicides is approached by an officer making body contact with a shotgun. Maintaining a safe distance from any suspect avoids the possibility of your being assaulted or disarmed by a suspect who knows you 're within range to receive a kick or grab the barrel of your firearm.
y o u a h a n d free to c o n t a c t t h e s u s p e c t or s h o v e h i m b a c k if h e l u n g e s for y o u . Y o u c a n a d v a n c e w i t h t h i s h a n d up and ready, ho ld ing your h a n d c u f f s , w h i c h y o u t a k e f r o m t h e i r carr ier on your w e a k h a n d s ide. N o t e : T h i s h i p or " c l o s e c o m b a t " p o s i t i o n for your gun s h o u l d b e used only during t h e f i n a l app r o a c h per iod and not as a s u b s t i t u t e for t h e i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g p o s i t i o n s m o r e appropr ia te for o t h e r d i s t a n c e s .
T r y to approach so t h e s u s p e c t c a n n o t o b s e r v e your m o v e m e n t s w i t h o u t t u r n i n g and l o o k i n g to f ind y o u . Order h i m to turn h is face a w a y f r o m y o u . If h e t r ies to l o o k , i n s t r u c t h i m f i r m l y n o t t o do so . If h e ' s d o w n , approach f r o m h i s fee t ; i t ' l l be harder for h i m to see you , and y o u ' l l h a v e s l ight ly longer to r e a c t if h e t r ies to a t t a c k . B e e x t r e m e l y c a u t i o u s if h e h a s fa l l en w i t h h i s g u n s t i l l in h i s h a n d or w i t h i n r e a c h . He may be faking death or serious injury.
If p o s s i b l e , approach f r o m an ang le t h a t l e t s y o u t a k e advantage of a v a i l a b l e c o v e r a n d t h a t w i l l g ive y o u a c lear f ie ld of f i re , w i t h o u t endanger ing i n n o c e n t c i v i l i a n s or f e l l o w of f i cers . If y o u h a v e to s h o o t , y o u w a n t to c o n c e r n yourse l f o n l y w i t h h i t t i n g t h e s u s p e c t and p r o t e c t i n g yourse l f .
2 4 4
Always make it a rule to approach any suspect so he can't see your approach.
A s u s p e c t m a y try t o t a l k to you , to e x p l a i n h i s How would you approach this armed a c t i o n s . . . h e a p on a b u s e . . . p l e a d for a b r e a k . . . o r a s k suspect! q u e s t i o n s . T e l l h i m to shut up-, r e fuse a n y r e q u e s t h e m a k e s . C h a t t e r w i l l t end to re lax or d i s t rac t y o u . Y o u w a n t no unnecessary conversation u n t i l af ter he has b e e n secured and s e a r c h e d .
Above al l , S T A Y A L E R T . T h e s u s p e c t m a y h a v e a h idden gun y o u h a v e n ' t s e e n . Do not take a verbal surrender at face value, n o m a t t e r h o w s i n c e r e it sounds or h o w badly w o u n d e d y o u r a s s a i l a n t m a y s e e m to b e .
Handcuffing
W h e n y o u h a v e a par tner or w o r k an approach w i t h a b a c k - u p off icer , h e c o v e r s y o u as y o u m o v e in, us ing an i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g ho ld on h i s g u n and m a k i n g sure n e i t h e r of y o u is in a cross - f i re p o s i t i o n . Y o u give t h e orders and your par tner r e m a i n s q u i e t , e x c e p t to w a r n y o u of danger . E v e n t h o u g h h e is cover ing, y o u keep your gun out , in t h e c l o s e quarters p o s i t i o n , u n t i l y o u m a k e p h y s i c a l c o n t a c t w i t h t h e s u s p e c t and bring h i s h a n d u n d e r c o n t r o l for handcuf f ing . In n u m e r o u s cases , o f f i cers h a v e been shot during a f inal approach, despi te t h e prese n c e of a par tner . T h e y t h i n k t h a t w i t h h i m pro-
2 4 5
viding cover , h e ' l l do w h a t n e e d s t o b e d o n e and drop t h e i r o w n guard.
If y o u ' r e a l o n e , y o u ' l l a l so w a n t your g u n drawn u n t i l t i m e to cuff . Y o u w a n t i t ready to f ire , double -a c t i o n . . . n o t c o c k e d . Y o u ' v e p o s s i b l y s e e n o f f i c e r s — at l eas t t h e t e l e v i s i o n a c t o r s w h o d o n ' t k n o w t o o m u c h a b o u t g u n s — p l a c e t h e m u z z l e of a c o c k e d gun aga ins t t h e he a d of a s u s p e c t w h i l e t h e y br ing h i m u n d e r c o n t r o l . T h i s is a h i g h l y d a n g e r o u s t a c t i c . A gun c l o s e t o a s u s p e c t ' s body m a y e n c o u r a g e h i m to t ry to grab i t . M o r e o v e r , a c o c k e d f i r e a r m requires o n l y a f r a c t i o n of n o r m a l tr igger pul l to s h o o t ; if t h e s u s p e c t m o v e s or y o u sl ip, y o u c o u l d e a s i l y f ire and k i l l h i m u n i n t e n t i o n a l l y . In o n e m i d w e s t e r n c o m m u n i t y , a n a r c o t i c s i n v e s t i g a t o r w h o a l legedly u s e d t h i s t a c t i c sho t r e f l e x i v e l y w h e n a s u s p e c t b u t t e d b a c k w a r d s and h i t h i m in t h e groin . T h e r o u n d fa ta l ly w o u n d e d t h e s u s p e c t . A t t h i s w r i t i n g , t h e o f f i cer and h i s par tner are fac ing a l a w s u i t of n e a r l y $ 1 m i l l i o n , b r o u g h t b y t h e v i c t i m ' s f a m i l y , charg ing e x c e s s i v e u s e of force and w r o n g f u l d e a t h . S o m e t i m e s i t ' s t h e o f f i cer w h o ends up s h o t . In t h e s t ress of t h e m o m e n t , y o u m a y u n w i t t i n g l y r e t u r n your gun t o i t s h o l s t e r c o c k e d , w h e r e a hard b l o w or c a r e l e s s draw c a n c a u s e it to f i re .
W h e n it is t i m e t o r e h o l s t e r your s i d e a r m , do so w i t h o u t l o o k i n g d o w n at y o u r g u n , so y o u c a n
Putting a cocked revolver to the head of an arrestee like this purse snatch suspect increases your risk. You also want to avoid placing your firearm in reach of the suspect.
2 4 6
keep your eyes and a t t e n t i o n ful ly o n t h e s u s p e c t . R e f a s t e n t h e res t ra in ing strap and remain aware of your gun, even t h o u g h i t ' s n o longer in your h a n d . A L W A Y S keep your gun side t u r n e d a w a y f r o m t h e suspect to safeguard your f i r e a r m .
W h e n y o u ' r e a l o n e and h a v e y o u r s h o t g u n t h a t y o u ' v e t a k e n i n t o t h e c o n f r o n t a t i o n , y o u ' l l be ab le to s l ing it over your shoulder if it h a s a s t rap, t h u s keeping it on your b a c k and out of y o u r w a y . W h e r e t h i s is n o t poss ib le , your safest o p t i o n is to u n l o a d t h e s h o t g u n . . . m o v e t h e sl ide to t h e open p o s i t i o n . . . put t h e sa fe ty o n . . . a n d lay t h e gun d o w n w h e r e it c a n ' t be dis turbed, w h i l e y o u h a n d l e your adversary . If bys tanders or o t h e r f a c t o r s m a k e t h a t i m p r a c t i c a l , your bes t bet probably is jus t to k e e p your a s s a i l a n t covered and under c o n t r o l u n t i l b a c k - u p he lp arr ives .
T h e suspec t w h o ' s down, e i t h e r dead or in jured, s h o u l d be approached w i t h t h e a s s u m p t i o n h e ' s s t i l l a l ive and dangerous . Y o u and your par tner should c o n s i d e r approaching h i m s i m u l t a n e o u s l y , guns drawn, b e c a u s e w i t h a s u s p e c t in t h i s p o s i t i o n , i t ' s hard w i t h o n l y o n e of t h e o f f i cers approach ing
When you and your back-up assume an "L" or right-angle position to a suspect, you minimize the possibility of a crossfire situation. You 're also making it difficult for the suspect to shoot both of you.
While a back-up officer provides cover, you approach the incapacitated suspect from a safe angle.
You step on his wrist to prevent any arm or hand movement which could result in a discharge.
2 4 8
to avoid a cross- f i re s i t u a t i o n . Y o u w a n t to c o m e at h i m in an " L " p o s i t i o n — o n e of y o u approach ing f r o m h i s feet , o n e f r o m h i s s ide. W i t h t h i s deploym e n t , e a c h of y o u c a n s h o o t w i t h o u t h i t t i n g t h e o ther . If your assa i lan t h a s h i s gun s t i l l in h i s h a n d , one of y o u s h o u l d w a l k up o n t h e s ide w h e r e t h e gun is , b u t n e v e r approach or s tand so t h e m u z z l e is po in t ing at y o u . W h e n y o u r e a c h h i s s ide, s tep o n h is wr i s t hard to prevent any a r m or h a n d m o v e m e n t tha t w o u l d e n a b l e h i m to s h o o t . U s e y o u r foot neares t h is body for bes t b a l a n c e . H o l s t e r y o u r gun w i t h o u t dropping your eyes f r o m t h e s u s p e c t . M a k e c e r t a i n h is gun is u n c o c k e d . T h e n u s e b o t h your hands to t w i s t i t out of h i s f ingers . C l a m p your s trong h a n d over t h e cy l inder or s l ide to c o n t r o l t h e gun w h i l e s i m u l t a n e o u s l y pul l ing h i s f inger a w a y f rom it w i t h your w e a k h a n d . O n c e h e ' s safe ly disarmed, h a n d c u f f h i m b e h i n d h i s b a c k , s e a r c h h i m t h o r o u g h l y for o t h e r guns , u n l o a d t h e s u s p e c t ' s weapon)s ) and t h e n c h e c k for v i t a l s igns .
W i t h a s u s p e c t w h o ' s k n e e l i n g or against a w a l l , y o u can approach a l o n e w i t h your par tner c o v e r i n g in t h e " L " p o s i t i o n . Y o u w a n t to u s e your fee t in
After securing the suspect's firearm, you now step backward while maintaining a visual on the suspect's hands.
2 4 9
In a wall search you want to keep the suspect off balance with his feet spread wide apart with his body angled sharply to the wall.
m a k i n g p h y s i c a l c o n t a c t . If h e ' s spread against a w a l l , f i rs t p lace your n o n - g u n h a n d b e t w e e n h i s s h o u l d e r b lades and press d o w n s l i g h t l y . T h i s p u t s a d d i t i o n a l pressure o n t h e s u s p e c t and a l l o w s y o u to fee l a n y a t t e m p t h e m i g h t m a k e t o p u s h off t h e w a l l and turn o n y o u . O n c e your h a n d is in p l a c e , t h e t r a d i t i o n a l approach is to h o o k y o u r r ight foot to t h e ins ide of h i s r ight o n e w h i l e y o u t a k e c o n t r o l of h i s r ight h a n d . S h o u l d h e t ry to p u s h b a c k f r o m t h e w a l l , y o u c a n s h o v e d o w n hard b e t w e e n h i s s h o u l d e r b lades , forc ing h i s h e a d i n t o t h e w a l l , t h e n q u i c k l y s l ide your h a n d d o w n to h i s w a i s t b a n d and pul l b a c k hard, w h i l e s i m u l t a n e o u s l y k i c k i n g h i s leg out f r o m u n d e r h i m .
Keep your sidearm in the close quarters position. Some departments also recommend the suspect's head be turned away from the side being searched, with his palms turned out.
After handcuffing, the suspect's head position against the wall plus his body angle give you control in moving him away at your command.
2 5 0
1
One kneeling arrest position begins with the suspect's gun placed on the ground with the suspect having taken three steps away from the gun. The suspect's fingers are interlaced against the back of his head as you maintain cover at the rear of the vehicle.
As you maintain your aim at the suspect's center mass, you continue to use precise commands to maintain suspect control by his assuming the kneeling position.
Commanding the suspect to spread his legs as far apart as possible will keep him off balance. The fingers are still kept interlaced at the back of the suspect's head.
You now grasp the suspect's interlaced fingers with your weak hand while simultaneously using your gun hand to push him forward. This has the effect of bowing his back and keeping him off balance.
2 5 1
Have the suspect cross his ankles then stride youifoot forward in front of his left knee and apply pressure against his hip with your knee.
The right arm is now brought down and around as you maintain pressure against the suspect's hip.
Handcuff the suspect's right hand first. Place three fingers inside the handcuff ring and hold it as the suspect's left wrist is brought behind his back.
The suspect's left hand is handcuffed while you hold his left hand at the wrist.
2 5 2
The suspect is now put at a further The suspect's legs are also searched for disadvantage by moving his head to weapons as you maintain control of the the ground while kneeling. A search suspect's hands, can now be safely continued for weapons.
While keeping your leading foot against Movemen t to your patrol car can be his knee, use your weak hand to grasp achieved by using the wrist-lock on the his left arm. Your strong hand now holds suspect's right hand. He is now ready onto his left hand as you begin to bring to transport safely, him to a standing position.
2 5 3
In starting a prone arrest position, issue commands from behind cover. Command him to interlace his fingers behind
With his arms out, palms up, order him to cross his legs and face away from your approach.
The suspect is then commanded to his knees and told to spread his legs far apart.
Raise his wrist as you push in on the back of his hand with your thumb and pull up with your fingers.
2 5 4
2 5 5
8
At this point you can easily cuff the other hand by raising it first, then cuffing. You now resecure the wrist by reapplying the wrist-lock.
You now assist the suspect in safely rising to his feet. You do so by placing your left hand on his left arm and your right hand on his right arm. As you pull up, you twist him into a sitting position.
2 5 6
If h e ' s k n e e l i n g , o n e approach is to c o m e f r o m b e h i n d and p lace your left foot b e t w e e n h i s c rossed a n k l e s as y o u s i m u l t a n e o u s l y grasp t h e top t h r e e f ingers of o n e 'of h i s i n t e r l o c k e d h a n d s . P u l l h i m b a c k w a r d s w i t h t h e s m a l l of h i s b a c k r e s t i n g against your k n e e so h e is off b a l a n c e . T h e n , w i t h y o u r s h i n press ing against h is top a n k l e , s l ide t h e a n k l e forward u n t i l i t ' s in t h e h o l l o w b e h i n d h i s le f t k n e e . T h i s pos i t ion , w h i c h has b e e n tes ted against b l a c k be l t k a r a t e exper ts , a l l o w s y o u to k e e p b o t h feet on t h e ground and c h a n g e s h i s c e n t e r of gravi ty so h e is t h o r o u g h l y off b a l a n c e for m o v i n g . (You c a n put h i m m o r e off b a l a n c e by pul l ing b a c k s l ight ly as y o u grip h i s f ingers . )
T h e r e are t w o v a r i a t i o n s of t h i s t a c t i c : 1) s tand w i t h your left foot on top of h i s c r o s s e d a n k l e s . If h e r e s i s t s , y o u c a n j a m your foot d o w n hard and e i t h e r b r e a k h i s ankle (s ) or at l eas t i n f l i c t c o n s i d erable pain . T h i s pos i t ion , h o w e v e r , t ends to put y o u off b a l a n c e and s u s c e p t i b l e to fal l ing; 2) s t i c k t h e front of your foot under h i s a n k l e s as t h e y are crossed b e h i n d h i m . If h e m o v e s , l i f t y o u r foot sharply, and h e ' l l p i t c h forward o n t o h i s f ace .
As y o u sl ide your foot i n t o w h a t e v e r p o s i t i o n y o u decide is appropriate , q u i c k l y h a n d c u f f t h e s u s p e c t ' s r ight wr i s t . U n l e s s y o u k n o w h i m to b e le f t -handed, h i s r ight is cuf fed f irst b e c a u s e t h e c h a n c e is 9 0 per c e n t tha t i t ' s h i s s t rong h a n d . B r i n g it around b e h i n d h is b a c k . Y o u w a n t to h a v e h i s a r m and wr i s t under c o n t r o l so y o u c a n i n f l i c t pain , if n e c e s s a r y , should h e struggle or r e s i s t . T h e n ins t r u c t h i m to bring h i s o t h e r h a n d b e h i n d h i m . Y o u can s teady h i m if h e ' s k n e e l i n g ; if h e ' s against a wal l , he c a n support h i s w e i g h t w i t h t h e top of h i s head . You want to cuff a suspect's hands behind him only. It t h e y ' r e in f ront , i t ' s t o o easy for h i m to grab for your gun or to swing h is m a n a c l e d f i s ts
2 5 7
as a p o w e r f u l w e a p o n in and of t h e m s e l v e s . If p o s s i b l e , s l ip t h e free end of t h e cuf fs t h r o u g h h i s b e l t b e f o r e cuf f ing h i s left h a n d . T h i s w i l l f u r t h e r r e s t r i c t h i s m o v e m e n t s and prevent h i m f r o m s tepping t h r o u g h h i s a r m s to br ing h i s h a n d s to t h e f ront of h i s b o d y . C u f f h i m so b o t h h i s p a l m s are fac ing o u t , t h e f r o n t s of h i s w r i s t s aga ins t e a c h o t h e r . A n d b e sure t o d o u b l e - l o c k t h e c u f f s .
Vour opportunity to maintain suspect control is diminished when handcuffing righ t hand to left hand or left hand to left hand with an officer sandwiched in the middle.
2 5 8
O n rare o c c a s i o n s , y o u m a y n e e d to h a n d c u f f a d e f o r m e d or in jured individual w h o c a n ' t br ing his h a n d s b e h i n d h i s b a c k . H e r e y o u c a n r e d u c e t h e r i sks of f ront cuf f ing s o m e w h a t by t u r n i n g h i s be l t so t h e b u c k l e is in t h e rear . T h e n pass t h e cuf fs through t h e f ront of t h e be l t and cuff h i m w i t h h i s p a l m s o u t . T h i s k e e p s h is a r m s c l o s e to h i s body and l e s s e n s h is ab i l i ty to a t t a c k .
W h e n y o u h a v e several s u s p e c t s to h a n d l e , your o p t i o n s m a y i n c l u d e :
Handcuffing two prisoners with one pair of cuffs. W i t h t h e s u s p e c t s side by s ide , order t h e o n e on t h e r ight to br ing h i s r ight h a n d b e h i n d h i s b a c k . T u r n h i s p a l m o u t and a t t a c h t h e cuff , t h e n pass t h e free end of t h e handcuf f s t h r o u g h h i s b e l t . N o w h a v e t h e s e c o n d s u s p e c t br ing h i s r ight a r m to t h e rear . A t t a c h t h e cuff to h i s r ight w r i s t . T h i s l eaves b o t h pr isoners in a s o m e w h a t a w k w a r d p o s i t i o n , l e ss ening t h e c h a n c e of t h e i r r u n n i n g or c o o r d i n a t i n g a r m m o v e m e n t . A l t h o u g h it v i o l a t e s t h e g e n e r a l rule a b o u t f ront cuff ing, an a c c e p t a b l e a l t e r n a t i v e w h e r e o n l y o n e set of cuffs is ava i lab le is to cuf f b o t h p r i s o n e r s ' r ight w r i s t s t o g e t h e r in f ront of t h e i r bodies . T h i s , too , is a w k w a r d e n o u g h to h a m p e r e x t r e m e m o v e m e n t . Never h a n d c u f f t w o s u s p e c t s r ight h a n d to left h a n d . T h i s affords t h e m t o o m u c h f r e e d o m of m o v e m e n t . ( S o m e of f icers carry t w o se ts of cuf fs , w h i c h m a k e s handcuf f ing t w o pr i soners less of a p r o b l e m . )
Handcuffing two prisoners with two pairs of cuffs. C u f f t h e f irst suspec t w i t h h i s h a n d s b e h i n d his b a c k , p a l m s o u t . T h e n h a v e t h e s e c o n d s u s p e c t i n t e r l o c k h is r ight a r m t h r o u g h t h e o t h e r ' s le f t a r m before y o u handcuf f h i m in t h e u s u a l p a l m s - o u t m a n n e r .
Handcuffing three prisoners with two pairs of cuffs. T h e f irst s u s p e c t is cuf fed to t h e rear , p a l m s o u t . T h e r ight a r m of t h e s e c o n d s u s p e c t is t h e n i n t e r l o c k e d t h r o u g h h i s left a r m . N o w u s e your s e c o n d set of cuffs to handcuf f t h e w r i s t of t h i s i n t e r l o c k e d a r m to t h e wris t of t h e th i rd s u s p e c t ' s r ight a r m . W h e n t h e y ' r e l o c k e d t o g e t h e r , a l l t h e suspec ts s h o u l d be fac ing in t h e s a m e d i r e c t i o n .
Handcuffing four prisoners with two pairs of cuffs. T h i s procedure is an extremely risky o n e b e c a u s e of your n e c e s s a r y c l o s e p r o x i m i t y to a l l four s u s p e c t s . Y o u should n o t a t t e m p t it u n l e s s y o u have a par tner w h o c a n cover y o u . Y o u s h o u l d b e u n a r m e d , and t h e s u s p e c t s , in t h i s c a s e , s h o u l d be searched before y o u start t h e cuf f ing . P o s i t i o n t h e f irst t w o s u s p e c t s so t h e y are fac ing e a c h o t h e r , and handcuf f the i r r ight w r i s t s t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e f irst set of cuf fs . T h i n k of t h e s e t w o s u s p e c t s as t h e la teral p o i n t s of a four-pointed star . T h e o t h e r t w o
s u s p e c t s w i l l be p o s i t i o n e d as if t h e y are t h e o t h e r t w o p o i n t s . W i t h y o u r s e c o n d set of cuf f s , f irst cuff t h e r ight w r i s t of s u s p e c t n u m b e r t h r e e . N o w p lace t h e r e m a i n i n g cuff a r o u n d t h e l i n k s of t h e f irst set of cuf fs and l o c k t h e s e l i n k s ins ide t h e cuff , a long w i t h t h e r ight w r i s t of s u s p e c t n u m b e r four . B e c a u s e of t h e d i f f i cu l ty t h e y ' l l h a v e in m o v i n g , i t ' s hard to t ranspor t s u s p e c t s w h o are h a n d c u f f e d in t h i s f a s h i o n . T h i s m a n n e r of cuf f ing is u s u a l l y p r a c t i c a l o n l y as a ho lding p r o c e d u r e .
R e m e m b e r t h a t y o u r surviva l f r o m t h i s p o i n t on m a y depend h e a v i l y o n your g e t t i n g y o u r assai l ant h a n d c u f f e d f i r m l y . W i t h f e m a l e pr i so ne r s , e s p e c i a l l y , o f f i cers o f t e n l e a v e cuf fs t o o loose so as n o t to c a u s e pa in or d i s c o m f o r t , t h e r e b y e n a b l i n g t h e s u s p e c t s to s l ip o u t of t h e cuf fs e n t i r e l y or to m o r e e a s i l y s tep t h r o u g h t h e i r a r m s and br ing t h e cuf fs o u t f r o n t . S o m e of f icers , f o o l i s h l y , are r e l u c t a n t to h a n d c u f f f e m a l e s u s p e c t s at a l l . In e a c h c a s e , cuffs n o t o n l y s h o u l d b e squeezed snug b u t s h o u l d also be d o u b l e - l o c k e d . O n c e t h e cuf fs are on , s q u e e z e t h e s u s p e c t ' s f ingers t o g e t h e r to m a k e sure h i s h a n d is n o t s m a l l e n o u g h t o a l l o w h i m to sl ip t h r o u g h t h e h a n d c u f f s .
Regardless of h o w c o o p e r a t i v e h e or s h e m a y s e e m t o b e , never handcuff a prisoner to yourself. B e s i d e s t h e o b v i o u s r i s k of h i s t ry ing to o v e r p o w e r y o u , h e m a y dec ide to leap in f ront of a car or off a roof , m a k i n g y o u an i n v o l u n t a r y v i c t i m of h i s s u i c i d e a t t e m p t .
Searching for Firearms
M o s t o f t e n , a s u s p e c t c a n — a n d s h o u l d — b e s e a r c h e d at t h e l o c a t i o n w h e r e y o u arrest h i m , af ter h e is cuf fed and i n c a p a c i t a t e d as m u c h as p o s s i b l e . S o m e t i m e s , h o w e v e r , e s p e c i a l l y in c o n c e n t r a t e d u r b a n areas , h o s t i l e c r o w d s m a y try to r e l e a s e or t h r e a t e n your pr i soner and it s e e m s des i rab le to get a w a y f r o m t h e s c e n e as q u i c k l y as p o s s i b l e . In t h o s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , o f f i cers m a y p lace t h e h a n d c u f f e d s u s p e c t in t h e patro l car and s e a r c h h i m t h o r o u g h l y w h i l e driving a w a y . E v e n t h e n , h o w e v e r , y o u s h o u l d per form a c u r s o r y s e a r c h before p lac ing h i m in t h e car . Y o u c a n pat d o w n his be l t area, for e x a m p l e , w h i l e w a l k i n g h i m t o wa r d t h e car . T o c o n t i n u e t h e s e a r c h in t h e car, h a v e t h e s u s p e c t s i t in t h e b a c k seat o n t h e passenger s ide, w i t h o n e of f icer sea ted n e x t to h i m d i r e c t l y b e h i n d t h e dr iver -of f icer .
T h i s t e c h n i q u e h a s s o m e o b v i o u s hazards and l i m i t a t i o n s . W h e r e p o s s i b l e , a b e t t e r a l t e r n a t i v e is
2 6 0
to ca l l for su f f i c i en t b a c k - u p to c o n t a i n and c o n t r o l t h e c rowd w h i l e s e a r c h procedures are c o n d u c t e d at t h e s c e n e .
W h e n y o u search t h e s u s p e c t , y o u ' l l of c o u r s e w a n t to c o n f i s c a t e a n y t h i n g h e m i g h t b e a b l e to u s e to p i c k t h e l o c k of your h a n d c u f f s . A b o b b y p in or a s m a l l s tr ip of brass f r o m a w o o d e n ru ler c a n b e used to disengage t h e t e e t h in t h e r a t c h e t , and t h e i n k cartr idges f r o m s o m e b a l l p o i n t p e n s are a l m o s t i d e n t i c a l to h a n d c u f f k e y s . S o m e s u s p e c t s k e e p an a c tua l k e y h idden on t h e i r p e r s o n s , under a bandaid , in the w a i s t b a n d of the i r p a n t s or ins ide a b e l t , for e x a m p l e .
Y o u r p r i m a r y c o n c e r n , h o w e v e r , is f inding w e a p o n s . B e c a u s e your assa i lan t h a s displayed o n e gun or y o u ' v e recovered o n e ear ly in y o u r s e a r c h does not m e a n t h a t ' s all h e h a s . D u r i n g a f ina l approach at a drug s tore w h e r e p o l i c e h a d i n t e r r u p t e d a robbery, a p a t r o l m a n in I n d i a n a s u c c e s s f u l l y used a verbal c h a l l e n g e to d i sarm a s u s p e c t w h o w a s holding a revolver in h i s h a n d . B u t t h e o f f i cer negl e c t e d to s e a r c h for an addi t iona l w e a p o n . M o m e n t s later , t h e s u s p e c t whipped a . 3 5 7 M a g n u m o u t of h is w a i s t b a n d and s h o t t h e o f f i cer in t h e h e a d . S o m e t i m e s a s u s p e c t ' s m o s t dangerous w e a p o n is h is s e c o n d o n e . D u r i n g a d o m e s t i c d i s t u r b a n c e in T e x a s , a d e t e c t i v e t o o k a large B o w i e k n i f e f r o m a m a n w h o la ter , as t h e i n c i d e n t appeared to b e w i n d ing down, produced a . 4 5 c a l . s e m i - a u t o m a t i c and shot t h e d e t e c t i v e in t h e b a c k . If y o u see or f ind o n e w e a p o n , don't omit o r cut shoit youi search. Y o u r suspec t m a y h a v e t w o — o r t h r e e . O f t e n a s s a i l a n t s carry m u l t i p l e w e a p o n s o n t h e a s s u m p t i o n t h a t an of f icer w o n ' t f ind t h e m al l .
Y o u r s e a r c h s h o u l d be s y s t e m a t i c , so y o u cover h i s en t i re body f r o m his head to h i s t o e s . A good place to l o o k f i rs t is a round t h e s u s p e c t ' s midr i f f . M a n y people w h o carry g u n s i l legal ly m i m i c w h a t t h e y see on t e l e v i s i o n or in t h e m o v i e s . T h e y d o n ' t w e a r a h o l s t e r b e l t e d t o t h e s ide or carry t h e gun in t h e s m a l l of t h e b a c k , b u t s t u c k in t h e i r w a i s t b a n d c lose to t h e f ront of t h e i r body . O f t e n t h e y h a v e it in t h e cross -draw pos i t ion , b e l i e v i n g (erroneously) tha t t h i s is q u i c k e r and m o r e i m p r e s s i v e . As o n e observer has n o t e d , " M o s t of t h e s e p e o p l e are in t h e r a n k s of t h e l o s e r s . " B u t if y o u r s e a r c h is s l ipshod, t h e y c a n q u i c k l y m a k e y o u a loser , t o o .
Af ter c h e c k i n g t h e w a i s t area, go to t h e top of h is head and c h e c k all areas d o w n t o h i s t o e s . W o r k f rom top to b o t t o m , r ight to l e f t — a n d m a i n t a i n t h e s a m e s e a r c h s y s t e m o n each s u s p e c t . T h a t w a y y o u w o n ' t forget any area.
No area of t h e body or i t e m of c l o t h i n g s h o u l d be i m m u n e f r o m search ing . Adversar ies h a v e b e e n
2 6 1
k n o w n to carry g u n s in t h e c r o t c h of the i r p a n t s . . . ins ide t h e i r h a t s . . . u p t h e i r s l e e v e s . . . o n cords around t h e i r n e c k s . . . u n d e r c o a t s and v e s t s . . . o r f a s t e n e d to t h e i r a r m s or legs by rubber bands or tape . S o m e t i m e s , t h e y h ide t h e m in s l ings and bandages . O n e f e m a l e s u b j e c t in C a l i f o r n i a w a s f o u n d to h a v e a C o l t P y t h o n h idden in her vagina ! O t h e r s h a v e carr ied g u n s taped in t h e i r a r m pi ts or under t h e i r b r e a s t s .
A favor i te spot for c o n c e a l i n g w e a p o n s , o f t e n o v e r l o o k e d , is ins ide b o o t s . S o m e surviva l c o n s c i o u s o f f i cers w i l l n o t p lace any s u s p e c t in the i r patro l cars u n t i l af ter he h a s r e m o v e d h is b o o t s , us ing o n l y h i s feet to do so . In c i r c u m s t a n c e s tha t are dupl i ca ted o f t e n in t h e a n n a l s of los t l ives , a c o u n t y p o l i c e m a n in Virg in ia h a n d c u f f e d a shopl i f t ing s u s p e c t and placed h i m in h i s pat ro l car , w i t h o u t s e a r c h i n g h i s f o o t w e a r . E n r o u t e to t h e s t a t i o n , t h e s u s p e c t m a n a g e d to pul l a h a n d g u n h e had c o n c e a l e d in h is b o o t and shot t h e p a t r o l m a n at p o i n t - b l a n k range . In T e n n e s s e e , t h e a s s a i l a n t in a s i m i l a r c a s e w a s a y o u n g d r u n k w h o m a deputy sheri f f w a s driving to ja i l . T h i s s u s p e c t had a . 3 8 c a l . derr inger h idden in h i s c o w b o y b o o t s . W h e n h e pul led it and s tar ted s h o o t i n g , t h e deputy tr ied to defend h i m s e l f . H e sho t t h e s u s p e c t t h r e e t i m e s . . . b u t it w a s t h e deputy w h o died, sho t o n c e in t h e h e a d .
M a l e of f i cers (and f e m a l e o f f i cers , too , for tha t m a t t e r ) are o f t e n r e l u c t a n t to s e a r c h a m a l e susp e c t ' s c r o t c h area . B e c a u s e of t h i s h e s i t a t i o n , t w o N e w Y o r k of f i cers w e r e a b o u t to p lace an arrested s u s p e c t in the i r patro l car w i t h o u t a t h o r o u g h search , u n t i l o n e ' s s i x t h s e n s e b e c a m e a l a r m e d and h e dec ided to c h e c k out t h e s u s p e c t f u r t h e r . W h i l e t h e o f f i cer w a s s e a r c h i n g t h e s u s p e c t ' s c r o t c h , h e w a s r id icu led by t h e s u s p e c t w i t h r e m a r k s l ike , " A r e y o u queer , m a n ? " and " Y o u m u s t be a faggot, a c l o s e t q u e e n ! " Even t h e o f f i c e r ' s par tner laughed a l i t t l e — u n t i l h e found a . 2 5 c a l . s e m i - a u t o m a t i c h idden in t h e s u s p e c t ' s p a n t s .
S i m i l a r l y , m a l e of f i cers m a y b e h e s i t a n t about s e a r c h i n g f e m a l e pr i soners o n t h e s t ree t , and seasoned s u s p e c t s m a y try to c a p i t a l i z e on t h i s f a c t . B u t a s u s p e c t is a s u s p e c t , regardless of s e x ; w o m e n k i l l l a w e n f o r c e m e n t of f i cers t h e s a m e as m e n do. In s e a r c h i n g a f e m a l e , f irst pul l out her b l o u s e ta i l if i t ' s t u c k e d i n ; s o m e t i m e s g u n s or o t h e r w e a p o n s w i l l fall o u t . A l s o c o n s i d e r u n s n a p p i n g her bra and s h a k i n g it by i t s s traps ; t h a t ' s a n o t h e r c o m m o n hiding p l a c e . M o s t areas of her body c a n be searched t h e s a m e as you w o u l d a m a n ' s . In c h e c k i n g b e t w e e n and under her breas t s , on t h e ins ides of h e r t h i g h s and a r o u n d her c r o t c h , use t h e edge of your h a n d . T h i s c a n p r o t e c t you against a c c u s a t i o n s of i m proper a d v a n c e s .
2 6 2
Even a s u s p e c t w h o appears to be d e f e n s e l e s s should be s e a r c h e d and h a n d c u f f e d before h e ' s t ransported f r o m t h e s c e n e . Af ter a s h o o t - o u t in w h i c h t h e assa i lant w a s badly w o u n d e d in O h i o , t h e p o l i c e recovered t h e .25 c a l . s e m i - a u t o m a t i c h e had used in t h e f ight , but t h e y d i d n ' t s e a r c h h i m fur ther before loading h i m i n t o an a m b u l a n c e . T h e suspec t s t i l l had a n o t h e r gun s e c r e t e d o n h i s body . In th i s case , t h e pr i soner died e n r o u t e to t h e hospi tal , but w i t h lesser in jur ies h e m i g h t h a v e used it to s h o o t h i s w a y to f r e e d o m .
Remaining Alert
D u r i n g your search , as in o t h e r phases of t h e f inal approach, y o u ' l l need to e x e r c i s e a d i f f i cu l t form of m e n t a l d i sc ip l ine . Y o u ' l l h a v e t o c o n c e n trate o n w h a t y o u ' r e doing, of c o u r s e , b u t a surviva l o r i e n t a t i o n d e m a n d s tha t y o u n o t s u c c u m b to t h e n a t u r a l t e n d e n c y under s t ress to c o n c e n t r a t e only o n tha t . A s h o o t i n g e n c o u n t e r is not a " l i n e a r " s i t u a t i o n , a progress ion of s ingle , i so la ted e v e n t s f rom t h e b e g i n n i n g t h r o u g h t h e e n d . R a t h e r , at e a c h stage of t h e e n c o u n t e r , m a n y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s are going o n s i m u l t a n e o u s l y . W h e n you are s e a r c h i n g a suspec t , y o u m a y at t h e s a m e t i m e h a v e to be alert to a c rowd of bys tanders c o l l e c t i n g around y o u , to b a c k - u p of f icers arr iving and deploying , to e v i d e n c e tha t n e e d s to be preserved, to t h e p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t t h e s u s p e c t , even t h o u g h h a n d c u f f e d , c a n s t i l l u s e h is legs to k i c k or run or h is head to b u t t you , and so on . T h e t e m p t a t i o n is to b l o c k o u t e v e r y t h i n g b u t t h e m o s t powerfu l , i m m e d i a t e s t i m u l u s so y o u c a n c o n c e n t r a t e b e t t e r . B u t y o u c a n ' t afford t h a t k i n d of t u n n e l v i s i o n . Y o u ' l l need to k e e p part of your a w a r e n e s s f o c u s e d o n e v e r y t h i n g e lse t h a t ' s t a k i n g p lace in t h e s c e n e around y o u .
For e x a m p l e , addi t ional a s s a i l a n t s o f t e n appear in th i s per iod. If y o u ' r e n o t a lert to t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of the i r p r e s e n c e , t h e i r u s e of surprise m a y overw h e l m y o u and put y o u at s u c h a d isadvantage tha t y o u c a n ' t r e c o v e r . Y e t , jus t as m a n y of f i cers are not a t t u n e d to t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of a s e c o n d w e a p o n , m a n y fai l to cons ider e x t r a adversar ies ; t h e y get o n e under c o n t r o l , and t h e y r e l a x . In l a w e n f o r c e m e n t , w e ' v e used b a c k - u p m e n as a patrol t a c t i c for y e a r s . I t ' s t i m e w e a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t o f fenders are us ing t h e m , t o o , w i t h increas ing f r e q u e n c y , jus t as t h e y u s e b a c k - u p g u n s .
A very h igh percentage of a r m e d r o b b e r i e s , for e x a m p l e , are c o m m i t t e d by t w o or m o r e people . B a n k s u r v e i l l a n c e p h o t o s at a ser ies of b a n k rob-
ber ies in N e w Y o r k C i t y s h o w h o w o n e t e a m w o r k e d . W h i l e o n e s u s p e c t p r e s e n t e d h i m s e l f t o a te l ler and a n n o u n c e d t h e robbery , h i s p a r t n e r rem a i n e d far ther b a c k in t h e te l l e r l i n e , appearing to b e an ordinary , u n i n v o l v e d c i t i z e n . If t h e robbery w e n t w e l l , t h i s m a n s i m p l y w a i t e d u n t i l t h e robber w a s headed o u t of t h e lobby , t h e n d u c k e d o u t of t h e l i n e and e x i t e d b e h i n d h i m . If s o m e t h i n g w e n t wrong, t h e b a c k - u p m a n w a s t h e r e w i t h u n e x p e c t e d f ire p o w e r . At o n e b a n k , for i n s t a n c e , a s e c u r i t y guard gave c h a s e to t h e robber . T h e b a c k - u p m a n c a m e up b e h i n d h i m , drew a gun and s h o t h i m .
If your r e s p o n s e to a ca l l is fast e n o u g h or if y o u h a p p e n to be at t h e s c e n e w h e n a c r i m e goes d o w n -as o f t e n h a p p e n s w i t h of f -duty of f i cers at t a v e r n or grocery s tore r o b b e r i e s — t h e e x t r a a s s a i l a n t s m a y n o t h a v e yet m a d e t h e i r p r e s e n c e k n o w n w h e n y o u i n t e r v e n e . T h e y m a y b l e n d in w i t h t h e env i ronm e n t , y e t b e l o c a t e d in t a c t i c a l l y a d v a n t a g e o u s p o s i t i o n s . If i t ' s a tavern , o n e or m o r e b a c k - u p m e n m a y b e s e a t e d at t h e bar or in a b o o t h , w a t c h i n g t h e a c t i o n l i k e t h e o t h e r p a t r o n s . A t a t r u c k h i j a c k i n g , a n o t h e r a s s a i l a n t m a y b e s tanding n e a r b y as if w a i t i n g for a b u s or b e " f i x i n g " a f lat o n a car d o w n t h e b l o c k . O n traf f ic s tops , a p a s s e n g e r m a y a t t a c k y o u as y o u ' r e t a k i n g t h e driver i n t o c u s t o d y . O r t h e e x t r a s u s p e c t m a y b e h idden a l t o g e t h e r ; perhaps y o u ' v e f l u s h e d o n e adversary o u t of a c l o s e t w i t h a verba l c h a l l e n g e , b u t a n o t h e r , u n b e k n o w n to y o u , r e m a i n s s e c r e t e d ins ide .
In a n y c a s e , t h e b a c k - u p m a n m a y w a i t u n t i l y o u are i n v o l v e d w i t h t h e c o m p l e x and e a s i l y dist r a c t i n g p r o b l e m s of a f ina l approach to s t r i k e . In Virg in ia , for e x a m p l e , t w o of f i cers w h o ' d s t a k e d o u t t h e park ing lot of a m o t e l w h e r e n u m e r o u s the f t s f r o m v e h i c l e s h a d o c c u r r e d spot ted t w o teenagers s u s p i c i o u s l y l o o k i n g i n t o c e r t a i n cars . T h e y ordered t h e y o u t h s to h a l t and w e r e approach ing t h e m w h e n a th i rd s u s p e c t , w h o m t h e y h a d n ' t seen , e m e r g e d f r o m ins ide a n e a r b y v e h i c l e w h e r e h e ' d b e e n h id ing . H e f ired o n e sho t f r o m a . 2 5 c a l . s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , f a ta l ly w o u n d i n g o n e of t h e of f i cers in t h e c h e s t .
S o m e t i m e s an addi t iona l a s s a i l a n t h a s n o conn e c t i o n w i t h t h e suspect (s ) y o u ' r e h a n d l i n g . O n e gunf ight s tar ted in D e t r o i t as o f f i cers w e r e h a n d cuf f ing a t raf f ic v i o l a t o r w h e n an u n i n v o l v e d m o t o r i s t pul led abreas t , p o i n t e d a gun at o n e of t h e p a t r o l m e n and ye l led , " H e y , y o u b l a c k m o t h e r f u c k e r , I ' m g o n n a k i l l y o u ! " In a s o m e w h a t s i m i l a r c a s e , t h r e e C o l o r a d o of f i cers h a d q u i e t e d a dis turba n c e at a t ra i ler c o u r t and w e r e r e t u r n i n g to the i r cars w h e n a m a n u n i n v o l v e d w i t h t h e i n c i d e n t suddenly e m e r g e d f r o m h i s t ra i ler n e a r b y . S h o u t i n g a s tr ing of o b s c e n i t i e s , h e h o i s t e d a . 1 2 ga. s h o t g u n and s h o t o n e of t h e p a t r o l m e n fa ta l ly in t h e b a c k .
2 6 4
O f t e n , a n e w assa i lan t is part of t h e c r o w d t h a t f o r m s to w a t c h , and s o m e t h i n g a b o u t y o u r p r e s e n c e or t h e a c t i o n sparks a v i o l e n t r e s p o n s e in h i m . Severa l of f icers w e r e in t h e f ina l s tages of i n v e s t i g a t i n g a h i t -and-run t raf f ic a c c i d e n t in K a n s a s , w h e n a m a n w h o ' d b e e n w a t c h i n g t h e p r o c e e d i n g s f r o m a c r o w d across t h e s t ree t suddenly darted over to t h e m , k n o c k e d a reserve p o l i c e m a n to t h e ground and grabbed h is serv ice revolver . A deputy sher i f f s tanding nearby shot t h e a s s a i l a n t in t h e t h r o a t , b u t before h e fe l l , severa l m o r e s h o t s w e r e e x c h a n g e d . T h e deputy w a s w o u n d e d , and t h e reserve of f i cer w a s k i l l ed . In W i s c o n s i n , a m o t o r i s t w h o ' d b e e n s topped for driving an i m p r o p e r l y reg is tered car s tar ted to struggle w h e n t h e of f icers t o o k h i m i n t o c u s t o d y . As t h e y f o c u s e d on ge t t ing h i m u n d e r c o n t r o l , a bys tander w a l k e d up and shot b o t h o f f i cers in t h e head w i t h a 7 . 6 5 m m s e m i - a u t o m a t i c . As t h e D a l l a s P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t learned w h e n J a c k R u b y assass inated L e e Harvey O s w a l d , on-lookeis o r ciowds of any kind in any location bear careful watching.
P r o b a b l y t h e p e r s o n y o u leas t e x p e c t t r o u b l e f r o m during a f ina l approach is t h e v i c t i m of t h e c r i m e . Y e t in s o m e c i r c u m s t a n c e s i t ' s n o t u n c o m m o n for a v i c t i m t o t r a n s f o r m s u d d e n l y i n t o an addi t ional assa i lan t . T h i s is p a r t i c u l a r l y t rue at t h e s c e n e s of d o m e s t i c d i s t u r b a n c e s . M o r e t h a n o n e of f icer w h o h a s m a n a g e d to r e s c u e a w i f e f r o m b e i n g k i c k e d , b e a t e n or k i l l e d by h e r h u s b a n d h a s b e e n s tart led to h a v e t h e " g r a t e f u l " v i c t i m t h e n turn on h i m w h e n h e m o v e d to arrest t h e h u s b a n d and t ransport h i m to ja i l . T h e r u l e s h e r e are : d o n ' t a u t o m a t i c a l l y ru le out a n y o n e as a p o t e n t i a l assa i l a n t . . . r e m a i n aware of w h e r e your g u n is in r e l a t i o n to t h e v i c t i m , as w e l l as t h e s u s p e c t . . . a n d b e c o n s c i o u s , too , of any o t h e r w e a p o n s t h a t t h e v i c t i m m a y h a v e a c c e s s t o . For e x a m p l e , t ry to avoid arrest ing s u s p e c t s in k i t c h e n s ; t h e r e are u s u a l l y t o o m a n y k n i v e s around.
O n e poss ib i l i ty to s tay a ler t for is an e x t r a assa i lant w h o i s n ' t h u m a n . T r a i n e d a t t a c k dogs are be ing used i n c r e a s i n g l y by c r i m i n a l s . C e r t a i n narc o t i c s dealers in o n e c i t y are k n o w n to k e e p G e r m a n shepherds penned in c l o s e t s t h a t c a n be o p e n e d w i t h t h e trip of a l a t c h , sending t h e dogs charg ing at p o l i c e m e n w h o a t t e m p t arres ts .
T h e m o s t di f f icul t area t o w a t c h during a f ina l approach is to your rear . If poss ib le , t ry to get a w a l l or o t h e r sol id barr ier b e h i n d y o u w h i l e y o u ' r e approaching , handcuf f ing and/or s e a r c h i n g a s u s p e c t to l e ssen t h e r i s k of a t t a c k f r o m t h a t d i r e c t i o n .
T o he lp all your s e n s e s (part icular ly your hearing and your per ipheral v is ion) r e m a i n a ler t to w h a t ' s happening around y o u , y o u w a n t to m i n i m i z e your exposure to d i s t r a c t i o n . In o n e c a s e , a sher-
i f f ' s deputy s h i f t e d h i s a t t e n t i o n a w a y f r o m a s u b j e c t h e w a s arres t ing o n a h i g h w a y jus t long e n o u g h to l i s t e n to h i s patro l car radio . T h e s u s p e c t r e a c h e d b a c k i n t o h i s car and got a gun, w h i c h h e used to k i l l t h e deputy and t h e d e p u t y ' s w i f e , w h o w a s in t h e pat ro l car . In o t h e r c a s e s , c i v i l i a n s h a v e app r o a c h e d to a s k q u e s t i o n s or reg is ter c o m p l a i n t s during a h a n d c u f f i n g or f r i sk ing , and s u s p e c t s h a v e c a p i t a l i z e d on t h e d ivers ion to se ize o f f i c e r s ' g u n s and s tar t s h o o t i n g . O f t e n t h e s u s p e c t h i m s e l f w i l l t ry to d i s t rac t y o u , b y m o v i n g u n n e c e s s a r i l y or by a s k i n g p e r m i s s i o n for favors , l i k e going to t h e t o i l e t , t a k i n g m e d i c i n e , g e t t i n g h i s c o a t , e t c . If h e n e e d s a c o a t , go w i t h h i m or s e n d an o f f i cer t o get it and t h o r o u g h l y s e a r c h it b e f o r e l e t t i n g h i m h a v e i t .
S u s p e c t s m a y try to c o n y o u b y a t t e m p t i n g to m a k e y o u l o o k foo l i sh or by p laying o n your s y m p a t h i e s . B u t under no circumstances should you permit a suspect to move out of your immediate presence, e v e n if d e n y i n g h i m a r e q u e s t s e e m s harsh . A c i t y m a r s h a l in K a n s a s h a d arres ted and handcuffed a parole v i o l a t o r h e r e c o g n i z e d driving a r o u n d t o w n w i t h h i s four c h i l d r e n . A s h e w a s b e i n g put i n t o t h e pat ro l car , t h e s u s p e c t a s k e d and w a s granted p e r m i s s i o n to re turn to h is o w n v e h i c l e for a m o m e n t to s p e a k to h i s b e w i l d e r e d c h i l d r e n a l o n e . T h e r e h e o b t a i n e d a . 3 5 7 c a l . h a n d g u n , w h i c h h e m a n a g e d to f ire t w i c e at t h e m a r s h a l ' s c h e s t e v e n t h o u g h h i s h a n d s w e r e cuffed b e h i n d h i m . As t h e m a r s h a l lay dying, t h e a s s a i l a n t s t o l e h i s s e r v i c e r e v o l v e r and f led, w i t h o n e of h i s k ids driving t h e car .
T h e r e ' s n o t m u c h w e c a n learn a b o u t p o l i c e w o r k f r o m t h e m o v i e ro les of C l i n t E a s t w o o d , but h e did h a v e a p e r t i n e n t p i e c e of dialog in o n e of h i s f i l m s . C o m m e n t i n g o n a f e l l o w of f i cer w h o ' d b e e n s h o t and k i l l e d b e c a u s e h e r e l a x e d h i s a l e r t n e s s t o w a r d a pr i soner o u t of s y m p a t h y , E a s t w o o d rem a r k e d : " T h e co lor of p i ty is r e d — b l o o d r e d . " I t ' s a l ine w o r t h r e m e m b e r i n g w h e n y o u ' r e t ry ing to m a i n t a i n f i r m c o n t r o l over s o m e o n e w h o m a y h a v e t h e w i l l and t h e w a y to t a k e your l i fe .
O n e w a y t o p r o t e c t yourse l f is a l w a y s t o t reat a p r i s o n e r as if h e is a r m e d , e v e n t h o u g h a t h o r o u g h s e a r c h h a s c o n v i n c e d y o u h e ' s n o t . If h e n e e d s to c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h s o m e o n e e l se , y o u carry t h e m e s s a g e for h i m w h i l e h e r e m a i n s l o c k e d in t h e b a c k of your patro l car . D o n ' t p e r m i t o t h e r people to s t i c k t h e i r heads in your car , k i s s t h e s u s p e c t or o t h e r w i s e approach or t o u c h h i m . B y a l l o w i n g any p h y s i c a l c o n t a c t , y o u open t h e p o s s i b i l i t y tha t a c o n f e d e r a t e w i l l t rans fer a s m a l l c a l i b e r f i r e a r m to t h e p e r s o n y o u h a v e in c u s t o d y .
2 6 6
Recovering Firearms
T h e gun(s) y o u r e c o v e r at a c r i m e s c e n e m a y pose a d i l e m m a . O n o n e h a n d , y o u m a y n e e d to handle t h e m and poss ib ly u n l o a d or o t h e r w i s e dea c t i v a t e t h e m to m a k e t h e m safe to t ranspor t a w a y . O n the o t h e r hand , t h e guns as they're recovered, m a y c o n s t i t u t e i m p o r t a n t p h y s i c a l e v i d e n c e against the s u s p e c t in t h e c o u r t h e a r i n g s a h e a d . If, for exa m p l e , t h e gun is c o c k e d or h a s b e e n f ired at y o u , t h e p o s i t i o n of t h e h a m m e r or t h e e m p t y cy l inder hole(s) m a y bear on your a s s a i l a n t ' s i n t e n t and on your j u s t i f i c a t i o n for having used deadly f o r c e . At t h e s c e n e of a s h o o t i n g death , p a r t i c u l a r l y , t h e exac t p o s i t i o n i n g of t h e w e a p o n m a y be i m p o r t a n t and m a y he lp d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r t h e i n c i d e n t w a s a h o m i c i d e or s u i c i d e . C h a n g e t h e c o n d i t i o n of t h e gun and y o u m a y c h a n g e t h e c a s e . S i m i l a r l y , if y o u des troy l a t e n t f ingerpr ints b y h a n d l i n g t h e w e a p o n , you w e a k e n t h e e v i d e n c e .
This man was found in a street after witnesses said he turned the rifle on himself and pulled the trigger. Unless this rifle's position presents a danger to you or others, there is no reason for patrol officers to touch this important physical evidence.
2 6 7
In m a k i n g d e c i s i o n s a b o u t a r e c o v e r e d f i rearm, y o u ' l l h a v e to w e i g h t h e i m m e d i a t e danger t h e gun p r e s e n t s to y o u and o t h e r people aga ins t i t s e v i d e n c e v a l u e . If y o u are c o n f r o n t e d w i t h a dead b o d y in a s e c u r e area ( such as ins ide a r o o m ) and n o o n e e l se is p r e s e n t , l e a v e everything a l o n e , i n c l u d i n g firea r m s . S e c u r e t h e r o o m and w a i t for s p e c i a l i s t s . W h e r e sa fe ty is t h r e a t e n e d , y o u ' l l h a v e to a c t o ther w i s e . Preserving lives takes priority over preserving evidence. S t i l l , t ry in e a c h c a s e t o h a n d l e or c h a n g e t h e c o n d i t i o n of a r e c o v e r e d f i r e a r m n o m o r e t h a n is a b s o l u t e l y n e c e s s a r y t o m a k e it safe . B y u n n e c e s sar i ly h a n d l i n g or c h a n g i n g t h e gun, y o u m a y give r ise to a c c u s a t i o n s t h a t y o u p l a n t e d i t . . . s w i t c h e d i t . . . l o a d e d i t . . . c o c k e d i t . . . o r o t h e r w i s e m i s r e p r e s e n t e d f a c t s a b o u t i t s r e c o v e r y .
W h e n a n y w e a p o n is t a k e n f r o m a person under arrest , al l o f f i cers p r e s e n t s h o u l d v i s u a l l y e x a m i n e i t so t h e y are in a p o s i t i o n to tes t i fy a b o u t t h e c irc u m s t a n c e s of i t s r e c o v e r y a n d to r e c o g n i z e it w h e n it is p r e s e n t e d in e v i d e n c e . H o w e v e r , u n n e c e s s a r y handling b y severa l o f i ce rs and t h e re la ted c o n f u s i o n i n c r e a s e s t h e r i s k of an a c c i d e n t a l f i r ing. One o f f icer o n l y s h o u l d be r e s p o n s i b l e for a c t u a l l y d e a c t i v a t i n g t h e f i r e a r m .
U n l e s s y o u are a h i g h l y e x p e r i e n c e d g u n exper t , m a n y s t ree t f i r e a r m s y o u r e c o v e r are l i k e l y to b e u n f a m i l i a r to y o u . T h a t a l o n e is r e a s o n e n o u g h to h a n d l e a gun m i n i m a l l y , regardless of t h e e v i d e n c e fac tor , or leave it alone (but n o t u n a t t e n d e d ) if at a l l p o s s i b l e u n t i l s o m e o n e f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e gun c a n h a n d l e i t . Y o u c a n e a s i l y d i scharge a gun u n i n t e n t i o n a l l y if y o u ' r e n o t f a m i l i a r w i t h it or if it is in poor w o r k i n g c o n d i t i o n , as a s s a i l a n t s ' f i r e a r m s o f t e n are . M o r e o v e r , t h e gun m a y h a v e b e e n " s e t u p " to d ischarge u n c o n v e n t i o n a l l y , and if y o u ' r e n o t f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e w e a p o n , y o u m a y n o t recogn i z e t h a t it is rigged. O f f i c e r s h a v e b e e n k i l l e d and in jured by h a n d l i n g s u c h g u n s w i t h o v e r c o n f i d e n c e . If y o u m u s t h a n d l e t h e gun and c a n l o c a t e and r e c o g n i z e t h e sa fe ty o n an u n f a m i l i a r gun, engage i t . W i t h your f inger a w a y f r o m t h e trigger, care fu l ly l i ft t h e gun by m a k i n g as l i t t l e c o n t a c t w i t h it as p o s s i b l e . For i n s t a n c e , y o u m i g h t s t i c k a p e n c i l or p e n t h r o u g h t h e tr igger guard, b e h i n d t h e tr igger . O r , b e t t e r , y o u c a n u s e a s h o e l a c e . W h e n y o u l i f t a g u n w i t h a s h o e l a c e t h r o u g h t h e tr igger guard, t h e r e ' s n o c h a n c e i t w i l l s l ip off a n d n o w a y t h e trigger c a n be pul led . ( N o t e : If y o u u s e a h a n d k e r c h i e f or g loves to l i f t t h e f i r e a r m , y o u w i p e a w a y f i n g e r p r i n t s . S i m i l a r l y , t h e old m o v i e t r i c k of l i f t ing a gun w i t h a p e n c i l in t h e barre l is not r e c o m m e n d e d b e c a u s e it can a l ter t h e r i f l ing and res idue , w h i c h m a y c o n s t i t u t e e v i d e n c e . ) As y o u l i f t t h e gun,
2 6 8
keep t h e m u z z l e p o i n t e d in a safe d i r e c t i o n , r e m o v e t h e a m m u n i t i o n and do n o t s q u e e z e t h e gun in any w a y . H o m e m a d e f i r e a r m s and s o m e s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s h a v e p r e s s u r e - s e n s i t i v e p la tes tha t c a n c a u s e t h e m to f ire, w i t h o u t t h e trigger be ing pul led .
S o m e d e p a r t m e n t s h a v e a r m o r e d c o n t a i n e r s y o u c a n u s e to t ransport f i r e a r m s in a n y c o n d i t i o n . If t h e s e are ava i lab le , y o u c a n u s e t h e m as a m e a n s of preserving b o t h e v i d e n c e and sa fe ty . O t h e r w i s e , y o u ' l l h a v e to c o n s i d e r o t h e r o p t i o n s .
A shoelace placed inside the trigger guard, behind the trigger, can be used to pick up a firearm. This technique avoids the necessity for touching the firearm at all.
One technique for handling firearms is to pick up the weapon by the grip panels, the one area least likely to retain fingerprints.
To unload this M-l carbine model, activate the manual safety. The "safe" position is straight up and down.
Depress the magazine release lever and gently withdraw the magazine.
As you move the bolt to its locked position, visually inspect the chamber to make sure no live round is present inside the barrel.
T h e s e p r o c e d u r e s m a y apply e i t h e r w h e n y o u r e c o v e r a g u n f r o m an a s s a i l a n t or , as s o m e t i m e s h a p p e n s , y o u l o c a t e a d iscarded f i r e a r m during your tour of d u t y t h a t h a s n o i m m e d i a t e c o n n e c t i o n w i t h a c r i m e s c e n e .
If y o u are a l o n e a n d y o u r e c o v e r a h a n d g u n t h a t is u n c o c k e d , y o u c a n s e c u r e i t t e m p o r a r i l y by unloading it and separat ing t h e a m m u n i t i o n f r o m t h e f i r e a r m by p l a c i n g t h e m in your p o c k e t s . H e r e t h e y ' r e o u t of t h e s u s p e c t ' s v i e w and b e c a u s e t h e gun is u n l o a d e d y o u are p r o t e c t e d f r o m an a c c i d e n t a l d i scharge . Never put a loaded g u n in your p o c k e t , b e l t or w a i s t b a n d . A s s o o n as y o u h a v e an opport u n i t y , l o c k t h e r e c o v e r e d gun in t h e t r u n k of your pat ro l car for t ranspor t ing . W h e n a s h o t g u n is recovered , m a k e it i n a c c e s s i b l e u n t i l t h e s u s p e c t is h a n d c u f f e d , s e a r c h e d and secured , t h e n br ing i t to your v e h i c l e . B e f o r e t r a n s p o r t i n g i t , y o u l e s s e n t h e c h a n c e of u n i n t e n t i o n a l d i scharge b y u n l o a d i n g t h e s h o t g u n and m a k i n g i t i n o p e r a b l e by o p e n i n g t h e b r e e c h or m o v i n g t h e sl ide or b o l t to t h e rear, i f i t h a s o n e . B e sure to r e m o v e a n y r o u n d s t h a t h a v e b e e n c h a m b e r e d and to c o l l e c t any l ive r o u n d s t h a t m a y h a v e fa l len t o t h e g r o u n d . Separa te t h e f i r e a r m and the a m m u n i t i o n and leave t h e b r e e c h open w h e n t r a n s p o r t i n g .
S o m e o t h e r long g u n s are b e s t t r a n s p o r t e d u n loaded, t o o . O n e is t h e M - 1 A 1 c a r b i n e . T o u n l o a d it , y o u m o v e t h e sa fe ty s e l e c t o r s w i t c h o n t h e r ight s ide of t h e tr igger group to t h e " o n " p o s i t i o n and r o t a t e t h e gun so it is r e s t i n g o n i t s s i g h t s . G r a s p t h e upper p o r t i o n of t h e s t o c k w i t h o n e h a n d , w h i l e grasping t h e m a g a z i n e w i t h t h e o t h e r . . . a n d depress t h e m a g a z i n e r e l e a s e l ever . T h e n pul l t h e m a g a z i n e up and forward u n t i l it is separated f r o m t h e g u n . N o w t u r n t h e gun b a c k over and pul l t h e b o l t and s l ide rod b a c k f i r m l y t o wa r d t h e rear s ight . T h i s w i l l e j e c t a n y c h a m b e r e d r o u n d s . W i t h t h e b o l t as far b a c k as i t c a n go, engage t h e b o l t l o c k i n g pin and c a r e f u l l y r e l e a s e t h e b o l t to t rave l forward . C h e c k t h e c h a m b e r v i s u a l l y t o b e sure al l r o u n d s h a v e b e e n c l e a r e d .
W h e n y o u ' r e faced w i t h a c o c k e d g u n t h a t c o u l d go off a c c i d e n t a l l y , y o u w a n t to r e d u c e t h e t h r e a t it p r e s e n t s b e f o r e y o u leave t h e s c e n e , b u t af ter t h e s u s p e c t h i m s e l f is w e l l u n d e r c o n t r o l and y o u h a v e h o l s t e r e d y o u r o w n s i d e a r m . W i t h a revo lver , o n e o p t i o n is to p o i n t t h e m u z z l e in a safe d i r e c t i o n and put t h e t h u m b of y o u r w e a k h a n d a c r o s s t h e h a m m e r t r a c k as a b l o c k b e t w e e n t h e c o c k e d h a m m e r and t h e r e v o l v e r ' s f r a m e . K e e p t h e f ingers of y o u r w e a k h a n d a w a y f r o m t h e m u z z l e . W i t h y o u r o t h e r t h u m b h o l d i n g t h e h a m m e r u n d e r c o n t r o l , apply jus t e n o u g h pressure to t h e tr igger to r e l e a s e t h e h a m -
2 7 0
m e r . T a k e y o u r f inger off t h e t r igger . . .guide t h e h a m m e r d o w n s l o w l y and w i t h s l ight reverse ' b r a k i n g " u n t i l t h e f ir ing pin t o u c h e s y o u r w e a k
hand t h u m b n a i l . . . t h e n s l o w l y r e m o v e t h a t t h u m b and l o w e r t h e h a m m e r t h e res t of t h e w a y . ( T h i s m e t h o d of render ing t h e gun safer w i l l w o r k e v e n if t h e w e a p o n is in t h e h a n d of a dead s u s p e c t . P l a c e your w e a k - h a n d t h u m b b e t w e e n t h e h a m m e r and f r a m e and disengage t h e w e a p o n f r o m t h e s u s p e c t ' s hand w i t h your s t rong hand. T h e n f o l l o w t h e u n c o c k i n g procedure w e ' v e descr ibed. ) O r : if y o u decide to u n l o a d t h e revolver , c o n s i d e r ident i fy ing e a c h cartr idge to i n d i c a t e w h i c h o n e w a s in t h e f ir ing p o s i t i o n at t h e t i m e of c o n f i s c a t i o n , as a m e a n s of keep ing t h e e v i d e n c e so l id . Y o u w i l l w a n t , a lso , to n o t e t h e e x a c t p o s i t i o n of t h e o t h e r rounds as t h e y w e r e f o u n d in t h e c y l i n d e r . S o m e t i m e s of f icers need to u n c o c k t h e i r o w n r e v o l v e r s after an a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n . U n d e r s t ress , t h e y revert to inappropr ia te range t r a i n i n g and prepare to s h o o t s i n g l e - a c t i o n . T h e n , w h e n t h i n g s q u i e t down, t h e y ' r e left ho ld ing a c o c k e d w e a p o n t h e y d o n ' t k n o w h o w to render safe .
T h e s a m e procedures for d e a c t i v a t i n g a susp e c t ' s revo lver wi l l w o r k o n your o w n . Y o u d o n ' t have to resort to t h e prepos terous and dangerous opt ions c h o s e n by t w o eas tern o f f i cers . O n e dec ided to u n c o c k h i s service revolver by f ir ing i t i n t o a to i le t , w i t h i n e v i t a b l e r e s u l t s . T h e o t h e r carr ied h is gun around in h is h o l s t e r w i t h t h e h a m m e r taped back, so it c o u l d n ' t go off under any c i r c u m s t a n c e s !
T o render a c o c k e d s e m i - a u t o m a t i c safer to t ransport , f irst a t t e m p t to engage t h e sa fe ty and t h e n r e m o v e t h e m a g a z i n e . B u t r e m e m b e r — e v e n w i t h t h e m a g a z i n e out of s o m e s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s , a l ive round m a y s t i l l b e in t h e c h a m b e r and ab le to shoot . A s s u m e tha t o n e is . If t h e g u n i n c o r p o r a t e s
m e c h a n i c a l e j e c t o r (most do, e x c e p t for s o m e c h e a p . 2 2 s ) , y o u c a n c lear t h e c h a m b e r by m o v i n g b a c k t h e s l ide . H o l d t h e gun in a s h o o t i n g grip, b u t w i t h your f inger o u t s i d e t h e tr igger guard. W i t h your w e a k h a n d , c o m e over t h e top of t h e g u n f r o m t h e rear and pul l t h e s l ide b a c k , or h o l d t h e s l ide s ta t ionary and p u s h t h e gun forward. (If t h e gun is a 9 m m Luger , w h i c h y o u m a y o c c a s i o n a l l y e n c o u n t e r , h e s a m e e f fec t is a c c o m p l i s h e d by u s i n g your h u m b and i n d e x f inger to f i r m l y pul l t h e t w o bol t ubs up and b a c k . ) T h e m o v e m e n t s h o u l d c a u s e t h e h a m b e r e d round to be e j e c t e d , and y o u c a n i n s p e c t he c h a m b e r and l o o k d o w n t h e m a g a z i n e w e l l to b e er ta in t h e gun is c lear . Y o u c a n s tuf f your h a n d k e r -hief or a rag i n t o t h e opening to k e e p t h e s l ide b a c k nd t h e gun inopera t ive .
2 7 2
2 7 5
The pwpei technique foi deactivating a.25cal. Beietta.
2 7 6
The proper technique for deactivating a suspect's 9mm Luger.
277
If t h e gun l a c k s a m e c h a n i c a l e j e c t o r , as s o m e c o m m o n l y r e c o v e r e d s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s do, l i k e t h e B e r e t t a . 2 2 c a l . and . 2 5 c a l . m o d e l s , m o v i n g t h e s l ide to t h e rear w o n ' t e j e c t a c h a m b e r e d r o u n d . H e r e y o u ' l l h a v e to e m p t y t h e m a g a z i n e and t h e n a c t i va te t h e re lease lever o n t h e lef t side of t h e w e a p o n . W h e n y o u m o v e t h e lever , t h e spr ingloaded barrel w i l l " p o p " up, and y o u c a n t a k e o u t t h e l ive r o u n d .
W h a t e v e r your m e t h o d , be sure you keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction throughout. A n O h i o of f i cer w a s t ry ing to d e a c t i v a t e a . 4 5 c a l . s e m i a u t o m a t i c h e h a d f o u n d h idden in a f ire h o s e in a h a l l w a y w h e n t h e gun u n e x p e c t e d l y d i scharged . B e c a u s e h e ' d p o i n t e d t h e m u z z l e c a r e l e s s l y , h e shot h i s p a r t n e r .
W h e n y o u are w o r k i n g w i t h a par tner , o n e of y o u t a k e s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for s e c u r i n g all r e c o v e r e d f i r e a r m s , w h i l e s t i l l k e e p i n g h i s p r i m a r y a t t e n t i o n o n h e l p i n g c o n t r o l t h e s u s p e c t . If i t b e c o m e s n e c essary to pass a s u s p e c t ' s gun(s) b e t w e e n y o u , k e e p in m i n d your o p t i o n s for m i n i m i z i n g t h e poss i b i l i t y of an u n i n t e n t i o n a l d i s c h a r g e — o r h i t — i n t h i s c i r c u m s t a n c e .
T h e safes t w a y to pass a r e v o l v e r is to o p e n t h e c y l i n d e r and p lace your i n d e x and m i d d l e f inger t h r o u g h t h e o p e n i n g u n d e r t h e top strap, so t h e c y l i n d e r c a n n o t swing c l o s e d . P o i n t t h e m u z z l e d o w n and h a n d t h e g u n to y o u r par tner w i t h t h e
Any suspect firearm should be passed with the muzzle pointed away from anyone. If it's a revolver, the cylinder must be open.
2 7 8
b u t t toward h i m . T h e revolver c a n t h e n be safe ly carried by t h e top strap, w i t h t h e c y l i n d e r open . A s e m i - a u t o m a t i c is safest to pass if y o u f irst r e m o v e t h e m a g a z i n e . . . p u l l t h e s l ide b a c k to c lear and inspect t h e c h a m b e r . . . t h e n l o c k it b a c k , e v e n if it m e a n s us ing a c l o t h or rag to plug t h e e j e c t i o n port to keep t h e sl ide f r o m f lying forward.
W h e t h e r y o u ' r e recover ing , d e a c t i v a t i n g , pass i n g — a n y t i m e y o u ' r e h a n d l i n g a f i r e a r m — t w o survival pr inc ip les a lways prevai l . T h e y c a n ' t b e repeated too o f t e n : 1) keep the muzzle pointing in a safe direction...2) keep your finger outside the trigger guard.
Departing the Scene
T h e last phase of your f ina l approach is t a k i n g the s u s p e c t a w a y . Again , guard aga ins t t h e n a t u r a l t e n d e n c y to r e l a x . M a n y s h o o t i n g s o c c u r in pat ro l cars e n r o u t e to t h e s t a t i o n . O t h e r s erupt at t h e s ta t ion , w h i l e a s u s p e c t is be ing b o o k e d or f ingerpr inted .
In w a l k i n g a handcuf fed pr i soner to your car , you c a n m a i n t a i n c o n t r o l of h i m t h r o u g h pressure ho lds . A s s u m i n g y o u are r ight -handed , w a l k s l ight ly b e h i n d t h e s u s p e c t o n h i s r ight , so y o u r gun side is away f r o m h i m . W i t h your w e a k h a n d , t i g h t l y grip t h e f ingers of h i s r ight hand and pul l t h e m up and b a c k toward t h e under side of h i s a r m . W i t h your gun hand , apply t h u m b pressure o n t h e ar tery in t h e f l e shy part of h i s i n n e r a r m jus t a b o v e t h e e l b o w . T h e s e grips a l l o w y o u to in f l i c t w h a t e v e r pain is n e c e s s a r y to k e e p h i m under c o n t r o l and a lso p e r m i t your gun h a n d to m o v e q u i c k l y t o y o u r s i d e a r m if need b e . T o any c i v i l i a n s w h o are w a t c h i n g , y o u w i l l n o t appear to be u s i n g u n d u e f o r c e .
N o s u s p e c t s h o u l d be p e r m i t t e d to e n t e r your patrol car w i t h o u t hav ing b e e n h a n d c u f f e d and thoroughly s e a r c h e d . T h e i n c i d e n t s in w h i c h assa i l a n t s h a v e pul led c o n c e a l e d f i r e a r m s or grabbed offic e r s ' g u n s o n c e t h e y are ins ide a pat ro l car are legion. In a c a s e t h a t is al l t o o t y p i c a l , t w o S o u t h C a r o l i n a h i g h w a y p a t r o l m e n placed a h u s b a n d and wi fe in t h e b a c k seat of t h e i r u n i t af ter arres t ing t h e m for p u b l i c d r u n k e n n e s s . T h e o f f i cers had n e g l e c t e d to s e a r c h t h e m a n ' s c o m b a t b o o t s , h o w ever . E n r o u t e to t h e c o u n t y ja i l , h e drew a f ive - shot revolver and s ho t t h e passenger o f f i cer four t i m e s through t h e f ront seat . A f i f th shot r i c o c h e t e d and h i t h i s w i f e . W h e n h e put t h e gun to t h e h e a d of t h e s e c o n d of f icer and pul led t h e trigger, t h e f i r ing pin c l i c k e d o n an e m p t y cy l inder h o l e ; h e w a s o u t of
The primary benefit of the wrist-lock, unlike this tactic, is that it forces the suspect to do all the work.
2 7 9
a m m u n i t i o n . T h i s o f f i cer t h e n s h o t a n d k i l l e d t h e s u s p e c t , b u t b y t h e n h i s p a r t n e r w a s dead f r o m h i s w o u n d s . A deputy sheri f f in O k l a h o m a w a s k i l l e d w h i l e h e w a s t ranspor t ing a m e n t a l l y deranged subj e c t to a h o s p i t a l . B e c a u s e h i s p a s s e n g e r w a s e n t e r i n g t h e h o s p i t a l v o l u n t a r i l y , t h e deputy dec ided n o t to h a n d c u f f h i m . A t a s top sign, t h e m a n s tar ted a s truggle in w h i c h h e o b t a i n e d t h e d e p u t y ' s s e r v i c e r e v o l v e r and s h o t h i m fa ta l ly in t h e h e a d a n d c h e s t . In I l l i n o i s , t w o p r o s t i t u t e s w e r e put in t h e b a c k seat of a pat ro l car for t r a n s p o r t a t i o n to t h e l o c k u p , b u t t h e y w e r e n e i t h e r t h o r o u g h l y s e a r c h e d n o r h a n d cuffed b e c a u s e t h e i r arrest s e e m e d " r o u t i n e " — t h i s despi te t h e fac t t h a t t h e arres t ing d e t e c t i v e s w e r e s e a s o n e d v e t e r a n s , w i t h 2 0 years of s e r v i c e a p i e c e . O f c o u r s e , o n e of t h e gir ls h a d a . 2 5 c a l . p i s t o l s tuf fed in her b r a . S h e drew it and s tar ted s h o o t i n g . T h e o f f i cers k i l l e d h e r — b u t n o t b e f o r e t h e y e a c h h a d b e e n s h o t t w i c e .
For maximum control, remember to walk prisoners to your car with your gun side away from them... not like this.
B e s i d e s h a v i n g y o u r p r i s o n e r cuf fed b e h i n d h i s b a c k , y o u w a n t to s t rap h i m in w i t h t h e sea t b e l t -and pul l i t t igh t . T h e n h e c a n ' t wigg le h i s h i p s and legs t h r o u g h h i s a r m s t o br ing h i s cuf fed h a n d s o u t f ront . If y o u are a l o n e , b e e x t r e m e l y c a u t i o u s a b o u t t r a n s p o r t i n g a p r i s o n e r in t h e b a c k sea t of a patro l car w i t h o u t a cage . I t ' s hard, if n o t i m p o s s i b l e , for a s ing le o f f i cer to a d e q u a t e l y w a t c h a s u s p e c t in t h e rear . Y o u m a y b e b e t t e r off to h a v e h i m up f ront w i t h y o u , b u t s trapped in so h e h a s l i t t l e m o v e m e n t . B e t t e r y e t , ca l l for b a c k - u p . A n d a l w a y s 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 l o c a t i o n and d e s t i n a t i o n before s tar t ing o u t w i t h a pr i soner .
2 8 0
The technique to consider for safely-placing your prisoner in the back seat is to place your right index and middle fingers on his throat. The index and middle finger of your left hand are gently applied to his abdomen.
Based on the degree of resistance you encounter, your application of pressure at these two points will keep him at the disadvantage until he is seated.
S o m e s u r v i v a l - c o n s c i o u s o f f i cers re fuse e v e n to p e r m i t apparent ly i n n o c e n t c i v i l i a n s , l i k e t raf f ic a c c i d e n t v i c t i m s , i n t o t h e i r patro l cars w i t h o u t a f r i sk f i rs t . W h e r e w o m e n are i n v o l v e d in s u c h s i t u a t i o n s , y o u s h o u l d at l eas t i n s i s t o n k e e p i n g t h e i r purses w i t h y o u up f ront w h i l e t h e y are in b a c k .
A t t h e s t a t i o n , c o n s t a n t v i g i l a n c e is s t i l l required . U n l e s s t h e s u s p e c t is l o c k e d in a c e l l , y o u w a n t to k e e p h i m u n d e r d i rec t o b s e r v a t i o n at A L L T I M E S .
W h e n y o u are i n v o l v e d in f ingerpr in t ing a suspec t , r e m o v e your gun as y o u w o u l d w h e n e n t e r i n g a p s y c h i a t r i c ward or a ja i l ; in n u m e r o u s i n s t a n c e s , s u s p e c t s h a v e grabbed o f f i c e r s ' g u n s and k i l l e d t h e m during t h e f ingerpr in t ing p r o c e s s . H a v e y o u r par tner safeguard your s idearm or p l a c e i t in a l o c k e r . S e a r c h t h e p r i s o n e r t h o r o u g h l y again be fore f ree ing h i s h a n d s . For t h e pr in t ing , r e l e a s e o n l y o n e of h i s h a n d s at a t i m e , k e e p i n g t h e o t h e r cuf fed to h i s b e l t .
F r o m start to f i n i s h during y o u r f ina l approach : •Think mean - t h a t ' s survival ! •Be deliberate - t h a t ' s surviva l ! •Never quit looking for t h e " o t h e r " bad g u y or t h e
e x t r a f i r e a r m !
Control of a wounded suspect at the scene does not end until the ambulance exits for the hospital. This man, who had just been convicted of murder, pulled out a loaded gun in the courtroom and was shot by a sheriff's deputy. The defendant had been out on bail and was not searched prior to sentencing in his murder trial.
2 8 2
AFTER-BURN
T h e r e ' s a p s y c h o l o g i c a l v i o l e n c e c o n n e c t e d w i t h gunf ights tha t c a n b e a dangerous e n e m y , as w e l l as t h e p h y s i c a l v i o l e n c e . S o m e t i m e s t h e ef fect m a k e s i t se l f fe l t a l m o s t i m m e d i a t e l y . T h e i n s t a n t t h e s h o o t i n g is over , y o u m a y burs t i n t o t e a r s . . . t h r o w u p . . . w e t your p a n t s . . . l o s e c o n t r o l of your b o w e l s . . . s h a k e so badly y o u h a v e to put y o u r g u n d o w n . . . . O n e r o o k i e of f icer in C a l i f o r n i a responded to a d o m e s t i c d i s t u r b a n c e ca l l w i t h h i s p a r t n e r and e n c o u n t e r e d a w o m a n w h o t h r e a t e n e d t h e m w i t h a s h o t g u n . As t h e r o o k i e drew h i s revolver , h i s par tner grabbed the i r patrol c a r ' s s h o t g u n and ordered t h e w o m a n to drop her w e a p o n . W h e n she re fused, h e let fly two rounds that literally severed her head. T h e n e w off icer stared at her r e m a i n s in horror , t h e n t h r e w d o w n h i s revolver . ' 'If t h i s is w h a t b e i n g a cop is al l a b o u t , " h e declared, " I d o n ' t w a n t a n y t h i n g to do w i t h i t ! " H e w a l k e d off and w a s n e v e r s e e n again by h is f e l l o w of f i cers .
S u s p e c t s , too , s o m e t i m e s h a v e e x t r e m e i m m e diate r e a c t i o n s . A b o u t f ive per c e n t of t h o s e w h o k i l l po l i ce of f i cers t h e n c o m m i t s u i c i d e , e i t h e r r ight a w a y or s h o r t l y a f terwards .
M o s t o f ten , t h o u g h , t h e i m p a c t is n o t so swi f t for t h e of f icer . I t ' s l ike l i e r to set in days, w e e k s , even m o n t h s af ter t h e s h o o t i n g , t h r o u g h a p h e n o m e n o n s o m e therapis t s ca l l " a f t e r - b u r n . " T h i s refers to t h e t e n d e n c y of t h e h u m a n m i n d to d w e l l on u n p l e a s a n t , e m o t i o n - c h a r g e d e v e n t s in t h e w a k e of
In extreme circumstances, officers who are unprepared emotionally for a shooting have committed suicide off-duty as a way to cope.
Police officers cling to each other in relief after a high-speed chase and gun battle in which the man on the ground was killed. Moments before he had killed a highway patrol officer.
t h e i r a c t u a l o c c u r r e n c e . In a f ter -burn , y o u r e l i v e and r e a c t to an e x p e r i e n c e , c h u r n i n g over and over w h a t y o u a n d o t h e r s did and w h a t y o u m i g h t or s h o u l d h a v e d o n e d i f fe rent ly . T h i s c o n t i n u a l r e m i n d i n g and r e a s s e s s i n g c a n b e as v ivid as t h e or ig ina l e v e n t — a n d e v e n m o r e p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y u p s e t t i n g .
Af ter a m i n o r f ight w i t h y o u r spouse , a f ter -burn m a y k e e p y o u i r r i table and o n edge for a day before y o u le t go of y o u r angry or g u i l t y f e e l i n g s . Af ter a t ru ly s i g n i f i c a n t e v e n t — l i k e s h o o t i n g at s o m e o n e , e s p e c i a l l y if y o u k i l l h i m — a f t e r - b u r n m a y perm a n e n t l y c h a n g e your l i f e . . . u n l e s s y o u are prepared for it a n d able to r e s p o n d appropr ia te ly .
A c l a s s i c i l l u s t r a t i o n o c c u r r e d severa l years ago in T e n n e s s e e to a 3 3 - y e a r - o l d p a t r o l m a n . O n e b l e a k w i n t e r n i g h t h e w a s on s t a k e o u t in t h e b a c k r o o m of a l i q u o r s tore , hoping t o apprehend a t e a m of robbers w h o ' d b e e n k n o c k i n g over l a t e - n i g h t b u s i n e s s p l a c e s w i t h aggravat ing regular i ty . A s h e w a t c h e d , t w o m e n e n t e r e d t h e s tore a n d a n n o u n c e d a h o l d - u p . W h e n o n e s t r u c k t h e s t o r e k e e p e r o n t h e head w i t h a gun , t h e o f f i cer burs t o u t of h i s h id ing p lace and l e v e l e d h i s s h o t g u n at t h e o f fenders .
" T h e guy w i t h t h e p is to l t u r n e d and s tar ted to a i m at m e , " t h e p a t r o l m a n r e c a l l e d la ter . " T h a t w a s w h e n I c u t loose on h i m . I h a d t o do i t . It w a s
e i t h e r h i m or m e or t h e m a n a g e r . " T h i s s u s p e c t w a s k i l led i n s t a n t l y . " T h e o t h e r robber h e s i t a t e d a m o m e n t , and I begged h i m to give u p . I said, ' P l e a s e d o n ' t run, or I ' l l h a v e to k i l l y o u . ' H e ran, and I shot h i m just as h e w e n t t h r o u g h t h e d o o r . " T h i s suspec t did n o t die for n e a r l y t h i r t y m i n u t e s . A s h i s l i fe ebbed a w a y , t h e of f icer c o u l d h e a r h i m gasping for b r e a t h . " I f y o u ever h a v e to k i l l a m a n , " h e to ld f e l l o w of f icers la ter , " n e v e r l o o k at h i s f a c e . " A f e w days af ter t h e s h o o t i n g , t h e p a t r o l m a n ' s f r iends gave h i m a f i f th of w h i s k e y in " c e l e b r a t i o n . " O v e r t h e labe l t h e y ' d pas ted a p o l i c e p h o t o of o n e of t h e dead bandi ts sprawled o n t h e l iquor s tore f loor .
At t h e t i m e of t h e s h o o t i n g s , a p s y c h o l o g i s t la ter tes t i f i ed , t h e p a t r o l m a n w a s " a s t a b l e , hardw o r k i n g , f a m i l y - o r i e n t e d type of f e l l o w w i t h a good c i r c le of f r i e n d s . " H i s r e a c t i o n to t h e i n c i d e n t , h o w ever, w a s " v e r y severe a n x i e t y a n d depress ive n e u r o s i s , i n s o m n i a and a l a c k of c o n c e n t r a t i o n . "
H e re l ived t h e k i l l ings n i g h t a f ter n i g h t in h i s d r e a m s . W i t h i n s ix m o n t h s , h e had b e c o m e an a l c o h o l i c . E v e n t u a l l y , h i s wi fe left h i m b e c a u s e she c o u l d n o longer t o l e r a t e t h e c h a n g e s in h i s persona l i ty . S ix years a f ter t h e i n c i d e n t , t h e p o l i c e departm e n t fired h i m b e c a u s e h i s u n c o n t r o l l a b l e d r i n k i n g had m a d e h i m u n s u i t a b l e for d u t y . H e w a s u n a b l e to hold a n o t h e r j o b . In e f fec t , h i s l i fe w a s w r e c k e d . F ina l ly , e ight years af ter t h e s h o o t i n g s , h i s c i t y ' s p e n s i o n board awarded t h e e x - p a t r o l m a n an a n n u a l l i f e t i m e d isab i l i ty p e n s i o n of $ 5 , 5 0 0 , t h e f irst i t had ever granted for p s y c h o l o g i c a l i n j u r i e s .
S h o u l d y o u be shot during a c o n f r o n t a t i o n , t h e af ter -burn can carry p h y s i c a l and f i n a n c i a l as w e l l as p s y c h o l o g i c a l r a m i f i c a t i o n s . A n 11-year p o l i c e v e t e r a n in W i c h i t a , for e x a m p l e , w a s s h o t in t h e r ight a r m w i t h a . 3 5 7 M a g n u m w h e n h e responded to a robbery- in-progress ca l l at a l iquor s t o r e . A t f irst , h e says , " I d idn ' t k n o w if I w a s h i t in t h e a r m , t h e c h e s t , t h e head or w h e r e . I jus t r e m e m b e r t h e pain, t h e i m m e d i a t e p a i n . " B e c a u s e h e w a s ab le s t i l l to give c h a s e to t h e g u n m a n , h e f igured t h a t h i s in jury w o u l d n o t a f fec t h is w o r k . B u t w h e n h i s w o u n d fai led to h e a l properly , h e f o u n d h i m s e l f ass igned to desk duty .
U n d e r h i s d e p a r t m e n t ' s r e g u l a t i o n s , h e is proh ib i ted f r o m holding a p a r t - t i m e job o u t s i d e to he lp m a k e ends m e e t , b e c a u s e of t h i s " l i g h t d u t y " a s s i g n m e n t . H i s f i n a n c i a l p o s i t i o n is f u r t h e r s t r a i n e d b e c a u s e h is p h y s i c a l c o n d i t i o n k e e p s h i m f r o m doing repairs and " o t h e r l i t t l e t h i n g s " a r o u n d h o m e . " I f s o m e t h i n g n e e d s doing, I h a v e to pay s o m e o n e to do i t . " H e ' s l i m i t e d , too , in t h e a c t i v i t i e s h e c a n en joy w i t h h i s four-year-old daughter , w h o a s k s h i m repeatedly w h e n h i s a r m w i l l be w e l l , w h e n h e w i l l b e
Memories of a shooting are of ten slow ab le to do t h i s and t h a t , w h o sho t h i m and w h y . to fade. H i s w i f e , w h o " w a s r e a l ly s h o o k u p " by t h e s h o o t
ing, h a s pressed h i m to leave l a w e n f o r c e m e n t . U n ders tandably , h e has los t a lo t of s l eep w o r r y i n g a b o u t h i s fu ture as an of f icer and a f a m i l y m a n . " I m i s s p a t r o l w o r k , " h e says , " b u t if I h a v e to go out and w r e s t l e s o m e o n e , I jus t c a n ' t do it . I ' m s t i l l s t eadi ly going t h r o u g h pain in m y a r m . "
Af ter m o r e t h a n 19 m o n t h s of t h e r a p y , h e is s c h e d u l e d at t h i s w r i t i n g to undergo surgery for t h e f i f th t i m e . H e h a s b e e n i n f o r m e d t h a t if h i s a r m " d o e s n ' t c o m e a r o u n d " af ter t h i s o p e r a t i o n , h e m a y h a v e to r e t i r e .
U n d e r t h e b e s t of c i r c u m s t a n c e s , w e al l k n o w t h a t t h e p s y c h o l o g i c a l s t ra in of b e i n g in l a w e n f o r c e m e n t is i m m e n s e . T h e r e ' s n o t i m e t h a t t h e s t ra in is greater t h a n after a fa ta l c o n f r o n t a t i o n . D u r i n g t h e g u n f i g h t , y o u m a y n o t be c o n s c i o u s l y a w a r e of t h e r e c o i l , t h e m u z z l e f lash or o t h e r t h i n g s t h a t are h a p p e n i n g as y o u fire your g u n . If y o u are w o r k i n g on s t r i c t surviva l i n s t i n c t , t ry ing to s tay a l ive , y o u m a y n o t e v e n be a w a r e of s t ress at t h e t i m e . B u t afterward, regardless of h o w jus t i f i ed or i m p e r a t i v e
2 8 6
your s h o o t i n g a s u s p e c t m a y h a v e b e e n or h o w s e e m i n g l y m i n o r a w o u n d t o y o u r s e l f m a y s e e m , y o u are a l m o s t c e r t a i n to fee l a p s y c h o l o g i c a l i m p a c t in s o m e f o r m . And t h i s s t ress is l i k e l y to be grea tes t w h e n y o u t a k e a s u s p e c t ' s l i fe .
W h e n y o u t a k e an a s s a i l a n t ' s l i fe in p o l i c e w o r k , you u s u a l l y do so to save your o w n l i fe . B u t h o w y o u handle your r e a c t i o n to t h a t e v e n t w i l l in t h e long run d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r you are indeed ab le to " s a v e " t h e k i n d of l i fe y o u had before t h e i n c i d e n t .
Of f i cers w h o ' v e b e e n i n v o l v e d in s h o o t i n g s k n o w y o u c a n never predict e x a c t l y h o w y o u w i l l react a f terwards . M e n and w o m e n w h o least e x p e c t to b e sandbagged p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y m a y b e h i t t h e hardes t . W h a t y o u can do is u n d e r s t a n d t h e n a t u r e of t h e subt le and n o t - s o - s u b t l e forces t h a t are l i k e l y to play on your m i n d after an a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n and learn h o w b e s t to prepare for t h e m . . . c o p e w i t h t h e m . . . a n d he lp fe l low of f icers w h o m a y e x p e r i e n c e t h e m . O u r d i s c u s s i o n here genera l ly a s s u m e s circ u m s t a n c e s in w h i c h y o u in f l i c t in jury or d e a t h o n a n o t h e r individual . B u t m a n y of t h e p r i n c i p l e s w i l l a lso apply w h e r e y o u are t h e in jured par ty .
Passages
S o m e p s y c h o l o g i s t s and p s y c h i a t r i s t s argue tha t a lo t of o f f i cers are l i k e l i t t l e k ids p laying war ; t h e y " g e t o f f " o n t h e n e a t e q u i p m e n t , t h e e x c i t e m e n t , t h e c rusading a s p e c t s of good guys v e r s u s bad guys . O b v i o u s l y , t h a t ' s n o t all t h e r e is to p o l i c e w o r k or to p o l i c e m e n . B u t if w e ' r e h o n e s t , w e ' l l c o n c e d e t h a t m a n y of u s probably h a v e b e e n d r a w n to t h i s prof e s s i o n , s u b c o n s c i o u s l y a n y w a y , for at l e a s t s o m e c h i l d l i k e r e a s o n s . T h o u g h w e m a y m a s k i t w i t h a m a c h o i m a g e , a lo t of w h a t ' s deep ins ide u s is s t i l l " l i t t l e k i d . "
M a n y p e o p l e p o s t p o n e growing up as long as p o s s i b l e . B u t a l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i cer r u n s i n t o s i t u a t i o n s w h e r e h e h a s to c o n f r o n t t h e end of c h i l d i s h f a n t a s i e s and t h e e x i s t e n c e of a w f u l adult r e a l i t i e s a lot s o o n e r or a lo t m o r e i n t e n s e l y t h a n " o r d i n a r y " p e o p l e . For m a n y people , t h i s m o m e n t c o m e s w h e n t h e y e x p e r i e n c e t h e d e a t h of a parent or loved o n e or are i n v o l v e d in a n a t u r a l d i sas ter or s o m e o t h e r p u b l i c t r a g e d y — s o m e fa te ful developm e n t t h a t t h e y fee l is b e y o n d t h e i r c o n t r o l . For o f f i cers , t h e t e l l i n g e v e n t is o f t e n a s h o o t i n g , w h e r e t h e i r o w n a c t i o n s h a v e h e l p e d d e t e r m i n e t h e out c o m e . In a shooting situation, an officei in effect suddenly goes from being a "kid" fooling around with a gun to being an arbiter of life and death.
It y o u s h o o t and k i l l s o m e o n e , y o u ' r e l i k e l y to fee l deep in y o u r h e a r t tha t w h a t y o u did is " b a d . " It m a y h a v e b e e n n e c e s s a r y and ful ly jus t i f i ed f r o m a legal s t a n d p o i n t , b u t m o s t o f f i cers h a v e r a t h e r s i m p l i f i e d s tandards of r ight and w r o n g , and h o w e v e r m u c h y o u m a y r a t i o n a l i z e y o u r a c t i o n , at l eas t a part of your p s y c h e " k n o w s " t h a t k i l l ing s o m e o n e is m o r a l l y " w r o n g . " Y o u ' r e l i k e l y to e x p e r i e n c e a f ee l ing of sadness , of loss of i n n o c e n c e , w h i c h , w i t h y o u r p o s s i b l y exaggera ted c h i l d l i k e core , m a y i t se l f b e exaggerated .
O n e t h i n g y o u n e e d at t h i s p o i n t is e m p a t h y , an u n d e r s t a n d i n g f r o m o t h e r people a b o u t h o w y o u f e e l . B u t if y o u ' r e s o m e o n e w h o ' s n o t a c t i v e l y in t o u c h w i t h h is e m o t i o n s , y o u m a y n o t e v e n recogn i z e or a c k n o w l e d g e h o w y o u ' r e f ee l ing yourse l f . M a n y of f i cers fa l l i n t o t h i s c a t e g o r y . T h e las t t i m e t h e y h a d a f ee l ing w a s b a c k in 1 9 6 3 . T h e y c a n ' t a d m i t t o t h e m s e l v e s t h a t t h e y are at a l l u p s e t , m u c h less a s k a n y o n e e lse to l i s t e n to t h e m or to share t h e i r e m o t i o n s . For s u c h an of f i cer , a p o s t - s h o o t i n g c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h h i s w i f e m i g h t go : " H o w w a s y o u r d a y ? " " F i n e . " " A n y t h i n g i n t e r e s t i n g happen t o d a y ? " S i l e n c e . . . o r , " N a w . " If s h e ' s a s t u t e , she m a y s e e s o m e t h i n g ' s u p . . . b u t she c a n a lso s e e t h e
2 8 8
wal l h e r h u s b a n d h a s e rec ted around h i s e m o t i o n . E v e n if you want t o c o m m u n i c a t e o n an h o n e s t
level , y o u m a y h a v e t r o u b l e doing so . Y o u r w o r k m a y already c o n s t i t u t e a s t ra in b e t w e e n y o u and your m a t e , and if you start t a l k i n g a b o u t a g u n f i g h t , it c o u l d b e jus t a n o t h e r na i l in t h e co f f in . Y o u r f e l l o w of f icers m a y be busy l i o n i z i n g y o u for w h a t you fee l bad or a m b i v a l e n t a b o u t . T h e y ' r e l i k e l y to c o m e o n w i t h c o m m e n t s l i k e : " G r e a t job ! B o y , I c a n ' t w a i t ' t i l I can get in t h e r e and b l o w s o m e b o d y a w a y . " O r : " W e l l , k id , n o w y o u ' r e a m a n ! " O r : " W h e r e ' s t h e n o t c h o n your g u n ? " O r : " Y o u o n l y shot h i m once? W h y d i d n ' t y o u e m p t y y o u r gun i n t o t h e a s s h o l e ! " C o m m a n d leve l p e r s o n n e l in your d e p a r t m e n t m a y be u n a p p r o a c h a b l e or m o r e c o n c e r n e d w i t h b u r e a u c r a t i c t e c h n i c a l i t i e s t h a n personal c r i s e s . Fr iends o u t s i d e t h e d e p a r t m e n t m a y re f lec t t h e dual i ty of f a s c i n a t i o n and r e p u l s i o n he ld by s o c i e t y as a w h o l e toward t h e u s e of deadly f o r c e . People y o u d o n ' t e v e n k n o w and w h o h a v e n o apprec ia t ion of t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s or of t h e a m o u n t of terror tha t can be invo lved in a s h o o t - o u t m a y add to your i n n e r t u r b u l e n c e by w r i t i n g b l i s t e r i n g le t te rs to t h e edi tor c o n d e m n i n g w h a t y o u did, as w a s t h e case in C h i c a g o r e c e n t l y af ter a y o u n g p o l i c e w o m a n s ho t and k i l l ed a m a n w h o tr ied to rob her at g u n p o i n t . If y o u ' r e n o t a re l ig ious person , t h e t radi t iona l a v e n u e of appeal ing to t h e de i ty is s h u t off .
Y o u m a y w i n d up a l o n e w i t h t h e a f ter -burn , fee l ing s h a k y and s o m e h o w t h r e a t e n e d . S o m e officers t ry to b l o c k o u t , d i s c o u n t or repress w h a t happened in t h e s t ronges t poss ib le t e r m s . S o m e start dr ink ing . S o m e s h o w t h e i r t u r m o i l by doing l i t t l e c razy t h i n g s , l i k e l o c k i n g t h e k e y s in t h e patrol car or forget t ing rol l ca l l or c o m i n g in for a shi f t t h e y ' r e n o t o n or c h e w i n g people out over i n c o n s e q u e n t i a l a n n o y a n c e s l i k e n o t be ing able to f ind t h e paper c l ips in t h e squad r o o m .
And u n l e s s t h e y get he lp , s o m e of f i cers go real ly crazy .
R e a c t i o n s differ, of c o u r s e , w i t h indiv idual p e r s o n a l i t i e s . B u t p s y c h o l o g i s t s h a v e ident i f i ed cer ta in p s y c h o l o g i c a l s tages or " p a s s a g e s " t h a t o f f i cers c o m m o n l y go t h r o u g h after t h e y ' v e k i l l e d or s o m e t i m e s e v e n ser ious ly in jured s u s p e c t s .
At t h e s c e n e of t h e s h o o t i n g , y o u m a y experi e n c e a s e n s e of d e p e r s o n a l i z a t i o n ( " T h i s i s n ' t happening to m e " ) or p u z z l e m e n t ( " W h a t ' s a l l t h e fuss a b o u t ? " ) , as w e l l as p h y s i c a l e x c i t a t i o n . T i m e m a y s e e m to s l o w d o w n or s top . U s u a l l y s o m e press ing r e s p o n s i b i l i t y i n t e r v e n e s t h a t forces y o u i n t o real - l i fe a c t i v i t y : y o u n e e d to c a l l in o n your radio, or he lp h a n d l e a c rowd, or t a l k t o your super-
visor , or f i l l o u t a report . T h i s d i s t r a c t i o n offers a " p s y c h o l o g i c a l b r e a k " t h a t delays t h e i m p a c t of t h e e v e n t .
E v e n t u a l l y , t h o u g h , t h e r e a l i t y of w h a t h a s h a p p e n e d h i t s . If y o u ' r e a s e n s i t i v e , i n t u i t i v e , unders tanding of f icer , t h i s m a y h a p p e n fair ly soon , bec a u s e y o u r de fenses are r a t h e r p e r m e a b l e . Y o u ' r e l i k e l y to e n t e r a sober period, in w h i c h y o u fee l very d i s turbed , s h a k e n or t h o u g h t f u l , t h o u g h for r e a s o n s w e ' v e explored , y o u probably d o n ' t t a l k a b o u t i t . Y o u m a y develop an urge t o " m a k e u p " for w h a t y o u h a v e d o n e , to express your regret or apologize in s o m e d e m o n s t r a t i v e w a y . O f t e n of f i cers w i l l att e n d t h e s u s p e c t ' s funera l , e i t h e r in d isguise or u n d e r t h e p r e t e x t of l o o k i n g for c l u e s or o t h e r off e n d e r s . C o n s c i o u s l y or s u b c o n s c i o u s l y , t h e y m a y see t h i s as a w a y of saying, " I ' m sorry for w h a t h a p p e n e d . "
If y o u are less s e n s i t i v e , i n t u i t i v e or in t o u c h w i t h y o u r e m o t i o n s , y o u m a y s e e m u n f a z e d by t h e s h o o t i n g or try to b e l i t t l e it ( " I t ' s n o big d e a l " ) , e v e n c l a i m y o u " l i k e d " i t . W h i l e t h i s m a y a l l o w y o u to avoid an o b v i o u s n e g a t i v e r e a c t i o n at t h e o n s e t , your d e n ia l t h a t a n y t h i n g e x t r a o r d i n a r y h a s o c c u r r e d m a y , in fac t , o n l y delay t h e i m p a c t . As t i m e passes , y o u m a y develop s e e m i n g l y u n r e l a t e d s y m p t o m s tha t rea l ly s t e m f r o m y o u r deeply bur ied p s y c h o l o g i c a l t u r m o i l : h e a d a c h e s . . . b a c k a c h e s . . . s t o m a c h p r o b l e m s . . . j i t t e r y n e r v e s . . . a b s e n t - m i n d e d n e s s . . . a shor t t e m p e r tha t i g n i t e s f l a s h e s of inappropriate anger . S o m e of f icers e x p e r i e n c e n i g h t m a r e s t h e y c a n ' t r e m e m b e r or repea ted ly w a k e in t h e n i g h t in i n e x p l i c a b l e p a n i c .
If, ear ly o u t , y o u do n o t sit d o w n and a c k n o w l edge tha t a ser ious e v e n t h a s o c c u r r e d . . . f r a n k l y e x a m i n e your f e e l i n g s . . . c o n f r o n t w h a t is happening . . . and dec ide w h a t y o u are going to do a b o u t i t — if you continue to deny and repress honest emotions, the effects can escalate into full-blown psychiatric problems.
A ful l i n v e s t i g a t i o n of t h e s h o o t i n g is l i k e l y to develop , e s p e c i a l l y if y o u h a v e k i l l e d a s u s p e c t . In m a n y r e s p e c t s , it w i l l r e s e m b l e a n y o t h e r h o m i c i d e i n v e s t i g a t i o n . E v i d e n c e w i l l b e g a t h e r e d , reports w i l l be required , c o m m a n d - l e v e l p e r s o n n e l w i l l b e i n v o l v e d . Y o u w i l l be under s c r u t i n y , and t h e press m a y t rea t y o u as a " s u s p e c t . " S o m e of f i cers w h o are u n a b l e to k e e p all t h i s , p lus t h e i r o w n e m o t i o n s a b o u t t h e s h o o t i n g , in r e a l i s t i c p e r s p e c t i v e b e c o m e g e n u i n e l y paranoid . T h e y b e l i e v e t h e y are unnaturally w a t c h e d or p i c k e d on . T h e y m a y experi e n c e f l a s h b a c k s , w h e r e t h e y see s o m e o n e in a c r o w d w h o l o o k s l i k e t h e s u s p e c t t h e y s h o t . O r t h e y t a l k a b o u t fee l ing " c u r s e d , " of " p e o p l e l o o k i n g in
2 9 0
m y eyes and seeing I h a v e k i l l e d s o m e o n e . " S o m e b e c o m e o b s e s s i v e . O n e s ta te t rooper had s h o t at a burglar w h o t h e n ran and disappeared i n t o a s w a m p y w o o d s in a rural area . T h e of f icer i r r a t i o n a l l y fantas ized t h a t t h e s u s p e c t w a s ly ing in agony s o m e w h e r e a m o n g t h e t rees , s l o w l y b leed ing to death . D a y after day, h e c o m p u l s i v e l y r e t u r n e d to t h e s w a m p to search for " c l u e s " or sit in s i l en t vigil at t h e edge of t h e w o o d s , s o m e t i m e s rem a i n i n g there through t h e n i g h t . T h i s c o n t i n u e d for a period of w e e k s be fore h e f ina l ly s o u g h t p s y c h i a t r i c h e l p . S o m e t i m e s of f i cers w h o develop m e n t a l p r o b l e m s descr ibe t h e m s e l v e s as fee l ing " e n v e l o p e d by a b l a c k c l o u d . " T h e y fee l " b a d , " angry, depressed, " b u m m e d o u t , " " s i c k " t h o u g h n o t w i t h any spec i f i c d i s e a s e — a l l s y m p t o m s of an e x t r e m e a n x i e t y r e a c t i o n . M a r i t a l t e n s i o n s and sexual d y s f u n c t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g i m p o t e n c e and p r e m a t u r e e j a c u l a t i o n , are n o t u n u s u a l . T h e s e m a y be h idden b e h i n d a facade of v i r i le braggadoc io . O n e of f icer b e l l i g e r e n t l y asser ted , " I ' m t h e biggest f u c k e r around. I can f u c k a n y t h i n g t h a t m o v e s ! " In fact , h e ' d b e e n u n a b l e to get an e r e c t i o n s i n c e k i l l ing a s u s p e c t . H e rea l ly w a n t e d very tender l o v e m a k i n g in w h i c h h is wi fe he ld and c o m f o r t e d h i m , b u t h e d idn ' t k n o w h o w to a s k for i t .
S o m e of f icers deal w i t h t h e i r p s y c h o l o g i c a l w o u n d s by res igning f r o m l a w e n f o r c e m e n t . O t h e r s m a n a g e to ho ld t h e m s e l v e s t o g e t h e r t h r o u g h o n e s h o o t i n g e x p e r i e n c e , t h e n " s n a p o u t " in spades t h e n e x t t i m e around. S o m e say, " A l l r ight , I sho t s o m e o n e o n c e . I d o n ' t care w h a t h a p p e n s , I ' m n e v e r going to pul l t h i s gun a g a i n . " S u c h m e n are dangero u s . T h e y m a y try to be t h e h e r o w h o c a l m s everyth ing d o w n w i t h words during s o m e fu ture conf r o n t a t i o n w h e r e s h o o t i n g is t h e o n l y sane surviva l opt ion . For sure , you w o u l d n o t w a n t s o m e o n e w i t h th is a t t i t u d e as your par tner or your b a c k - u p .
In c o n t r a s t to of f icers w h o deal poor ly w i t h af ter -burn, y o u can e m e r g e f r o m a s h o o t i n g episode as a s t ronger person, if y o u shepherd yourse l f through t h e t r a u m a in m e n t a l l y h e a l t h y w a y s . A ser ious s h o o t i n g tends t o b e a " w a t e r s h e d " experi e n c e ; your l ife is c h a n g e d o n e w a y or a n o t h e r , for b e t t e r or for w o r s e . N o o n e i n v i t e s a s h o o t i n g , of course , as a m e a n s of s e l f - i m p r o v e m e n t , b u t g iven tha t it h a s occurred , y o u need to b e ab le to go o n f rom i t . . . to draw your gun a g a i n . . . to l ive n o r m a l l y — and y o u c a n . Y o u c a n c o m e a w a y having ga ined a sobered fee l ing about t h e w o r l d . . . h a v i n g g r o w n u p . . . having m a t u r e d . Y o u m a y e m e r g e w i t h a n e w and m o r e r e a l i s t i c perspec t ive of h o w ser ious p o l i c e w o r k rea l ly is . Y o u m a y f ind yourse l f w a n t i n g to
2 9 1
h e l p f e l l o w of f icers b e c o m e aware of i t s dangers , d i f f i cu l t i e s and h e a v y r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s . Al l t h i s ref l e c t s your ab i l i ty to deal w i t h o n e of your j o b ' s least p l e a s a n t d e m a n d s in a pos i t ive e m o t i o n a l w a y .
Self-Help
Y o u r r e c o v e r y f r o m a s h o o t i n g e x p e r i e n c e properly b e g i n s w i t h m e n t a l p r e c o n d i t i o n i n g . If y o u ' r e l i k e m o s t of f icers , y o u n a t u r a l l y hope tha t us ing your gun w i l l n e v e r be n e c e s s a r y . B u t to a s s u m e tha t s u c h w i l l be t h e c a s e t h r o u g h o u t your career is a r i s k y m i n d - s e t . If it does happen , t h e s h o c k w a v e s a f terwards w i l l be al l t h e m o r e severe .
You'll be better prepared if you've spent some time seriously evaluating your job and its responsibilities. T r u e , m u c h of it is s e r v i c e o r i e n t e d , n o t e v e n i n v o l v e d w i t h c r i m e . M o s t of t h e c r i m i n a l w o r k , e v e n , is a c c o m p l i s h e d w i t h o u t v i o l e n c e . B u t t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of deadly force is o m n i p r e s e n t and s h o u l d be r e m e m b e r e d .
In m e d i t a t i v e , i n t r o s p e c t i v e m o m e n t s , y o u s h o u l d spend s o m e t i m e f a n t a s i z i n g a b o u t t h i s . R a t h e r t h a n suppress t h o u g h t s tha t m i g h t be unp l e a s a n t to y o u , f r a n k l y c o n f r o n t t h e fac t t h a t as a law e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i cer y o u are o n e of t h e f e w people in t h i s c o u n t r y w h o h a v e a legal r ight to t a k e a n o t h e r h u m a n l i fe . T r y to p i c t u r e yourse l f in tha t s i t u a t i o n and face t h e p e r t i n e n t q u e s t i o n : c o u l d I do it? T h a t ' s a q u e s t i o n y o u n e e d to reso lve before t h e i s s u e p r e s e n t s i t s e l f — n o t on t h e spot w h e n t h e a c t i o n is going d o w n .
If y o u h o n e s t l y feel t h e a n s w e r to tha t q u e s t i o n is " N o , " t h e n y o u probably should give ser ious c o n s i d e r a t i o n to g e t t i n g out of p o l i c e w o r k . Y o u r m e n t a l a t t i t u d e m a k e s y o u p o t e n t i a l l y dangerous to yourse l f , your f e l l o w of f icers a n d t h e c i v i l i a n s y o u are s w o r n to p r o t e c t .
If y o u b e l i e v e y o u c a n k i l l in n e c e s s a r y and jus t i f ied c i r c u m s t a n c e s , t h e n t a k e m o r e t i m e to t h i n k a b o u t w h a t t h e e f fec t o n yourse l f m i g h t b e . A s k o t h e r of f icers w h o h a v e b e e n i n v o l v e d in s h o o t i n g s h o w t h e y fe l t a f t e r w a r d s — a n d w h a t t h e y w i s h t h e y ' d k n o w n before t h e s h o o t i n g o c c u r r e d . U n l e s s y o u are p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y s i c k , y o u w i l l b e a f fec ted by t h e e x p e r i e n c e . Y o u s h o u l d rea l ize ahead of t i m e tha t n o t o n l y w i l l there b e i m m e d i a t e p s y c h o l o g i c a l r e a c t i o n s , but y o u ' l l l i k e l y b e v is i ted by e m o t i o n s of se l f -doubt , i s o l a t i o n , c o n f u s i o n and sadness t h a t w e ' v e descr ibed . T h i s is perfectly normal; indeed, t h e y are a sign of your e m o t i o n a l
h e a l t h , b e c a u s e n o m a t t e r h o w y o u s l i c e i t , t a k i n g a l i fe is b o u n d to be t r a u m a t i c .
W h e n t h e s e fee l ings c o m e , a c k n o w l e d g e t h e m — and try to f ind s o m e o n e w i t h w h o m y o u c a n h o n e s t ly share t h e m . H e r e again, o t h e r s h o o t i n g survivors are a good r e s o u r c e . G e t t o g e t h e r and t a l k to t h e m about h o w y o u fee l . In the i r c o m p a n y y o u ' l l k n o w y o u ' r e w i t h peers ; t h e s e people h a v e " b e e n t h e r e . " T h e y ' r e n o t l i k e l y to c a t e r or c o n d e s c e n d to y o u , but to t a l k f rankly and suppor t ive ly a b o u t t h e i r o w n r e a c t i o n s . T h e y c a n l o o k at w h a t h a p p e n e d t o y o u as n o o n e e lse can , and t h e e x p e r i e n c e of shar ing can be e x t r e m e l y he lpfu l .
Y o u r c o m m a n d p e r s o n n e l s h o u l d be s e n s i t i v e to your s i t u a t i o n , t o o . O f t e n i t is n o t a good idea for t h e m to t ransfer y o u to o t h e r duty or suspend y o u pending an i n v e s t i g a t i o n of t h e s h o o t i n g , as is r o u t i n e l y done by s o m e d e p a r t m e n t s . B y t h e s a m e t o k e n , awards for your ac t m a y n o t be in y o u r b e s t in te res t , e i t h e r . Stwng negative o r positive responses to what you did may only add to your confusion and self-doubt. Ideal ly , your supervisors s h o u l d treat you as t h e y do a n y o t h e r of f i cer , a l l o w i n g y o u to r e m a i n in t h e s a m e a s s i g n m e n t w i t h t h e s a m e e x p e c t a t i o n s of p e r f o r m a n c e as b e f o r e .
Of f -duty , m a k e a c o n c e r t e d effort to m a i n t a i n your n o r m a l r o u t i n e . L o o k e s p e c i a l l y for opport u n i t i e s to e x p e n d p h y s i c a l energy . T h i s t ends to reduce s t ress . R e s e a r c h e r s at a n u m b e r of u n i v e r s i t ies h a v e c o n f i r m e d tha t s u c h e x e r c i s e as r u n n i n g , jogging, wres t l ing , s w i m m i n g and c y c l i n g — b u t espec ia l ly r u n n i n g , done t h i r t y m i n u t e s a day, t h r e e t i m e s a w e e k — i s capable of s i g n i f i c a n t l y reduc ing depress ion and a n x i e t y . A b o v e al l , do not just sit at home by yourself, a r t i f i ca l ly i so la ted and brooding. B e w i t h people . P a r t i c i p a t e in a c t i v i t i e s . L i fe does go on .
Therapy
If your d e p a r t m e n t has a p s y c h o l o g i s t or o t h e r therapis t or y o u h a v e a c c e s s to o n e pr iva te ly , it is r e c o m m e n d e d tha t y o u m e e t w i t h h i m as s o o n after t h e s h o o t i n g as p o s s i b l e . T h i s does n o t m e a n y o u m u s t u n d e r t a k e a long, p s y c h i a t r i c ordeal . O f t e n , h e can h e l p y o u res tore your e m o t i o n a l e q u i l i b r i u m in o n e or a few s e s s i o n s .
B a s i c a l l y , a therapis t is s o m e o n e w i t h w h o m y o u can fu l ly " u n p a c k " and sort o u t y o u r f e e l i n g s . In al l probabi l i ty , y o u ' l l h a v e very m i x e d e m o t i o n s about t h e shoot ing , y e t y o u m a y b e l i e v e t h a t any a m b i v a l e n c e is " w r o n g or w e a k . " H e ' l l h e l p y o u
2 9 3
see t h a t a hybr id r e a c t i o n a c t u a l l y is n o r m a l , and h e ' l l he lp y o u ident i fy jus t w h a t your fee l ings are so y o u c a n deal w i t h t h e m in an o p e n , h o n e s t w a y , r a t h e r t h a n le t t h e c h u r n i n g ins ide des t roy y o u .
S o m e t i m e s of f i cers in therapy c o n d u c t a " d i a l o g " w i t h t h e s u s p e c t t h e y ' v e s h o t . T h r o u g h t h i s d e v i c e , t h e y ' r e able to e x p l a i n w h y t h e y shot h i m . . . e x p r e s s t h e i r regret t h a t h i s l i fe t u r n e d out as it d i d . . . a n d bid h i m " g o o d b y e " w i t h an u n b u r d e n e d c o n s c i e n c e .
T h e goal of therapy is n o t t o m a k e y o u forget t h e s h o o t i n g . T h a t ' s u n r e a l i s t i c . W h a t y o u w a n t is for it to r e c e d e i n t o t h e b a c k g r o u n d , so t h a t your l i fe does n o t b e c o m e t o t a l l y f o c u s e d u p o n it . If y o u are c o o p e r a t i v e and w i l l i n g to t a l k a b o u t h o w y o u fee l , a good therapis t c a n he lp y o u free yourse l f of a f ter -burn m u c h fas ter t h a n if y o u i n s i s t on rem a i n i n g " b l a n k e d o u t " or u n c o m m u n i c a t i v e in h is p r e s e n c e .
If y o u h a v e n o t c o n t a c t e d a t h e r a p i s t s o o n after t h e s h o o t i n g , y o u m a y f ind t h a t y o u n e e d to do so la ter . E v e n w i t h s y m p a t h e t i c supervisors and f e l l o w of f i cers , y o u m a y n o t b e able to reso lve y o u r e m o t i o n a l t u r m o i l o n your o w n .
In s o m e c a s e s , t h e d e p a r t m e n t m a y refer y o u for c o u n s e l i n g . B u t if y o u ' r e a s t u t e , y o u c a n d e t e c t on your o w n w h e n your m e n t a l s ta te is de ter iora t ing and y o u n e e d h e l p . A m o n g o t h e r c l u e s , l o o k for:
1 . hyperactivity. Is y o u r m o o d u n u s u a l l y e levated? H a v e y o u t u r n e d i n t o a n o n - s t o p talker? Are y o u u n n a t u r a l l y happy-go- lucky?
2 . preoccupation. Is it hard for people to get y o u r a t t e n t i o n ? H a v e y o u b e c o m e u n f r i e n d l y and w i t h d r a w n ?
3 . physical symptoms. Is s i c k n e s s , ta rd iness , f o r g e t f u l n e s s a f fec t ing your w o r k p e r f o r m a n c e ?
4 . personal care. H a v e y o u b e c o m e s loppy in your dress and g r o o m i n g ? Are y o u suddenly a c c i d e n t prone?
5 . disturbed sleep. D o y o u h a v e i n s o m n i a ? O r n i g h t m a r e s t h a t k e e p c o m i n g b a c k again and again?
T h e s e and o t h e r d i s t u r b a n c e s in your n o r m a l p a t t e r n m a y i n d i c a t e t h a t y o u are d e n y i n g r e a l i t y . . . r e j e c t i n g y o u r w o r k . . . f e e l i n g g u i l t y — a n d n e e d h e l p . If y o u ignore t h e s y m p t o m s , your m e n t a l s ta te is l i k e l y to get progress ive ly w o r s e .
2 9 4
Helping Others
If a n o t h e r of f icer is invo lved in a s h o o t i n g , t h e bes t th ing you can do for h i m is b e a good l i s t e n e r . Let h i m k n o w tha t if he w a n t s to t a l k a b o u t h i s fee l ings or t h e e x p e r i e n c e i tse l f , y o u ' r e w i l l i n g to hear h i m o u t — w i t h o u t pass ing j u d g m e n t , t ry ing to " c o r r e c t " h i m or appearing e i t h e r w o r s h i p f u l or repulsed. If he is your partner , say, try to reassure h i m . P o i n t out t h a t it m i g h t h a v e b e e n you , ins tead of h i m , w h o had to pul l t h e tr igger. T r y , too , to reaf f i rm his va lue to y o u .
O n c e y o u ' v e b e e n in a s h o o t i n g , y o u c a n he lp prepare o t h e r of f icers for t h e e x p e r i e n c e by shar ing your r e a c t i o n s w i t h t h e m . H e l p t h e m u n d e r s t a n d that in a m o m e n t of c r i s i s , t h e y must a c t — b u t t h e y m u s t a lso u n d e r s t a n d that a f terwards t h e r e w i l l b e doubts tha t w i l l t a k e t i m e and effort to r e s o l v e .
II. BASICS ...that Strengthen Tactics
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
W i n n i n g an edge on t h e s t ree t , l i k e g e t t i n g ahead in t h e b u s i n e s s wor ld , is o f t e n eas ier if y o u k n o w h o w to " d r e s s for s u c c e s s . " O u t t h e r e , y o u ' r e n o t c o n c e r n e d w i t h p in s tr ipe su i t s , Ivy League t ies or " s u b t l e b u t s i g n i f i c a n t a c c e n t s " of j ewelry , as y o u m i g h t be in t h e corpora te arena . For youi profess iona l wardrobe , w h a t m a t t e r s are i t e m s t h a t can p r o t e c t your b o d y — a n d your g u n — i n a c o n f r o n t a t i o n .
O f c o u r s e , so-ca l led " b u l l e t p r o o f " v e s t s or, m o r e c o r r e c t l y , " s o f t body a r m o r , " and t h e l e a t h e r gear tha t carr ies your h a n d g u n and a m m u n i t i o n c a n ' t g u a r a n t e e you i m m u n i t y f r o m a t t a c k . B u t armor , properly s e l e c t e d and w o r n , c a n s i g n i f i c a n t l y increase your odds of surviving if y o u are h i t by o n e or m o r e of an a s s a i l a n t ' s s h o t s . A n d t h e r ight l ea ther w o r n and cared for in t h e r ight w a y can he lp guard y o u r gun against l o s s . . . a s s u r e i ts q u i c k a c c e s s i b i l i t y in t h e e v e n t of a t h r e a t . . . a n d , in an ex tended gunf ight , readi ly m a k e ava i lab le a d e q u a t e a m m u n i t i o n for fast re loading.
As w i t h buying c i v i l i a n garb, you h a v e to k n o w h o w to eva lua te t h e m a n y c h o i c e s y o u ' r e c o n f r o n t e d w i t h in order to be a s h r e w d c o n s u m e r . T h e p r o t e c t ive e q u i p m e n t of law e n f o r c e m e n t , too , is s u b j e c t to exaggerated c o m m e r c i a l c l a i m s , f a s h i o n fads, m y t h s and m i s u s e — a l l of w h i c h c a n h a v e a bear ing on w h e t h e r w h a t you b u y w i l l give you t h e serv ice you need .
T h e di f ference is t h i s : if y o u m a k e w r o n g c h o i c e s regarding your c iv i l i an wardrobe , y o u m a y
w a s t e y o u r m o n e y or b e o u t of s t y l e . B u t your decisions about armor and leather may very well determine whether you stay alive.
In e v a l u a t i n g w h a t y o u see in t h e m a r k e t p lace and t h e w o r d - o f - m o u t h c o m m e n t s y o u h e a r f r o m your f e l l o w of f i cers , y o u n e e d t o : k e e p in m i n d t h e p a t t e r n s of e n c o u n t e r invo lved in m o s t a r m e d conf r o n t a t i o n s . . . u n d e r s t a n d t h e s t r e s s e s to w h i c h y o u ' r e l i k e l y t o s u b j e c t p r o t e c t i v e i t e m s . . . a n d k n o w h o w to t e s t t h e m for q u a l i t y or h o w t h e y h a v e fared in c a r e f u l l y c o n t r o l l e d t e s t s by o t h e r s .
Location of fatal wounds sustained by officers during the last seven years. In this period, 378 officers out of a total of 761 died from wounds to the torso area.
3 0 0
Body Armor
C o n t r a r y t o the i r popular n i c k n a m e , a r m o r e d ves ts c a n n o t be cons idered bul le tproof ; y o u w o n ' t m a k e yourse l f an i m p e n e t r a b l e force b y s trapping o n e on. S o m e s u s p e c t s t o t e f i r e a r m s a n d a m m u n i t i o n t h a t c a n b las t through a n y t h i n g , i n c l u d i n g armored cars and t a n k s . " A n d w h a t e v e r p r o t e c t i o n you c o m e up w i t h , " o n e a r m o r exper t says , " t h e r e ' l l a lways be s o m e d o n k e y in h is b a s e m e n t m a k i n g a rou nd t h a t ' l l t a k e y o u . ' '
W h a t m a k e s body a r m o r m a k e s e n s e is p e r c e n t ages. F o r t y - n i n e per c e n t of t h e c a s e s in w h i c h s u s p e c t s fa ta l ly s h o o t of f icers , t h e b u l l e t s i m p a c t in t h e upper torso , t h e area m o s t readi ly covered by body a r m o r . E i g h t y - o n e per c e n t of t h e a m m u n i t ion used in t h e s e a s s a u l t s is . 3 8 c a l . or s m a l l e r , a " t h r e a t l e v e l " tha t good a r m o r a l m o s t a l w a y s c a n res is t . T h a t m e a n s , a l i t t l e c a l c u l a t i o n revea l s , tha t near ly 5 0 per c e n t of o f f i cer d e a t h s f r o m firea r m s c o u l d in all probabi l i ty be p r e v e n t e d if body a r m o r w e r e w o r n . P u t a n o t h e r w a y : if every defensive t a c t i c y o u try fai ls and y o u are shot , y o u can be saved four out of t e n t i m e s by t h e r ight a r m o r a l o n e . T h a t ' s a survival fac tor hard to ignore !
T r a d i t i o n a l l y , m o d e r n body a r m o r h a s i n c o r porated b a l l i s t i c n y l o n , c e r a m i c s , m e t a l i n s e r t s and l a m i n a t e d glass f iber and w a s w o r n o n t h e outs ide of c l o t h i n g — f i n e for S W A T t e a m s , b u t t o o c u m b e r s o m e , h o t , h e a v y and c o n s p i c u o u s for t h e ordinary off icer . W i t h i n t h e las t decade , h o w e v e r , a rmored ves ts h a v e b e c o m e ava i lab le t h a t are soft , l i g h t w e i g h t , p l iable and tha t y o u c a n e a s i l y and c o m f o r t a b l y c o n c e a l under your u n i f o r m sh i r t .
T h o s e tha t m a n y exper ts c o n s i d e r b e s t for l a w e n f o r c e m e n t u t i l i z e a n y l o n - r e l a t e d fabr ic ca l led Kevlar® , w h i c h p o u n d for pound, is f ive t i m e s s tronger t h a n s tee l . T e s t s c o n d u c t e d by t h e U . S . A r m y s h o w tha t jus t seven t h i n layers of t h i s h i g h t e n s i l e s t rength m a t e r i a l c a n consistently prevent p e n e t r a t i o n by . 3 8 ca l . revolver b u l l e t s t rave l l ing at 8 0 0 feet per s e c o n d and . 2 2 ca l . b u l l e t s t rave l l ing at 1 , 0 0 0 feet per s e c o n d .
W h a t th i s m e a n s in prac t i ca l t e r m s is i l lus t ra ted by t h e e x p e r i e n c e of a y o u n g p a t r o l m a n w h o w a s shot w h e n h e in terrupted a burglary- in-progress . T w o . 3 8 ca l . 158 grain lead b u l l e t s s t r u c k h i s ves t -covered c h e s t at a range of less t h a n four fee t . N o r m a l l y , s u c h a h i t w o u l d at l eas t h a v e n e c e s s i tated e m e r g e n c y surgery, a s s u m i n g h e had l ived to reach a h o s p i t a l . Y e t w i t h t h e ves t o n , h e did n o t lose c o n s c i o u s n e s s or even h a v e to gasp for b r e a t h . T o t h e surprise of h i s assa i lant , h e w a s able to s u c c e s s f u l l y c h a s e and arrest h i m . S i m i l a r l y ,
a n o t h e r o f f i cer w h o c o n f r o n t e d a burglar w i t h a h a n d g u n t o o k a h i t f r o m a . 2 2 c a l . , 4 0 gra in slug f ired f r o m a b o u t 6 f ee t a w a y . T h e s h o t s m a s h e d i n t o h i s ves t d i r e c t l y over h i s h e a r t , c lear ly a m o r tal l o c a t i o n , y e t h e e x p e r i e n c e d o n l y s l ight , m o m e n tary d i s c o m f o r t and n o i m m o b i l i t y . In I n d i a n a , a p o l i c e m a n w a s t h r o w n v i o l e n t l y b a c k w a r d , as s o m e t i m e s happen , w h e n h e t o o k a . 4 5 c a l . slug po in t -b l a n k o n h i s v e s t . B u t h e s t i l l w a s ab le to draw and s h o o t h i s a t t a c k e r f ive t i m e s , fa ta l ly .
Layers of Kevlar® peeled back.
A .38 cal. 158gr. bullet which was stopped in a soft armor vest.
Half a dozen m a n u f a c t u r e r s f a b r i c a t e Kevlar® i n t o soft a r m o r ves ts w i t h a var ie ty of w e a v e s and deniers . T h e s t r e n g t h depends in large part o n t h e f a b r i c a t i o n . In s e l e c t i n g soft body a r m o r , y o u w a n t to b a l a n c e b u l l e t r e s i s t a n c e w i t h c o m f o r t and wear -ab i l i ty . For m a n y of f icers , t h i s b a l a n c e is a c h i e v e d w i t h v e s t s t h a t incorpora te p r o t e c t i v e p a n e l s of 8- to 10-ply Kevlar-29® of 1 0 0 0 denier , p la in w e a v e . N o b a l l i s t i c n y l o n s h o u l d be i n c l u d e d . T h e g a r m e n t should fea ture c o t t o n e n c l o s u r e s f r o m w h i c h t h e front and rear Kevlar® p a n e l s c a n b e r e m o v e d . ( I t 's a good idea to b u y several e n c l o s u r e s so t h e y can be w a s h e d regular ly . )
W e l l - b a l a n c e d a r m o r s h o u l d p r o t e c t y o u f r o m the k i n d s of rounds y o u are m o s t l i k e l y to e n c o u n ter o n t h e s t r e e t — . 3 5 7 M a g n u m , 9 m m and all a m m u n i t i o n . 3 8 c a l . and s m a l l e r . T h e r e is body a r m o r capable of w i t h s t a n d i n g h igher t h r e a t l eve l a m m u n i t i o n , inc luding that f ired f r o m s h o u l d e r and m i l i t a r y bal l w e a p o n s and . 4 4 and .41 M a g n u m h a n d g u n s . B u t t h i s a r m o r m a y b e rigid, c u m b e r s o m e and u n c o m f o r t a b l e to w e a r on n o r m a l duty . S u c h a r m o r o f ten w i n d s up in t h e t r u n k of a patro l car ra ther t h a n p r o t e c t i n g an o f f i cer ' s body .
A properly worn vest should fit so that the side panels meet for a close fit.
A property fitted vest should not interfere with a professional, trim appearance.
For a w o r k a b l e b a l a n c e b e t w e e n p r o t e c t i o n and c o m f o r t , y o u ' l l w a n t to c h o o s e a r m o r t h a t :
1. almost encircles your torso, providing s o m e de fense to your s ides , as w e l l as f ront and b a c k . C o n s i d e r a l l o w i n g for a b o u t a 1 ' / 2 - inch opening at e a c h side for h e a t to d i ss ipate . E x c e s s i v e h e a t is t h e m a j o r c o m p l a i n t f r o m of f icers a b o u t a r m o r , and i t ' s b e t t e r to lose t h i s s l ight p r o t e c t i o n o n e a c h side t h a n to lose t o t a l p r o t e c t i o n b e c a u s e y o u d o n ' t w e a r t h e v e s t . Y o u m a y h e a r t h e a r g u m e n t t h a t fa ta l s h o t s f r o m t h e rear are so rare y o u d o n ' t n e e d a d o u b l e v e s t . B u t s t a t i s t i c s o n of f i cer d e a t h s s h o w , in fac t , t h a t a b o u t 10 per c e n t are s h o t in t h e b a c k . W h e n lead is f ly ing a n d p o s s i b l y r i c o c h e t i n g e r r a t i c a l l y in a s h o o t - o u t , y o u c a n ' t depend o n an a s s a i l a n t ' s b u l l e t s i m p a c t i n g o n l y w h e r e t h e y ' r e " s u p p o s e d " t o .
2. extends to about one inch above your belt level and has a V-neck. It t h e v e s t is t o o long, y o u ' l l get t h e " t u r t l e - s h e l l e f f e c t " — t h a t i s , i t w i l l r ide up under your c h i n — w h e n y o u si t d o w n . W i t h o u t t h e V - n e c k , t h e top m a y rub your A d a m ' s apple even w h e n y o u ' r e s tanding .
3 . resists water. M o i s t u r e t e n d s to l u b r i c a t e t h e t h r e a d s in v e s t fabr ic , w e a k e n i n g t h e w e a v e and l o w e r i n g i t s s topping p o w e r . Fabr i c t h a t h a s b e e n w e t m a y part e n o u g h to a l l o w c e r t a i n s lugs to pass t h r o u g h .
If y o u h a v e a ves t t h a t i s n ' t waterproof , c h e c k w i t h t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r a b o u t t h e a d v i s a b i l i t y of applying w a t e r - r e p e l l e n t spray. F o l l o w t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r ' s i n s t r u c t i o n s , e x p l i c i t l y . D o n ' t u s e a v i n y l c o v e r . It w o n ' t a l l o w h e a t or s w e a t to d iss ipate proper ly . (If t h e Kevlar® p o r t i o n of your ves t s h o u l d get w e t , i m m e d i a t e l y c o n t a c t t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r to f ind o u t if i t s b u l l e t r e s i s t a n c e h a s b e e n c o m p r o m i s e d . )
B e s i d e s b u l l e t r e s i s t a n c e and c o m f o r t , y o u w a n t to be c e r t a i n t h a t t h e a r m o r y o u c h o o s e c a n b e w o r n inconspicuously, u n d e r y o u r c l o t h i n g . A ves t t h a t ' s o b v i o u s c a n be se l f -defeat ing : if an assa i lan t rea l izes your torso is p r o t e c t e d , h e c a n s h o o t at y o u r h e a d or b e l o w your w a i s t . Y o u w o n ' t get t h e r ight f i t jus t by p i c k i n g a ves t t h a t ' s t h e s a m e as y o u r c o a t s ize . It n e e d s to be m o r e snug t h a n t h a t . A good c u s t o m fit is a m u s t . It m a y r e q u i r e 15 p o i n t s or m o r e of m e a s u r e m e n t , and for o b v i o u s r e a s o n s , addi t iona l spec ia l ta i lor ing is u s u a l l y n e c e s s a r y for w o m e n . Soft body a r m o r m a k e s a good C h r i s t m a s or b i r t h d a y gift f r o m a spouse or c l o s e f r iend, b u t b e c a u s e of t h e f i t t ing and o t h e r spec ia l r e q u i r e m e n t s invo lved , y o u s h o u l d h a v e a h a n d in t h e s e l e c t i o n .
3 0 4
SUPPORT POLICE BURGER KING VEST FUND
E v e n t h o u g h a w e l l - c h o s e n ves t a l l o w s y o u to w i t h s t a n d an a s s a i l a n t ' s f irst s t r i k e , y o u m a y s t i l l e x p e r i e n c e in jury . W h e n a slug i m p a c t s at h igh v e l o c i t y , it drives t h e a r m o r inward against your body as t h e s h o t ' s k i n e t i c energy d i ss ipa tes . T h i s force m a y c a u s e a s h a l l o w w o u n d or l e s i o n in your f lesh and m a y , in addit ion, produce i n v i s i b l e b l u n t - t r a u m a in jur ies to i n t e r n a l organs . T h e r e is no c o r r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n a s e e m i n g l y i n n o c e n t or severe s k i n l e s ion and p o s s i b l e i n t e r n a l in jury beyond i t . W h a t l o o k s i n n o c e n t m a y , in fac t , h a v e produced d a m a g e t h a t can h a v e ser ious r e p e r c u s s ions la ter .
T h e r e f o r e , any time you are hit, e v e n if t h e l e s ion b e l o w your body a r m o r s e e m s s t r i c t l y superf ic ia l , you should be hospitalized foi observation. D o c t o r s w i l l w a n t to m o n i t o r y o u care fu l ly for b l u n t t r a u m a damage to your hear t , lungs , l iver , spleen, sp ine and/or a b d o m i n a l w a l l .
T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t rule a b o u t body a r m o r is to w e a r i t . If y o u leave it at h o m e , in your l o c k e r or in your patro l car, you are n o t p l a n n i n g ahead or a n t i c i p a t i n g danger, as a surviva l o r i e n t a t i o n n e c e s s i t a t e s . Armor not worn is no armor at all. S o m e of f icers h a v e b e e n discouraged f r o m w e a r i n g a r m o r by t h e c l a i m t h a t it m a y i n c r e a s e t h e c h a n c e s of be ing a t t a c k e d . A n off icer w h o s e body is prot e c t e d , t h i s t h e o r y goes , w i l l be m o r e aggress ive b e c a u s e h e fee l s " s u p e r h u m a n " and, t h r o u g h h i s a c t i o n s , w i l l p r o v o k e s h o o t i n g i n c i d e n t s .
T h i s p e r n i c i o u s a s s e r t i o n h a s r e c e n t l y b e e n soundly disproved. In a s tudy of 4 , 5 0 0 o f f i cers in 15 U . S . c i t i e s , r eserachers f o u n d t h a t t h o s e w e a r i n g p r o t e c t i v e g a r m e n t s e x p e r i e n c e d n o h i g h e r i n c i d e n c e of assaul t , w h e r e s u s p e c t s w i e l d i n g s h o t g u n s and r i f les w e r e c o n c e r n e d . I n t e r e s t i n g l y , for r e a s o n s n o t ful ly unders tood , there is s o m e e v i d e n c e to suggest tha t of f icers w i t h v e s t s a c t u a l l y e x p e r i e n c e f e w e r a t t a c k s w i t h h a n d g u n s . O n e fac tor m i g h t be t h a t of f icers wear ing a r m o r tend to h a v e a h e i g h t e n e d a w a r e n e s s of danger . As a ru le , t h e y are m o r e attuned to t a c t i c s and survival .
One of over 10,000 bumper stickers placed in New York City taxi cabs as part of Burger King's promotion to raise money for body armor. Burger King was the first major corporation to support the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association 's drive to equip officers with vests. Similar campaigns could be started in any community.
3 0 5
Service Holsters
L a t e o n e spring n i g h t in M i c h i g a n , an of f icer s e a r c h i n g a s topped car f o u n d a . 3 8 c a l . r evo lver ly ing part ly u n d e r a seat and p r o m p t l y arres ted t h e driver for carrying a c o n c e a l e d w e a p o n . A t t h e s tat i o n , t h e i n c i d e n t t o o k a r a t h e r u n e x p e c t e d turn . A c h e c k of t h e ser ia l n u m b e r o n t h e gun s h o w e d tha t it b e l o n g e d n o t to t h e b e w i l d e r e d m o t o r i s t , b u t to t h e arres t ing of f i cer ! D u r i n g t h e search , i t e v i d e n t l y had dropped f r o m h i s h o l s t e r u n n o t i c e d and landed w h e r e h e " u n c o v e r e d " i t .
In t h i s case , t h e fa i lure of a h o l s t e r to a d e q u a t e l y r e t a i n an o f f i cer ' s g u n proved o n l y e m b a r r a s s i n g . B u t i m a g i n e yourse l f h a v i n g c o r n e r e d an a r m e d susp e c t a f ter a foot c h a s e , r e a c h i n g for your g u n . . . a n d d i scover ing t h a t it h a d b o u n c e d o u t s o m e w h e r e a long t h e w a y . O r as h a p p e n s to o f f i cers year in and year o u t , a s u s p e c t s tar ts t o s truggle w h i l e y o u are h a n d c u f f i n g h i m , m a n a g e s w i t h l i t t l e effort to s n a t c h your gun f r o m i ts h o l s t e r and u s e s it against y o u at p o i n t - b l a n k range . Y o u begin to apprec ia te t h a t a h o l s t e r is one of your m o s t i m p o r t a n t p i e c e s of surv iva l e q u i p m e n t , a c o m p l e m e n t to t h e f i rearm it carr ies and w o r t h y of equa l a t t e n t i o n in s e l e c t i o n and m a i n t e n a n c e to your gun i t se l f .
T h e r e ' s n o s u c h th ing , of c o u r s e , as a loss-pioof h o l s t e r , jus t as t h e r e ' s n o b u l l e t p r o o f v e s t . If a hol s ter of fered y o u per fec t s e c u r i t y , y o u probably w o u l d n ' t b e able to draw your gun w i t h o u t a w e e k ' s n o t i c e . W h a t y o u c a n — a n d s h o u l d — e x p e c t is a r e a s o n a b l e b a l a n c e . T h e h o l s t e r s h o u l d fit your gun w e l l e n o u g h to r e t a i n i t w i t h o u t t h e sa fe ty strap snapped and w i t h o u t t h e gun m o v i n g and sh i f t ing ins ide i t . . . y e t s t i l l a l l o w y o u to draw q u i c k l y and eas i ly w i t h e i t h e r h a n d , f r o m t h e f ront or rear , in e v e n t of a t h r e a t . In o t h e r w o r d s , y o u d o n ' t w a n t a h o l s t e r t h a t ' s too h e a v y o n s e c u r i t y or a fas t -draw c o m p e t i t i o n type t h a t o v e r e m p h a s i z e s a v a i l a b i l i t y . S o m e of f icers dras t i ca l ly r e s h a p e t h e i r h o l s t e r s w i t h m e t a l - l i n e d s h a n k s to produce o u t l a n d i s h q u i c k -draw angles . S u c h an u n s i g h t l y c o n f i g u r a t i o n , l i k e a n y o t h e r i m b a l a n c e of f e a t u r e s , h e i g h t e n s y o u r r i sk .
Y o u c a n p e r f o r m a n c e tes t a h o l s t e r for proper c o m p r o m i s e w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g e x e r c i s e s :
1 . W i t h y o u r gun unloaded and your h o l s t e r ' s f lap or strap u n s n a p p e d , v igorous ly j u m p up and d o w n at l eas t s i x t i m e s w i t h o u t t o u c h i n g y o u r gun or t h e h o l s t e r , to s i m u l a t e r u n n i n g . Y o u s h o u l d s t i l l be a r m e d . (Per form t h i s t es t over a soft sur face , of c o u r s e , in t h e e v e n t your h o l s t e r fa i ls and your gun fal ls to t h e ground. )
2 . O n t h e range at t h e 7-yard l ine , w i t h your gun s trapped to t h e h o l s t e r , draw and fire o n e r o u n d .
3 0 6
Y o u s h o u l d be able to hi t c e n t e r m a s s on a s i l h o u e t t e target in a p p r o x i m a t e l y 2 s e c o n d s .
Also : 1. W i t h your s idearm u n l o a d e d , secure it in
your h o l s t e r . 2. H a v e your par tner t ry to r e m o v e it by o n l y
grasping t h e s t o c k , as an o p p o n e n t m i g h t . H a v e h i m pull forward, b a c k w a r d , s i d e w a y s and s t ra ight up, w h i c h are p o s s i b i l i t i e s in any b r a w l .
3 . If h e r e m o v e s i t , l o o k for a m o r e s e c u r e h o l s t e r . (If y o u drop your g u n w h i l e r u n n i n g , y o u may be in t r o u b l e . If a s u s p e c t t a k e s i t a w a y f r o m you , y o u c a n bet tha t y o u are in t r o u b l e , perhaps fatal t rouble . )
T h r o u g h o u t t h e s e t e s t s , your h o l s t e r s h o u l d fit your be l t t ight e n o u g h to s tay in p l a c e . Y o u w a n t a lways to k n o w e x a c t l y w h e r e t h e b u t t of your g u n is , so y o u can draw suddenly w i t h o u t h a v i n g to look . Y o u r g u n b e l t s h o u l d be w o r n d i r e c t l y over your p a n t s b e l t . C l a m p i n g d e v i c e s ca l l ed " b e l t k e e p e r s " can he lp y o u k e e p your g u n b e l t in p l a c e . Y o u r s idearm should be at a p i t c h and angle t h a t a l low y o u t h e m o s t c o m f o r t a b l e , n a t u r a l m o t i o n m a k i n g t h e draw. For s o m e of f icers , t h i s m e a n s t h e gun s h o u l d c a n t s l ight ly forward of a v e r t i c a l l i n e . O t h e r s prefer a s l ight ly b a c k w a r d c a n t w h i c h general ly y ie lds a fas ter draw. T h e h o l s t e r s h o u l d h ide as m u c h of your s idearm as poss ib le , w h i l e s t i l l providing you a c c e s s i b i l i t y , and carry your gun h igh at t h e b e l t l i n e . S o m e of f icers carry the i r g u n s s lung so l o w t h e y l o o k as if t h e y ' r e headed for t h e O . K . Corra l w i t h the i r pants fa l l ing d o w n !
Any holster which does not contain a retention strap makes your sidearm an open invitation to any observant offender.
The "gunslinger" approach to law enforcement.
3 0 7
Properly positioned leather accessories are critical to proper appearance and officer survival.
Al l t h e i t e m s on your g u n b e l t , i n c l u d i n g your h o l s t e r , s h o u l d b l e n d i n t o y o u r u n i f o r m . Y o u d o n ' t w a n t t h e l o o k of a d i m e s t o r e display r a c k , w i t h k e y s , c h a i n s , - k n i v e s and as m u c h o t h e r g l i t t e r and spark le as y o u c a n m u s t e r . W h e n of f i cers rig t h e m s e l v e s t h a t w a y , i t ' s d i f f i cu l t to dec ide w h e t h e r t h e o f f i cer is w e a r i n g t h e gun or t h e gun is w e a r i n g t h e of f i cer ! A display of t h i s n a t u r e a t t r a c t s u n n e c e s s a r y a t t e n t i o n and m a y i n v i t e t r o u b l e f r o m s o m e o n e b e n t o n o b t a i n i n g y o u r s i d e a r m . S t i c k w i t h n e a t , t r i m l e a t h e r gear w i t h o u t u n n e e d e d p a r a p h e r n a l i a .
B e c a u s e f a u l t y l e a t h e r goods c a n b e as u n s a f e as a f a u l t y gun, d o n ' t l o o k for barga ins w h e n y o u ' r e h o l s t e r - s h o p p i n g . T h e r e are m a n y brands and des igns t h a t are u n s a f e . Buy quality. T h e sharpest l o o k i n g rig m a y n o t b e t h e b e s t m a d e or t h e b e s t for your n e e d s . (If t h e r e are n o gun s h o p s or o t h e r o u t l e t s in your area w h e r e y o u c a n p e r s o n a l l y i n s p e c t a v a r i e t y of l e a t h e r , b u y s o m e g u n m a g a z i n e s and send for c a t a l o g s f r o m h o l s t e r m a n u f a c t u r e r s w h o adver t i se t h e r e . T h e s e w i l l g ive y o u an idea of t h e range of e q u i p m e n t ava i lab le . )
T h e h o l s t e r s h o u l d be m a d e of t h e b e s t l e a t h e r and s t i t c h e d w i t h n y l o n or o t h e r r o t - r e s i s t a n t m a ter ia l . N a t u r a l l y , it s h o u l d b e c o m f o r t a b l e to w e a r for long periods of t i m e , e s p e c i a l l y s i t t i n g in a patro l car . A n d t h e design s h o u l d a l l o w for l e a t h e r to c o m p l e t e l y c o v e r t h e trigger and tr igger guard to l e s s e n t h e c h a n c e of a c c i d e n t a l d i scharge . S o m e indiv idual f ea tures m a y e n h a n c e your surviva l capa b i l i t i e s . O n e m o d e l , for i n s t a n c e , u s e s a fa lse snap o n t h e f ront s ide of t h e h o l s t e r , c a l c u l a t e d to fool a s u s p e c t w h o grabs for your g u n . T h i s snap c a n ' t b e u n f a s t e n e d . T h e rea l o n e is o n t h e be l t s ide near t h e h a m m e r , w h e r e y o u c a n r e l e a s e it b y t h u m b p r e s s u r e . A n o t h e r m a n u f a c t u r e r of fers a h o l s t e r w i t h a b u i l t - i n t r a c k for t h e f ront s ight b lade t h a t m a k e s y o u r gun di f f i cu l t for a n y o n e b u t y o u to get u n -
hols tered ; a n y u n e x p e c t e d tug f r o m t h e s ide or rear w i l l b ind t h e barrel t ight ly e n o u g h to k e e p t h e gun in.
Y o u w a n t to be careful , t h o u g h , tha t s e e m i n g l y good fea tures d o n ' t , in fact , c o n s t i t u t e hazards . For e x a m p l e , s o m e n e w " f o r m - f i t " h o l s t e r s are so t ight tha t t h e r e t e n t i v e , shaped l e a t h e r m a y a c t u a l l y pul l t h e trigger as y o u force t h e gun i n t o p l a c e . Inside l in ings w h i c h offer soft , s m o o t h p r o t e c t i o n for your gun at f irst , m a y w e a r t h r o u g h w i t h u s e and hang t h e gun up o n i t s f ront s ight w h e n y o u try to draw. And s w i v e l h o l s t e r s w h i c h a l l o w your gun to m o v e to c o m f o r t a b l y a c c o m m o d a t e your s i t t ing down, c a n b e c o m e dangerous w i t h wear , b e c a u s e t h e h o l s t e r m a y b r e a k loose at t h e s w i v e l .
B e c a u t i o u s , too , a b o u t h o l s t e r s t h a t depend on spring-loaded c a t c h e s , h i nges or s i m i l a r m e c h a n i c a l d e v i c e s . T h e s e m a y j a m w h e n y o u n e e d your gun t h e m o s t . . . o r u n e x p e c t e d l y d u m p it o u t by a c c i d e n t . If, for e x a m p l e , in re turn ing your gun to a b u t t o n -re leased c l a m s h e l l h o l s t e r y o u happen to apply pressure at t h e top or b o t t o m , t h e h o l s t e r s h e l l m a y l o c k i n c o m p l e t e l y and pop open u n d e r s t ress .
A quality holster is as important as the sidearm it protects. This particular holster epitomizes the look of security. It offers full grip clearance, trigger guard protection, and a thumb break with a one-way snap.
Being conscious of your holster is no different than being conscious of your wallet in your pocket.
3 0 9
The "bench rest" approach to law enforcement.
Y o u w a n t to r e m e m b e r tha t c l a i m s for m e c h a n i ca l h o l s t e r s m a y b e exaggerated. T h e f r o n t - o p e n i n g c l a m s h e l l h o l s t e r , w h i c h a l l o w s y o u to draw fast o n target b y br ing ing your gun forward a n d par t ing t h e t e n s i o n - s p r i n g - c o n t r o l l e d f ront s e a m r a t h e r t h a n l i f t ing it up a n d out , is o f t e n t o u t e d as " s u s p e c t -p r o o f . " T h i s is b e c a u s e a spec ia l t r igger -hous ing ins ide m a k e s i t d i f f i cul t for a n y o n e to s n a t c h t h e gun out of t h e h o l s t e r f r o m t h e rear or s ide , e v e n w i t h t h e sa fe ty strap u n f a s t e n e d . H o w e v e r , in N e w M e x i c o , an o f f i cer w i t h a so -ca l led " b r e a k f r o n t " h o l s t e r w a s s u c c e s s f u l l y d i s a r m e d and s h o t w i t h h i s o w n gun w h i l e s truggl ing to subdue a r o b b e r y susp e c t . T h e a s s a i l a n t , f a c e - d o w n o n t h e g r o u n d w i t h t h e o f f i cer as t r ide h i m , s i m p l y r e a c h e d b a c k and y a n k e d t h e o f f i c e r ' s serv ice revo lver forward . T h e h o l s t e r p a r t e d . . . a n d suddenly t h e f e l o n w a s a r m e d . S i m i l a r i n c i d e n t s h a v e o c c u r r e d in o t h e r s t a t e s .
A l t h o u g h a h o l s t e r should be c h o s e n w i t h regard t o w h a t ' s m o s t c o m f o r t a b l e and s e r v i c e a b l e for you , t h e b e s t design is l i k e l y t o b e o n e t h a t r ides h igh a n d h o l d s your gun s e c u r e l y , c l o s e to your body o n y o u r s h o o t i n g - h a n d s ide . It s h o u l d a l l o w y o u to draw up and out w i t h o n e s m o o t h , f luid m o t i o n . . .and n o h a n g u p s .
W i t h any h o l s t e r , y o u ' l l n e e d to " w o r k " t h e l e a t h e r w h e n i t ' s n e w , l i k e y o u w o u l d to b r e a k in a b a s e b a l l g l o v e . Y o u a lso n e e d t o p r a c t i c e to per fec t your draw and to get a c c u s t o m e d to t h e l e a t h e r in r e a l i s t i c s i t u a t i o n s . B e sure your gun is e m p t y to p r e v e n t a c c i d e n t a l d i scharge . P r a c t i c e w i t h your gun strapped in t h e h o l s t e r so y o u b e c o m e adept at drawing t h r o u g h t h e s e c u r i t y d e v i c e . For a s m o o t h er, snappier draw, try spraying t h e ins ide of your h o l s t e r per iodica l ly w i t h s i l i c o n e , a v a i l a b l e in aeroso l c a n s at m o s t h a r d w a r e and a u t o m o t i v e s t o r e s .
Cross-Draw Holsters
A cross -draw h o l s t e r m a y l o o k d r a m a t i c , but i t s u s e for an o f f i c e r ' s p r i m a r y w e a p o n is discouraged by m a n y l a w e n f o r c e m e n t a g e n c i e s bec a u s e of sa fe ty and survival c o n s i d e r a t i o n s . T h e y c o n c e d e o n e advantage : t h e c ross -draw p o s i t i o n m a k e s y o u r g u n m o r e a c c e s s i b l e w h e n y o u ' r e s i t t ing in a car . B u t t h e y argue t h a t t h e d isadvantages h e a v i l y o u t w e i g h t h i s . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , s o m e m a j o r d e p a r t m e n t s c o n s i d e r t h e d i sadvantages to b e of l i t t l e c o n s e q u e n c e and spec i fy c ross -draw h o l s t e r s as part of t h e i r r e g u l a t i o n u n i f o r m . W h e r e g iven a c h o i c e , y o u w i l l w a n t to e v a l u a t e t h e a r g u m e n t s
3 1 0
against t h e cross -draw and c o m e to y o u r o w n c o n c l u s i o n s .
Faced w i t h a gunf ight t h a t ' s i m m i n e n t or already s tar ted, a cross-draw genera l ly w i l l t a k e y o u longer to get o n target to defend y o u r l i fe . W h e n y o u ' r e e x c i t e d and m o v i n g fast , t h e r e ' s a greater t e n d e n c y for t h e g u n ' s h a m m e r spur to snag o n c l o t h i n g . B u t e v e n if y o u m a n a g e to draw s m o o t h l y , you h a v e to r e a c h across your body and pul l t h e gun b a c k through a 90-degree arc before y o u ' r e p o i n t i n g it s t ra ight ahead . In o t h e r words , your h a n d m u s t t ravel far ther to t h e ho ls ter , and your gun m u s t t rave l far ther to t h e assa i lan t . W h i l e t h i s is ea t ing up va luab le m i l l i s e c o n d s , i t ' s g iving h i m good opport u n i t y , if h e ' s c l o s e enough, to r e s t r i c t your h a n d or k n o c k it i n t o a m i s s e d s hot s i n c e , in e f fec t , it m u s t t ravel in f ront of h is body as w e l l as your o w n in m a k i n g t h e draw.
T h r o u g h t h e e n t i r e swing b a c k , your m u z z l e sweeps across a broad n o n - t a r g e t area t h a t m a y inc lude f e l l o w off icers or i n n o c e n t c i v i l i a n s . W i t h your a r m and h a n d m o v i n g s ideways , i t ' s hard to ha l t your gun in e x a c t l y t h e r ight spot . If y o u s w i n g past t h e s u s p e c t , y o u lose even m o r e t i m e , f u r t h e r b e n e f i t i n g h i m . . . a n d expose an addi t iona l u n d e -sired area to poss ib le p r e m a t u r e or a c c i d e n t a l f i re .
M o s t o f f i cers c o n c l u d e t h a t in c l o s e s i t u a t i o n s par t i cu lar ly ( w h i c h m o s t a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n s are) you s t r e n g t h e n your d i rec t -h i t p o t e n t i a l w i t h a c o n v e n t i o n a l " p u n c h - o u t " or " d i r e c t i o n a l " draw f r o m a h o l s t e r o n your s trong s ide. W i t h t h i s , y o u m a y be ab le to h i t l o w e r parts of your a s s a i l a n t ' s body e v e n before your gun is in i t s f ina l p o s i t i o n , giving y o u m o r e to ta l target t i m e t h a n is p o s s i b l e w i t h a c ross -draw. In a n y c a s e , y o u c a n k e e p your m u z z l e under c o n t r o l , po in t ing e i t h e r safely at t h e ground or at your assa i lan t f r o m t h e i n s t a n t i t c lears your l e a t h e r u n t i l you s h o o t .
Back-Up/Off-Duty Holsters
C h o o s i n g s u p p l e m e n t a r y l e a t h e r h a s i t s spec ia l c o m p l i c a t i o n s b e c a u s e in addi t ion to a b a l a n c e b e t w e e n s e c u r i t y and ava i lab i l i ty , y o u probably w a n t th i s h o l s t e r to b e c o n c e a l a b l e . W h e r e t h a t ' s t h e case , y o u ' l l h a v e to be ready to a c c e p t s o m e tradeoffs, sacr i f i c ing s o m e q u a l i t i e s y o u ' d n o r m a l l y d e m a n d in e x c h a n g e for k e e p i n g y o u r gun h idden .
O n e c o m m o n design for s u p p l e m e n t a r y l e a t h e r is t h e a n k l e h o l s t e r , popular b e c a u s e s u s p e c t s o f t e n tend to o v e r l o o k i t . An off -duty f e m a l e o f f i cer in D e t r o i t w a s enter ing her car in a park ing lot o n e
n i g h t w h e n an a r m e d r o b b e r suddenly a c c o s t e d her , t h r e a t e n e d h e r l i fe and s n a t c h e d her purse . A t t h a t i n s t a n t , h e r badge, I . D . card and h a n d c u f f s a l l w e n t i n t o h i s h a n d s . B u t n o t h e r gun. S h e w a s ab le to draw a . 3 8 C o l t C o b r a f r o m a h o l s t e r o n h e r left leg and defend herse l f . In o t h e r c a s e s , b y p r e t e n d i n g to be sho t and c r u m p l i n g over , o f f i cers h a v e b e e n able to r e a c h e x t r a g u n s in a n k l e or b o o t h o l s t e r s . And i t ' s p o s s i b l e , if y o u ever w e r e t a k e n h o s t a g e , t h a t y o u c o u l d save your l i fe w i t h t h e gun an u n d e t e c t e d a n k l e h o l s t e r c o u l d put in y o u r h a n d at t h e r ight m o m e n t . T h a t happened w i t h an of f icer in N e w Y o r k w h o w a s b e i n g h e l d h o s t a g e by a g u n m a n . B y p r e t e n d i n g to s c r a t c h h i s leg, h e w a s ab le t o draw a revo lver f r o m an a n k l e h o l s t e r and s h o o t t h e sus pec t fa ta l ly .
T h e r e are n e g a t i v e f a c t o r s y o u s h o u l d w e i g h , t h o u g h . A n k l e h o l s t e r s u s u a l l y h a v e a m i n i m u m a m o u n t of l e a t h e r to e n c l o s e your g u n . . . a n open trigger g u a r d . . . a n d a snap-on s e c u r i t y strap tha t is s u b j e c t to s t ra in w h e n y o u w a l k or r u n . In n u m e r o u s i n s t a n c e s , t h e design for c e r t a i n of t h e s e h o l s t e r s h a s c o n t r i b u t e d to a c c i d e n t a l d i s c h a r g e s . Indeed, some variety of "gimmick" holster—ankle, s h o u l der, c ross -draw, f a s t - d r a w — i s most often the equipment involved when a gun is lost or unintentionally shot off or an officer is disarmed. E v e n w h e n t h e a n k l e h o l s t e r properly r e t a i n s your gun, y o u h a v e to r e a c h d o w n or ra ise your leg up to draw, e i t h e r of w h i c h c a n put y o u in a bad p o s i t i o n in c l o s e c o m b a t .
S i m i l a r l y , b e l t c l ip -on h o l s t e r s favored b y s o m e of f icers b e c a u s e of t h e i r c o n v e n i e n c e and re la t ive
When you work undercover, avoid putting any firearm in your waistband unsecured. The risks of dropping or losing it are far too great.
3 1 2
c o n c e a l a b i l i t y , a l so c a n p r e s e n t ser ious surviva l r i s k s . O n m o s t m o d e l s , t h e c l ip is e a s i l y dis lodged w h e n y o u run, are jos t l ed in a c r o w d , get in or o u t of a v e h i c l e or jus t w a l k n a t u r a l l y . W h e n y o u try to draw, t h e w h o l e h o l s t e r m a y c o m e a long w i t h your gun, and w h e n y o u sit at a d e s k or in a car , t h e h o l s t e r c l ip m a y ride up over your b e l t .
P r o b a b l y t h e best h o l s t e r for of f -duty u s e is a secure be l t m o d e l , w o r n in t h e s a m e p l a c e y o u w e a r your serv ice s idearm w h e n o n duty . W e are all c reatures of h a b i t , and y o u ' r e m o s t l i k e l y to r e a c h t h e r e i n s t i n c t i v e l y in case of danger . Perhaps n e x t b e s t for off-duty w e a r (and a good c o m p r o m i s e for a b a c k - u p gun on duty) is a shoulder h o l s t e r . It does put your gun in a cross-draw pos i t ion , w h i c h is n o r m a l l y c o n sidered a s t rong disadvantage , b u t it is readi ly c o n -c e a l a b l e under a coat or j a c k e t , r e a s o n a b l y s e c u r e and c o m f o r t a b l e and genera l ly a l l o w s y o u to draw eas i ly . A shoulder h o l s t e r , if it m u s t be used, s h o u l d be of s i m i l a r c o n s t r u c t i o n to a good be l t h o l s t e r and should a l l o w t h e m u z z l e to p o i n t d o w n r a t h e r t h a n u p .
Cartridge Carriers
A l t h o u g h a s h o o t i n g is l i k e l y to b e over be fore you h a v e to r e l o a d — r e m e m b e r , an of f i cer f i res o n l y 2 or 3 s h o t s in t h e average g u n f i g h t — y o u n e e d to b e prepared at al l t i m e s for t h e e x c e p t i o n s . M u l t i p l e a s s a i l a n t s w i t h h e a v y f i repower m a y force y o u to
An important consideration behind any non-patrol holster is concealment. The clip-on type is most effective when clipped to a leather belt, rather than to a cloth surface.
A properly worn shoulder holster should stay close to your body. A belt strap is also a requirement for maintaining a secure, flat shape.
3 1 3
The condition of this cartridge carrier [stapled onto his belt] is an indication of this officer's concern for survival.
q u i c k l y e x p e n d w h a t ' s in y o u r g u n . O r during an e x t e n d e d foot pursu i t , y o u m a y s q u e e z e off rounds at severa l p o i n t s w h e r e y o u c a n s top and f ire a long t h e w a y w i t h o u t br ing ing y o u r s u s p e c t d o w n . O n c e y o u r g u n is e m p t y , e x t r a a m m u n i t i o n b e c o m e s c r i t i c a l to y o u r surv iva l . H o w fast y o u c a n get b a c k o n target and h o w w e l l y o u r a m m u n i t i o n w o r k s w h e n y o u do m a y depend in large part o n h o w y o u carry i t .
For r e v o l v e r a m m u n i t i o n , y o u h a v e t h r e e b a s i c p o s s i b i l i t i e s : b e l t l o o p s . . . d u m p p o u c h e s . . . o r speed-loaders . D e p a r t m e n t a l r e g u l a t i o n s m a y give y o u l i t t l e c h o i c e in t h e type of e q u i p m e n t y o u c a n u s e . B u t w i t h i n e a c h ca tegory t h e r e are g u i d e l i n e s tha t c a n h e l p y o u provide t h e b e s t p o s s i b l e p r o t e c t i o n for y o u r e x t r a r o u n d s .
Belt loops offer perhaps t h e g r e a t e s t s e c u r i t y for y o u r a m m u n i t i o n , b u t t h e y e x p o s e y o u r e x t r a car t r idges to t h e a b u s e s of w e a t h e r , s e a t - b e l t s , r e s t a u r a n t t a b l e edges, et c e t e r a . . . a n d t h e y t a k e cons iderable p r a c t i c e for q u i c k loading . G o o d loops , l i k e good h o l s t e r s , b a l a n c e r e t e n t i o n and e a s e of e x t r a c t i o n . If your l o o p s are o n a separa te p i e c e of l e a t h e r t h a t s l ides over your duty b e l t , i t s h o u l d f i t w i t h n o s l ippage or l o o s e p lay . Y o u w i l l probably w a n t t o carry t w o 6-round loops , w o r n o n t h e s a m e s ide n e a r t h e f ront of your be l t r a t h e r t h a n at t h e rear . Y o u w a n t to be c e r t a i n t h e des ign p o s i t i o n s t h e car t r idges w h e r e y o u c a n r e a c h t h e m q u i c k l y and c o m f o r t a b l y and w h e r e t h e y w i l l n o t i n t e r f e r e w i t h drawing your g u n . T h e loops s h o u l d b e o u t a b i t f r o m t h e res t of t h e l e a t h e r , r a t h e r t h a n f lat against i t to e a s e w i t h d r a w a l and h igh e n o u g h to a l l o w y o u to " r o c k " t h e car tr idges f ree . If t h e loops are too t i g h t , y o u c a n s t r e t c h t h e m s l ight ly b y w o r k i n g t h e m w i t h m i n k oi l or saddle soap. T h e y s h o u l d b e l o o s e e n o u g h t h a t t h e car tr idges c a n e a s i l y b e p u s h e d up f r o m b e l o w by your i n d e x f inger , y e t t ight e n o u g h to provide safe r e t e n t i o n . D o u b l e b e l t - l o o p s c a n be d a n g e r o u s , b e c a u s e t h e h e a d s of t h e top r o w of b u l l e t s res t a l m o s t o n t h e p r i m e r s of t h e r o w b e l o w w h e n t h e loops are fu l l . W i t h any s t y l e , y o u ' l l need to w a t c h and m a i n t a i n t h e l e a t h e r c a r e f u l l y . As it ages, t h e loops tend to lose t h e i r r e t e n t i o n , a n d under h e a v y s t r e s s , r o u n d s m a y drop o u t .
Dump pouches n e e d regular m a i n t e n a n c e , t o o , b e c a u s e t h e y t e n d to a c c u m u l a t e dirt and m o i s t u r e . Y o u w a n t a p o u c h in w h i c h t h e l e a t h e r h a s b e e n d r y - t a n n e d . O i l t a n n i n g c o n t r i b u t e s to depos i t s bu i ld ing up o n t h e r o u n d s ins ide , a n d w i t h i n a m a t ter of m o n t h s , y o u ' l l h a v e green s c u m o n y o u r shel l c a s i n g s t h a t m a y af fec t your a m m u n i t i o n ' s per forma n c e . B e sure your p o u c h h a s a m e t a l or p las t i c i n s e r t to r e i n f o r c e t h e l e a t h e r and preserve i t s shape
3 1 4
O t h e r w i s e , it c a n b e n d against your car t r idges , holding t h e m ins ide t h e p o u c h or dropping t h e m erra t i ca l ly . A l s o , be sure i t ' s w e l l e n o u g h des igned tha t it operates s m o o t h l y in co ld w e a t h e r ( s o m e j a m w h e n t h e t e m p e r a t u r e drops) and t h a t it w i l l n o t eas i ly pop open during a scuf f le , d u m p i n g your l i v e rounds o n t h e ground. B e aware of t h e m a x i m u m n u m b e r of rounds t h a t c a n be c o n t a i n e d in your d u m p p o u c h . Y o u d o n ' t w a n t t o c r a m it t o t h e burs t ing point , b u t by t h e s a m e t o k e n , y o u c a n o f t e n load seven or e ight rounds , i n s t e a d of jus t s i x . If y o u carry e x t r a s in t h e p o u c h , y o u ' l l b e c o v e r e d in t h e e v e n t y o u drop a c o u p l e w h e n re loading u n d e r s t ress .
Speed-loaders, w i t h e x t e n s i v e p r a c t i c e , probably a l l o w t h e fas tes t re loading, b u t p e r f o r m a n c e varies w i t h di f ferent m o d e l s , so y o u w a n t to t es t severa l . M a n y off icers f ind t h e y get t h e b e s t r e s u l t s w i t h speed- loaders , as c o m p a r e d to " s p e e d s t r i p s , " w h i c h h o l d cartr idges in a n a r r o w , f la t p i e c e of rubber . A n y s ty le y o u c h o o s e s h o u l d b e m e c h a n i ca l ly s i m p l e and r e l i a b l e . . . s h o u l d re load all c h a m bers in your revolver s i m u l t a n e o u s l y w i t h o u t b e i n g b l o c k e d by your left grip p a n e l . . . s h o u l d b e t h e type des ignated for your a m m u n i t i o n . . . a n d s h o u l d r e t a i n t h e cartr idges it carr ies if y o u drop it or toss it to a f e l l o w of f icer w h o ' s out of a m m u n i t i o n in a gunf ight . B e a r in m i n d t h a t in approach ing m a n y p o t e n t ia l c o n f r o n t a t i o n s , y o u w a n t t o b e as u n o b t r u s i v e as poss ib le . T h e r e f o r e , m a k e sure y o u r loader is des igned to m i n i m i z e cartr idge ra t t l e w h e n y o u w a l k or run. T h i s c a n be done by k e e p i n g s t y r o f o a m or rubber padding in t h e b o t t o m of t h e c a s e . In b u y i n g speed-loaders , c o n s i d e r ge t t ing s u f f i c i e n t l e a t h e r gear for carrying t w o loaders o n your b e l t . T h i s w i l l give y o u a t o t a l of 12 rounds for re loading .
In s e l e c t i n g a carr ier for s e m i - a u t o m a t i c a m m u n i t i o n , y o u w a n t a m o d e l t h a t : 1) a l l o w s y o u to carry t w o e x t r a m a g a z i n e s , so y o u h a v e a t o t a l o f three ava i lab le , c o u n t i n g t h e o n e in y o u r g u n ; 2) h a s individual p o c k e t s for e a c h so y o u d o n ' t h a v e to force b o t h d o w n i n t o t h e s a m e space , w h e r e t h e y m a y b i n d ; 3) p r o t e c t s t h e l ips of t h e m a g a z i n e against d a m a g e ; 4) is sealed o n t h e b o t t o m and snaps over t h e top to provide good s e c u r i t y and to prevent dust and dirt f r o m enter ing t h e m a g a z i n e s . T h e carr ier s h o u l d ho ld t h e m a g a z i n e s snugly , b u t n o t so t ight ly t h e y c a n ' t be eas i ly drawn for re loading under f i re .
W h e n y o u are off -duty or o n p l a i n c l o t h e s a s s i g n m e n t , t a k e care to see t h a t y o u r spare a m m u ni t ion s tays c o n c e a l e d . In m o r e t h a n o n e c a s e , an officer out of u n i f o r m h a s e x p o s e d a m m u n i t i o n o n l i s be l t by r e a c h i n g i n t o h i s f ront p o c k e t for c o i n s as h e w a l k s i n t o a l iquor s tore or drug s t o r e —
A quality, double magazine case for a semi-automatic.
3 1 5
u n a w a r e t h a t an a r m e d robbery is going d o w n ins ide . O n e g l i m p s e of y o u r a m m u n i t i o n u n d e r t h o s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s and t h e bad guys c a n " m a k e " y o u as a t h r e a t to be s w i f t l y s h o t and k i l l e d . W h e n y o u ' r e out of u n i f o r m , c o n s i d e r u s i n g a speed s t r ip w h i c h can be carr ied in a shir t p o c k e t (a r o und speed- loader is t o o b u l k y for c o n c e a l e d w e a r ) . A n o t h e r o p t i o n is an a m m u n i t i o n w a l l e t s i m i l a r to a c igare t c a s e , w h i c h y o u c a n u s e to carry car tr idges in s tr ips or l o o s e . If y o u w e a r e x t r a a m m u n i t i o n in p l a i n c l o t h e s , k e e p it on t h e s ide of t h e h a n d y o u load w i t h for fas tes t u s e — t h a t i s , o n your s t rong side if y o u u s e a revolver , your w e a k side if a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c . ( T h i s p o s i t i o n i n g is i m p o r t a n t if y o u ' r e in u n i f o r m , t o o . S o m e of f i cers w e a r t h e i r a m m u n i t i o n in p l a c e s tha t are i n a c c e s s i b l e to t h e i r loading hand. )
Leather Care
T h e care y o u give your l e a t h e r w i l l i n f l u e n c e w h e t h e r it provides t h e p r o t e c t i o n it s h o u l d . L e a t h e r t h a t is repea ted ly e x p o s e d t o t h e e l e m e n t s w i t h o u t c l e a n i n g or r e s t o r a t i o n m a y decay or b e c o m e b r i t t l e . If y o u u s e your gun b u t t for an a r m rest or a r a c k for h a n g i n g o t h e r e q u i p m e n t , y o u r i s k s t r e t c h i n g t h e h o l s t e r o u t of shape and m a k i n g your g u n less s e c u r e . If d a m a g e goes u n d e t e c t e d , y o u r l e a t h e r m a y u n e x p e c t e d l y e x p e r i e n c e s t ress fa i lure t h a t leaves y o u v u l n e r a b l e in a s h o o t i n g s i t u a t i o n .
P e r i o d i c a l l y , y o u w a n t to e x a m i n e all your l e a t h e r , l o o k i n g for w o r n s t i t c h i n g . . . r i p p e d l o o p s . . . e v i d e n c e of s t r e t c h i n g . . . c r a c k e d or p u n c t u r e d surf a c e s . R u b pas te w a x i n t o t h e s t i t c h i n g to h e l p keep it f r o m drying o u t and snapping. W i p e t h e ins ide of your h o l s t e r w i t h a dry c l o t h , e s p e c i a l l y af ter exposure to ra in , s n o w or o t h e r m o i s t u r e . Also , c l e a n out a l l l in t , c r u m b s and o t h e r fore ign p a r t i c l e s . T h e s e c a n absorb and r e t a i n m o i s t u r e and m a y h a v e a c o r r o s i v e e f fec t o n your gun, or t h e y m a y w o r k the i r w a y i n t o i t s a c t i o n . For a fast c l e a n - o u t job , spray t h e ins ide of your h o l s t e r w i t h a serv ice s t a t i o n air h o s e or u s e a v a c u u m c l e a n e r .
Y o u r h o l s t e r s h o u l d h a v e a " w e e p h o l e " in the b o t t o m . T h i s w i l l a l l o w s o m e fore ign p a r t i c l e s to fal l o n t h r o u g h and h e l p k e e p c o n d e n s a t i o n from bui ld ing up ins ide . If y o u r s l a c k s a h o l e , y o u c a n cut o n e . B u t t h e n h a v e t h e s t i t c h i n g r e i n f o r c e d at a shoe repair shop to k e e p t h e c u t threads f r o m loosening and w e a k e n i n g y o u r h o l s t e r .
T o c l e a n or to r e s t o r e l e a t h e r t h a t has b e c o m e dried out , f o l l o w t h i s procedure :
316
Your leather gear should have that same ' 'cared-for look'' as your shoes and uniform. [Note the position of the handcuff case and belt keepers. [
This rig was actually worn by a police officer in this country.
3 1 7
1. Af ter r e m o v i n g your gun, a m m u n i t i o n , al l b u c k l e s and o t h e r i t e m s t h a t snap or s l ide o n , w a s h t h e l e a t h e r w i t h a sponge , s t rong soap and h o t w a t e r . A l l o w it to dry at r o o m t e m p e r a t u r e for a b o u t 3 0 m i n u t e s . Do not u s e c l e a n i n g f luid or a n y product c o n t a i n i n g a l c o h o l or g a s o l i n e .
2 . Apply w a r m n e a t ' s - f o o t o i l . T h i s c a n b e done w h i l e t h e l e a t h e r is s t i l l d a m p .
3 . Apply l e a t h e r dye of an appropr ia te co lor , a l so w h i l e d a m p . Af ter i t h a s dried a b o u t 2 0 m i n u t e s , rub off e x c e s s dye w i t h a d a m p rag. Do not u s e l iquid s h o e p o l i s h or s i m i l a r m a t e r i a l s , b e c a u s e t h e y e v e n t u a l l y w i l l c r a c k or pee l .
4 . Apply h a r n e s s dress ing w i t h a s h e e p ' s - w o o l s w a b . R u b b r i s k l y to assure good a b s o r b e n c y at f i rs t , t h e n u s e long, e v e n s t r o k e s . Severa l c o a t s m a y be n e c e s s a r y to a c h i e v e a good s h i n e , if y o u w a n t o n e . D r y a t r o o m t e m p e r a t u r e for at l e a s t an h o u r .
L e a t h e r care , as w e l l as t h e o t h e r a t t e n t i o n y o u give your p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t , is m o r e t h a n spit-a n d - p o l i s h r e g i m e n . W e l l - c h o s e n l e a t h e r , sharply m a i n t a i n e d , m a k e s a p s y c h o l o g i c a l i m p a c t o n y o u , as w e l l as t h e p u b l i c . B u t m o r e i m p o r t a n t , i t ' s part of be ing ready w i t h a t o t a l w e a p o n s y s t e m . And r e a d i n e s s , d o w n to e v e n t h e s m a l l e s t m u n d a n e deta i l , is t h e h e a r t of surv iva l .
S o m e of f i cers fa i l t o m a i n t a i n t h e i r l e a t h e r — o r rep lace i t w h e n i t ' s w o r n o u t — b e c a u s e t h e y t h i n k t h a t a scuf fed , w o r n appearance g ives t h e m an " F v e - b e e n - t h e r e " l o o k , d i s t i n c t i v e f r o m t h e rookies . A c t u a l l y , b e s i d e s m a k i n g an of f i cer l o o k l i k e a s lob , t h i s a t t i t u d e is gross ly u n s a f e and u s u a l l y r e f l e c t s a genera l l a x i t y t o w a r d surv iva l p r a c t i c e s .
A n of f i cer w h o is t o o c h e a p or t o o lazy to b u y r e p l a c e m e n t gear or w h o l a c k s se l f - respec t in h i s appearance and g r o o m i n g is i n v i t i n g d i s respec t f r o m h i s f e l l o w of f i cers and t h e p u b l i c a l i k e . A u t h o r i t y is f o u n d e d o n r e s p e c t , and appearance is a large part of t h e b a t t l e .
3 1 8
FIREARMS CONTROL
L o o k in t h e f i les of f i r e a r m s d ischarge reports for any l a w e n f o r c e m e n t agency , and t h e c a s e s are there in a b u n d a n c e : an of f icer pursuing a s u s p e c t o n foot w i t h h is gun in h a n d tr ips and s h o o t s h i m s e l f . . . an of f icer d e m o n s t r a t i n g a q u i c k draw w i t h an " u n l o a d e d " gun s h o o t s h i s p a r t n e r . . . a n of f icer f ires a w a r n i n g sho t and t h e b u l l e t h i t s s o m e p l a c e — o r s o m e o n e — h e d idn ' t e x p e c t . . . a n of f i cer c l e a n i n g h i s gun is k i l l e d w h e n it suddenly d i s c h a r g e s . . . a n o f f i cer ' s y o u n g s t e r f inds h i s f a t h e r ' s h a n d g u n at h o m e and fa ta l ly w o u n d s h i m s e l f . . . a n of f i cer f ires at a f lee ing v e h i c l e , and t h e b u l l e t r i c o c h e t s i n t o an i n n o c e n t p e d e s t r i a n . . . a n of f icer u n d e r a t t a c k by an a r m e d assa i lan t f ires b a c k t w o s h o t s t h a t m i s s , and t h e n h i s gun j a m s . . . o r h e s h o o t s and t h e g u n e x plodes , b l o w i n g a w a y part of t h e c y l i n d e r or b l o w i n g off the barrel and t h r e a t e n i n g h i m s e l f and b y s t a n d e r s w i t h f lying f r a g m e n t s .
S u c h i n c i d e n t s are u s u a l l y t a b u l a t e d as " a c c i denta l d i s c h a r g e s " or " w e a p o n m a l f u n c t i o n s , - " e i ther t h e gun fired w h e n i ts o w n e r d i d n ' t w a n t it t o , or it fa i led to f ire w h e n h e n e e d e d it t o . S o m e t i m e s , " u n i n t e n t i o n a l h i t s " are i n v o l v e d ; t h e of f icer m e a n t to shoot , but n o t for t h e b u l l e t to i m p a c t w h e r e it did. W h a t al l t h i s rea l ly b o i l s d o w n t o is a loss of control over t h e f i rearm. A n d t h i s loss a l m o s t a lways o c c u r s through s o m e n e g l i g e n c e on t h e part of t h e of f icer r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e w e a p o n .
T h e r e ' s a pers i s tent m y t h , e v e n a m o n g s o m e v e t e r a n of f i cers w h o ' v e h a n d l e d g u n s for years , t h a t a f i rearm can jus t " g o o f f " s p o n t a n e o u s l y ,
through n o o n e ' s faul t . A c t u a l l y , guns don't fire themselves. A loaded, c o c k e d gun c o u l d l ie o n a table for c e n t u r i e s — f o r e v e r — a n d if le f t a l o n e , i t w o u l d n o t s h o o t .
For your g u n — a n y g u n — t o f ire , it m u s t b e loaded and t h e t r i g g e r / h a m m e r m e c h a n i s m m u s t be a c t i v a t e d by s o m e o n e ' s f inger or a n o t h e r o b j e c t , so tha t t h e f ir ing pin d e t o n a t e s t h e p r i m e r o n a l ive round. In shor t , h u m a n i n t e r v e n t i o n is required to i n i t i a t e t h e c h a i n r e a c t i o n tha t m a k e s a gun s h o o t , and t h i s is t rue w h e t h e r t h e d ischarge is " a c c i d e n t a l " or i n t e n t i o n a l . M o s t cases , t h e h u m a n f a c t o r s respons ib le are s u c h tha t u n i n t e n t i o n a l d i scharges w o u l d m o r e a c c u r a t e l y be c h a r a c t e r i z e d as " c a r e l e s s " r a t h e r t h a n " a c c i d e n t a l . "
S i m i l a r l y , t h e r e ' s near ly a l w a y s a h u m a n elem e n t involved w i t h f i rearm m a l f u n c t i o n s . O n e x t r e m e l y rare o c c a s i o n s , a m e c h a n i c a l fa i lure m a y o c c u r b e c a u s e of s o m e m a n u f a c t u r i n g error or t h e n o r m a l w e a r of w o r k i n g p a r t s — b u t o v e r w h e l m i n g l y t h e c a u s e is m o r e l i k e l y to be poor h a n d l i n g or poor m a i n t e n a n c e of t h e w e a p o n .
In cases of u n i n t e n t i o n a l h i t s , n e g l i g e n t judgm e n t is u s u a l l y invo lved . An of f icer s h o o t s w i t h o u t cons ider ing jus t w h e r e t h e b u l l e t t h a t speeds f r o m his gun m i g h t end up.
N e g l i g e n c e tha t r e s u l t s in loss of c o n t r o l is o n e of t h e deadl iest s ins a person c a n c o m m i t in regard to f i r e a r m s . And l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i cers are d i spropor t ionate ly gui l ty of i t . P r i m a r i l y b e c a u s e of c a r e l e s s n e s s , police officers as a vocational group have a much higher rate of firearms mishap t h a n m e m b e r s of any o t h e r profess ion , i n c l u d i n g t h e m i l i t a r y . T h a t t r a n s l a t e s , of c o u r s e , i n t o h i g h e r ra tes of n e e d l e s s in jur ies and d e a t h s .
Accidental discharges may be reported in a firearms discharge report. But rarely is that information related to other officers so they can avoid duplicating the same mistake.
3 2 1
This officer died because he was unfamiliar with a semi-automatic. When he tried to defend himself during a robbery, he forgot the safety was engaged.
T h e c o r e of t h e p r o b l e m is l a c k of f a m i l i a r i t y w i t h f i r e a r m s and of r e s p e c t for t h e p r o c e d u r e s n e c e s s a r y to c o n t r o l t h e m . At t h e t i m e t h e y c o m e o n t h e f o r c e , an e s t i m a t e d 7 0 per c e n t of n e w p o l i c e of f i cers h a v e h a d no p rev ious e x p e r i e n c e w i t h g u n s . A n d c o n t r a r y to t h e c o m m o n p u b l i c i m p r e s s i o n t h a t m o s t c o p s are " g u n n u t s , " m a n y of f i cers rem a i n b a s i c a l l y u n e d u c a t e d a b o u t t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t t o o l of t h e i r t rade . A survey in N e w M e x i c o , w h i c h l i k e l y r e f l e c t s t h e c o u n t r y g e n e r a l l y , revea l s a s tagger ing l eve l of i g n o r a n c e : in t h e average p o l i c e d e p a r t m e n t t h e r e are s i g n i f i c a n t n u m b e r s of o f f i cers w h o are n o t sure of t h e brand n a m e of t h e i r s e r v i c e r e v o l v e r . . . i t s c a l i b e r . . . i f it h a s f ixed or ad jus tab le s i g h t s . . . w h a t type of a m m u n i t i o n t h e y carry o n duty , and so o n . In a s a m p l e i n s p e c t i o n , 1 o u t of 10 g u n s w a s f o u n d t o b e gross ly u n s a f e . O f f i c e r s w e r e carrying on duty h a n d g u n s t h a t w e r e j a m m e d so t h e c y l i n d e r c o u l d n ' t t u r n or t h a t had b e e n t a m p e r e d w i t h so t h a t e v e n s l ight pressure o n a c o c k e d h a m m e r spur c o u l d c a u s e a d i scharge . O n t h e average, o f f i cers w e r e f ir ing t h e i r g u n s l ess t h a n 2 t i m e s a year , e v i d e n t l y n o m o r e t h a n t h e bare m i n i m u m for qual i fy ing , and by n o s t r e t c h of t h e i m a g i n a t i o n e n o u g h t o assure c o m p e t e n c y .
HHr
3 2 2
T h e longer y o u ' r e w i t h t h e d e p a r t m e n t , t h e greater your c h a n c e s of e x p e r i e n c i n g an u n i n t e n t i o n a l d ischarge or m a l f u n c t i o n , and t h e grea ter your o p p o r t u n i t i e s for f ir ing s h o t s tha t m a y h i t w h e r e you d o n ' t i n t e n d . Part of th i s , of c o u r s e , is a m a t t e r of exposure,- y o u r r i sk goes up s i m p l y b e c a u s e y o u handle m o r e g u n s m o r e o f ten , in m o r e s i t u a t i o n s . B u t m o r e i m p o r t a n t w h e r e m a n y of f i cers are c o n cerned is t h e t e n d e n c y to b e c o m e c o m p l a c e n t and develop bad h a b i t s . W i t h t i m e , t h e y s top t h i n k i n g of a gun as a deadly w e a p o n .
C o n s i d e r t h e f a c t s a b o u t " a c c i d e n t a l " discharges . A survey of s u c h s h o o t i n g s by p o l i c e of f icers in I l l i n o i s i n d i c a t e s t h a t n e a r l y 1 out of 4 o c c u r s w h e n an of f icer is " p l a y i n g " w i t h h i s g u n — w h i l e w a t c h i n g t e l e v i s i o n , p r a c t i c i n g fast draws , s h o w i n g off, or jus t " d a y d r e a m i n g . " In N e w Y o r k C i t y , at least 3 0 per c e n t i n v o l v e s e m i - a u t o m a t i c p is to ls t h a t w e r e " n o t safely h a n d l e d or w e r e i m properly c a r r i e d , " and 3 5 per c e n t w e r e l i n k e d to o f f i cers ' u s e of " i m p r o p e r or g i m m i c k " h o l s t e r s . An e s t i m a t e d 15 to 2 0 per c e n t of a c c i d e n t a l discharges o c c u r w h i l e an of f i cer is c l e a n i n g h i s g u n — a l t h o u g h it is i m p o s s i b l e to s h o o t u n i n t e n t i o n a l l y t h e n if y o u ' r e c l e a n i n g properly . C a r e l e s s d ischarges p r e d o m i n a t e l y involve on- and of f -duty h a n d g u n s , t h o u g h about 3 0 per c e n t are w i t h s h o t g u n s , u s u a l l y w e a p o n s w i t h w h i c h of f icers are e v e n less f a m i l i a r . T h e s h o o t i n g s t a k e p lace in patro l cars , in p o l i c e s t a t i o n s , in p u b l i c p laces , o c c a s i o n a l l y at t h e range and f r e q u e n t l y in o f f i cers ' h o m e s . . . t h e y in jure and ki l l persons doing t h e shoot ing , as w e l l as f e l l o w of f icers and c i v i l i a n s in t h e v i c i n i t y . . . a n d t h e r e is n o ident i f iab le c o r r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e a c c i d e n t rate and t h e s ize of t h e d e p a r t m e n t , an o f f i c e r ' s age or h is years of f o r m a l e d u c a t i o n . In o n e m a j o r w e s t coas t d e p a r t m e n t , o f t e n hera lded for i t s profes-
s i o n a l i s m , n e a r l y 3 0 per c e n t of t h e t o t a l n u m b e r of s h o o t i n g s by o f f i cers are u n i n t e n t i o n a l . A n d a s tudy in N e w Y o r k C i t y h a s s h o w n , s ta r t l ing ly , t h a t officers involved in accidental discharges run a significantly higher risk of being injured than do those involved in armed confrontations!
It t h e r e ' s a br ight s ide to t h i s d i s m a l p i c t u r e , i t ' s t h i s : b e c a u s e h u m a n error is t h e r o o t c a u s e of m o s t a c c i d e n t a l d ischarges , f i rearm m a l f u n c t i o n s and u n i n t e n t i o n a l h i t s , t h e i r n u m b e r c a n b e drast i c a l l y r e d u c e d . H u m a n error is not a f ixed l i a b i l i t y . Y o u c a n e l i m i n a t e i t in yourse l f , and o t h e r s c a n avoid i t , t o o , by b e c o m i n g t h o r o u g h l y f a m i l i a r w i t h h o w y o u r f i r e a r m s opera te and by f o l l o w i n g procedures t h a t assure y o u m a x i m u m c o n t r o l over t h e s e w e a p o n s at al l t i m e s , under al l c i r c u m s t a n c e s . T h e of f i cers w h o h a v e a c c i d e n t s and m a l f u n c t i o n s by and large are t h e o n e s w h o e i t h e r d o n ' t know w h a t t h e y ' r e doing or t h e y a r e n ' t thinking a b o u t i t .
R e m e m b e r , your g u n is a m e c h a n i c a l dev ice , a f ine ly c ra f ted too l ; it h a s n o h e a r t , n o bra in , n o c o n s c i e n c e , n o gift of reason , n o f o r g i v e n e s s , n o c a p a c i t y for m a k i n g a l l o w a n c e s ; i t c a n f u n c t i o n o n l y as w e l l as i t s i n n e r w o r k i n g s and y o u r j u d g m e n t w h e n y o u a c t i v a t e t h e trigger p e r m i t . These variables are within your power—and responsibility— to control.
H e r e are s o m e p o i n t e r s o n w h a t y o u c a n d o — and s h o u l d avoid d o i n g — t o g u a r a n t e e a f i r e a r m ' s safe p e r f o r m a n c e and t h e r e b y p r o m o t e y o u r surv iva l .
Basic Safety
T h e first m i s t a k e w i t h a f i r e a r m is t h e o n e to avoid . W i t h m a n y a s p e c t s of patro l and inves t iga t ion , y o u c a n b a c k t r a c k and c o r r e c t errors m a d e a long t h e w a y . B u t a b u l l e t f ired c a n ' t b e r e c a l l e d . M i s t a k e s w i t h f i r e a r m s t e n d t o be v i o l e n t and d r a m a t i c , t h e c o n s e q u e n c e s i r revers ib le , o f t e n p e r m a n e n t and p o t e n t i a l l y d r a s t i c .
B a s i c a l l y , t h e ru les for m a i n t a i n i n g c o n t r o l are n o t h i n g m o r e t h a n c o m m o n s e n s e . L i k e o t h e r surviva l t e c h n i q u e s , t h e y i n v o l v e t h i n k i n g a h e a d . . . c o n t i n u a l m e n t a l a l e r t n e s s to y o u r a c t i o n s . . . a n d fa i th fu l p r a c t i c e t h a t w i l l m a k e safe procedures h a b i t u a l .
1 . Handle any gun, all the time, as if a bullet were going to blast out of the muzzle in the next instant. Regard all g u n s as a l w a y s loaded. T h a t m e a n s y o u k e e p t h e m u z z l e p o i n t e d in a d i r e c t i o n w h e r e a b u l l e t w i l l do n o h a r m s h o u l d t h e g u n dis-
3 2 4
charge, w h e t h e r you are indoors or o u t — u n l e s s , of course , y o u are in or approaching a p o t e n t i a l c o n f r o n t a t i o n s i t u a t i o n . Y o u n e v e r p o i n t a gun at a n y o n e in j e s t . . . e v e n if y o u " k n o w " t h e gun is un loaded. C o u n t l e s s people h a v e b e e n s h o t b y ' ' u n l o a d e d ' ' g u n s . If y o u see s o m e o n e p o i n t i n g a g u n in your d i rec t ion , get out of t h e w a y so t h e barre l c a n ' t l i n e up w i t h your body.
2 . When you take a handgun fiom its holster for any purpose other than defense or law enforcement, unload it. N e v e r give a loaded g u n to s o m e o n e e lse . B u t by t h e s a m e t o k e n , a l w a y s c o n s i d e r any f i rearm y o u h a n d l e — y o u r s or s o m e o n e e l s e ' s — loaded u n t i l you d e t e r m i n e o t h e r w i s e , e v e n if y o u ' v e jus t seen t h e w e a p o n u n l o a d e d . If y o u are h a n d e d a gun or draw it , e j ec t t h e cartr idges or m a g a z i n e i n t o your h a n d . . . c h e c k t h e c y l i n d e r h o l e s or c h a m b e r and m a g a z i n e we l l to be sure t h e y ' r e e m p t y . . . a n d c o u n t t h e n u m b e r of rounds in your h a n d to m a k e sure all are a c c o u n t e d for. D o n ' t t a k e a n y o n e ' s word for w h e t h e r a gun is loaded or n o t ; re l iab le as t h e y m a y have b e e n before , t h i s c o u l d be t h e o n e t i m e t h e y ' r e l a x — a n d it o n l y t a k e s o n c e . C h e c k t h e gun yourse l f . . . t h e n c h e c k it again; y o u l o o k o n c e to see if i t ' s loaded, and t w i c e to b e sure y o u ' r e r ight .
3 . Resist the temptation to show off your firearm. O n e i n d i c a t i o n of your m a t u r i t y , s t a b i l i t y , and t ra in ing is t h e conservative d isplay of your g u n . Y o u d o n ' t p r a c t i c e q u i c k draws in f ront of t h e l o c k e r r o o m m i r r o r . . . y o u d o n ' t f l aunt your posses s ion of t h e w e a p o n in p u b l i c p l a c e s . . . y o u d o n ' t s h o w your gun to every v is i tor , c i v i l i a n or c h i l d w h o expresses in te res t in i t . . . y o u d o n ' t a l l o w it to b e i n d i s c r i m i n a t e l y handled at f a m i l y g a t h e r i n g s and par t ies . M a n y people are t o t a l l y ignorant of f i r e a r m s ; ye t f e w w i l l a d m i t to a l a c k of k n o w l e d g e of f i rearms safe ty .
4 . Remember that a gun is not a toy-, d o n ' t play w i t h i t . N e r v o u s hab i t s l i k e f l ex ing t h e trigger, sp inning t h e cy l inder , swinging t h e c y l i n d e r open and c losed s h o u l d be avoided. T h e y h a v e n o f u n c t iona l purpose and can o n l y e n c o u r a g e care less discharges and/or m a l f u n c t i o n s .
5 . Don't mix intoxicants and firearms. H a v i n g a gun w i t h y o u w h e n y o u ' r e d r i n k i n g or u s i n g n a r c o t i c s can be as d isas t rous as driving w h e n y o u ' r e under t h e i n f l u e n c e . In a m i d w e s t e r n i n c i d e n t , an off-duty p a t r o l m a n re turned h o m e ear ly o n e m o r n ing f r o m a n ight of dr inking . H e m i s t a k e n l y w e n t to t h e wrong a p a r t m e n t , and w h e n h is k e y d i d n ' t w o r k , he k i c k e d d o w n t h e door . S tar t led a w a k e ins ide , t h e o c c u p a n t barr icaded herse l f in her b e d r o o m . In h is d r u n k e n c o n f u s i o n , t h e of f icer drew h i s s e r v i c e revolver and fired a s ingle shot t h r o u g h t h e door . It
e n t e r e d t h e w o m a n ' s b a c k and e x i t e d t h r o u g h her s t o m a c h , p u n c t u r i n g her i n t e s t i n e e n r o u t e . S h e l ived, b u t s h e i n c u r r e d m o r e t h a n $ 3 0 , 0 0 0 in m e d i ca l b i l l s — a n d sued t h e o f f i cer . W h e n y o u ' r e dr inking, your gun is safest left at h o m e . If y o u l o c k it in your car , it c o u l d be s t o l e n .
6. Don't carry delicately tuned target-shooting arms on duty. T h e s e g u n s m a y be a c c u r a t e in range c o m p e t i t i o n , b u t t h e i r u n u s u a l l y s e n s i t i v e to l e r a n c e s c a n resu l t in j a m s and o t h e r m a l f u n c t i o n s w h e n s u b j e c t e d t o t h e w e a r and tear of p o l i c e w o r k . A l s o , a tr igger w i t h a very l ight pul l c a n resu l t in an u n d e s i r e d d ischarge in t i m e s of s t r e s s .
7. Never loan your gun to someone else. Y o u c a n n e v e r be c e r t a i n to w h a t u s e it w i l l be put w h i l e o u t of y o u r c o n t r o l n o r w h a t shape it w i l l b e in w h e n r e t u r n e d .
8 . Always be conscious of your firearm. K n o w w h e r e it i s . . . w h a t c o n d i t i o n i t ' s in (cocked? loaded?) . . . a n d d o n ' t l eave it ly ing a r o u n d u n a t t e n d e d or l o c k e d in a car w h e r e s o m e o n e e l se m i g h t p i c k it up or s tea l i t . O n e of f -duty p a t r o l m a n , dr iving w i t h h i s w i f e and four-year-old daughter o n v a c a t i o n , p laced h i s loaded . 3 8 C h i e f ' s S p e c i a l on t h e seat b e t w e e n h i m s e l f and h i s w i f e . H i s w i f e fe l l as leep , and t h e of f i cer , absorbed in driving, fa i led to n o t i c e h is d a u g h t e r p i c k up t h e revolver to play w i t h i t . S h e a c c i d e n t a l l y d ischarged t h e gun, a n d t h e round lodged in t h e sp ine of t h e o f f i c e r ' s w i f e , para lyzing her i n s t a n t l y .
W h e r e f i r e a r m s are c o n c e r n e d , i t ' s prudent to be a b i t p e s s i m i s t i c . Y o u c a n b e s t p r o t e c t y o u r s e l f and o t h e r s if y o u r e m a i n c o g n i z a n t of " M u r p h y ' s L a w , " t h e a x i o m t h a t says : " I f s o m e t h i n g c a n go wrong, it w i l l ; if severa l t h i n g s c a n go w r o n g , t h e w o r s t w i l l at t h e w o r s t poss ib le t i m e ! " — u n l e s s y o u t a k e t h e n e c e s s a r y a c t i o n s to prevent i t .
O n t h e range, y o u are t a u g h t safe f i r e a r m s h a n d l i n g so y o u w o n ' t s h o o t y o u r s e l f or a n o t h e r t r a i n e e . O n t h e s t ree t , sa fe ty is jus t as i m p o r t a n t . Y o u d o n ' t w a n t to s h o o t your par tner , an i n n o c e n t c i v i l i a n or yourse l f b e c a u s e you ignored safe ty p r o c e d u r e s .
Transporting Firearms
T h e w a y y o u carry a gun, w h e t h e r i t ' s in your h a n d or in a s e c u r i t y device l i k e a h o l s t e r or s h o t g u n r a c k , w i l l h e l p d e t e r m i n e t h e a m o u n t of c o n t r o l y o u c a n e x e r c i s e over i t . D u r i n g a tour of duty , y o u m a y
3 2 6
have to t ransport a f i rearm under a var ie ty of c ir c u m s t a n c e s , and in e a c h case you w a n t e f f e c t i v e l y to b a l a n c e sa fe ty and ava i lab i l i ty . T h e type of gun you h a v e and e x a c t l y w h a t y o u are doing w i t h it w i l l d e t e r m i n e t h e proper handl ing .
T o carry a h a n d g u n ( inc luding a b a c k - u p gun) w h i l e y o u ' r e on patrol or in n o n - t h r e a t s i t u a t i o n s , you w a n t it h o l s t e r e d — n o t s t u c k in your w a i s t b a n d , be l t or p o c k e t or s tashed under t h e car seat or in t h e g love b o x . T h e h o l s t e r s h o u l d be p o s i t i o n e d at the s a m e p lace on your body at al l t i m e s so y o u ' l l k n o w i n s t i n c t i v e l y w h e r e to r e a c h for your gun if you n e e d it . A revolver should never be carried cocked, b e c a u s e of t h e h igh r i sk of an a c c i d e n t a l d ischarge . W i t h a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , t h o u g h , y o u h a v e o t h e r o p t i o n s . W h a t ' s bes t for you in tha t c a s e w i l l depend in part o n your gun.
If y o u h a v e a d o u b l e - a c t i o n s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , such as the Smith & Wesson models 3 9 and 5 9 , one m e a n s of carrying it in your h o l s t e r o n t h e s t ree t is w i t h a round in t h e c h a m b e r , t h e h a m m e r d o w n and t h e safety on . As you draw, y o u c a n push t h e safety off. H o w e v e r , w i t h t h e 3 9 and 5 9 t h i s is o f ten an i m p r e c i s e m o v e , and y o u m a y m i s s t h e sa fe ty , e spec ia l ly if y o u h a v e s m a l l h a n d s . O n t h e o t h e r hand, o n e advantage of th i s carry is tha t s u s p e c t s genera l ly s e e m less f a m i l i a r w i t h s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s t h a n w i t h revolvers , and t h e r e ' s t h e c h a n c e if y o u are d i s a r m e d t h a t t h e s u s p e c t w i l l n o t k n o w h o w to k i c k off t h e sa fe ty to get t h e gun in a c t i o n to u s e against y o u . A n o t h e r vers ion of t h i s carry is w i t h t h e sa fe ty off, so t h e r e ' s n o t h i n g to r e m e m b e r w h e n you n e e d t h e gun for i n s t a n t u s e . B e a r in m i n d , though , tha t w i t h o u t t h e sa fe ty on , t h e g u n m a y fire if dropped on its m u z z l e w i t h a round in t h e c h a m b e r . S t i l l , m o s t o f f i cers w i t h d o u b l e - a c t i o n s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s carry t h e m t h i s w a y .
S o m e of f icers w h o u s e a single-action s e m i a u t o m a t i c , s u c h as t h e C o l t . 4 5 , carry t h e g u n ful ly c o c k e d w i t h t h e safety o n and a r o u n d in t h e c h a m ber. T h e y k e e p the h o l s t e r s e c u r i t y strap snapped i n t o p lace over t h e h a m m e r t r a c k b e t w e e n t h e c o c k e d h a m m e r and t h e rear of t h e s l ide to prevent an a c c i d e n t a l d ischarge . T h i s carry g ives y o u a h igh state of firearms readiness, but some departments discourage this procedure, arguing that it's safer to carry the single-action semi-automatic with a loaded magazine and an empty chamber with the hammer down. W h e n you draw, you then must activate the slide to cock the gun before you can fire. However, you'l l need two hands to do this and if for some reason you have only one available, the lag t ime may be insurmountable.
Where semi-automatics are involved, you must know your department's policy.
As you exit youi vehicle, unlatch youi seat belt, then place youi gun hand over the sidearm and holster.
A s h o t g u n , w h i l e y o u ' r e o n patro l , is bes t carried in a rack in t h e f ront seat of your patrol car , so it s tands v e r t i c a l l y w i t h t h e m u z z l e t o wa r d t h e roof . It s h o u l d b e w i t h i n a r m ' s r e a c h of t h e driver , but m o r e on t h e passenger s ide. It s h o u l d not b e l o c k e d in t h e t r u n k , w h e r e i t ' s m o r e l i k e l y to b e s u b j e c t e d to m o i s t u r e f r o m ra in or c o n d e n s a t i o n and w h e r e y o u h a v e a b u i l t - i n delay in r e a c h i n g it . T h e m a g a z ine s h o u l d b e ful ly loaded, b u t w i t h n o r o und c h a m b e r e d . Al l t h a t ' s n e c e s s a r y t h e n is to p u m p t h e gun, a n d i t ' s ready for a c t i o n .
If a l ive r o und is carr ied in t h e c h a m b e r — o r left t h e r e af ter deal ing w i t h an e m e r g e n c y — t h e r e ' s a n o t e w o r t h y r i s k of s e t t i n g it off a c c i d e n t a l l y w h i l e t h e g u n ' s in t h e car or be ing r e m o v e d . In a n u m b e r of c a s e s , o f f i cers have b l o w n h o l e s in t h e roofs or doors of patrol cars t h a t w a y . A l s o , w i t h tha t m e t h o d of carry, t h e gun is m o r e l i k e l y to be used s u c c e s s f u l l y aga ins t y o u if a s u s p e c t gets h o l d of i t .
In most cases, it will be safest to draw your sidearm outside your vehicle while maintaining a grip on the door with your non-gun hand.
It a r o u n d is c h a m b e r e d , h e needs o n l y to pul l t h e trigger to f ire t h e gun.
S o m e off icers carry t h e s h o t g u n c o c k e d , w i t h a shel l c h a m b e r e d b u t t h e trigger b l o c k e d by s l iding t h e cross -bol t safety i n t o p o s i t i o n . T h i s is r i s k y , too , b e c a u s e a s h o t g u n c a n discharge e v e n w i t h t h e safety on , if s t r u c k by a s t rong e n o u g h jo l t . If y o u carry a s h o t g u n w i t h t h e safety on , be sure a l w a y s to t ra in w i t h it tha t w a y so y o u d o n ' t forget t o push t h e sa fe ty off under s t ress .
W h i l e t h e s h o t g u n ' s in t h e r a c k , i n c i d e n t a l l y , you s h o u l d avoid manipulating it in a n y w a y . S o m e off icers play w i t h t h e trigger, w h i c h , if e n o u g h pressure is applied, c a n e v e n t u a l l y d a m a g e t h e s a f e t y — o r fire t h e gun, if a round has b e e n unw i t t i n g l y c h a m b e r e d .
W h e n y o u ex i t f r o m your patro l car , t a k e care to protec t your f i rearm. M a n y a c c i d e n t a l d i scharges
3 2 9
In exiting from youi vehicle, take a firm grip on the shotgun, swing your legs out, then put the gun between them. You want the shotgun outside your vehicle pointing straight up and free of obstructions before you exit.
o c c u r at t h i s t i m e , w h e n a h o l s t e r e d h a n d g u n bec o m e s wedged b e t w e e n t h e seat and o t h e r parts of t h e car or tangled in t h e s e a t b e l t . B y p r o t e c t i n g y o u r h o l s t e r w i t h y o u r h a n d and k e e p i n g it c l o s e to your leg, y o u c a n sh ie ld y o u r w e a p o n as y o u e x i t . As y o u open t h e door, p l a c e your f o o t aga ins t t h e ins ide p a n e l . T h e n , as y o u e x i t , p l a c e your n o n - g u n h a n d o n top of t h e door for support . If appropr ia te to draw your s i d e a r m , do so outside y o u r v e h i c l e , f r o m b e h i n d t h e door . H e r e , y o u ' r e l e a s t l i k e l y to e n c o u n t e r o b s t r u c t i o n s to a s m o o t h draw.
In e x i t i n g w i t h a s h o t g u n , r e m e m b e r to r e l e a s e t h e w e a p o n f r o m t h e r a c k before y o u r pat ro l c a r ' s e n g i n e is t u r n e d off; s o m e r a c k s are e l e c t r o n i c a l l y c o n t r o l l e d and w o n ' t w o r k o t h e r w i s e . Y o u ' r e b e t t e r ab le to k e e p an e ye o n t h e s u s p e c t or a c t i o n y o u ' r e heading t o wa r d if y o u get t h e gun out of t h e car
3 3 0
before you , r a t h e r t h a n r e a c h b a c k in for i t . T a k e a f i rm grip on t h e gun at t h e b a c k of t h e s t e e l r e c e i v e r (not t h e m u z z l e ) , w i t h your f ingers a w a y f r o m t h e trigger. Put t h e s t o c k b e t w e e n y o u r l e g s . . . t h e n swing your legs out so t h e s h o t g u n is o u t s i d e your v e h i c l e , p o i n t i n g s tra ight up and free of o b s t r u c t i o n s before y o u e m e r g e . B e sure t h e m u z z l e does n o t s t r ike t h e roof of t h e car ; k e e p it p o i n t e d a w a y f r o m your face and body as y o u e x i t . If y o u h a v e a par tner , w h o e v e r is t h e passenger of f icer s h o u l d h a n d l e t h e s h o t g u n to avoid i n t e r f e r e n c e f r o m t h e s teer ing w h e e l .
On foot, keep the security strap or safety snap of your holster fastened until you start to draw your handgun. O t h e r w i s e , t h e gun can eas i ly b e los t w i t h o u t your be ing aware of i t if y o u r u n . . . c l i m b . . . f a l l . . . o r get i n t o a p h y s i c a l s truggle w i t h a s u s p e c t .
If y o u draw your revolver or d o u b l e - a c t i o n s e m i a u t o m a t i c for p r o t e c t i o n w h i l e m o v i n g forward, do not cock it. C o c k e d , t h e s e g u n s r e q u i r e o n l y a b o u t o n e - t h i r d t h e n o r m a l trigger pressure to f i re . Y o u r c h a n c e s of a c c i d e n t a l d i scharge w i t h t h e h a m m e r b a c k there fore are much greater . In addit i o n , c o c k i n g your gun l eaves l ess l e e w a y for c h a n g i n g your m i n d and p r e v e n t i n g a s h o t o n c e y o u ' v e b e g u n to apply pressure o n t h e tr igger. T h i s c o u l d r e s u l t in t ragic c o n s e q u e n c e s w h e r e y o u rea l ize at t h e las t s p l i t - s e c o n d t h a t y o u ' v e drawn d o w n o n t h e w r o n g person . D e p e n d i n g o n your m e t h o d of h o l s t e r carry , your s i n g l e - a c t i o n s e m i a u t o m a t i c m a y already be c o c k e d w i t h t h e sa fe ty o n w h e n y o u draw. If so, as y o u m o v e forward, l eave t h e sa fe ty on, w i t h your t h u m b res t ing on i t . If y o u need to s h o o t , s i m p l y w i p e t h e sa fe ty off w i t h your t h u m b and pul l t h e tr igger . If y o u d o n ' t carry t h e g u n c o c k e d , y o u ' l l need to a c t i v a t e t h e s l ide and r e l e a s e t h e sa fe ty be fore s h o o t i n g .
In a d v a n c i n g , k e e p t h e m u z z l e of your h a n d g u n
When on foot with your sidearm drawn, keep the muzzle pointed downward, at an angle away from your legs.
3 3 2
pointed d o w n at a s l ight angle a w a y f r o m your legs . T h e b e n d in your e l b o w w i l l he lp p r e v e n t m u s c l e s tra in , and f r o m t h i s p o s i t i o n , y o u c a n e a s i l y s w i n g t h e gun up i n t o t h e i s o s c e l e s i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g s t a n c e . If y o u s t u m b l e or fa l l , t h e gun is angled so y o u ' r e u n l i k e l y to s h o o t y o u r s e l f in t h e leg. S u c h a c c i d e n t a l d ischarges c a n a l so be avoided if y o u keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot. As y o u approach your f ina l loca t i o n or a n t i c i p a t e danger, m o v e i n t o a t w o - h a n d hold , w i t h your gun p o i n t e d s l ight ly d o w n in f ront of y o u . T h i s readies t h e s idearm for s w i n g i n g i n t o t h e ful l i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g p o s i t i o n .
If y o u s h o u l d fal l w i t h your gun, try to avoid j a m m i n g t h e m u z z l e d o w n as a support to b r e a k your fa l l . S o m e off icers do t h i s to save g e t t i n g t h e i r u n i f o r m s dirty, but your gun c a n w i n d up w i t h a barrel full of dirt or m u d , w h i c h la ter m a y c a u s e a dangerous m a l f u n c t i o n .
In carrying a p o l i c e s h o t g u n o n foot , y o u m a y al ter t h e g u n ' s pos i t ion to sui t t h e s i t u a t i o n , b u t y o u w a n t a l w a y s to k n o w w h e r e t h e m u z z l e i s . In a n o n - t h r e a t s i t u a t i o n , o n e t e c h n i q u e is to p o i n t t h e m u z z l e s tra ight up, w i t h t h e h e e l of t h e b u t t p l a t e t u c k e d i n t o your be l t against your h ip . H e r e y o u grip t h e gun f i r m l y around t h e " p i s t o l g r i p , " t h e n e c k of t h e s t o c k jus t b e h i n d t h e rece iver , t a k i n g care to k e e p your f ingers a w a y f r o m t h e tr igger.
W h e n y o u ' r e heading i n t o a s i t u a t i o n w h e r e you m a y need to use your s h o t g u n , there are t w o b a s i c carr ies : " g u a r d " and " p o r t a r m s . "
For t h e guard p o s i t i o n , y o u grasp t h e gun by the p is to l grip in your s trong h a n d and rest t h e b u t t on your h ip . T h e barrel t i l t s out and up at a b o u t a 45-degree angle . T h i s is a d e l i b e r a t e l y h igh prof i le carry, w h e n y o u w a n t to l o o k m e n a c i n g and alert a n y o n e w h o sees tha t you h a v e a s h o t g u n . T h i s is appropriate to u s e in s i t u a t i o n s s u c h as r o a d b l o c k s or w h e n guarding pr isoners .
P r o b a b l y t h e best c o m b i n a t i o n of sa fe ty and ava i lab i l i ty , t h o u g h , is t h e port a r m s carry . H e r e t h e gun is p o s i t i o n e d across your c h e s t , w i t h your s trong h a n d gripping t h e pis to l grip, your o t h e r h a n d under t h e s l ide, and t h e barrel up t o w a r d t h e shoulder of your n o n - s h o o t i n g side at a 4 5 - d e g r e e angle . Y o u r trigger f inger res ts across t h e o u t s i d e of t h e trigger guard u n t i l you are ready t o s h o o t . T h i s is t h e o n l y prac t i ca l carry to u s e w h e n y o u h a v e to run w i t h a s h o t g u n and t h e b e s t for approaching a p o t e n t i a l s u s p e c t . B y swinging t h e b u t t of t h e gun up y o u c a n q u i c k l y conver t it i n t o a c l u b to reso lve a scuf f le . Bear in m i n d , though , t h a t l i k e t h e guard pos i t ion , t h i s carry presents a m e n a c i n g prof i le , w h i c h m a y be undes i rab le in c e r t a i n s e n s i t i v e s i t u a t i o n s .
The port arms carry. Also notice the officer's finger is outside the trigger guard until he is ready to shoot.
O f c o u r s e , a n y t i m e y o u ' r e approach ing known danger a n d t h e n e e d t o f ire appears i m m i n e n t , y o u s h o u l d h a v e t h e s h o t g u n in p o s i t i o n for i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g .
T w o s i t u a t i o n s require s p e c i a l h a n d l i n g to m a i n t a i n proper c o n t r o l over y o u r f i r e a r m s : 1) w h e n y o u ' r e s e a t e d at a l u n c h c o u n t e r w h e r e your ho l -s tered g u n w o u l d be n e x t to a c i v i l i a n and 2) w h e n y o u ' r e in a t o i l e t s ta l l .
At a l u n c h c o u n t e r , c o n s i d e r br inging your h o l s t e r a r o u n d so i t is in your lap , if p o s s i b l e , k e e p i n g it w i t h i n y o u r r e a c h and m a k i n g it harder for t h e p e r s o n n e x t to y o u to grab.
In a t o i l e t , r e m o v e your gun be l t (wi th t h e ho l s ter a t t a c h e d ) . . . b u c k l e i t . . . a n d drape it a r o u n d your n e c k or d iagonal ly a c r o s s y o u r c h e s t f r o m o n e s h o u l d e r . O r hang t h e e n t i r e g u n b e l t over t h e c r o t c h of your p u l l e d - d o w n t r o u s e r s . T h i s k e e p s y o u f r o m forge t t ing your gun and l e s s e n s t h e c h a n c e s of dropping i t to t h e f loor f r o m y o u r p a n t s or f r o m a c u b i c l e h o o k . Do not lay t h e gun b e l t o n t h e f loor . S o m e o n e in t h e n e x t s ta l l c o u l d r e a c h u n d e r t h e p a r t i t i o n and grab your gun, w i t h y o u in n o condi t i o n to respond.
3 3 4
Wild Shots
A m o n g t h e gravest hazards of h i g h - s t r e s s s i tuat ions are u n i n t e n t i o n a l h i t s . U n l i k e a c c i d e n t a l d ischarges , y o u m e a n to f ire your gun, b u t t h e s h o t s i m p a c t s o m e p l a c e — p e r h a p s in s o m e o n e — y o u did n o t i n t e n d . T h i s is a l w a y s a r i s k w h e n s h o o t i n g at a s u s p e c t s o m e d i s t a n c e f r o m you , b u t t h e danger is m a g n i f i e d in c e r t a i n types of s h o o t i n g ; n a m e l y , rounds fired as w a r n i n g s h o t s . . . t h o s e fired at or f r o m m o v i n g v e h i c l e s . . . t h o s e fired w h i l e y o u are runn i n g . . . and t h o s e fired w h e n y o u are u n c e r t a i n of t h e s u s p e c t ' s l o c a t i o n or in a cross - f i re s i t u a t i o n .
M o s t p o l i c e i n s t r u c t o r s i n s i s t t h a t w a r n i n g s h o t s i n t e n d e d to scare a f lee ing or r e l u c t a n t sus pec t i n t o surrender ing d o n ' t w o r k , t h a t if a n y t h i n g , t h e y o n l y m a k e a f lee ing s u s p e c t r u n fas ter ! A c t u a l l y , i t ' s n o t t h a t w a r n i n g s h o t s n e v e r w o r k , b u t tha t they're rarely worth the risk involved.
First of a l l , if an of f icer argues t h a t f r o m a legal s tandpoint w a r n i n g s h o t s are s o m e t h i n g less t h a n u s e of deadly force , h e ' s probably w r o n g . A n y t i m e you s h o o t your gun, in m o s t j u r i s d i c t i o n s , y o u ' r e e m p l o y i n g deadly f o r c e . E v e n if y o u i n t e n d to m i s s a s u s p e c t , y o u ' d b e t t e r b e legal ly jus t i f i ed in k i l l i n g h i m w h e n y o u pul l t h e trigger, or y o u c o u l d b e on s h a k y ground.
In a s u b u r b of W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . , for e x a m p l e , an of f icer f ired o n e shot in an effort to s top a shopl i f t ing s u s p e c t w h o b o l t e d o u t of a p o l i c e subs t a t i o n w h i l e be ing b o o k e d . " T h e t h o u g h t t h a t I m i g h t k i l l t h e guy never e n t e r e d m y m i n d , " t h e of f icer said la ter . " I n e v e r t h o u g h t h e w o u l d die . N e v e r . " B u t to t h e o f f i cer ' s surpr ise , t h e i n t e n d e d " h a r m l e s s " s h o t s t r u c k t h e f lee ing s u s p e c t in t h e b a c k of t h e head , and h e died in a h o s p i t a l t w o days la ter . T h e of f i cer w a s fired f r o m t h e p o l i c e force after an a d m i n i s t r a t i v e tr ia l and at t h i s w r i t i n g is w o r k i n g as an a u t o parts s a l e s m a n .
If y o u are jus t i f ied and l e t h a l force is n e c e s s a r y , i t ' s probably safer f r o m your s t a n d p o i n t and f r o m tha t of f e l l o w of f icers and i n n o c e n t b y s t a n d e r s if y o u aim directly at him, ra ther t h a n s h o o t at t h e ground or fire an u n c o n t r o l l e d shot i n t o t h e air . R e m e m b e r , bullets don't vanish; every round y o u s h o o t h a s to t e r m i n a t e somewhere. If y o u ' r e in a p a s s a g e w a y bet w e e n h igh-r i se a p a r t m e n t bu i ld ings in a c r o w d e d urban n e i g h b o r h o o d , a shot y o u s e n d i n t o t h e air m a y c r a s h t h r o u g h s o m e o n e ' s w i n d o w . . . o r h i t s o m e b o d y lean ing over a porch ra i l ing to w a t c h t h e a c t i o n . . . o r s i m p l y by t h e pul l of gravi ty land in an u n p r e d i c t a b l e — a n d u n d e s i r a b l e — s p o t . W h e n o n e of f icer shot i n t o t h e f loor of a s u s p e c t ' s a p a r t m e n t , t h e b u l l e t p e n e t r a t e d t h e f loor and c a m e out t h r o u g h
A wild shot can impact almost anywhere. t h e w a l l in an a p a r t m e n t b e l o w . B y f ir ing i n t o t h e
ground w h i l e r u n n i n g , s o m e of f icers h a v e s h o t t h e m se lves in t h e leg. In o n e case , an of f icer w h o c a m e u p o n t h e s c e n e of a chase - in -progress t h o u g h t h e w a s be ing f ired at w h e n h e heard a n o t h e r o f f i c e r ' s w a r n i n g s h o t , and p r o m p t l y k i l l e d t h e f lee ing s u s p e c t — w h o , it t u r n e d out , had n o t c o m m i t t e d a c r i m e t h a t w a r r a n t e d l e t h a l a c t i o n .
Whenever you shoot, you're responsible for where all your bullets impact, regardless of your intent at t h e t i m e or t h e r e a s o n s y o u give la ter in f i l l ing o u t your s h o o t i n g report of t h e i n c i d e n t . A y o u n g C o n n e c t i c u t p a t r o l m a n f o u n d t h i s o u t t h e hard w a y . A t t e m p t i n g to b r e a k up an a r g u m e n t b e t w e e n h i s par tner and a s u s p e c t , t h i s of f icer f ired severa l w a r n i n g s h o t s i n t o t h e air f r o m h i s revolver . T h e b u l l e t s s t r u c k t h e c a n o p y of a bui ld ing and r i c o c h e t e d d o w n , w o u n d i n g h i s par tner in t h e foot and a c i v i l i a n passerby in t h e h e a d . B o t h sued
3 3 6
the p a t r o l m a n for an aggregate $ 4 5 , 0 0 0 d a m a g e s , c l a i m i n g h is s h o o t i n g w a s " w i l l f u l l y and m a l i c i o u s l y " neg l igent .
In m o s t c i r c u m s t a n c e s , w a r n i n g s h o t s unn e c e s s a r i l y endanger o t h e r people , m e m b e r s of t h e publ i c y o u are sworn to p r o t e c t and w h o s e sa fe ty should be your f irst c o n s i d e r a t i o n . T h e y m a y a lso increase the jeopardy of your o w n life b e c a u s e s o m e t i m e s , ra ther t h a n hal t a f lee ing s u s p e c t , your warning s h o t s w i l l p r o m p t h i m to r e t u r n f ire. Y o u are t h e n in the m i d s t of a gunf ight w i t h at l eas t a part ia l ly e m p t y f i rearm.
S o m e of t h e s a m e a r g u m e n t s apply regarding your s h o o t i n g at or f r o m m o v i n g v e h i c l e s .
A c l a s s i c , o l d - t i m e m o v i e s c e n e s h o w s a roadster swerve to t h e curb of a d a r k e n e d s t r e e t . Severa l m e n ins ide roughly s h o v e a sobbing y o u n g w o m a n out o n t o t h e s i d e w a l k , and t h e car speeds away. A p a t r o l m a n w a l k i n g h is bea t n e a r b y w i t n e s s e s th i s , i m m e d i a t e l y draws h is r e v o l v e r and e m p t i e s a cy l inder ful l of b u l l e t s at t h e f lee ing car , before r u n n i n g to aid t h e d a m s e l in d i s t r e s s . . . .
T h i s c o n c e p t of " l a w e n f o r c e m e n t " is as hoary as t h e s c e n e i tse l f . T h e of f icer s h o o t s w i t h o u t k n o w i n g a) w h a t c r i m e (if any) h a s b e e n c o m m i t t e d ; b) w h e t h e r any of t h e m e n in t h e car c o m m i t t e d it , and c) w h e t h e r the i r a c t i o n s jus t i fy t h e u s e of l e t h a l force . M o r e o v e r , h e s h o o t s w i t h l i t t l e rea l i s t i c hope that h is s h o t s w i l l have any des i rable e f fec t .
In law e n f o r c e m e n t , h a n d g u n s are i n t e n d e d for use p r i m a r i l y against people , n o t v e h i c l e s . S h o o t i n g f rom a d i s t a n c e of m o r e t h a n 15 yards, y o u ' r e unl ike ly to p e n e t r a t e a v e h i c l e body us ing a s tandard-v e l o c i t y .38 Spec ia l cartr idge or any o t h e r h a n d g u n round. W h a t ' s probable , ins tead , is tha t your b u l l e t s w i l l r i c o c h e t off t h e curved m e t a l or sa fe ty g lass—or m o s t l ike ly , m i s s t h e v e h i c l e e n t i r e l y — and fly i n t o o t h e r cars or i n n o c e n t p e d e s t r i a n s . R i c o c h e t s , as w e ' v e seen, c a n be as dangerous as b u l l e t s in the i r in i t ia l f l ight , and passersby c a n be jus t as dead f r o m pol i ce b u l l e t s as f r o m s u s p e c t s ' .
Suppose y o u do h i t t h e v e h i c l e . S lugs p u n c h i n g through t h e body w o n ' t s top t h e v e h i c l e ; b u l l e t s d o n ' t k i l l cars . If y o u destroy a t i re or k i l l or w o u n d the driver, t h e car m a y go o u t of c o n t r o l , sending a ton of s tee l care en i ng d o w n t h e s t reet to t h e danger of everyth ing and e v e r y o n e in i ts p a t h . In o n e c a s e , a r a c k e t e e r w a s s ho t dead at t h e w h e e l of h i s speeding l i m o u s i n e in a h e a v i l y popula ted area . T h e car kept going, k i l l ing o n e pedes t r ian and ser ious ly in jur ing a n o t h e r before c r a s h i n g i n t o a wal l .
In c e r t a i n surroundings , an o u t - o f - c o n t r o l car m i g h t be an a c c e p t a b l e r i sk . In Ar izona , sher i f f ' s
d e p u t i e s w a i t i n g at a roadside r iddled b o t h s ides of a van w h o s e o c c u p a n t s h a d ear l ier f ired s h o t g u n b l a s t s at o t h e r of f icers w h i l e c r a s h i n g t h r o u g h a r o a d b l o c k . T h e driver w a s s h o t in t h e h e a d . As h e s l u m p e d over t h e s teer ing w h e e l , t h e v a n sped o n for severa l h u n d r e d feet , t h e n veered c raz i ly off t h e road before s topping . B u t t h i s w a s o n a r e m o t e deser t h i g h w a y , w i t h n o t h i n g a r o u n d to d a m a g e b u t m e s q u i t e and c a c t u s . S i m i l a r l y , U t a h a u t h o r i t i e s r e c e n t l y pursu ing a t eenager w h o ' d m u r d e r e d a h ighw a y p a t r o l m a n used s h o t g u n s to b l o w o u t f ront and b a c k t i res of h i s p i c k u p t r u c k , c a u s i n g i t t o s w e r v e off t h e road and crash t h r o u g h a f e n c e . B u t t h i s , t o o , w a s in an i so la ted rural area .
In o t h e r s i t u a t i o n s , c o u r t s h a v e he ld t h a t f ir ing on a f l ee ing s u s p e c t v e h i c l e is " a p r a c t i c e so w a n t o n and so h a z a r d o u s " t h a t i t s h o u l d " n o t b e to le ra ted in a c i v i l i z e d s t a t e . " R e m e m b e r , if s o m e o n e in t h e car is k i l l e d as a r e s u l t of y o u r s h o o t i n g , y o u m u s t be jus t i f i ed in hav ing used l e t h a l force against h i m .
S h o o t i n g f r o m a m o v i n g v e h i c l e c a n be jus t as f raught w i t h danger as s h o o t i n g at o n e .
If y o u ' r e driving a n d y o u ' r e r i g h t - h a n d e d , y o u ' l l probably h a v e to depend on y o u r w e a k h a n d for a i m and a c c u r a c y w h i l e y o u s teer w i t h y o u r s t rong h a n d . E f f e c t i v e w e a k - h a n d s h o o t i n g is d i f f i cu l t e v e n if y o u are s t a t i o n a r y . If y o u are m o v i n g and in pur su i t of a s u s p e c t w h o ' s a lso m o v i n g , t h e d i f f i c u l t y is geom e t r i c a l l y c o m p o u n d e d . In s h o o t i n g , y o u ' r e jus t w a s t i n g a m m u n i t i o n and c rea t ing an u n n e c e s s a r y hazard .
E v e n if y o u ' r e o n t h e p a s s e n g e r s ide, d is t rac t i o n s m a y divert your ful l a t t e n t i o n f r o m y o u r a i m and d e c i s i o n m a k i n g . . . b u m p s or s w e r v e s m a y c a u s e a c c i d e n t a l or p r e m a t u r e f i r i n g . . . a n d sudden c h a n g e s in d i s t a n c e or d i r e c t i o n m a y w i p e o u t a n y h o p e of g e t t i n g o n target safe ly . Also if y o u r g u n is k n o c k e d or dropped f r o m your h a n d during s o m e jarring m o v e m e n t of y o u r v e h i c l e , y o u m a y n o t h a v e a f i r e a r m a v a i l a b l e at t h e end of t h e c h a s e w h e n y o u ' l l n e e d it in face - to - face c o n f r o n t a t i o n .
As w i t h o t h e r types of s h o o t i n g t h a t produce w i l d s h o t s f r e q u e n t l y , you aie responsible for your gunf i re f r o m m o v i n g v e h i c l e s t h a t c a u s e s a c c i d e n t s , in jur ies or d e a t h s , regardless of t h e s u s p e c t ' s c r i m i n a l a c t i o n s .
T h e r i s k of u n i n t e n t i o n a l h i t s is a l so h igh w h e n y o u s h o o t w h i l e r u n n i n g . T h e p h y s i c a l and e m o t i o n a l s t ress c a u s e d b y t h e e x e r t i o n a l o n e is l i k e l y to s e r i o u s l y a f fec t your p r o f i c i e n c y . Add t h e n e t t l e s o m e d y n a m i c s of t rying to h i t a target t h a t is m o v i n g w h i l e y o u yourse l f are m o v i n g , and t h e p r o b l e m is m a g n i f i e d m a n y fold. A s t h e d i s t a n c e b e t w e e n y o u and t h e s u s p e c t y o u ' r e c h a s i n g in-
3 3 8
creases , your ab i l i ty to s h o o t h i m w h i l e r u n n i n g decreases d r a m a t i c a l l y , to t h e p o i n t t h a t a h i t b e c o m e s pure c h a n c e .
S o m e t i m e s your b e s t o p t i o n is n o t to g ive c h a s e b u t t h r o u g h c o m m u n i c a t i o n s to a ler t o t h e r of f icers to h i s p a t h of f l ight so t h e y c a n i n t e r c e p t h i m at a n o t h e r l o c a t i o n . At t h e very l e a s t , y o u w i l l w a n t to ca l l for b a c k - u p before b e g i n n i n g a c h a s e . If y o u are a l o n e and in a bu i l t -up area w i t h m a n y p o t e n t i a l h iding p laces , going af ter an a r m e d s u s p e c t on foot m a y verge o n s u i c i d e .
W h e r e y o u are invo lved in a foot c h a s e a n d h a v e b o t h t h e n e e d and legal j u s t i f i c a t i o n for s h o o t i n g at t h e suspec t , your b e s t opt ion is to s top and s h o o t f rom a s t a t i o n a r y p o s i t i o n , u s i n g s o m e support for your h a n d s if appropriate . Support p o s s i b i l i t i e s m i g h t i n c l u d e a car body, a t ree , a m a i l b o x or a f ireplug. U s e t h e i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g c r o u c h . . . g r i p . . . and a i m . Provided tha t your o w n sa fe ty and t h a t of o thers c a n be pro tec ted , t h e m o s t o p p o r t u n e t i m e to s h o o t is w h e n s o m e o b s t a c l e s l o w s t h e s u s p e c t ' s f l ight ; for e x a m p l e , w h e n he s tops to e n t e r a c a r . . . go t h r o u g h a door . . . o r sca le a w a l l or f e n c e . If y o u c a n a n t i c i p a t e h i s reduced m o b i l i t y , y o u c a n f ind c o v e r . . . g e t in p o s i t i o n . . . a n d be ready t o f ire at t h e i n s t a n t y o u h a v e t h e b e s t c h a n c e of h i t t i n g h i m . If there are n o o b s t r u c t i o n s to s l o w h i m d o w n b u t h e is r u n n i n g in a fair ly s t ra ight l i n e , t h e n y o u m i g h t be bes t off to angle your gun at t h e p a v e m e n t and try t o t a k e h i m d o w n by h i t t i n g h i s legs w i t h r i c o c h e t s h o o t i n g . T h i s c o u l d b e e s p e c i a l l y e f f e c t i v e if y o u are a r m e d w i t h a s h o t g u n .
B e prepared for h i m to s h o o t b a c k in any c a s e . If you m i s s h i m or if t h e o b s t a c l e h e e n c o u n t e r s is i n s u r m o u n t a b l e , l i k e a b l ind a l ley , h igh f e n c e or l o c k e d doorway, he m a y turn sharply o n y o u , c o m m i t t e d to s h o o t i n g it o u t .
( T h i s a lso m a y happen e v e n w h e n h e is n o t trapped or you are n o t s h o o t i n g at h i m ; y o u r pursuit a l o n e m a y be e n o u g h m o t i v a t i o n . T h a t ' s w h y , in a foot c h a s e , i t ' s i m p o r t a n t to u t i l i z e ava i lab le cover a long t h e w a y , t rying to k e e p parked cars , t rees and o t h e r barr icades b e t w e e n y o u and t h e suspec t . W h e r e n o cover is ava i lab le , y o u ' r e u s u a l l y safest r u n n i n g in a l ine paral le l to t h e s u s p e c t ' s l i n e of f l ight , but n o t d i rec t ly b e h i n d h i m . C h a n g e your course s l ight ly f r o m left to r ight to m a k e y o u r s e l f a harder target . T a k e advantage of s h a d o w s and darkness for c o n c e a l m e n t w h e r e p o s s i b l e . Q u i c k -p e e k around c o r n e r s , and u s e e x t r e m e c a u t i o n w h e n enter ing a l leys , s ta i rways , ce l la rs , b u i l d i n g s or d i m l y l ighted areas . If y o u lose s ight of t h e s u s p e c t , h e m a y se ize t h a t o p p o r t u n i t y t o s h o o t a t y o u f r o m a m b u s h . )
O n e i m p o r t a n t safeguard aga ins t u n i n t e n t i o n a l h i t s is to ALWAYS be sure of youi target before you shoot. T h a t m e a n s y o u d o n ' t s h o o t at m u z z l e f l a s h . . . n o i s e . . . o r m o v e m e n t — e v e n if y o u h a v e b e e n f ired o n — u n l e s s y o u are p o s i t i v e t h e s u s p e c t m a d e i t . W h a t m o v e s , m a k e s n o i s e , e v e n s h o o t s m a y n o t b e t h e bad guy. It m a y b e a f e l l o w of f i cer w h o h a s responded to your aid. O r i t m a y be an i n n o c e n t c i v i l i a n w h o h a s happened to b e o n t h e s c e n e of a c t i o n or w h o s e m o v e m e n t s y o u are m i s t a k i n g as t h r e a t e n i n g .
T h i s p r o b l e m of target i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is a c c e n t u a t e d at n i g h t or in bad l ight , w h e r e i t ' s hard for y o u to s e e . A t t h r e e o ' c l o c k o n e m o r n i n g of f i cers in a C a l i f o r n i a c o m m u n i t y a n s w e r e d a c o m p l a i n t f r o m n e i g h b o r s c l a i m i n g t h a t a y o u n g b a r t e n d e r and h i s g ir l f r iend w e r e f ight ing in h i s car and tha t s h e w a s b e i n g he ld against h e r w i l l . As t h e o f f i cers app r o a c h e d t h e car , t h e girl j u m p e d o u t of t h e passenger side and t h e b a r t e n d e r r e a c h e d under t h e seat w i t h h i s r ight h a n d , t h e n ra ised it and p o i n t e d it at o n e of t h e o f f i cers . B o t h p o l i c e m e n , responding to w h a t l o o k e d l i k e a t h r e a t e n i n g m o v e , f ired i n t o t h e car, k i l l i n g t h e y o u n g m a n . Af terwards , t h e y disc o v e r e d t h a t h i s h a n d had b e e n e m p t y ; h e w a s n o t a r m e d . A t t h i s wr i t ing , t h e of f i cers f a c e a $ 2 m i l l i o n c i v i l su i t brought by t h e v i c t i m ' s f a m i l y . In W i s c o n s i n , an of f icer l o o k i n g for a robbery suspec t e n t e r e d a h o u s e w i t h h i s gun drawn. H e w a s creeping u p s t a i r s w h e n h e w a s s tar t led by t h e sudden a p p e a r a n c e of a h u m a n f igure . H e f ired and sho t dead a t e e n a g e girl w h o l ived in t h e h o u s e and w a s n o t a s u s p e c t at a l l .
C o n t r o l l i n g your f ire u n t i l y o u h a v e good target i d e n t i f i c a t i o n m a y b e c o m e u n u s u a l l y t r o u b l e s o m e if y o u ' r e at a s c e n e w i t h o t h e r o f f i ce rs . In o n e s i tuat i o n , severa l o f f i cers w e r e on a roof top a c r o s s t h e s t reet f r o m a bui ld ing w h e r e an a r m e d a s s a i l a n t w a s barr i caded. O n l y one of t h e o f f i cers w a s p o s i t i o n e d w h e r e h e c o u l d a c t u a l l y see t h e s u s p e c t . At an o p p o r t u n e m o m e n t , h e s h o t . H e a r i n g h i s gun go off, a l l t h e o t h e r s c u t l o o s e w i t h e v e r y t h i n g t h e y had, t o o — a l t h o u g h la ter t h e y c o n c e d e d t h e y did not k n o w w h e r e t h e s u s p e c t w a s l o c a t e d and w e r e s h o o t i n g t o wa r d var ious i r r e l e v a n t l o c a t i o n s in t h e bui ld ing !
T h i s P a v l o v i a n r e s p o n s e is ca l led " t h e d o m i n o e f f e c t , " b e c a u s e o n e sho t t o u c h e s off m a n y in a c h a i n r e a c t i o n l i k e fa l l ing d o m i n o e s . W i l d s h o t s r e s u l t i n g in u n i n t e n t i o n a l h i t s are a f r e q u e n t c o n s e q u e n c e of s h o o t i n g jus t b e c a u s e y o u hear rounds going off or see s o m e o n e e l s e a r o u n d y o u f ir ing. You want to hold your fire unless you know why you should shoot. T h i s is ca l l ed f i r e a r m s d i s c i p l i n e .
3 4 0
Don't try to s h o o t a s u s p e c t y o u h a v e n ' t l o c a t e d . . . and don't shoot w h e n y o u k n o w y o u h a v e n o c h a n c e of h i t t i n g h i m . R e m e m b e r , every of f icer is responsible for h is o w n a c t i o n s . If y o u f o l l o w t h e lead of
n o t h e r of f icer w h o has fired by m i s t a k e , o u t of fear, as a resul t of s t ress or i n d e c i s i o n or for any n u m b e r of o t h e r q u e s t i o n a b l e r e a s o n s , y o u m a y f ind yourse l f a n s w e r i n g a c r i m i n a l charge for gross n e g l i g e n c e .
F ina l ly , w a t c h t h e b a c k g r o u n d toward w h i c h y o u ' r e s h o o t i n g . S o m e t i m e s o f f i cers b e c o m e so focused on t h e s u s p e c t t h e y forget to n o t i c e w h a t ' s b e h i n d h i m . In an O h i o c i t y , for e x a m p l e , an angry suspec t roared i n t o t h e park ing lot of a po l i ce s ta t ion , v o w i n g to " b l o w a w a y " e v e r y of f icer h e could f ind b e c a u s e of a g r i e v a n c e over a t raf f ic s top. Of f i cers in the v i c i n i t y drew t h e i r g u n s and c o m p l e t e l y surrounded h is c a r — n o t rea l iz ing t h a t if any one of t h e m s tar ted s h o o t i n g , o t h e r s w o u l d be in t h e path of b u l l e t s t h a t m i s s e d or passed through the of fender .
T h i s cross-f ire s i t u a t i o n ended w i t h o u t c a s u a l t y b e c a u s e t h e suspec t m e e k l y surrendered . B u t tha t w a s not t h e case w i t h an episode in C a l i f o r n i a , w h i c h r e f l e c t s a n u m b e r of wi ld shot p h e n o m e n a .
In tha t c a s e , s ix v i ce of f i cers had surrounded the h o m e of a n a r c o t i c s dealer for t h e serv ing of a search warrant , w h e n a s h o o t - o u t suddenly erupted . S c o r e s of s h o t s w e r e f ired i n t o t h e d w e l l i n g f r o m all d i r e c t i o n s . Later it w a s e s t a b l i s h e d tha t t h e p o l i c e had pos i t ioned t h e m s e l v e s around t h e bui ld ing , w i t h g u n s i n a d v e r t e n t l y p o i n t e d at o n e a n o t h e r . S o m e fired b e c a u s e t h e y heard w h a t t h e y t h o u g h t were s h o t s c o m i n g f r o m t h e s u s p e c t s ins ide . O t h e r s fired b e c a u s e t h e y saw a f e l l o w of f icer fall b a c k and t h o u g h t he had been s h o t . A c t u a l l y , t h i s of f icer fe l l b a c k f r o m the r e c o i l e f fect of h i s o w n gun. No s h o t s at any t i m e c a m e f rom the ins ide of t h e bui ld ing or f rom t h e s u s p e c t . T h e first b u l l e t , l i k e al l t h e res t , c a m e f r o m a police gun. A n overeager of f icer at t h e front of the bui lding had fired b l ind ly i n t o t h e in ter ior as soon as t h e door w a s forced open . T h e gun " b a t t l e , " c o m p l e t e w i t h cross- f i re and s h o o t i n g at u n s e e n " a s s a i l a n t s , " d o m i n o e d f r o m t h a t .
T h e drug dealer , by t h e w a y , e scaped during the furor . B u t an of f icer w a s w o u n d e d .
Ammunition Control
U n d e r s t a n d i n g and c o n t r o l l i n g your a m m u n i t ion is a lso an i m p o r t a n t part of f i r e a r m s c o n t r o l . A malfunction or improper discharge can be caused
The owner of this .25 cal. semiautomatic was a detective who reached into a bag full of various kinds of ammunition. On the range, he loaded a . 22 cartridge in the magazine. The result was an internal explosion. The bullet was forced back into its own shell casing during the explosion.
by the ammunition you use, as w e l l as by t h e w a y y o u h a n d l e or m a i n t a i n your g u n .
Y o u r f irst c o n c e r n is always to u s e only t h e type of car tr idge meant for y o u r w e a p o n . E v e n t h o u g h t w o car t r idges look s i m i l a r or are of t h e same caliber, it is n o t ipso f a c t o e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e y are in ter c h a n g e a b l e .
O f f i c e r s h a v e b e e n k n o w n to try to put r i f le b u l l e t s i n t o r e v o l v e r s . . . t o s w i t c h car tr idges b e t w e e n revo lvers and s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s . . . t o carry r i m - f i r e a m m u n i t i o n s o m e t i m e s used o n ranges in d u t y g u n s des igned for center - f i re r o u n d s . . . o r to carry wad-c u t t e r r o u n d s spec i f i ca l ly des igned for target p r a c t i c e i n s t e a d of serv ice a m m u n i t i o n . If t h e w r o n g a m m u n i t i o n is forced i n t o a gun it m a y l o c k in t h e c y l i n d e r or h a n g up in t h e m a g a z i n e . In o t h e r cases , inappropr ia te a m m u n i t i o n m a y seem to f i t , b u t w h e n y o u try to s h o o t t h e gun, e v e n s m a l l diff e r e n c e s c a n c a u s e m a l f u n c t i o n s . A s e m i - a u t o m a t i c round that 's too short for the magazine in use m a y be forced i n t o t h e c h a m b e r so hard t h a t it w o n ' t seat proper ly . R e v o l v e r r o u n d s , w h i c h u n i q u e l y h a v e a protruding lip or r i m on t h e s h e l l c a s e s to k e e p t h e m f r o m fal l ing t h r o u g h t h e cy l inder , w i l l
A large variety of ammunition is manufactured in the U.S. On the right are a few of the rounds you may be familiar with.
3 4 2
3 4 3
fymington 38 S&W
^ fymington
Know which ammunition goes into your firearms.
Numerous cartridge calibers may look like they are acceptable in a .38 Special revolver—but they aren't.
The result of reloads with too much charge: a blown-out top strap and cylinder. The risk to your hands and eyes in these kinds of accidents is staggering.
3 4 4
n o t c h a m b e r if loaded i n t o a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c m a g a z i n e . W i t h a shotgun, if y o u load a . 1 6 ga. or . 20 ga. she l l , t h e n load a . 1 2 ga. s h e l l , t h e barre l could explode if f ired.
T h i s k i n d of c a r e l e s s n e s s w i t h a m m u n i t i o n is a hab i t w i t h bad guys , t o o . T h e y ' r e lazy ; t h e y f igure if it f i t s , t h e y ' l l u s e i t . O f t e n t h e i r a m m u n i t i o n tends to be old, t o o . B u t your p r o f e s s i o n a l i s m d e m a n d s h igher s tandards t h a n t h a t . T h e r e ' s l ess c h a n c e of g e t t i n g t h e w r o n g a m m u n i t i o n i n t o t h e wrong gun, i n c i d e n t a l l y , if y o u c o o r d i n a t e your on-and off -duty f i r e a r m s so t h a t t h e y require t h e s a m e type of r o u n d . And r e m e m b e r , a m m u n i t i o n t h a t seems s i m i l a r i s n ' t , n e c e s s a r i l y . For i n s t a n c e , .38 ca l . S m i t h & W e s s o n r o u n d s w o n ' t w o r k in .38 S p e c i a l revolvers , and . 3 5 7 M a g n u m rounds w o n ' t c h a m b e r in a . 3 8 revolver .
S e l e c t i n g t h e r ight a m m u n i t i o n i n v o l v e s get t ing it f r o m a re l iab le s o u r c e . S o m e of f icers l i k e to m a n u f a c t u r e the i r o w n rounds by re loading spent c a s e s . If t h e r e l o a d e r is e x p e r i e n c e d , k n o w s w h a t h e ' s doing and is careful, reloads are okay for the range, but your department may insist on factory-loaded cartridges for use on the street. Even if it doesn' t you should. Despite the best reloading equipment and most conscientious personal effort, quality control for reloads is generally far inferior to that maintained by most commercial manufacturers . W h e n you reload ammunit ion yourself, you run a higher-than-normal risk of producing rounds with:
•improper powder charges. It a r o u n d gets too m a n y gra ins of p o w d e r i t m a y b l o w up t h e c y l i n d e r or t o u c h off " s y m p a t h e t i c " d i scharges of o t h e r rounds , caus ing even m o r e e x t e n s i v e d a m a g e to t h e g u n — o r y o u . If t h e r e ' s t o o l i t t l e powder to p r o d u c e enough energy for proper propuls ion , t h e b u l l e t s m a y lodge in t h e barrel , c a u s i n g a j a m or e x p l o s i o n t h e n e x t t i m e y o u f ire . W h e r e s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s are involved, w e a k loads c a n a lso c a u s e s p e n t c a s e s to be r e c h a m b e r e d or prevent t h e s l ide f r o m b e i n g driven b a c k far enough to p i c k a f resh round out of t h e m a g a z i n e . T h e n w h e n y o u pul l t h e trigger, n o shot w i l l f i re .
•high primers. In r e c o n s t r u c t i n g t h e car tr idge , the p r i m e r m a y n o t be sea ted deep e n o u g h . T h e defect m a y n o t be n o t i c e a b l e to t h e h u m a n eye , b u t loaded in, t h e p r i m e r m a y protrude e n o u g h to k e e p t h e rou nd f r o m c h a m b e r i n g or t h e c y l i n d e r f rom turn ing .
•poor crimping. T h e b u l l e t m a y be too l o o s e l y c r i m p e d i n t o t h e she l l , a l l o w i n g it to m o v e forward s l ight ly f rom r e c o i l u n t i l t h e t ip p r o j e c t s o u t of t h e cy l inder , keeping it f r o m r o t a t i n g i n t o l i n e w i t h t h e barre l .
Four .357 Magnum bullets were lodged in this barrel as a result of reloads with an insufficient charge.
3 4 5
Factory-loaded ammunition can also be defective. Notice the improper rim area at the base of the two cartridges on the left. The cartridge base on the right is properly formed.
The .38 Special round on the left has a casing crack due to continual reloading. The middle cartridge was reloaded while the shell casing was squashed. The cartridge on the right reinforces the need to examine reloads before their use.
3 4 6
•casing fatigue. E a c h t i m e a car t r idge is f ired, t h e s h e l l expands and m u s t be res ized for re loading . If you re load t h e s a m e c a s e s over and over , t h e y ' r e s u s c e p t i b l e e v e n t u a l l y to sp l i t t ing . A c r a c k e d cas ing w o n ' t fire re l iably b e c a u s e it w o n ' t seat proper ly .
•foreign matter. S o m e t i m e s grease or s m a l l b i t s of c o t t o n f ind the i r w a y i n t o car tr idge c a s e s during re loading. If t h e y lodge b e t w e e n t h e p r i m e r and powder , t h e y m a y prevent t h e car tr idge f r o m discharging (cal led a " m i s f i r e " ) . O r , m o r e dangerous , t h e fore ign m a t t e r produces a " h a n g - f i r e , " y o u t h i n k y o u have a dud, b u t a f ter a de lay t h e round goes off. T h i s c a n happen if t h e p r i m e r i g n i t e s t h e grease or c o t t o n , w h i c h in turn ign i tes t h e propel-lant after an in terva l of several s e c o n d s .
O f course , re loads are l ess e x p e n s i v e t h a n f a c t o r y - m a d e a m m u n i t i o n . B u t c o n s i d e r i n g t h e poss ib i l i t i e s for error, going t h e re load r o u t e is an e c o n o m y t h a t could c o s t y o u your l i fe . E v e n ser ious c o m p e t i t i v e s h o o t e r s ins i s t on f a c t o r y a m m u n i t i o n in a m a t c h , a l t h o u g h t h e y m a y p r a c t i c e w i t h reloads. F o o l i s h frugal i ty c a n b e jus t as t h r e a t e n i n g to good f i r e a r m s c o n t r o l as t h o u g h t l e s s n e s s , lazi n e s s and i m m a t u r i t y .
Even w i t h fac tory loads, h o w e v e r , a h e a l t h y s k e p t i c i s m p r o m o t e s survival . W h a t y o u b u y s h o u l d
The two .45 auto cartridges on the left contain corrosion and rust from storage in a damp garage for a number of years. The two .38 cartridges contain green deposits from an officer's dump pouch which hadn't been opened in four years.
be good and probably w i l l be , b u t y o u ' r e safest to check every round you load or carry to b e sure t h a t i t i s . F i r s t , v i s u a l l y e x a m i n e al l your d u t y a m m u n i t i o n and e l i m i n a t e a n y car t r idges t h a t appear c r a c k e d , s w o l l e n or badly " b r u i s e d . " T h e n , if y o u ' r e us ing a revolver , load and c l o s e t h e cy l inder , pul l t h e h a m m e r b a c k s l ight ly and r o t a t e t h e cy l inder w i t h your f ingers . O r if y o u ' r e u s i n g a s e m i a u t o m a t i c , c y c l e e a c h r o und t h r o u g h t h e gun by w o r k i n g t h e s l ide b a c k and for th m a n u a l l y , be ing sure to s tand over a soft sur face or to c a t c h t h e car t r idges as t h e y e j ec t to k e e p t h e m f r o m fal l ing o n hard sur faces . T h e s e t e s t s on t h e range or in s o m e o t h e r safe l o c a t i o n w i l l a l l o w y o u to d e t e c t " h i g h p r i m e r s " w h i c h m a y protrude s l ight ly f r o m t h e car tr idge b e c a u s e of m a n u f a c t u r i n g m i s t a k e s and c a u s e b inding or j a m m i n g w h e n y o u try to s h o o t . If y o u ' v e jus t o p e n e d a n e w b o x of car tr idges or are t ry ing a n e w s p e c i f i c a t i o n of b u l l e t for t h e f irst t i m e , tes t - f i re hal f a dozen or so as a m e a n s of s a m p l i n g t h e run and sa t i s fy ing y o u r s e l f t h a t w h a t y o u ' r e loading w i l l prove dependable in a f ight . W i t h s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s , e spe c ia l ly , s o m e cartr idge s t y l e s feed m o r e s m o o t h l y t h a n o t h e r s , and if y o u ' v e got a " f i n i c k y e a t i n g " s i t u a t i o n o n your h a n d s , y o u w a n t t o k n o w it before y o u ' r e in an e m e r g e n c y and i t ' s too l a t e to f ie ld t e s t .
For a s h o t g u n , t o o , a l l a m m u n i t i o n s h o u l d b e v i s u a l l y e x a m i n e d for burrs and gouges o n t h e p l a s t i c or brass tha t m a y c a u s e feeding p r o b l e m s . S a m p l e s f r o m n e w b a t c h e s s h o u l d be tes t - f i red to ver i fy r e l i a b i l i t y . B u t car t r idges s h o u l d not b e c y c l e d t h r o u g h t h e g u n by opera t ing t h e a c t i o n . T h e e jec t o r / e x t r a c t o r on a s h o t g u n m a y scar t h e r i m of t h e s h e l l s in repeated c y c l i n g s , and p l a s t i c car tr idges e j e c t e d o n t o t h e ground m a y develop burrs , w h i c h m a y la ter c a u s e t h e m to j a m in t h e m a g a z i n e .
Y o u w a n t to s tore a m m u n i t i o n in a p lace t h a t ' s dry and c o o l . M o i s t u r e c a n c a u s e c o r r o s i o n . D i r e c t h e a t f r o m t h e sun or o t h e r s o u r c e s c a n al ter pressure in t h e car tr idge and m a y a l so c a u s e l u b r i c a n t ins ide t h e she l l to r u n i n t o t h e powder , a f fec t ing f ir ing q u a l i t i e s . Sharp sh i f t s in t e m p e r a t u r e are u n d e s i r a b l e b e c a u s e t h e y can e x p a n d and cont rac t car t r idge c a s e s and a lso p r o d u c e c o n d e n s a t i o n .
T h e o r e t i c a l l y , m o s t a m m u n i t i o n h a s an " a c c e p t a b l e " she l f l i fe of a b o u t 5 years , b u t cons ider rep lac ing it every 4 - 6 m o n t h s . N o t to k e e p it f resh w h e n your l i fe is at s t a k e is a n o t h e r foo l i sh e c o n o m y . Y o u c a n t a k e your old s tuf f t o t h e range and s h o o t it off t h e r e , as a c h a n c e to t es t your f i r e a r m and to requal i fy . If y o u k e e p i t in y o u r gun or a m m u n i t i o n carr ier , y o u ' r e i n v i t i n g a m a l f u n c t i o n . O n h i s w a y to w o r k o n e day, o n e of f icer
3 4 8
recognized a s u s p e c t w a n t e d for a r m e d robbery and approached to arrest h i m . A l t h o u g h t h e of f icer had h is gun in hand , t h e robber m a n a g e d to draw and shoot h i m fata l ly before the of f icer c o u l d get off a shot . Later , t e s t s s h o w e d tha t t h e p r i m e r s of t w o of t h e o f f i cer ' s cartr idges had b e e n s t r u c k by t h e firing pin of h i s g u n ; h e ' d tr ied to s h o o t , but h i s a m m u n i t i o n had fai led to f i re . It had de ter iora ted f rom age and i m p r o p e r m a i n t e n a n c e . O f s i x rounds in his cy l inder , four w e r e so corroded t h e y had to b e forced free .
If y o u ' r e us ing a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , d o n ' t s tore a m m u n i t i o n for long periods in m a g a z i n e s , e i t h e r . In t i m e , th i s m a y p r o m o t e c o r r o s i o n , and t h e cont inua l t e n s i o n on t h e f o l l o w e r spring m a y w e a k e n i t . M a g a z i n e s s h o u l d b e ro ta ted in and out of s e r v i c e per iodica l ly and s tored e m p t y .
T h e revolver a m m u n i t i o n y o u t a k e w i t h y o u for ac t ive use s h o u l d a l w a y s be t r a n s p o r t e d in a cartr idge carr ier , w h e r e it is b e t t e r p r o t e c t e d f rom dirt and o t h e r abuse . C a r r y i n g loose rounds in your p o c k e t or purse c a n be dangerous , e s p e c i a l l y if t h e y are able to c o m e in c o n t a c t w i t h t h e power supply t e r m i n a l s of hand-he ld radio t r a n s c e i v e r s or spare radio b a t t e r i e s a lso carr ied t h e r e . In severa l s ta tes , o f f i cers have b e e n in jured under s u c h c i r c u m s t a n c e s w h e n cartr idges m a d e e l e c t r i c a l c o n t a c t w i t h the t e r m i n a l s and were d e t o n a t e d .
Customizing
Just as fac tory a m m u n i t i o n u s u a l l y h a s t h e qua l i t i es tha t bes t c o n t r i b u t e to your survival , your f i rearm, too , is genera l ly in a c o n d i t i o n y o u c a n ' t i m p r o v e on as it c o m e s f r o m t h e f a c t o r y . S o m e of f icers , e spec ia l ly t h o s e w h o f a n c y t h e m s e l v e s gun a f i c ionados , are t e m p t e d to m a k e do- i t -yourse l f m o d i f i c a t i o n s , but u n l e s s y o u ' r e a qualified guns m i t h , y o u ' r e wises t to avoid hot iodding o r customizing any firearm you use on or off duty. Even if y o u ' r e c o m p e t e n t for t h e t a s k , any adjust m e n t s or m o d i f i c a t i o n s s h o u l d be m a d e only by of f ic ia l p e r m i s s i o n , w i t h t h e o k a y of your departm e n t ' s a r m o r e r .
A revolver has m o r e t h a n 10 m o v i n g parts , a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c m o r e t h a n 15 , a s h o t g u n m o r e t h a n 2 0 . All of a g u n ' s c o m p o n e n t s are care fu l ly engineered to c o m p l e m e n t e a c h o t h e r and to provide a c e r t a i n b a l a n c e to t h e a c t i o n of t h e w e a p o n . M a n u f a c t u r e r s e s t a b l i s h p r e c i s e s tandards of adjust m e n t and t o l e r a n c e , based on i n t e n s i v e s tudies of h o w guns s h o u l d per form under v a r i o u s t e m p e r a t u r e and c l i m a t e c o n d i t i o n s . B y adding e q u i p m e n t . . .
The trigger on this Ruger Mini-14 was designed for a proper trigger squeeze. For duty use, a trigger shoe addition isn't worth the risk of a malfunction. The danger with a trigger shoe is the possibility that the holding screw will work loose and force the shoe to jam the trigger.
t a m p e r i n g w i t h f a c t o r y a d j u s t m e n t s . . . o r m a k i n g s t r u c t u r a l a l t e r a t i o n s , y o u c a n ser ious ly in ter fere w i t h a d u t y f i r e a r m ' s proper p e r f o r m a n c e , c a u s i n g a l i f e - t h r e a t e n i n g m a l f u n c t i o n during an a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n . (You m a y a lso af fec t t h e w a y t h e gun f i t s i n t o i t s h o l s t e r , m a k i n g it m o r e s u s c e p t i b l e to a c c i d e n t a l d i scharge or to loss during v igorous a c t i v i t y . )
W h a t t e n d s to h a p p e n w i t h c u s t o m i z i n g is t h a t y o u c h a n g e your gun w i t h o n e intent in m i n d and w i n d up w i t h q u i t e a di f ferent result b e c a u s e y o u fai led to u n d e r s t a n d h o w f o r m a f f e c t s f u n c t i o n . As i l l u s t r a t i o n , c o n s i d e r t h e s e m o d i f i c a t i o n s h o t rodders c o m m o n l y m a k e o n b a s i c gun c o m p o n e n t s and t h e u n e x p e c t e d dangerous c o n s e q u e n c e s t h a t freq u e n t l y f o l l o w :
T R I G G E R : B y a t t a c h i n g a m e t a l d e v i c e ca l l ed a " t r i g g e r s h o e , " s o m e of f i cers t ry t o w i d e n t h e trigger to f a c i l i t a t e a s m o o t h e r s q u e e z e . T h i s m a y b e a c c e p t a b l e for s l o w , s i n g l e - a c t i o n target s h o o t i n g , t h e purpose for w h i c h t h e s h o e w a s des igned hal f a
3 5 0
c e n t u r y ago, b u t o n a duty w e a p o n it c r e a t e s severa l p r o b l e m s . B e c a u s e it e x t e n d s o u t s i d e t h e trigger guard, t h e broad shoe is m o r e l i k e l y to snag on c l o t h i n g . . . i t m a y c a t c h on t h e l ip of t h e l e a t h e r and discharge w h e n y o u s h o v e your gun i n t o i t s h o l s t e r , s h o o t i n g y o u in t h e leg. T h e added b u l k m a k e s it near ly i m p o s s i b l e for y o u to properly p o s i t i o n your f inger for d o u b l e - a c t i o n s h o o t i n g , u n l e s s y o u h a v e e x c e p t i o n a l l y large h a n d s . . . a n d , n o m a t t e r h o w f i r m l y it is p laced, t h e set s c r e w t h a t h o l d s t h e s h o e in p o s i t i o n m a y w o r k loose so t h e d e v i c e s l ips d o w n and j a m s t h e trigger in a forward p o s i t i o n , m a k i n g t h e gun inopera t ive . Tr igger s h o e s are dangerous o n any f i rearm, w h e t h e r a h a n d g u n or a long g u n . T h i s w a s learned t h e hard w a y b y a C a l i f o r n i a of f i cer , w h o tr ied to e m p l o y a Ruger M i n i - 1 4 r i f le in a f iref ight tha t erupted during a sn iper i n c i d e n t . T h e rif le s topped firing b e c a u s e a loose tr igger s h o e w a s b l o c k i n g t h e pul l of t h e trigger.
S C R E W S A N D S P R I N G S : O n revo lvers , o f f i cers trying to reduce trigger pul l m a y l o o s e n t h e s t ra in s c r e w w h i c h m a i n t a i n s pressure on t h e m a i n spring, and o n s o m e s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s t h e y o f t e n c u t l i n k s off t h e reco i l spring and h a m m e r spring to m a k e t h e s l ide eas ier to pul l b a c k and to g ive t h e gun a cr isp " s n a p . " T h e s t ra in s c r e w is des igned to be s c r e w e d all t h e w a y in t ight . If y o u t a m p e r w i t h it or t h e h a m m e r spring, y o u c a n c a u s e m i s fires b e c a u s e t h e h a m m e r w i l l fal l t o o l i g h t l y to d e t o n a t e t h e cartr idge. B y a l ter ing t h e r e c o i l spring y o u m a y w e a k e n t h e t e n s i o n so tha t t h e s l ide w o n ' t pos i t ive ly feed a l ive round i n t o t h e c h a m b e r as i t ' s supposed to w h e n y o u need to s h o o t , or t h e s l ide w i l l n o t c o m p l e t e l y c l o s e . T h e r e are at l eas t 15 springs, s c r e w s and pins in t h e average h a n d g u n . E a c h h a s an i m p o r t a n t purpose regarding t h e control of t h e w e a p o n . The length and tension of springs and the tightness of screws should not be changed in any way from factory configuration.
I N T E R N A L A C T I O N : S o m e of f icers try to m o d i f y t h e sear and l o c k i n g m e c h a n i s m s ins ide the i r guns to l i g h t e n trigger pul l . B u t t h e engaging surfaces of a g u n ' s a c t i o n are sur face -hardened o n l y . If you scrape a w a y or s t o n e off e v e n a s m a l l a m o u n t of surface m e t a l , y o u expose soft m e t a l u n d e r n e a t h , rapidly a c c e l e r a t i n g w e a r and p r e c i p i t a t i n g parts fai lure and r e p l a c e m e n t . U n l e s s y o u are an exp e r i e n c e d g u n s m i t h , you s h o u l d n e v e r r e m o v e t h e side p la te f r o m your revolver for a c c e s s to t h e a c t i o n for any r eason .
H A M M E R : W i d e h a m m e r s are s o m e t i m e s ins ta l led for eas ier c o c k i n g . . . o r t h e h a m m e r spur is ground d o w n to k e e p t h e gun f r o m snagging w h e n drawn. In p r a c t i c e , an enlarged h a m m e r , l i k e a
trigger s h o e , c a n c a t c h o n your c l o t h i n g or h o l s t e r c a u s i n g an a c c i d e n t a l d i scharge . T h e n e e d for c o c k i n g your gun o n t h e s t ree t is v i r t u a l l y n o n e x i s t e n t , a n y w a y . In reduc ing t h e h a m m e r spur, y o u r i s k l i g h t e n i n g t h e w e i g h t of t h e h a m m e r fal l so t h a t t h e f ir ing pin fa i l s to drive i n t o t h e car t r idge ' s p r i m e r w i t h e n o u g h force to d e t o n a t e i t . Y o u c l i c k t h e t r i g g e r . . . t h e h a m m e r d r o p s . . . n o t h i n g h a p p e n s .
S A F E T Y : S o m e t i m e s o f f i cers m a y try to " t i e d o w n , " gr ind off or o t h e r w i s e d isab le sa fe t i es , arguing t h a t t h e y are " i n c o n v e n i e n t " and m a y u n d e r s t ress be engaged w h e n an of f i cer n e e d s to s h o o t . T a m p e r i n g w i t h t h e e x t e r n a l sa fe t i es of a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c or t h e b u i l t - i n sa fe ty of a revo lver c a n m a k e a gun as dangerous for t h e o f f i cer w h o ho lds it as for t h e s u s p e c t i t ' s p o i n t e d a t . If y o u r e m o v e t h e sa fe ty m e c h a n i s m f r o m a revolver , for e x a m p l e , y o u c r e a t e a " p u s h o f f " r i sk ; t h a t i s , w h e n t h e g u n ' s c o c k e d , a s l ight pressure o n t h e h a m m e r c a n c a u s e it to fa l l forward and d i scharge a car t r idge . T h u s t h e g u n is h i g h l y s u s c e p t i b l e to f i r ing if dropped or b u m p e d . If y o u disable , say, t h e grip sa fe ty of a . 4 5 c a l . s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , t h e g u n m a y d o u b l e f ire w h e n y o u are recover ing f r o m t h e r e c o i l . Safeties help to assure that your gun does not fire accidentally, and s h o u l d b e m a i n t a i n e d as t h e y are .
F R A M E : O c c a s i o n a l l y of f i cers add c h r o m e to a b l u e - f i n i s h h a n d g u n to m a k e it l o o k " s h a r p e r . " O r , if t h e y ' r e carry ing a large c a l i b e r s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , t h e y m a y s u b s t i t u t e an a l loy f r a m e to l i g h t e n t h e w e i g h t . A l t h o u g h a c h r o m e d gun m a y w e a r b e t t e r and be l ess s u s c e p t i b l e to c o r r o s i o n , it m a y a lso a t t r a c t t h e k i n d of a t t e n t i o n y o u d o n ' t w a n t ; b e c a u s e i t ' s m o r e v i s i b l e , it m a k e s y o u a b e t t e r target . A n a l loy f r a m e m a y n o t h a v e t h e durab i l i ty y o u n e e d . T h e or ig ina l h e a v y f r a m e is des igned to t a k e t h e s h o c k of t h e s l ide s l a m m i n g b a c k and forth , w h i l e t h e h e a v y r e c o i l aga ins t t h e a l loy w i l l q u i c k l y l o o s e n v i t a l t o l e r a n c e s . L e a v e t h e f r a m e — a n d t h e c o n t o u r of t h e f r a m e — a s is ; don't replace fixed sights w i t h t e m p e r a m e n t a l a n d fragi le adj u s t a b l e s i g h t s . . . d o n ' t add a longer barrel, w h i c h m a y r e d u c e a c c u r a c y . . . d o n ' t try to use an oversized magazine in a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c to load e x t r a r o u n d s . . . d o n ' t experiment by i n t e r c h a n g i n g parts and a c c e s s o r i e s to see w h a t " s u i t s " y o u b e s t . U s e y o u r t i m e and energy i n s t e a d m a i n t a i n i n g w h a t y o u h a v e , to k e e p it in t h e m o s t r e l i a b l e c o n d i t i o n p o s s i b l e .
G R I P S : S o m e t i m e s t h e lef t grip p a n e l o n a r e v o l v e r is c h a n g e d or m o d i f i e d b e c a u s e it protrudes t o o far to a c c o m m o d a t e t h e s m o o t h , q u i c k u s e of speed- loaders . T h i s is an appropriate and n e c e s s a r y a l t e r a t i o n . B u t m o r e o f ten , o f f i cers s w i t c h
3 5 2
Oversized grips like these are totally impractical for duty use.
As you attempt to eject rounds, the sixth cartridge cannot clear the grips Under conditions of a shootout, attempting to reload quickly would be time consuming.
grips b e c a u s e t h e y b e l i e v e overs ized or f a n c y o n e s add d r a m a to t h e appearance of t h e i r h a n d g u n . T h a t m a y be t r u e , b u t s u b s t i t u t i o n s f r e q u e n t l y add hazards , t o o . O v e r s i z e d grips o n a revo lver , for e x a m p l e , m a y in ter fere w i t h u n l o a d i n g , u n l e s s t h e y are spec i f i ca l ly designed for c o m b a t use,- w h e n y o u plunge t h e e j e c t o r rod, f ive of your c a s i n g s fa l l out , but t h e spent ro u nd c l o s e s t to t h e grip h a n g s u p . T o get i t out , you h a v e t o r o t a t e t h e c y l i n d e r by
h a n d . A m i d w e s t e r n of f icer w a s k i l l e d during a s h o o t - o u t b e c a u s e of t h e e x t r a t i m e t h i s required . S o m e grip p a n e l s w i t h b u i l t - i n t h u m b and f inger r e s t s m a k e a h a n d g u n hard to carry in a h o l s t e r . . . m a k e drawing m o r e d i f f i c u l t . . . a n d a lso h a m p e r e f f e c t i v e w e a k - h a n d s h o o t i n g . Gr ips m a d e of b o n e or p l a s t i c s o m e t i m e s c h i p off a r o u n d t h e s t o c k pin , c a u s i n g t h e gun to j a m if t h e c h i p w o r k s i ts w a y i n t o t h e a c t i o n . A l s o p l a s t i c tends to sl ip in your h a n d if y o u ' r e s w e a t i n g , as do s m o o t h w o o d e n grips, l o o s e n i n g your h o l d o n t h e gun. P r o b a b l y t h e b e s t a l l -a round grips are of c h e c k e r e d w a l n u t . T h e s e c a n r e d u c e s l ipping of your h a n d f r o m s w e a t . . . a l l o w e v a p o r a t i o n of c o n d e n s a t i o n . . . c a n b e f i led, sanded or s m o o t h e d w i t h 0 0 s t e e l w o o l to give y o u a c u s t o m f i t for b o t h w e a k - and s t rong-hand s h o o t i n g . T h e r ight f i t is e x t r e m e l y i m p o r t a n t . I n c r e d i b l y , s o m e of f icers i n s t a l l grips t h a t are too big for t h e m to h a n d l e w e l l b e c a u s e t h e y ' r e e m b a r r a s s e d to a d m i t t h a t t h e y h a v e s m a l l h a n d s ! T o d e t e r m i n e your proper grip s ize , hold t h e g u n in your w e a k h a n d . . . put y o u r i n d e x f inger o n t h e tr igger at t h e f irst k n u c k l e . . . a n d try to a s s u m e a n o r m a l ho ld o n t h e gun. If t h e grips are t o o large, t h e barre l w i l l b e p o i n t e d o u t w a r d ; tha t is , to t h e lef t in t h e case of a r i g h t - h a n d e d s h o o t e r . If t h e grips are t o o s m a l l , t h e barre l w i l l angle i n w a r d .
W h a t al l t h e c a u t i o n s a b o u t c u s t o m i z i n g add up to is t h i s : if you h a v e t h e t i n k e r i n g urge , res t r i c t it to f i r e a r m s y o u u s e in target s h o o t i n g c o m p e t i t i o n , w h e r e al l y o u h a v e at s t a k e are a few score p o i n t s , n o t your l i fe . T h e m o r e t h e m e c h a n i s m of a d e f e n s e gun is left a l o n e , t h e longer and b e t t e r i t ' s l i k e l y to p e r f o r m i ts i n t e n d e d f u n c t i o n .
T h a t is n o t to say tha t g u n s are a l w a y s perfec t w h e n t h e y c o m e f r o m t h e f a c t o r y . A n off icer in t h e m i d w e s t r e c e n t l y d i scovered t h a t a n e w s h o t g u n r ight out of t h e b o x w o u l d n o t r a c k in t h e f irst r o u n d . M i s t a k e s c a n be and are m a d e in m a n u f a c t u r i n g . H a v e any gun y o u a c q u i r e , e spec ia l ly a used gun, i n s p e c t e d and t e s t e d b y a re l iab le , c o m p e t e n t g u n s m i t h or your d e p a r t m e n t a r m o r e r — not " a f r iend w h o k n o w s all a b o u t g u n s " — b e f o r e y o u carry it o n d u t y . If t h e gun is n e w , y o u w a n t to be sure i t m e e t s t h e s tandards it s h o u l d ; if y o u ' v e b o u g h t it u s e d , y o u w a n t to be sure it h a s n ' t b e e n w o r k e d on ins ide by s o m e u n q u a l i f i e d h o b b y i s t .
W h e n y o u get t h e gun b a c k , draw and test fire it thoroughly under all conditions before taking it out on the street. Y o u w a n t to s h o o t at least o n e ful l m a g a z i n e or cy l inder of serv ice - load a m m u n i t i o n , and poss ib ly s o m e p r a c t i c e a m m u n i t i o n as w e l l . S o m e g u n s m i t h s r e c o m m e n d f ir ing at l e a s t 2 0 rounds on 2 separate o c c a s i o n s w i t h a n e w g u n to
3 5 4
be sure i t ' s f u n c t i o n i n g f l a w l e s s l y . T h i s t e s t i n g should be done after y o u ' v e had a gun repaired, t o o . T h e r e h a v e b e e n cases in w h i c h of f i cers r e c e i v e d a f i rearm b a c k f r o m a g u n s m i t h and s h o v e d it i n t o t h e h o l s t e r w i t h o u t c h e c k i n g — o n l y to d i scover in a gunf ight tha t t h e or ig inal m a l f u n c t i o n had n o t b e e n correc ted or t h a t a n e w defect had t u r n e d up s i n c e t h e gun w a s last in the i r p o s s e s s i o n .
Handling with Care
A n y gun w o r t h s t a k i n g your l ife o n is a m a s t e r p iece of prec i s ion engineer ing and m a n u f a c t u r i n g . I t ' s durable e n o u g h to s tand t h e ordinary w e a r and tear of duty w o r k , but at t h e s a m e t i m e it has a f ine edge of bu i l t - in a c c u r a c y tha t can be k n o c k e d out of w h a c k forever by i m p r o p e r h a n d l i n g . W h e n t h a t happens , t h e gun y o u ' r e depending o n m a y n o longer be dependable .
Revo lvers , w h i c h m o s t o f f i cers carry, are par t i cu lar ly v u l n e r a b l e to d a m a g e f r o m a b u s e , b e cause so m u c h of the i r m e c h a n i s m is open . And it d o e s n ' t t a k e m u c h rough h a n d l i n g to a f fec t per forma n c e . If t h e h a m m e r spur is b r o k e n or b e n t , y o u m a y be prevented f r o m f i r ing . . . a b e n t tr igger guard c a n interfere w i t h your trigger p u l l . . . s i g h t s b e n t or b r o k e n off m a y h a m p e r in s h o o t i n g a c c u r a t e l y at a d i s t a n c e . . . a b e n t e j e c t o r rod c a n k e e p y o u f r o m unloading or s top the cy l inder f r o m r o t a t i n g . . . a n d a bent barrel m a y resu l t in t h e gun " b l o w i n g u p " w h e n you s h o o t . N e e d l e s s to say, it is n o t advisable to f o l l o w t h e e x a m p l e of one eas tern officer,- w h e n h is s o n ' s baseba l l fel l i n t o a sewer , t h e of f icer raised t h e sewer lid by prying it up w i t h t h e barrel of h is revolver , w h i c h u n d e r s t a n d a b l y b e n t . S e m i -a u t o m a t i c s m a y be even m o r e s u s c e p t i b l e to p h y s i c a l d a m a g e b e c a u s e t h e y h a v e m o r e m o v i n g parts t h a n revolvers . B u t a n y gun h a s v u l n e r a b l e po in ts w h e r e a re la t ive ly l ight b l o w c a n b e n d a part , j a m m i n g t h e a c t i o n and m a k i n g t h e g u n u n r e l i a b l e or i n o p e r a t i v e .
E x c e s s i v e r o u g h n e s s o f t e n creeps in during loading or un loading . S o m e of f icers l i k e to replace or c h e c k o n t h e rounds t h e y ' r e carrying in a revolver by f l i c k i n g t h e cy l inder open and c losed w i t h a sharp t w i s t of t h e wr i s t , l ike t h e t o u g h guy cops o n te le v is ion or in t h e m o v i e s . T h i s m a y l o o k m a c h o , but in real l i fe it c a n c a u s e m a n y f u n c t i o n a l p r o b l e m s over a short period of t i m e . A m o n g t h e m : it c a n warp or break t h e c rane or y o k e . . .spring t h e cy l inder so it fa i ls to l o c k in t h e proper p o s i t i o n w h e n c l o s e d . . . a n d t h r o w it " o u t of t i m e , " so tha t it does
Exposure to snow, rain and continued lack of care finally caught up with the officer who abused this gun. He died holding a loaded revolver which couldn't fire.
This is one of the . 38 rounds found in the officer's revolver. It's obviously loaded, but because the hammer fall was so light and off center, the primer couldn't detonate.
n o t l ine t h e cartr idge up prec i se ly w i t h t h e barrel w h e n you s h o o t t h e gun. T h i s c a n af fec t b o t h a c c u r a c y and safety . A n y t i m e y o u open t h e cy l inder, y o u should ease it outward w i t h o u t u n d u e thrust , and ease it b a c k i n t o p lace w i t h t h e s a m e care and de l ibera t ion .
S i m i l a r l y , w i t h s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s , t h e r e ' s a t e n d e n c y s o m e t i m e s , espec ia l ly u n d e r s t ress , to s l a m t h e m a g a z i n e i n t o p lace , poss ib ly a carry-over f rom m i l i t a r y t ra ining w h e r e t h i s is s tandard procedure during i n s p e c t i o n dri l l s . A hard s l a m c a n bend t h e l ips of t h e m a g a z i n e so it w o n ' t seat properly and therefore m a y not feed cartr idges i n t o t h e c h a m b e r for f ir ing. T h e proper loading m e t h o d is to slide the m a g a z i n e i n t o t h e m a g a z i n e w e l l and snap it in to b a t t e r y w i t h a f i r m tap or push w i t h t h e h e e l of your w e a k hand to be sure it l o c k s in p l a c e . M a g a z i n e l ips can a lso be b e n t by t h e m a g a z i n e dropping on a hard surface . If you drop a m a g a z i n e or if you see t h a t it is p i t ted , b e n t , c r a c k e d or has a loose f loor p la te , y o u ' r e safest to t h r o w it a w a y and buy a n e w o n e . T h i s is the m o s t c r i t i c a l part of t h e gun.
If you slam in a 9mm magazine or drop it, you run the risk of bending the lips. The result is a magazine which won't feed in new cartridges. The magazine on the right will function properly.
The result of a revolver which was dropped. A bent ejector may prevent rounds from ejecting from the cylinder.
Disregarding your firearm has resulted in many officers losing a finger, an eye or the respect of fellow officers.
D r o p p i n g y o u r gun i t se l f c a n a lso c a u s e d a m a g e tha t w i l l m a k e it i n a c c u r a t e or i n o p e r a t i v e . T h e f ront s ight or h a m m e r spur m a y be b e n t or b r o k e n o f f . . . a severe b l o w o n t h e side m a y c a u s e m i s a l i g n m e n t of t h e c y l i n d e r . . . t h e e j e c t o r rod m a y b e b e n t . . . o r t h e s h o c k m a y spring, b r e a k or d a m a g e s o m e o t h e r w o r k i n g part . T h i s can h a p p e n even if t h e gun is dropped w h i l e in i t s h o l s t e r , as s o m e t i m e s h a p p e n s w h e n of f i cers are toss ing a f i r e a r m f r o m o n e to a n o t h e r . If your gun is dropped, e x a m i n e it care fu l ly for d a m a g e :
1 . Open the cylinder and m o v e it b a c k and for th to see t h a t it swings freely ;
2 . Work the ejector rod up and d o w n w h i l e turn ing t h e c y l i n d e r to see t h a t t h e rod opera tes s t ra ight and w i t h o u t b inding , w h e r e v e r t h e cy l inder is p o s i t i o n e d ;
3 . Check the clearance space between trigger guard and trigger by dry f ir ing w i t h d o u b l e a c t i o n ;
4 . Check all screws o n t h e gun to be c e r t a i n t h e y h a v e n o t b e e n l o o s e n e d by t h e sudden jar .
B e c a u s e hard b l o w s c a n foul a g u n ' s f u n c t i o n i n g and m a y c a u s e a c c i d e n t a l d i scharge , i t ' s advisable not to u s e your gun as a c l u b in t ry ing to subdue struggl ing s u s p e c t s . E v e n w i t h t h e r e l a t i v e l y w e l l -p r o t e c t e d s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , y o u r i s k b r e a k i n g t h e m a g a z i n e c a t c h or k n o c k i n g off t h e f loor p l a t e , so t h e gun c a n ' t be re loaded. M o r e o v e r , m o s t guns m a k e p r e t t y poor b l u d g e o n s ; t h e i r sharp c o r n e r s t e n d to c u t r a t h e r t h a n s t u n . A n d if y o u swing and m i s s , y o u c o u l d h i t t h e s u s p e c t w i t h y o u r wr i s t r a t h e r t h a n your gun. T h i s c o u l d k n o c k t h e gun f r o m y o u r h a n d , leaving y o u u n a r m e d .
Carefu l handl ing , of c o u r s e , i n c l u d e s p r o t e c t i n g your f i rearm against dirt and o t h e r fore ign m a t t e r . D i r t in w o r k i n g parts or e v e n in t h e barrel can produce ser ious m a l f u n c t i o n s . Y e t s o m e of f icers are incredib ly neg l igent in t h i s regard. O n e eas tern off icer w a s c h a s i n g a p s y c h o at a b o t a n i c a l garden w h e n he sl ipped and fe l l i n t o a pond. H e c l e a n e d h i m s e l f up a f t e r w a r d s — b u t " f o r g o t " to do a n y t h i n g about his gun. Later h e happened to n o t i c e that the barrel w a s ful l of m u d . If h e ' d n e e d e d to fire t h e gun, t h i s o b s t r u c t i o n c o u l d h a v e severe ly damaged the w e a p o n and m a y h a v e in jured t h e of f icer h i m s e l f .
A n y t i m e t h e m u z z l e of your f i rearm t o u c h e s t h e ground, c h e c k t h e barrel to insure n o o b s t r u c t i o n is lodged there . And of course , y o u d o n ' t w a n t to de l ibera te ly c rea te o n e . Hard as it is to b e l i e v e , t h i s is a f requent p r o b l e m w h e r e s h o t g u n s are c o n c e r n e d . W h i l e on patrol , s o m e of f icers r e a c h for t h e s h o t g u n barrel as t h e m o s t c o n v e n i e n t r e c e p t a c l e for a s h e s , c igaret b u t t s , candy wrappers , even c h i c k e n b o n e s . S o m e u s e it for s torage. O n e f e m a l e of f icer kept her T a m p a x there , and a m a l e p a t r o l m a n in C a l i f o r n i a thought it m a d e a great h u m i d o r — u n t i l h e needed to " s m o k e " s o m e t h i n g bes ides a c igar ; t h e n the o b s t r u c t i o n c a u s e d t h e barrel to b l o w apart w h e n h e pul led t h e trigger. If y o u ever h a v e a s h o t g u n in your h a n d s w h e n t h e barrel explodes , y o u ' l l f ind out fast tha t y o u ' r e exposed to o n e h e l l of a r i sk !
Surviva l a l w a y s h i nges o n respec t for w e a p o n s . W i t h f i rearms , respect is grounded in careful handling and t h o r o u g h m a i n t e n a n c e . If you w e r e aboard a ship, y o u w o u l d n o t u n n e c e s s a r i l y abuse t h e l ife preservers , par t i cu lar ly w h e n faced w i t h n a v i g a t i n g t r e a c h e r o u s w a t e r s . O n t h e s t reet , y o u are in t r e a c h e r o u s w a t e r s al l t h e t i m e — a n d y o u r l i fe preserver is your gun.
Correcting Malfunctions
A m o n g t h e n i g h t m a r i s h f a n t a s i e s y o u exper ience in r e l a t i o n to t h e s t reet m a y be t h e c o m m o n o n e in w h i c h you c o n f r o n t an a r m e d s u s p e c t , need u r g e n t l y to s h o o t t o save your l i f e — b u t your gun j a m s . For s o m e of f icers , e a c h year , t h i s f a n t a s y turns i n t o rea l i ty . W h e n tha t h a p p e n s , t h e loss of f i rearms c o n t r o l can m e a n disas ter , u n l e s s t h e v i c t i m off icer is able to respond q u i c k l y and get h i m s e l f and h i s w e a p o n b a c k i n t o a c t i o n .
T o l e s s e n t h e c h a n c e s of m e c h a n i c a l h i t c h e s in t h e f irst p l a c e , t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t procedures
are to 1) a l w a y s h a n d l e your f i r e a r m p r o t e c t i v e l y , and 2) k e e p it c l e a n t h r o u g h proper m a i n t e n a n c e , e v e n if y o u ' v e b e e n c o n s c i e n t i o u s w i t h care , t h o u g h , g u n s w i l l s t i l l o c c a s i o n a l l y fai l to f ire in s t ress s i t u a t i o n s . In t h o s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , m o s t o f f i cers h a v e n o idea w h a t to do. T h e y m a y peer quizz i c a l l y i n t o t h e m u z z l e s of t h e i r g u n s . . . o r play a r o u n d w i t h t h e m hoping b y l u c k to get t h e m going a g a i n . . . or s i m p l y p a n i c and l o s e t h e f ight .
U s u a l l y t h e r e is s o m e s i m p l e w a y o u t of t h i s p r o b l e m , if y o u c a n apply w h a t is ca l led " i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n . " As t h e n a m e i m p l i e s , y o u ' r e n o t going to t a k e t i m e to do any e l a b o r a t e g u n s m i t h i n g . W i t h an a s s a i l a n t ' s b u l l e t s f lying at y o u , y o u w a n t to reduce t h e stoppage as fast as p o s s i b l e and get b a c k i n t o t h e a c t i o n to save y o u r l i fe , w i t h o u t inves t iga t ing t h e c a u s e of t h e m a l f u n c t i o n at t h a t t i m e .
T h e k i n d s of m a l f u n c t i o n s y o u m i g h t enc o u n t e r w i t h a w e l l - m a i n t a i n e d w e a p o n and t h e i m m e d i a t e - a c t i o n t a c t i c s y o u c a n u s e to c o r r e c t t h e m o n t h e spot vary w i t h t h e type of gun y o u h a v e in your h a n d s .
R E V O L V E R : W h e n in t h e c o u r s e of us ing a revo lver y o u s q u e e z e t h e tr igger and t h e gun fai ls to f i re , your f irst i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n s h o u l d b e to t a k e y o u r f inger off t h e trigger and le t i t f ly a l l t h e w a y forward ( m a k i n g sure , of c o u r s e , t h a t t h e m u z z l e is p o i n t i n g in a safe d i r e c t i o n ) . In t h e hea t of f ir ing rapid s h o t s , y o u m a y u n c o n s c i o u s l y h a v e fa i led to let t h e trigger go c o m p l e t e l y forward b e t w e e n r o u n d s ; in t h a t case , w h e n y o u try to f ire again, t h e trigger b e c o m e s " f r o z e n " and w o n ' t pul l or it w o n ' t a d v a n c e t h e c y l i n d e r fu l ly to a f resh c h a m b e r . If y o u f o l l o w your n a t u r a l i n s t i n c t and pul l al l t h e harder , y o u ' l l o n l y prolong t h e p r o b l e m . B u t if y o u re lease t h e trigger, y o u ' l l free t h e m e c h a n i s m and l i k e l y get your gun w o r k i n g again on t h e n e x t s h o t .
If t h a t d o e s n ' t do t h e t r i c k , e j ec t e v e r y t h i n g in your c y l i n d e r and i m m e d i a t e l y re load. 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 ' v e sho t y o u r gun dry of a m m u n i t i o n . Indeed, the m o s t c o m m o n cause of fa i lure to f ire in a w e l l - m a i n t a i n e d r e v o l v e r is tha t t h e gun is e m p t y , w i t h o u t t h e s h o o t e r rea l iz ing i t . If tha t is n o t t h e c a s e , y o u m a y have s o m e a m m u n i t i o n t h a t ' s bad; your n e x t load m a y be b e t t e r .
S E M I - A U T O M A T I C : As a ru le , a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c is m o r e s u s c e p t i b l e to m a l f u n c t i o n or " j a m m i n g " t h a n a revolver , largely b e c a u s e of t h e w a y i t ' s des igned to f i re . W h i l e a r e v o l v e r depends on m a n u a l m e c h a n i c s to a d v a n c e e a c h n e w round, m o s t s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s depend o n r e c o i l i m p u l s e f r o m a f ired r o und to m o v e t h e s l ide and c a u s e t h e
3 6 0
n e x t cartr idge to feed and c h a m b e r . W i t h t h i s m o r e s o p h i s t i c a t e d m e c h a n i s m , t h e r e ' s m o r e o p p o r t u n i t y for th ings t o go wrong.
N i n e t y per c e n t of t h e t i m e , t h o u g h , j a m m i n g of s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s is c a u s e d by poor m a i n t e n a n c e and c l e a n i n g , poor a m m u n i t i o n (e i ther t h e charge of a re load is t o o w e a k or t h e c o n f i g u r a t i o n of t h e bul le t i n h i b i t s good feeding) or by a p r o b l e m w i t h t h e m a g a z i n e (such as i m p r o p e r sea t ing , w h i c h fai ls to p o s i t i o n cartr idges w h e r e t h e y c a n feed properly) .
If your s e m i - a u t o m a t i c fa i ls to f ire and y o u ' r e sure i t ' s s t i l l loaded, c h e c k f irst for t h e m o s t obv ious m a l f u n c t i o n .
Occasionally, a semi-automatic may fail to eject spent shell casings.
S o m e t i m e s b e c a u s e of a w e a k charge , a bad p r i m e r , a dirty c h a m b e r or a d e f e c t i v e e j e c t i n g m e c h a n i s m , a " s t o v e - p i p e j a m " w i l l o c c u r . I n s t e a d of e j ec t ing c l e a n l y , t h e spent c a s e pops up and l o c k s s tanding v e r t i c a l l y in t h e s ide e j e c t i o n port . Y o u ' l l be able to see t h e s h e l l s t i c k i n g o u t . H e r e for your i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n , t i l t t h e gun s i d e w a y s so t h e e j e c t i o n port is d o w n . T h e n vigorously pul l t h e sl ide to t h e rear . T h e used she l l s h o u l d be re leased and fall free f r o m gravi ty . Y o u can m a k e c e r t a i n it gets out by p lac ing your w e a k h a n d so it c o v e r s t h e cas ing as y o u a c t i v a t e t h e s l ide . Y o u c a n " w i p e a w a y " t h e she l l b e t w e e n t w o f ingers or in t h e w e b of your hand as you pul l t h e s l ide b a c k . As your hand gl ides off t h e rear of t h e s l ide, t h e s l ide re-
3 6 1
t u r n s , c h a m b e r i n g a n e w r o u n d . T h e gun s h o u l d n o w f i re . T h i s m a n e u v e r t a k e s a b o u t ha l f a s e c o n d , if p r a c t i c e d t h o r o u g h l y .
If t h e r e ' s n o o b v i o u s r e a s o n for your s e m i a u t o m a t i c fa i l ing to f ire , t h e n apply y o u r f irst i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n to t h e m a g a z i n e . W i t h t h e p a l m of your w e a k h a n d , slap t h e m a g a z i n e b u t t up to be c e r t a i n it is f i r m l y l o c k e d i n t o p l a c e . T h e n grab t h e s l ide w i t h y o u r w e a k h a n d b e h i n d t h e e j e c t i o n port and pul l it s m a r t l y to t h e rear to c h a m b e r a n o t h e r r o u n d . R e l e a s e and a t t e m p t to f ire .
If your s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s t i l l d o e s n ' t w o r k , y o u m a y h a v e a r o u n d j a m m e d in t h e a c t i o n . T o apply i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n , r e m o v e t h e m a g a z i n e . . . p u l l b a c k t h e s l ide . . . re lease i t . . . i n s e r t a f resh m a g a z i n e . . . pul l b a c k t h e s l ide a g a i n . . . r e l e a s e . . . a n d a t t e m p t to f i re . If t h e r o und i s n ' t dis lodged by t h i s procedure , t h e n l o c k t h e s l ide to t h e rear , drop t h e m a g a z i n e and s h a k e o u t t h e r o u n d . T h e n i n s e r t a m a g a z i n e , r e l e a s e t h e s l ide and f ire . O b v i o u s l y , b e c a u s e of t h e e x t e n d e d t i m e it c a n t a k e , t h i s m a n e u v e r is b e s t h a n d l e d b e h i n d cover .
In al l c a s e s w h e n applying i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n , k e e p t h e gun in t h e f ir ing p o s i t i o n . D o n ' t br ing it d o w n to y o u r s t o m a c h to w o r k o n . S h o u l d t h e gun f ire w h i l e in t h a t p o s i t i o n , your c h a n c e s of in jury are m u c h h igher .
This malfunction may be collected by pulling the slide to the rear, then tilting the semi-automatic on its side, which allows the shell casing to eject.
3 6 2
N o t e : In s o m e c a s e s , t h e fa i lure of a s e m i a u t o m a t i c to f ire is n o t a " m a l f u n c t i o n " at a l l . T h e off icer , in h i s e x c i t e m e n t , h a s s i m p l y f o r g o t t e n to k i c k off t h e safe ty . T o prevent t h i s dangerous overs ight under s tress , you n e e d to p r a c t i c e drawing and s h o o t i n g under s i m u l a t e d c o m b a t c o n d i t i o n s u n t i l d isengaging t h e sa fe ty b e c o m e s an i n s t i n c t i v e part of your s h o o t i n g d y n a m i c s . (You probably w o n ' t w a n t to carry a d o u b l e - a c t i o n s e m i - a u t o m a t i c in your h o l s t e r w i t h t h e sa fe ty off b e c a u s e of t h e r i sk of u n i n t e n t i o n a l d ischarge . )
S H O T G U N : W i t h a s h o t g u n , t h e m o s t freq u e n t m a l f u n c t i o n is t h e sl ide hanging up ha l f w a y b a c k , hav ing fai led to e j ec t a spent s h e l l or c h a m b e r a n e w o n e b e c a u s e of t h e g u n ' s s o m e t i m e s -t e m p e r m e n t a l r e a r m i n g m e c h a n i s m . Y o u r i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n begins w i t h t h e s l ide .
First , pul l it to t h e rear as hard as y o u c a n and as far as it w i l l go. T h e n run t h e s l ide forward. If t h a t ' s n o t e f fec t ive , t h e n run t h e s l ide to t h e rear, turn t h e gun over and s h a k e i t . T h e old r o u n d m a y fall o u t . . . o r you can probe your f inger in and get it o u t . O b v i o u s l y , y o u should be b e h i n d c o v e r w h e n doing t h i s .
O n c e the rece iver and c h a m b e r are c lear , t h e n run t h e sl ide forward and to t h e rear, t h e n forward again. Y o u s h o u l d be able to f i re .
The next step will be to release the slide forward to activate a live round in the chamber. Remember to keep the muzzle aimed down range during this process.
3 6 3
The cartridge fired from this spent shell casing detonated with such force, metal fragments blew out the side of the cylinder.
It y o u c a n ' t , t a k e t h e n e x t m o s t p r a c t i c a l c o u r s e : lay t h e s h o t g u n d o w n and get i n t o a c t i o n w i t h your h a n d g u n .
A M M U N I T I O N : W h e n a m m u n i t i o n m a l f u n c t i o n s , it m a y : 1) f i re so w e a k l y t h a t t h e b u l l e t does n o t ex i t t h e barrel ( e x c e s s i v e s m o k e , r e d u c e d rec o i l and a subdued " p o p " m a y be c l u e s to t h i s m i s h a p ) ; 2) " m i s f i r e , " tha t is , n o t s h o o t at al l , or 3) " h a n g - f i r e , " appear to b e m i s f i r i n g b u t t h e n s h o o t a f ter a delay of a f e w s e c o n d s , u s u a l l y b e c a u s e of a defec t in t h e p r i m e r or powder .
O n t h e range w h e n y o u e x p e r i e n c e an a m m u n i t i o n m a l f u n c t i o n , y o u ' r e i n s t r u c t e d to k e e p your gun p o i n t e d at t h e target for at least 10 s e c o n d s to prevent in jury in c a s e y o u h a v e a hang- f i re s i t u a t i o n . A n d y o u are to ld n o t to fire again u n t i l y o u h a v e u n l o a d e d and c h e c k e d t h e barre l for o b s t r u c t i o n s and h u n t e d for t h e c a u s e of t h e m a l f u n c t i o n .
O n t h e s t ree t , t h i s is n o t p r a c t i c a l advice . It i s t rue t h a t if y o u i m m e d i a t e l y fire again af ter a m m u n i t i o n h a s m a l f u n c t i o n e d , y o u m a y in jure yourse l f , d a m a g e your g u n or b o t h . B u t w i t h your l i fe already in jeopardy, t h e r e u s u a l l y is n o r e a s o n a b l e a l t e r n a t i v e b u t to t a k e tha t r i sk . Y o u r i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n for m a l f u n c t i o n i n g a m m u n i t i o n is to k e e p f ir ing or to t o t a l l y re load and h o p e for t h e b e s t . As w e ' l l see la ter , t h o u g h , t h e r e are w a y s y o u c a n m i n i m i z e your c h a n c e s of e x p e r i e n c i n g a m m u n i t i o n m a l f u n c t i o n before y o u are c a u g h t in an a r m e d e n c o u n t e r .
Home Security
C o n t r o l over f i r e a r m s m u s t n e c e s s a r i l y e x t e n d to any y o u bring i n t o your h o m e . N e a r l y 4 0 per c e n t of t h e t i m e t h a t o f f i cers ' g u n s d ischarge " a c c i d e n t a l l y , " t h e f i r ings o c c u r at h o m e — a n e x t r e m e l y h igh ra te , c o n s i d e r i n g tha t o n e w o u l d n o r m a l l y e x p e c t a p o l i c e gun to h a v e t h e leas t a m o u n t of u s e t h e r e . If, l i k e m a n y of f i cers , y o u s tore your off -duty gun at h o m e w h i l e y o u ' r e at w o r k and k e e p your serv ice h a n d g u n there w h e n y o u ' r e off, at least o n e gun is in your h o u s e a r o u n d t h e c l o c k , i n c r e a s i n g t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of a m i s h a p .
E d u c a t i n g your i m m e d i a t e f a m i l y a b o u t your gun is mandatory, of c o u r s e . B u t e v e n a s s u m i n g t h e y are a l l m a t u r e e n o u g h to absorb and obey i n s t r u c t i o n s on avoiding or proper ly h a n d l i n g your f i r e a r m , y o u ' l l q u i t e l i k e l y h a v e v i s i t o r s w h o k n o w n o t h i n g a b o u t g u n s . T h e s e c a n i n c l u d e n e i g h b o r h o o d c h i l d r e n , baby s i t t e rs , f r iends , r e l a t i v e s , d e l i v e r y m e n and r e p a i r m e n . If t h e y h a p p e n across
3 6 4
your f i rearm, t h e y m a y b e in t r igued and h a v e a strong urge to h a n d l e i t ; w h i l e s o m e people are repel led by g u n s , m a n y m o r e are f a s c i n a t e d , espec ia l ly k ids . And w e k n o w t h a t people unfamiliar with guns almost always handle them in the most dangerous way possible; b y i m m e d i a t e l y p u t t i n g a f inger on t h e trigger and p o i n t i n g t h e m u z z l e in an unsafe d i r e c t i o n .
N o b o d y s h o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d " t o o y o u n g " t o shoot a f i rearm. O n e Los A n g e l e s p o l i c e o f f i c e r ' s three-year -o ld c l i m b e d up on a dresser , t o o k a h a n d gun f r o m t h e drawer , and by u s i n g b o t h h a n d s , pul led t h e trigger, c r i t i c a l l y w o u n d i n g h i m s e l f . In M i c h i g a n , an o f f i cer ' s son w h o w a s o n l y 2 2 months old f o u n d h i s dad's loaded r e v o l v e r and fata l ly sho t h i s m o t h e r .
If t h e c o m b i n a t i o n of c u r i o s i t y and i g n o r a n c e d o e s n ' t produce a tragedy, it m a y at l eas t p r o v o k e a ser ious scare . A M i n n e a p o l i s d e t e c t i v e w h o w a s involved in inves t iga t ing a t e e n a g e p r o s t i t u t i o n n e t w o r k r e t u r n e d h o m e f r o m r u n n i n g errands w i t h
Unload your sidearm when you come home, and place your ammunition in a separate location that's cool and dry.
h i s w i f e and s m a l l daughter o n e a f t e r n o o n to f ind a b u l l e t h a d b e e n sho t i n t o h i s p i l l o w . A s s u m i n g t h a t t h i s w a s a " w a r n i n g " f r o m p r o s t i t u t i o n r a c k e teers , h i s w i f e b e c a m e h y s t e r i c a l . Af ter a f r a n t i c e v e n i n g , t h e d e t e c t i v e f ina l ly d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e slug h a d b e e n fired by a carpet layer w h o , w o r k i n g in t h e h o u s e a l o n e , had d i scovered o n e of t h e o f f i c e r ' s w e a p o n s a n d s h o t it off a c c i d e n t a l l y .
For m a x i m u m s e c u r i t y , y o u w a n t t o m a k e your g u n i n o p e r a t i v e and i n a c c e s s i b l e . As s o o n as y o u arr ive h o m e , y o u u n l o a d it in pr ivate so t h a t l ive r o u n d s c a n be s tored separa te ly . B y p lac ing your h a n d c u f f s or a p a d l o c k b e h i n d t h e trigger or a r o u n d t h e top s trap of a revo lver w i t h t h e c y l i n d e r open , y o u m a k e f ir ing i m p o s s i b l e . W i t h a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , y o u c a n l o c k t h e s l ide open, run a l e n g t h of s m a l l -l i n k c h a i n t h r o u g h t h e barre l f r o m t h e m u z z l e to t h e b r e e c h and m a g a z i n e w e l l and t h e n s e c u r e b o t h ends w i t h a p a d l o c k . If y o u ' r e afraid of s c r a t c h i n g your gun, trigger or c y l i n d e r l o c k s w i t h p r o t e c t i v e padding are a v a i l a b l e . For i n a c c e s s i b i l i t y , y o u c a n l o c k t h e gun ins ide a s u b s t a n t i a l m e t a l s torage b o x t h a t is up high, l i k e o n a c l o s e t shel f , and b o l t e d i n t o p l a c e . T h e a m m u n i t i o n c a n t h e n
.... Then make your sidearm inaccessible b e P u t i n a s o k c o n t a i n e r , l i k e a c h a m o i s bag, and by locking it in a metal storage box, and kept in s o m e o t h e r h a r d - t o - r e a c h p l a c e t h a t ' s c o o l place it up high. and dry.
3 6 6
S o m e of f icers prefer to f ind c l e v e r h iding p l a c e s . O n e p u t s h i s gun under t h e s i n k in an e m p t y detergent b o x ; o n e w e e k e n d w h i l e h e w a s a w a y , a burglar r a n s a c k e d t h e p lace , b u t t h e gun w a s n o t d iscovered . A n o t h e r u n l o a d s h i s gun , l o c k s t h e cy l inder open w i t h h is h a n d c u f f s , t h e n l o c k s t h e cuffs around t h e bar of a h a n g e r in h i s c l o s e t ; h e drapes a scarf over t h e bar and gun, p u t s c l o t h e s o n the hanger , t h e n b u t t o n s a r a i n c o a t over t h e w h o l e w o r k s , k e e p i n g t h e gun b o t h s e c u r e and out of s ight . O t h e r s h a n d c u f f the i r g u n s to w a t e r pipes in t h e b a s e m e n t or bury t h e m u n d e r c l o t h e s o n a c l o s e t shel f . For t o o m a n y of f icers , h o w e v e r , " h i d i n g " a gun c o n s i s t s of hanging it in i ts h o l s t e r f r o m t h e b a c k of a b a t h r o o m door or f r o m a h o o k in a c l o s e t — or t u c k e d i n t o a dresser drawer , a p lace a burglar or cur ious c h i l d w i l l sure ly l o o k . T h e y delude t h e m selves tha t n o one w o u l d dare t o u c h it e v e n if t h e y saw it, r e f l e c t i n g a r a t h e r poor u n d e r s t a n d i n g of h u m a n n a t u r e and ignoring t h e n u m e r o u s docum e n t e d cases in w h i c h in jur ies and d e a t h s have resu l ted f r o m guns k e p t in jus t t h o s e l o c a t i o n s .
O b v i o u s l y , w h i l e a gun t h a t ' s i n o p e r a t i v e and i n a c c e s s i b l e is safest , it is probably not eas i ly put i n t o a c t i o n if y o u need to defend yourse l f or your f a m i l y at h o m e . Indeed, a gun t h a t ' s p e r f e c t l y safe is per fec t ly u s e l e s s . If tha t c o n c e r n s y o u , y o u m a y w a n t to cons ider a c o m p r o m i s e ; t ry keeping t h e gun loaded in an old h o l s t e r t a c k e d to t h e b a c k of the headboard of your bed. I t ' s out of s i g h t . . . h a r d enough to r e a c h tha t y o u w o n ' t grab it w h e n y o u s h o u l d n ' t . . . y e t c o n v e n i e n t e n o u g h t h a t i t c a n b e reached in an e m e r g e n c y .
Do not keep youi gun under your pillow or on a bedside table. If y o u h a v e n i g h t m a r e s or are a w a k e n e d by n o i s e , y o u m a y s h o o t yourse l f or m e m b e r s of your f a m i l y before y o u are fu l ly a w a k e . O n e of f icer w o k e up, grabbed h i s revo lver and fired a shot i n t o h i s c l o s e t and t h r o u g h all h i s c l o t h e s w h i l e s t i l l ha l f as leep . Later , h e c o u l d n o t expla in w h y h e did i t — b u t h e n e v e r k e p t a gun at bedside any m o r e , e i t h e r .
H o w e v e r y o u deal w i t h your gun and a m m u n i t ion at h o m e , be c o n s i s t e n t . If y o u f o l l o w t h e s a m e r o u t i n e every t i m e , y o u ' r e less l i k e l y to forget s o m e t h i n g i m p o r t a n t — l i k e re loading y o u r gun before r e t u r n i n g to d u t y . O n e O h i o of f icer w i s e l y unloaded h is gun every n ight at h o m e b e c a u s e h e w a s afraid h i s k ids w o u l d get i t — b u t u n w i s e l y forgot to load b a c k up o n e m o r n i n g . H e spent t h e day o n t h e s t ree t w i t h an e m p t y g u n . In I l l i n o i s an of f icer w a s shot in a gun b a t t l e b e c a u s e h e ' d forgot ten t o reload and w e n t to w o r k w i t h an e m p t y gun.
The ultimate hurt is knowing firearm accidents occur in moments which are usually in your power to control.
O n e opt ion here is to p lace your a m m u n i t i o n at t h e t i m e y o u u n l o a d i n t o t h e p o c k e t of t h e p a n t s you i n t e n d to w e a r t h e n e x t day. Y o u ' l l k n o w by weight tha t i t ' s there w h e n y o u put t h e p a n t s on . Or , p lace t h e rounds in your h o l s t e r , in a s e c u r e p lace .
O f course , any of f icer w h o ' s surviva l consc ious w i l l c h e c k his gun t h o r o u g h l y before going on duty , per forming t h e r e c o m m e n d e d s e r v i c e abi l i ty t e s t s . T h i s p r e c a u t i o n w i l l revea l if y o u ' r e m i s s i n g a m m u n i t i o n , plus alert y o u to o t h e r fac tors t h a t m i g h t o t h e r w i s e u n e x p e c t e d l y af fec t your f i r e a r m s c o n t r o l and t h r o w your l i fe i n t o jeopardy. W h e r e t h e r e is t h e s l ightes t q u e s t i o n a b o u t t h e re l i ab i l i ty of a f i rearm, it s h o u l d b e brought to your d e p a r t m e n t ' s f i r e a r m s i n s t r u c t o r or o t h e r c o m p e t e n t g u n s m i t h for i n s p e c t i o n .
For some, good habits are never important enough until it's too late. Like this officer who forgot to load his sidearm before leaving home... and died because of an empty gun.
3 6 9
4 CLEANING
S o m e of f icers c o n s i d e r c l e a n i n g to b e jus t an o n e r o u s c h o r e of h o u s e k e e p i n g . B u t if y o u t h i n k of it in t e r m s of survival , y o u c a n v i e w it in an a l to g e t h e r d i f ferent l ight .
Y o u r f i r e a r m is y o u r m o s t i m p o r t a n t p iece of e q u i p m e n t . It c a n k e e p y o u a l ive w h e n al l e l se h a s fai led. B u t for t h a t to happen , you n o t o n l y h a v e to k n o w h o w to u s e t h e g u n — i t h a s to b e able to be used. W h e n y o u s q u e e z e t h e trigger, w i t h perhaps o n l y o n e c h a n c e to n e u t r a l i z e an adversary , y o u r g u n m u s t n o t j a m . . . m i s f i r e . . . e x p l o d e or s h o o t c r o o k e d if i t is to save y o u . And yet s o m e of f icers w h o lose a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n s rea l ize in t h e i r f ina l f lash of c o n s c i o u s n e s s t h a t t h a t is e x a c t l y w h a t h a s happ e n e d .
W i t h o u t doubt , the single greatest cause of such firearm malfunctions is poor maintenance. W i t h r e a s o n a b l e care , g u n s s e l d o m w e a r o u t or are sho t o u t . B u t a dir ty and n e g l e c t e d gun q u i c k l y b e c o m e s u n d e p e n d a b l e ; w h e n y o u pul l t h e tr igger, y o u c a n ' t be sure w h a t w i l l happen .
T h e r e ' s n o w a y to k e e p y o u r gun f r o m b e i n g exposed to e l e m e n t s tha t p r o m o t e d e t e r i o r a t i o n . D u s t , dirt , l i n t , food c r u m b s and a v a r i e t y of o t h e r fore ign m a t e r i a l s i n e v i t a b l y sif t t h r o u g h your h o l s t e r and over y o u r f i r e a r m in t h e c o u r s e of a w o r k i n g w e e k . If y o u ' r e w o r k i n g in ra in , m i s t or s n o w or e v e n going in and out during e x t r e m e s in t e m p e r a t u r e , your gun is s u b j e c t e d to m o i s t u r e or c o n d e n s a t i o n . In s e a c o a s t c i t i e s , sal t f r o m t h e air c a n a t t a c h to i t s m e t a l surf a c e s . W h e n y o u h a n d l e y o u r gun, y o u leave b e h i n d
3 7 0
deposi ts of sal t and body ac ids , p a r t i c u l a r l y if y o u ' v e been s w e a t i n g . And a n y t i m e y o u s h o o t , t h e d e t o n a t ion of t h e cartr idge and ex i t of t h e b u l l e t l eave res idues of burnt powder , lead and v a r i o u s a i rborne i m p u r i t i e s .
S ing ly and in c o m b i n a t i o n , t h e s e e l e m e n t s c a n rapidly and ser ious ly af fect p e r f o r m a n c e . T o c i t e o n l y a few of t h e c o n s e q u e n c e s of a n e g l e c t e d g u n : Powder par t i c l es or debris u n d e r t h e e j e c t o r s tar of a revolver c a n m a k e t h e cy l inder hard or i m p o s s i b l e to l a t c h i n t o p l a c e . . . A n a c c u m u l a t i o n of l in t in t h e c h a n n e l in w h i c h t h e f ir ing pin t rave ls m a y af fec t i ts c o n t a c t w i t h cartr idge p r i m e r s and c a u s e hang-fires or m i s f i r e s . . . D i r t , rust and c o r r o s i o n o n t h e surfaces of w o r k i n g parts can c a u s e b inding or u n n a t u r a l f r i c t ion and m a y p e n e t r a t e i n t o t h e a c t i o n . . . Lead bui ld ing up in t h e bore c a n r u i n a c c u r a c y . . .And o t h e r foreign m a t t e r a l lowed to a c c u m u l a t e t h e r e c a n c a u s e b l o w - u p s or p r o m o t e rus t and p i t t ing .
H a r m f u l e f fec t s can prey on a gun w i t h a s ta inless s tee l f in i sh as w e l l as o n e t h a t ' s b l u e - s t e e l ; s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s and s h o t g u n s are as s u s c e p t i b l e to damage f r o m n e g l e c t as revo lvers . Any gun requi res tha t you t a k e care of it if y o u e x p e c t it to t a k e care of y o u .
S o m e m a i n t e n a n c e is n e c e s s a r y o n a daily bas i s to k e e p your gun in good s h a p e . Af ter y o u r t o u r of duty, e spec ia l ly if y o u ' v e h a n d l e d your f i r e a r m or i t has b e e n exposed to i n c l e m e n t w e a t h e r , wipe off t h e outs ide surfaces w i t h a dry, s i l i c o n e - t r e a t e d or s l ight ly oi ly c o t t o n c l o t h . T h i s w i l l r e m o v e sal t , m o i s t u r e and o t h e r corros ive res idues and c o a t t h e surfaces w i t h a l ight p r o t e c t i v e f i l m . W i p e your a m m u n i t i o n dry, too , if it has b e e n e x p o s e d to m o i s ture . If your l e a t h e r is w e t , a l l o w it to dry t h o r o u g h l y before y o u re turn your gun and a m m u n i t i o n to i t .
Every day tha t y o u fire your g u n — o r t w i c e a m o n t h as a m a t t e r of c o u r s e , e v e n if y o u h a v e n ' t s h o t — y o u w a n t to c l e a n your f i r e a r m t h o r o u g h l y . Even if it d o e s n ' t look dirty , i t s t i l l m a y be , b e c a u s e s o m e res idual m a t e r i a l s tha t can lead to d a m a g e are n o t v i s ib le ; a bui ldup of res idue as s l ight as . 0 0 6 i n c h e s c a n a l ter t o l e r a n c e s of s o m e k e y f i rearm c o m p o n e n t s . G u n c l e a n i n g n e e d n ' t be a big job . I t ' s n o t qui te as easy as o n e I l l ino is r o o k i e t h o u g h t ; h e ' s reported to h a v e put h i s s e r v i c e r e v o l v e r i n t o a w a s h i n g m a c h i n e for c l ean ing ! B u t w i t h t h e s teps w e ' l l o u t l i n e h e r e , y o u can do e v e r y t h i n g t h a t n e e d s doing s i m p l y , q u i c k l y and i n e x p e n s i v e l y . Y o u should be able to c l e a n e x t e n s i v e l y e n o u g h to e l i m inate t h e r i s k of m o s t m a l f u n c t i o n s and m a i n t a i n your g u n ' s p r o f i c i e n c y in a b o u t t h e s a m e t i m e it t a k e s to s h i n e your s h o e s . N o t a bad i n v e s t m e n t of t i m e , cons ider ing t h e p o t e n t i a l payoff .
Y o u c a n be t h e m o s t capab le , i n t e l l i g e n t and dedica ted of f i cer in t h e wor ld , b u t if y o u carry a poor ly-cared- for gun , y o u ' r e defeat ing y o u r o w n purpose and t h a t of l a w e n f o r c e m e n t g e n e r a l l y . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , a c l e a n w e a p o n is l i k e l y to h e l p y o u ga in an edge over t h e bad g u y s . T h e y o f t e n n e g l e c t c l e a n i n g the i r g u n s , jus t as t h e y n e g l e c t o t h e r asp e c t s of a s e n s i b l e l i fe .
Preliminaries
Y o u ' l l probably do m o s t of y o u r gun c l e a n i n g at h o m e , e x c e p t , perhaps for t h e s h o t g u n , w h i c h y o u m a y be required to c l e a n at t h e range or in t h e stat i o n . If y o u ' r e a h o m e o w n e r , y o u ' r e probably safest c l e a n i n g your h a n d g u n in y o u r b a s e m e n t or a shop area; if y o u ' r e an a p a r t m e n t dwel le r , t h e k i t c h e n m a y be your b e s t p l a c e . Y o u w a n t a c l e a n , l in t -free sur face w h e r e y o u c a n spread o u t your equipm e n t . And y o u w a n t to b e able to w o r k alone in private, idea l ly at a t i m e w h e n y o u c a n f i n i s h t h e job w i t h o u t d i s t r a c t i o n or i n t e r r u p t i o n .
Y o u r e q u i p m e n t w i l l i n c l u d e :
— a c l e a n i n g rod, c o m p l e t e w i t h k n o b - e n d and s l o t t e d - e n d a t t a c h m e n t s ;
— p l e n t y of c l e a n i n g p a t c h e s ; — a bore b r u s h w i t h n y l o n or p h o s p h o r b r o n z e
b r i s t l e s , appropriate to t h e c a l i b e r of t h e gun y o u ' r e c l e a n i n g ;
— a good grade g u n - c l e a n i n g s o l v e n t ;
— a good grade g u n oi l tha t c a n p r o t e c t against rust and t h a t is n o t a f fec ted b y t e m p e r a t u r e ( s o m e l u b r i c a n t s w i l l c a u s e a gun to f reeze sol id in cold w e a t h e r ) ;
— a t o o t h b r u s h ; — a d e n t i s t ' s probe ; — c l e a n rags or t o w e l s ; — a s i l i c o n e - t r e a t e d c l o t h ; — a s c r e w d r i v e r w h o s e blade w i l l snugly fit t h e
s c r e w s lot on your gun.
Y o u c a n b u y t h e s e m a t e r i a l s at m o s t g u n or sport ing goods s tores as indiv idual i t e m s or in k i t f o r m . B e sure y o u u s e e q u i p m e n t designed tor t h e job , n o t m a k e s h i f t t o o l s . U s i n g a s c r e w d r i v e r or f ine s t e e l w o o l i n s t e a d of a b r u s h to r e m o v e lead depos i t s , for e x a m p l e , c a n m a r t h e gun and m a y af fec t i t s a c c u r a c y . In genera l , your c l e a n i n g m a t e r i a l s and i m p l e m e n t s s h o u l d n o t be harder t h a n t h e s t e e l sur faces to be c l e a n e d .
D u r i n g y o u r p r e p a r a t i o n , y o u w a n t t o lay t h e g r o u n d w o r k for a safe c l e a n i n g . T o e l i m i n a t e t h e r i s k of a n a c c i d e n t a l d i s c h a r g e :
1. Unload your gun. 2. Secure the ammunition in another worn, so
t h e f i r e a r m and i t s car t r idges a r e n o w h e r e n e a r e a c h o t h e r .
3 . Work with the muzzle pointed away from yourself, t o w a r d an o u t s i d e b a c k y a r d w a l l , if p o s s i b l e . A c c i d e n t a l d i s c h a r g e s f r o m " e m p t y " g u n s h a v e k i l l e d p e r s o n s s l e e p ing in b e d r o o m s a d j o i n i n g t h e c l e a n i n g area .
4 . Do not leave your gun unattended at any time, e v e n for a f e w m o m e n t s to a n s w e r t h e p h o n e or d o o r b e l l . If y o u m u s t i n t e r r u p t t h e c l e a n i n g , s e c u r e y o u r g u n so n o o n e c a n h a n d l e i t .
E v e n s h o r t of i n f l i c t i n g s e r i o u s i n j u r y or d e a t h , v i o l a t i n g t h e s e b a s i c s a f e t y r u l e s c a n carry a h e a v y p r i c e , as o n e m i d w e s t e r n o f f i c e r l e a r n e d w h i l e c l e a n i n g h i s s e r v i c e r e v o l v e r o n a k i t c h e n c o u n t e r -t o p . M i s t a k e n l y b e l i e v i n g t h e g u n w a s e m p t y , h e p u l l e d i t s t r igger , a n d a r o u n d f ired i n t o h i s k i t c h e n s i n k . It r i c o c h e t e d off t h e p o r c e l a i n , t h e n off t h e c e i l i n g a n d c u t t h r o u g h h i s ear l o b e b e f o r e s t r i k i n g t h e f l o o r . B l e e d i n g p r o f u s e l y , h e ran t o h i s car and drove off t o w a r d t h e n e a r e s t h o s p i t a l . M e a n t i m e , a n e i g h b o r w h o ' d h e a r d t h e s h o t f lagged a p a t r o l car and e x c i t e d l y r e p o r t e d t h e o f f i c e r ' s w i f e " f i n a l l y t o o k al l s h e c o u l d and s h o t h i m . " A c t u a l l y , t h e w i f e w a s at t h e g r o c e r y s t o r e . B e l i e v i n g t h e m s e l v e s res p o n d i n g t o a n " o f f i c e r d o w n " c a l l , m o r e t h a n a d o z e n o f f i c e r s s w a r m e d t o t h e s c e n e . E n t r y w a s m a d e , t h e b l o o d d i s c o v e r e d al l over t h e f loor , b u t n o v i c t i m a n d n o a s s a i l a n t c o u l d b e l o c a t e d . A n A P B w a s i s s u e d for t h e w i f e , a s e a r c h l a u n c h e d for t h e m i s s i n g v i c t i m . S o o n t h e w i f e d r o v e up w i t h h e r g r o c e r i e s , o n l y to b e s u r r o u n d e d by p o l i c e m e n w h o a c c u s e d h e r of s h o o t i n g h e r h u s b a n d . W h e n s h e s a w t h e b l o o d in t h e k i t c h e n , s h e b e c a m e h y s t e r i c a l . F o r t u n a t e l y , t h e w o u n d e d o f f i cer ar r ived b e f o r e long and s t r a i g h t e n e d e v e r y t h i n g o u t . B u t h e says h e h a s b e e n l i v i n g in " t o t a l e m b a r r a s s m e n t " ever s i n c e . " I ' m t h e s t a t i o n h o u s e j o k e . "
B e s i d e s o b s e r v i n g b a s i c s a f e t y w h i l e c l e a n i n g , s e l e c t an area t o w o r k w h e r e t h e p u n g e n t s m e l l of t h e s o l v e n t w i l l n o t b e o f f e n s i v e t o o t h e r s in y o u r h o u s e h o l d . Spread o u t a n a b s o r b e n t c l o t h or t o w e l u n d e r n e a t h w h e r e y o u ' r e go ing t o w o r k t o p r o t e c t t h e g u n a n d s o a k up a n y s o l v e n t , l u b r i c a n t or debr i s t h a t m i g h t drip o u t . ( N o t e : Don't u s e n e w s p a p e r s . S o l v e n t a n d o i l w i l l r e a d i l y f i l t e r t h r o u g h t h e m t o t h e s u r f a c e u n d e r n e a t h . ) Y o u m a y w a n t to p u t o n an old s h i r t and p a n t s s o y o u d o n ' t r u i n g o o d o n e s . T h e n y o u ' r e ready to b e g i n .
Revolver
T h e k e y dur ing c l e a n i n g w i l l b e t o h o l d t h e w e a p o n d o w n f la t a g a i n s t y o u r w o r k s u r f a c e , w i t h t h e m u z z l e p o i n t i n g off t o t h e s ide , a w a y f r o m y o u . C o n c e n t r a t e f i r s t o n t h e i n t e r i o r s u r f a c e s . T o l o o s e n dir t , p o w d e r d e p o s i t s and o t h e r d e b r i s l e f t t h e r e f r o m f i r ing y o u r g u n :
1. Unload your revolver and place ammunition in a separate place.
2. Fold patch in half. Insert corner into slot in your rod's slotted-end attachment. Pull halfway through.
3. Dip patch in solvent so it's well saturated, but not dripping wet; carefully extract patch to avoid splattering.
4. Insert rod into barrel and move it back and forth several times to get bore wet.
5. Push rod through so patch fully exits forcing cone, but don't crash it against firing pin access hole.
6. Repeat in each cylinder hole. Change patches often so dirt isn 't moved from one surface to another.
3 7 5
7. Move clockwise around cylinder. 8. Remove rod tip. Screw on bore Scrub each area until solvent-soaked brush—\a wire brush for stubborn de-patch comes out clean. posits, nylon for normal cleaning].
9. Work brush back and forth in barrel 10. Repeat process in each cylinder until all sediment is loose. Fully clear hole. Brushing will push out residue barrel ends to avoid binding. the solvent has dissolved.
11. Give special attention to spots where 12. Dampen toothbrush with solvent, lead, powder and other deposits are Brush front and back of cylinder... difficult to loosen with a patch.
13. behind erector star... 14. on nose of hammer...
3 7 6
17. around end of barrel.
19. Using knob-end accessory, clear residual moisture from bore and cylinder holes with clean, dry patches.
21. Now use dry patches to wipe moisture and dirt from all other surfaces you've scrubbed.
16. underneath top strap and above forcing core, and...
18. With dentist's probe, clean hard-to-reach areas, like top strap corners and above forcing cone.
20. Hold thumb or patch against recoil plate to reflect light into barrel for final inspection.
22. Clean outside of barrel, cylinder and other exterior surfaces with solvent and patches. Dry with fresh patches.
3 7 7
23. For lubrication, use oil only. Grease can cause your action to lock up like glue.
24. Only 3 moving parts need oil: ONE drop around base of hammer. Then work action so it gets inside...
25. ONE drop on ejector rod in front of cylinder. Then plunge rod up and down to spread oil...
26. ONE drop on crane hinge.
27. With one drop of oil on clean patch, apply thin coat as rust preventer inside barrel and cylinder chambers.
28. Check that screws on side plate and grip panels are tightly secured.
29. Wipe revolver dry with silicone-treated cloth.
3 7 8
Semi-Automatic
In c l e a n i n g a s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , y o u r o b j e c t i v e is s t i l l t o r e m o v e dir t , l i n t , l ead , p o w d e r , m e t a l par t i c l e s and o t h e r r e s i d u e t h a t c a n c a u s e m a l f u n c t i o n s . T h e s e m i - a u t o m a t i c c o n t a i n s m o r e m o v i n g p a r t s t h a n t h e r e v o l v e r , so y o u n e e d t o b r e a k i t d o w n f a r t h e r . W h e n y o u s tar t t o w o r k , l ay o u t e a c h c o m p o n e n t par t i n t h e order in w h i c h y o u f i e ld s t r ip i t . T h a t w a y t h e r e ' s n o c o n f u s i o n a b o u t w h a t g o e s w h e r e w h e n y o u w a n t t o r e a s s e m b l e .
For a . 4 5 c a l . s e m i - a u t o m a t i c , d i s a s s e m b l y b e g i n s w i t h t h e p l u g j u s t b e l o w t h e m u z z l e . Y o u p u s h i t i n w h i l e s i m u l t a n e o u s l y t u r n i n g t h e b a r r e l b u s h ing 9 0 d e g r e e s in a c l o c k w i s e d i r e c t i o n . K e e p y o u r f inger o n t h e p lug a n d r e l e a s e t h e t e n s i o n o n t h e r e c o i l spr ing s l o w l y to k e e p i t f r o m p o p p i n g o u t . E a s e t h e p lug o u t of t h e spr ing b y t u r n i n g it c l o c k w i s e . F r o m t h a t p o i n t o n , f o l l o w e s s e n t i a l l y t h e s a m e s t e p s appropr ia te to S & W m o d e l s 3 9 a n d 5 9 and o t h e r s e m i - a u t o m a t i c s . F o l l o w t h e s e p r o c e d u r e s :
1. Remove and unload magazine. 2. Pull back slide until slide stop enters disassembly notch. Check chamber to make sure gun is unloaded.
3. With weak hand, push in slide stop pin section from opposite side of receiver and remove stop.
5. Remove barrel, recoil spring, recoil spring guide. You now have eight basic components.
7. Use wire brush to lift out stubborn lead deposits. Then clean and dry with fresh patches.
9. and receiver and magazine well.
4. Move slide forward and disengage from receiver.
6. Apply solvent inside barrel with patches attached to cleaning rod.
8. With toothbrush dipped in solvent, scrub every exposed surface, including slide rails and ramp...
10. Clean barrel bushing, recoil spring, slide stop and recoil spring guide with solvent-soaked toothbrush.
3 8 0
11. Now rub all these surfaces with 12. Place ONE drop of oil inside ham-clean, dry patches to soak up moisture merarea... and remaining dirt.
13. and along all sliding surfaces— 14. Wipe off excess with dry patches except magazine and magazine well. or clean, dry cloth.
15. Reassemble your gun, reload maga- 16. Wipe all external surfaces with zine. silicone cloth.
N o t e : A s w i t h t h e r e v o l v e r , a n y d i s a s s e m b l y f u r t h e r t h a n t h a t d e s c r i b e d h e r e s h o u l d b e d o n e b y a c o m p e t e n t g u n s m i t h . W h e n c l e a n i n g a s e m i a u t o m a t i c , t h e m a g a z i n e c a n b e b r o k e n d o w n furt h e r , b u t g e n e r a l l y t h i s is n o t n e c e s s a r y .
Shotgun
If y o u ' r e l i k e m o s t o f f i c e r s , y o u r d e p a r t m e n t p r o b a b l y w i l l n o t a u t h o r i z e y o u to b r e a k d o w n and c l e a n a l o n g g u n c o m p l e t e l y . B u t y o u c a n c l e a n t h e b a r r e l p e r i o d i c a l l y , a n d s i n c e t h a t ' s w h e r e so m a n y s h o t g u n m a l f u n c t i o n s o r i g i n a t e , i t ' s w e l l w o r t h t h e f e w m i n u t e s it t a k e s t o do it p r o p e r l y . F o l l o w t h e s e p r o c e d u r e s , w h i c h apply to m o s t . 1 2 ga . p o l i c e s h o t g u n s :
1. Inspect bottom loading port to make certain shotgun is empty. Place shells in separate location.
3. Gently grasp end of barrel and pull it straight out to separate it from receiver held in other hand.
5. Run several, solvent-soaked shotgun patches through barrel from receiver end out the muzzle end.
2. Unscrew magazine tube cap, keeping gun pointed away from your face.
6. Scrub inside of barrel with .12 ga. bore brush soaked in solvent to loosen stubborn particles.
3 8 2
7. Attach solvent-soaked patch to screw 8. Attach swab to rod. Run it through end of dry swab. Run rod without tip barrel, out muzzle end. Patch somewhat attachment through barrel from muzzle end. protects swab from dirt.
9. Repeat with fresh, solvent-soaked 10. Rub the exterior of barrel with patches until a patch emerges clean. solvent-soaked patches. Then, use dry patches until they exit clean.
11. Dry barrel outside with patches. 12. Apply light oil coating to inhibit rust. Wipe off excess with clean cloth.
13. Reassemble shotgun. Check that 14. Wipe off all metal surfaces with barrel is seated properly before screw- silicone cloth, ing on magazine cap.
Ammunition Precautions
A s part of y o u r c l e a n i n g p r o c e s s , y o u w a n t to w i p e off a m m u n i t i o n w i t h a dry, u n t r e a t e d c l o t h to re tard c o r r o s i o n . S h o t g u n p a t c h e s are good for t h i s j o b . B u t b e s u r e y o u k e e p al l y o u r c a r t r i d g e s a w a y f r o m a n y s o l v e n t or o i l . W i p e a n y e x c e s s l i q u i d off a l l s u r f a c e s of y o u r f i r e a r m , e s p e c i a l l y i n s i d e t h e c y l i n d e r h o l e s of a r e v o l v e r , before r e l o a d i n g . A n d d o n ' t spray t h e g u n w i t h a n a e r o s o l l u b r i c a n t after y o u ' v e loaded u p .
S p r a y l u b r i c a n t s or s o l v e n t s are super p e n e t r a t ing, a n d t h e l i q u i d f r o m t h e m , as w e l l as f r o m o t h e r s o l v e n t s , c a n w o r k i t s w a y a r o u n d and i n t o t h e p r i m e r b y c a p i l l a r y a c t i o n a n d d a m p e n t h e p o w d e r c h a r g e , f o s t e r i n g m i s f i r e s . S u c h l i q u i d s m a y a l so l o o s e n t h e b u l l e t s in car t r idges so t h a t w h e n y o u f i re o n e s h o t , t h e r e c o i l w i l l f o r c e t h e r e m a i n i n g b u l l e t s t o t h r u s t forward in t h e i r c a s e s , c a u s i n g y o u r c y l i n d e r t o j a m . In e i t h e r e v e n t , y o u c a n e n d up w i t h a u s e l e s s load of a m m u n i t i o n . Oil o r solvent can adversely affect ammunition even faster than water. W i t h i n a m a t t e r of days , f resh a m m u n i t i o n e x p o s e d to t h e s e l i q u i d s c a n b e c o m e d e a c t i v a t e d .
T h e r i s k w a s p r o b a b l y f i rs t i d e n t i f i e d in S e a t t l e , w h e r e a n o f f i c e r d r e w h i s s e r v i c e r e v o l v e r t o w a r d off a n a r m e d a s s a i l a n t a n d d i s c o v e r e d t h e g u n w o u l d n o t f i re . S u b s e q u e n t lab a n a l y s i s r e v e a l e d t h a t t h e p o w d e r in e a c h of h i s car t r idges had b e e n c o n t a m i n a t e d b y o i l t h a t had s o a k e d in f r o m a e r o s o l l u b i c a n t sprayed o n h i s g u n . T h e p o w d e r w a s c a k e d t o g e t h e r and i t s f l a s h p o i n t g r e a t l y r e t a r d e d , so t h a t w h e n t h e p r i m e r i g n i t e d , t h e c h a r g e o n l y s m o l d e r e d , t h e n died o u t b e f o r e l i g h t i n g and d i s c h a r g i n g t h e r o u n d .
T h a t ' s w h y y o u r g u n n e e d s to b e dr ied t h o r o u g h l y a f t e r c l e a n i n g , b e f o r e y o u r e l o a d . For c e r t a i n , y o u w a n t to avoid w h a t s o m e o f f i c e r s do . T h e y s i m p l y r e m o v e a g u n f r o m i t s h o l s t e r o c c a s i o n a l l y , spray it w i t h a e r o s o l s o l v e n t w i t h t h e a m m u n i t i o n in p l a c e , s h a k e it off and r e h o l s t e r , c o n s i d e r i n g t h a t t h i s c o n s t i t u t e s " c l e a n i n g " t h e w e a p o n . This is a deadly form of laziness. I m p r o p e r g u n a n d a m m u n i t i o n c l e a n i n g c a n be as d a n g e r o u s to y o u r l i fe as n o c l e a n i n g at a l l .
W i t h b o t h y o u r g u n and a m m u n i t i o n proper ly c l e a n , y o u r f i r e a r m s h o u l d n o w b e ready for t h e s t r e e t . F i r s t , h o w e v e r , c h e c k to b e sure t h a t it is f u n c t i o n i n g as it s h o u l d b y p e r f o r m i n g t h e r e c o m m e n d e d " s e r v i c e a b i l i t y c h e c k s , " b u t b e c e r t a i n to p e r f o r m t h e s e t e s t s w i t h t h e g u n empty. T h e t e m p t a t i o n a f t e r c l e a n i n g is to r e l o a d and t h e n c h e c k t h e a c t i o n . S u c h a b s e n t m i n d e d n e s s h a s r e s u l t e d in n u m e r o u s a c c i d e n t a l d i s c h a r g e s — a n d d e a t h s .
3 8 4
SERVICEABILITY CHECK LIST
A f t e r e a c h c l e a n i n g and da i ly b e f o r e p u t t i n g y o u r g u n in i t s h o l s t e r to s t a r t y o u r t o u r of d u t y , a q u i c k s e r v i c e a b i l i t y c h e c k c a n a s s u r e y o u t h a t y o u r f i r e a r m is f u n c t i o n i n g c o r r e c t l y and w i l l p e r f o r m if y o u n e e d i t . S o m e d e p a r t m e n t s d e s i g n a t e s p e c i f i c areas for c o n d u c t i n g s e r v i c e a b i l i t y t e s t s . S o m e l o c k e r r o o m s , for e x a m p l e , are e q u i p p e d w i t h " b u l l e t t r a p s , " s u c h as o i l d r u m s f i l l ed w i t h s a n d ; y o u p o i n t y o u r g u n i n t o t h e t rap so t h a t a n y r o u n d s f ired i n a d v e r t e n t l y are sa fe ly s t o p p e d . If s u c h an area is a v a i l a b l e , y o u m a y w a n t to tape t h e s e r v i c e a b i l i t y c h e c k l i s t s n e a r b y for ready r e f e r e n c e . If t h e r e is n o d e s i g n a t e d area , y o u c a n p e r f o r m t h e s e t e s t s o n t h e r a n g e , i n a safe p l a c e o u t d o o r s or b e f o r e y o u l e a v e h o m e .
A l w a y s b e c e r t a i n t h e m u z z l e is p o i n t e d in a safe d i r e c t i o n a w a y f r o m y o u r s e l f a n d o t h e r p e o p l e and t h a t y o u r g u n is unloaded. C h e c k t w i c e to b e sure i t i s . C o u n t y o u r c a r t r i d g e s — t w i c e — a n d separa te t h e m f r o m y o u r f i r e a r m b y p u t t i n g t h e m in y o u r p o c k e t or .in s o m e o t h e r safe l o c a t i o n . T h e r i s k of d o i n g o t h e r w i s e is g r a p h i c a l l y i l l u s t r a t e d b y t h e e x p e r i e n c e of a y o u n g p a t r o l m a n in a D e t r o i t s u b u r b . H e w a s p e r f o r m i n g s e r v i c e a b i l i t y c h e c k s o n h i s . 3 8 c a l . r e v o l v e r w h i l e s i t t i n g o n t h e edge of h i s bed , w i t h t h e g u n f u l l y loaded , t h e m u z z l e p o i n t e d t o w a r d t h e i n s i d e of h i s leg. A s h e p u l l e d b a c k t h e h a m m e r t o t e s t c y l i n d e r r o t a t i o n , h i s t h u m b a c c i d e n t a l l y s l ipped off a n d t h e h a m m e r f l e w f o r w a r d .
A b u l l e t s h o t t h r o u g h h i s t h i g h , a l m o s t s h a t t e r i n g h i s k n e e c a p .
S a f e l y a n d p r o p e r l y c o n d u c t e d , t h e c h e c k s w i l l t a k e l e s s t h a n a m i n u t e . B y m a k i n g t h e m a h a b i t , y o u c a n c a t c h l i f e - t h r e a t e n i n g p r o b l e m s before t h e y s u r p r i s e y o u o n d u t y . A f t e r a l l , if y o u r g u n fa i l s to o p e r a t e p r o p e r l y dur ing a g u n f i g h t , y o u c a n ' t s t o p t h e a c t i o n w h i l e y o u f i x i t .
Revolver W i t h y o u r g u n e m p t y and t h e a m m u n i t i o n
p l a c e d s a f e l y a s i d e :
• e x a m i n e t h e b a r r e l . I s is s t r a i g h t . . . f r e e of b u l g e s . . . t i g h t in t h e f r a m e ? Is t h e b o r e c l e a n and f ree of p i t t i n g , r u s t or o b s t r u c t i o n s ?
• c h e c k t h e s i g h t s . A r e t h e y f i r m l y a t t a c h e d ? Is t h e f r o n t s ight a n d t h e rear s i g h t , i f t h e r e is o n e , s t r a i g h t ?
• i n s p e c t t h e c r a n e . I s i t f ree of w a r p i n g ?
• w o r k t h e e j e c t o r rod s e v e r a l t i m e s , w h i l e t u r n i n g t h e c y l i n d e r . Is t h e rod s t ra ight? Is t h e m o v e m e n t f ree? Is t h e t ip s c r e w e d o n t ight? (If t h e t ip w o r k s l o o s e , y o u m a y b e u n a b l e t o o p e n or c l o s e t h e c y l i n d e r . )
• e x a m i n e t h e c y l i n d e r . Are t h e c h a m b e r s f ree of dir t a n d o b s t r u c t i o n s ? Is t h e c y l i n d e r f ree of r u s t , b u r r s or p i t t ing? ( P i t t i n g o n t h e f r o n t of t h e c y l i n der m a y i n d i c a t e i t is i m p r o p e r l y r u b b i n g a g a i n s t t h e rear of t h e barre l . )
• dry f i re d o u b l e a c t i o n , w h i l e c l o s e l y w a t c h i n g t h e s p a c e b e t w e e n t h e f i r ing p in h o l e and t h e c y l i n d e r . I s t h e h a m m e r n o s e d r i v e n t h r o u g h t h e r e c o i l p l a t e far e n o u g h to d e t o n a t e a car t r idge? Is t h e f i r ing p i n s e c u r e . . . n o t b a t t e r e d or scuf fed? (If t h e p i n appears d a m a g e d , y o u r h a m m e r m a y b e m i s f i t t e d or y o u r r e c o i l p l a t e f a u l t y . )
• w i t h o u t t o u c h i n g t h e tr igger , p u l l b a c k t h e h a m m e r u n t i l i t is a l m o s t c o c k e d a n d r e l e a s e i t . Is t h e p i n b l o c k e d f r o m c o m i n g t h r o u g h t h e r e c o i l p la te? (If n o t , t h e i n t e r n a l s a f e t y is f a u l t y . T h e p i n c o u l d h i t a car t r idge p r i m e r if t h e h a m m e r is s t r u c k or s l ips dur ing c o c k i n g , c a u s i n g an u n i n t e n t i o n a l d i s c h a r g e . ) N o t e : to p e r f o r m t h i s t e s t o n a S m i t h & W e s s o n , y o u m u s t h o l d t h e c y l i n d e r t h u m b l a t c h t o t h e rear w h i l e p u l l i n g b a c k t h e h a m m e r .
• c l o s e t h e c y l i n d e r a n d dry f i re e a c h c h a m b e r . D o e s t h e c y l i n d e r r o t a t e s m o o t h l y w i t h o u t sk ipping? D o e s t h e h a m m e r r e l e a s e proper ly a n d fa l l s m a r t l y w i t h o u t b i n d i n g or h e s i t a t i o n ?
• t ry g e n t l y t o r o t a t e t h e c y l i n d e r , w i t h t h e h a m m e r d o w n and y o u r f i n g e r off t h e t r igger . D o e s t h e c y l i n d e r l o c k w i t h o u t a n y p r o n o u n c e d m o v e m e n t ? W h e n y o u l o o k d o w n t h e barre l , is i t
p r o p e r l y a l i g n e d w i t h a c h a m b e r ? (If y o u d e t e c t m o r e t h a n a b o u t 1 / 6 4 - i n c h p l a y in t h e c y l i n d e r , y o u h a v e a f a u l t y c y l i n d e r s t o p , w h i c h m a y c a u s e m i s a l i g n m e n t . If t h e c h a m b e r s are o u t of l i n e w i t h t h e barre l , t h e f i r ing p i n w o n ' t h i t t h e c e n t e r s of p r i m e r s . T h i s e x p o s e s y o u t o t h e r i s k s of p o s s i b l e m i s f i r e s . A l s o , t h e b u l l e t m a y s h a v e l e a d as i t e n t e r s t h e barre l , a f f e c t i n g a c c u r a c y . )
• c o c k t h e h a m m e r a n d lay y o u r t h u m b a l o n g t h e t o p of t h e b u t t s t rap a n d a g a i n s t t h e h a m m e r spur . W h e n y o u apply r e a s o n a b l e p r e s s u r e to t h e a r c t h e h a m m e r n o r m a l l y t r a v e l s , d o e s it r e m a i n s e c u r e l y in p lace? ( D o n ' t force t h e h a m m e r forw a r d , as y o u m a y create d a m a g e . )
• c h e c k t h e s c r e w s h o l d i n g t h e gr ips and t h e t w o s c r e w s o n t h e s i d e p l a t e . Are t h e y f i r m l y i n p lace? Are y o u r gr ips t i g h t and u n b r o k e n ?
• c a r e f u l l y r e l o a d y o u r a m m u n i t i o n , w i t h a sa fe s u r f a c e b e l o w t o c a t c h a n y fa l l ing r o u n d s . W i t h t h e c y l i n d e r fu l l and c l o s e d , r o t a t e t h e c y l i n d e r u n t i l i t c l i c k s i n t o p l a c e and al l p l a y is e l i m i n a t e d .
Semi-Automatic
E n g a g e t h e s a f e t y , r e m o v e t h e m a g a z i n e and p u l l t h e s l ide b a c k u n t i l i t e n g a g e s t h e s l ide s t o p . I n s p e c t t h e m a g a z i n e w e l l a n d c h a m b e r t o b e c e r t a i n t h e g u n is e m p t y .
• as y o u p u l l b a c k t h e s l ide , d o e s it m o v e s m o o t h l y ? D o e s t h e s t o p w o r k ?
• c h e c k t h e a c t i o n of t h e s a f e t y . D o e s it c l i c k i n t o p o s i t i o n proper ly?
• i n s p e c t t h e e j e c t i o n por t a n d t h e m a g a z i n e w e l l . Are t h e r e a n y o b s t r u c t i o n s ? (If so , y o u r g u n m a y fa i l t o f eed or e j e c t r o u n d s . )
• w i t h t h e s a f e t y off, l e t t h e s l ide spr ing f o r w a r d . D o e s it r e t u r n s m o o t h l y al l t h e w a y to t h e f ront? D o e s t h e h a m m e r r e m a i n c o c k e d ? (If n o t , a n int e r n a l par t is w o r n . Y o u m a y b e a b l e t o s h o o t , b u t y o u w i l l h a v e t r o u b l e f i r ing fas t , d o u b l e -a c t i o n s h o t s . )
• engage t h e s a f e t y so t h e h a m m e r is r e l e a s e d and fa l l s f o r w a r d . V e r y g e n t l y s q u e e z e t h e t r igger . I s t h e tr igger b l o c k e d ?
• c o c k t h e h a m m e r and p r e s s y o u r t h u m b w i t h r e a s o n a b l e f o r c e a g a i n s t t h e h a m m e r spur f r o m t h e rear . D o e s t h e h a m m e r r e m a i n in p lace?
• e x a m i n e t h e m a g a z i n e . Is i t f ree of p i t t i n g , b u r r s , r u s t , dents? (Pay p a r t i c u l a r a t t e n t i o n t o t h e l ips . ) Is t h e spr ing r e s i l i e n t e n o u g h to p u s h r o u n d s up t o t h e c h a m b e r ?
• i n s e r t t h e loaded m a g a z i n e . D o e s it c l i c k and l o c k i n t o p o s i t i o n ? (If n o t , i t m a y fai l to feed. )
• p l a c e t h e s a f e t y in t h e " o n " p o s i t i o n .
N o t e : If y o u r s e m i - a u t o m a t i c is a . 4 5 c a l . s i n g l e - a c t i o n m o d e l , y o u a l s o w a n t t o t e s t t h e grip s a f e t y . W i t h t h e g u n E M P T Y , c o c k t h e h a m m e r , p u s h t h e t h u m b s a f e t y off and t h e n p r e s s t h e tr igger w h i l e h o l d i n g t h e g u n b y t h e f r a m e so as n o t t o depress t h e grip s a f e t y . The hammer should not fall. If it d o e s , t h e grip s a f e t y is n o t f u n c t i o n i n g p r o p e r l y , a n d y o u s h o u l d n o t c a r r y t h e g u n o n d u t y .
N o w c o c k it aga in . B e s u r e t h e t h u m b s a f e t y is of f and p u l l t h e tr igger w i t h t h e g u n in a n o r m a l s h o o t i n g h o l d , w h i l e d e p r e s s i n g t h e grip s a f e t y . T h i s t i m e t h e hammer should fall. If i t does n o t , t h e s a f e t y is j a m m e d and y o u w o n ' t be a b l e t o f i re .
Shotgun
To conduct the firing pin test on the shotgun, empty the weapon first, then cock it. Use two fingers to keep the penny secure as you pull the trigger.
C a r e f u l l y e x t r a c t e a c h l ive r o u n d f r o m t h e magazine l oading p o r t , r a t h e r t h a n f r o m t h e s ide e j e c t i o n port , if p o s s i b l e . W i t h y o u r g u n e m p t y :
• i n s p e c t t h e b a r r e l . Is it f ree f r o m c r a c k s . . . b u l g e s . . . r u s t . . . p i t t i n g . . . l e a d i n g . . . o b s t r u c t i o n s ? Is i t t i g h t l y f i t t e d i n t o t h e r e c e i v e r ? (Bulges are u s u a l l y indic a t e d b y a s h a d o w y d e p r e s s i o n or a dark r ing in t h e b o r e or b y a b u b b l e or ra i sed r ing o n t h e barr e l ' s o u t s i d e s u r f a c e . If y o u d e t e c t b u l g e s or c r a c k s or t h e b a r r e l is l o o s e , t u r n t h e g u n o v e r to y o u r a r m o r e r . It is d a n g e r o u s for y o u t o u s e . )
• p u s h t h e s a f e t y o n and very g e n t l y a t t e m p t t o p u l l t h e t r igger . D o e s it m o v e ? (In t h i s p o s i t i o n , dry f i r ing s h o u l d n o t b e p o s s i b l e . )
• c o c k t h e s h o t g u n aga in . T a k e t h e s a f e t y off and s q u e e z e t h e tr igger t w i c e to a s s u r e t h a t t h e tr igger m e c h a n i s m is f u n c t i o n i n g c o r r e c t l y .
• w i t h t h e s a f e t y o n , r e m o v e t h e m a g a z i n e cap and t h e b a r r e l and t e s t y o u r f i r ing p i n . T o do s o , p u t a p e n n y a g a i n s t t h e f i r ing p i n h o l e . P l a c e t w o f ingers f la t a c r o s s t h e t o p of t h e o p e n i n g to p r e v e n t t h e p e n n y f r o m f ly ing o u t . N o w r e l e a s e t h e s a f e t y , c o c k t h e g u n and pul l t h e t r igger . D o e s t h e p in h i t t h e p e n n y w i t h e n o u g h f o r c e to d e n t it s l ight ly? (If n o t , i t w o n ' t d e t o n a t e t h e p r i m e r s of s h e l l s and t h e g u n w o n ' t f ire w h e n y o u n e e d i t . ) C A U T I O N : N e v e r s u b s t i t u t e y o u r f inger for a p e n n y b e c a u s e of t h e s t rong s t r i k i n g f o r c e of a proper ly f u n c t i o n i n g f i r ing p in .
• e x a m i n e t h e m a g a z i n e , i n s i d e a n d o u t . Is i t c l e a n . . . f r e e of dents? (If t h e m a g a z i n e is d ir ty or d a m a g e d , it m a y n o t f eed t h e s h e l l s i n t o t h e c h a m b e r . )
A properly functioning firing pin in your shotgun should strike the penny with enough force to dent it. [Here the dent is under the word "unum"\.
• v i s u a l l y e x a m i n e s h e l l s b e f o r e r e l o a d i n g . A r e t h e r e a n y c r a c k s , g o u g e s or o t h e r f l a w s t h a t c o u l d a f f e c t feeding?
• r e a s s e m b l e t h e s h o t g u n . M a k e c e r t a i n t h a t t h e b a r r e l f i t s s n u g l y i n t o t h e r e c e i v e r and t h a t t h e m a g a z i n e c a p is s c r e w e d o n t i g h t l y .
• r e l o a d , m a k i n g sure t h a t a l ive r o u n d is n o t in t h e c h a m b e r .
A Note on Dry Firing
W i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of t h e s h o t g u n , y o u r f i re a r m s w i l l b e n e f i t f r o m dry f i r ing . It t e n d s t o i m p r o v e tr igger p u l l and s m o o t h up t h e i n t e r n a l a c t i o n , as w e l l as i n c r e a s e y o u r f a m i l i a r i t y w i t h h o w y o u r g u n f e e l s w h e n it is f u n c t i o n i n g p r o p e r l y .
H o w e v e r , y o u s h o u l d dry f i re only a f t e r c o n f i r m i n g t h a t y o u r g u n is empty. A s a n e x t r a prec a u t i o n , y o u s h o u l d n e v e r p o i n t t h e g u n at p e o p l e , i n t e r i o r w a l l s , w i n d o w s or in a n y o t h e r d i r e c t i o n w h e r e t h e d a m a g e t h a t m i g h t r e s u l t f r o m d i s c h a r g ing an o v e r l o o k e d l i v e r o u n d c o u l d n o t b e l ived w i t h .
In t h e c a s e of t h e s h o t g u n , e x t e n s i v e dry f i r ing c a n d a m a g e t h e f i r ing p in a n d i t s c h a n n e l . I t is b e t t e r to h a v e t h e p in s t r i k e s o m e t h i n g a b o u t t h e s a m e h a r d n e s s as a p r i m e r w h e n y o u p u l l t h e t r igger . T h a t ' s w h y t h e p e n n y is r e c o m m e n d e d for t h e serv i c e a b i l i t y c h e c k .
3 8 9
PHYSICAL FITNESS
A n y o n e c a n b e an a r m c h a i r s u r v i v o r , l i k e anyo n e c a n b e a n a r m c h a i r t r a v e l e r . Y o u c a n s i t for h o u r s w i t h a b o o k l i k e t h i s and r e v i e w t h e t a c t i c s t h a t c a n h e l p k e e p y o u safe b e f o r e . . . d u r i n g . . . a n d a f ter an a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n . B u t c a n y o u t r a n s f e r t h e m to t h e s t r e e t , a c t u a l l y p e r f o r m t h e m w h e r e v e r and w h e n e v e r y o u n e e d to? T h a t ' s r e a l l y t h e o n l y q u e s t i o n t h a t ' s p e r t i n e n t a t t h i s p o i n t .
T w o f a c t o r s w i l l d e t e r m i n e y o u r a n s w e r : 1) t h e e x t e n t t o w h i c h y o u are w i l l i n g t o p r a c t i c e t h e p r o c e d u r e s and p h y s i c a l m a n e u v e r s w e ' v e o u t l i n e d as n e c e s s a r y for s u r v i v a l s k i l l , a n d 2) t h e degree of y o u r p h y s i c a l f i t n e s s .
L e t ' s f a c e an u n f o r t u n a t e t r u t h : m o s t o f f i ce rs are in t e r r i b l e p h y s i c a l s h a p e . T h e l o n g e r t h e y ' v e b e e n a w a y f r o m t h e a c a d e m y , t h e w o r s e c o n d i t i o n t h e y ' r e l i k e l y t o b e in . I n m o s t d e p a r t m e n t s , p h y s i c a l t r a i n i n g is s t r i c t l y v o l u n t a r y and l i t t l e is ever sa id a b o u t p o o r c o n d i t i o n . O f f i c e r s m a y t e l l t h e m s e l v e s t h e y ' r e f i t a n d t o n e d , b u t m a n y , f a c e d w i t h t h e n e c e s s i t y of e x i t i n g t h e i r u n i t s a n d r u n n i n g h a l f a b l o c k i n p u r s u i t of a s u s p e c t , w o u l d fal l f lat o n t h e i r f a c e s b e f o r e t h e y got a r o u n d t o t h e f ront of t h e i r p a t r o l car !
L i k e t h e i r d i s i n t e r e s t in t h o r o u g h l y f a m i l i a r i z ing t h e m s e l v e s w i t h t h e f i r e a r m s t h e y carry , t h e i r p h y s i c a l n e g l i g e n c e r e f l e c t s l a z i n e s s , c o m p l a c e n c y — a n d a f a i l u r e to p e r c e i v e t h e r e l e v a n c e t o s u r v i v a l .
P h y s i c a l f i t n e s s is r e l e v a n t to s t a y i n g a l ive in l a w e n f o r c e m e n t . E f f e c t i v e d e f e n s e m a n e u v e r s re-
q u i r e d e x t e r i t y , s t r e n g t h , a g i l i t y , s u p p l e n e s s . For t h e p h y s i c a l e x e r t i o n u n d e r s t r e s s t h a t ' s c o m m o n t o a r m e d e n c o u n t e r s , y o u n e e d a w e l l - t u n e d c a r d i o v a s c u l a r s y s t e m . Q u i c k r e f l e x e s a n d g o o d e y e - h a n d c o o r d i n a t i o n are m a n d a t o r y for t h e u s e of surpr i se and for a c c u r a t e s h o o t i n g .
A s w e said at t h e b e g i n n i n g , s u r v i v a l preparedn e s s is a s y s t e m t h a t c o m b i n e s t a c t i c a l k n o w l e d g e , s h o o t i n g s k i l l , m e n t a l a t t i t u d e — and p h y s i c a l c o n d i t i o n i n g . E l i m i n a t e or n e g l e c t a n y of t h e s e c o m p o n e n t s and y o u h a v e a s y s t e m w i t h a h o l e i n it b ig e n o u g h t o dr ive a b u l l e t t h r o u g h .
J u s t p r a c t i c i n g t h e s u r v i v a l t e c h n i q u e s desc r i b e d i n t h e p r e v i o u s c h a p t e r s t o t h e p o i n t t h a t y o u c a n p e r f o r m t h e m e f f i c i e n t l y w i l l h e l p k e e p y o u in good p h y s i c a l s h a p e . B y t h e s a m e t o k e n , adding r e g u l a r c o n d i t i o n i n g e x e r c i s e s a n d g a m e s t h a t r e l a t e s p e c i f i c a l l y t o s u r v i v a l f i t n e s s w i l l h e l p y o u m a s t e r t h e t a c t i c a l t e c h n i q u e s y o u are p r a c t i c i n g . T h e m o r e y o u do of e a c h , t h e m o r e p r o f i c i e n t y o u b e c o m e at b o t h — a n d t h e b e t t e r y o u r c h a n c e s of s u c c e s s f u l l y h a n d l i n g c h a l l e n g e s t h a t t h r e a t e n y o u r l i f e .
Exercises
T h e f o r m s of e x e r c i s e t h a t c a n g i v e y o u t h e b e s t a l l - a r o u n d c o n d i t i o n i n g for t a c t i c a l r e a d i n e s s p r o b a b l y are r u n n i n g and s w i m m i n g . T h e s e a c t i v i t i e s c a n d r a m a t i c a l l y i m p r o v e y o u r c a r d i o v a s c u l a r s y s t e m so t h a t y o u r h e a r t a n d l u n g s c a n b e t t e r a c c o m m o d a t e s u d d e n e x e r t i o n . If y o u ' r e not in s h a p e a n d n e e d to c h a s e and t h e n s h o o t a s u s p e c t , y o u ' l l h a v e a t o u g h t i m e doing s o , b e c a u s e y o u r h e a r t w i l l b e r a c i n g and y o u r l u n g s h e a v i n g t o t h e p o i n t t h a t g e t t i n g s t e a d i l y o n target b e c o m e s a l l b u t i m p o s s i b l e . Y o u ' l l e x p e r i e n c e s o m e p h y s i o l o g i c a l e f f e c t s f r o m s t r e s s a l o n e , of c o u r s e . B u t if y o u ' v e e x e r c i s e d so t h a t y o u r e n d u r a n c e is l e n g t h e n e d , y o u r l u n g c a p a c i t y e x p a n d e d a n d y o u r h e a r t r a t e c o n t r o l l e d , o v e r e x e r t i o n w i l l n o t b e c o m p l i c a t i n g t h e p r o b l e m . C o n s e q u e n t l y , y o u r s h o o t i n g a c c u r a c y w i l l be far g r e a t e r a n d y o u r proba b i l i t y for s u r v i v i n g i m p r o v e d c o n s i d e r a b l y .
S o m e c a l i s t h e n i c s , i n c l u d i n g t h o s e p e r f o r m e d w i t h a s i m p l e h a n d a p p a r a t u s , c a n h e l p s t r e n g t h e n and t o n e y o u r s h o u l d e r s , a r m s and h a n d s , w h i c h are i m p o r t a n t in s h o o t i n g and m o s t o t h e r m a n e u v e r s . G o o d s h o o t e r s t e n d t o h a v e w e l l - d e v e l o p e d fore a r m s a n d s h o u l d e r s . P u s h - u p s h e l p , of c o u r s e . A n d a r m c u r l s , w i t h d u m b b e l l s . T h e s e are e x e r c i s e s y o u c a n do w h i l e w a t c h i n g t e l e v i s i o n . T h e y ' l l h e l p
This inexpensive chest pull exerciser can be used 11 different ways to improve arm, chest, shoulder and upper back muscle tone.
q u i c k e n y o u r d r a w b y d e v e l o p i n g t h e m u s c l e s inv o l v e d . . . g i v e y o u e x t r a s t r e n g t h in h o l d i n g and c o n t r o l l i n g y o u r g u n t o c o m p e n s a t e for t h e weakening e f f e c t s of s t r e s s dur ing a c o n f r o n t a t i o n . . .and a l so d e v e l o p m u s c l e m a s s to h e l p a b s o r b t h e r e c o i l of y o u r g u n . B y r e p e a t e d l y s q u e e z i n g a r u b b e r b a l l in y o u r p a l m or w o r k i n g a spr ing- loaded h a n d exer c i s e r , e i t h e r of w h i c h y o u c a n car ry w i t h y o u o n d u t y , y o u c a n b u i l d u p t h e s t r e n g t h of y o u r gr ip. W i t h t h e spr ing e x e r c i s e r , s q u e e z e o n l y w i t h y o u r m i d d l e , r ing and l i t t l e f ingers , s l o w l y and del ibe r a t e l y , m a k i n g sure t h a t y o u r t r igger f inger does n o t r e a c t a t t h e s a m e t i m e . T h i s h e l p s t r a i n it to o p e r a t e i n d e p e n d e n t l y w h e n s h o o t i n g . T o i m p r o v e y o u r e n d u r a n c e , put a n i c k e l b e t w e e n t h e h a n d l e s of y o u r e x e r c i s e r and see h o w long y o u c a n h o l d it in p l a c e b y s q u e e z i n g t h e h a n d l e s .
S o m e o f f i c e r s h a n g a r u b b e r " s q u e e z e b l o c k " o n t h e h a n d l e of t h e i r s p o t l i g h t and " w o r k o u t " t h e i r h a n d s a n d w r i s t s as t h e y dr ive o n p a t r o l . A n o t h e r p a t r o l c a r o p t i o n is to f i l l a C o k e b o t t l e w i t h sand, c a p it a n d h o l d it s t r a i g h t o u t to y o u r s ide over t h e sea t as y o u dr ive . T h i s d e v e l o p s t h e m u s c l e s a c r o s s t h e top of y o u r a r m a n d in y o u r c h e s t and w i l l m a k e it e a s i e r for y o u to h o l d y o u r g u n s t e a d y at a r m ' s l e n g t h , as in t h e i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g p o s i t i o n . T o
d e v e l o p f i n g e r d e x t e r i t y and gr ip , h o l d a fu l l s h e e t of n e w s p a p e r b y o n e c o r n e r , u s i n g o n l y o n e h a n d . T r y t o c r u s h i t i n t o a l i t t l e b a l l in t h e p a l m of y o u r h a n d .
I s o m e t r i c e x e r c i s e s , w h i c h p i t y o u r m u s c l e s a g a i n s t r e s i s t a n c e to d e v e l o p t h e i r s t r e n g t h , c a n a l so b e p e r f o r m e d in y o u r pa t ro l c a r . P r e s s t h e v e r y t ip of y o u r f inger a g a i n s t t h e d a s h b o a r d as hard as y o u c a n for i n c r e a s i n g l y l o n g per iods , for e x a m p l e . T h i s w i l l h e l p s t r e n g t h e n y o u r tr igger f inger a n d r e d u c e t h e e f for t of s h o o t i n g . W h e n y o u ' r e p a r k e d , p u t b o t h h a n d s o n t h e s t e e r i n g w h e e l a t t h r e e and n i n e o ' c l o c k p o s i t i o n s and s q u e e z e t o g e t h e r as hard as y o u c a n w i t h y o u r h a n d s a n d f o r e a r m s . K e e p y o u r h a n d s in t h a t p o s i t i o n and n o w p u l l o u t w a r d . N o w h o l d t h e w h e e l so l id w i t h o n e h a n d and w r i s t and t ry to t u r n it w i t h t h e o t h e r . S w i t c h b o t h h a n d s to t h e t o p of t h e w h e e l . F o r c e t h e m d o w n w a r d w i t h a l l y o u r s t r e n g t h , t ry ing to l i f t y o u r s e l f up w i t h t h e s t r e n g t h of y o u r a r m s a n d s h o u l d e r s . T h e n w i t h y o u r h a n d s at t h e b o t t o m of t h e w h e e l , p a l m s up , r e v e r s e y o u r e f for t . P u s h up w i t h y o u r h a n d s , t ry ing to f o r c e y o u r b o d y d o w n d e e p e r i n t o t h e s e a t . S t a r t w i t h 10 s e c o n d s of m a x i m u m effort for e a c h e x e r c i s e and b u i l d up g r a d u a l l y t o 2 0 and 3 0 . T h e s e e x e r c i s e s w i l l s t r e n g t h e n y o u r h a n d and a r m m u s c l e s t h a t r e l a t e to grip s t e a d i n e s s and e n d u r a n c e , t i g h t e n y o u r s t o m a c h m u s c l e s and e x p a n d y o u r l u n g c a p a c i t y .
3 9 2
O t h e r e x e r c i s e s w i l l i m p r o v e y o u r r e f l e x e s and e y e - h a n d c o o r d i n a t i o n , w h i c h a f f e c t y o u r a b i l i t y t o r e a c t t o d a n g e r and t o get o n ta rge t q u i c k l y and a c c u r a t e l y . O n e c o n d i t i o n e r is t o h o l d a d o l l a r b i l l up b e t w e e n y o u r t h u m b and tr igger f i n g e r . . . d r o p i t . . . a n d t h e n t ry to c a t c h i t r i g h t a w a y . T h i s h e l p s y o u r e d u c e lag t i m e ; i t ' s a l o t h a r d e r t h a n it s o u n d s , and y o u ' v e got t o b e w e l l - t u n e d t o do i t . A n o t h e r o p t i o n , w i t h y o u r p a r t n e r or a m e m b e r of y o u r f a m i ly , is t o h a v e h i m s t a n d w i t h h i s h a n d s a b o u t s h o u l d e r w i d t h apart and s u d d e n l y m o v e t o c l a p t h e m t o g e t h e r w i t h o u t w a r n i n g y o u . Y o u w a n t t o r a i s e y o u r h a n d f r o m y o u r s ide a n d ge t it b e t w e e n h i s h a n d s b e f o r e t h e y c a n c o m e t o g e t h e r . T r y t h i s w h i l e w a t c h i n g h i s eyes, r a t h e r t h a n h i s h a n d s , a n d see if y o u c a n l e a r n t o d e t e c t t h e s u b t l e " t e l e g r a p h " m e s s a g e s t h a t m o s t p e o p l e s e n d s u b c o n s c i o u s l y b e f o r e t h e y t a k e o f f e n s i v e a c t i o n .
W h i l e o n p a t r o l , y o u c a n e x e r c i s e y o u r e y e - h a n d m o v e m e n t s b y q u i c k l y p o i n t i n g at o b j e c t s ( u n o b t r u s i v e l y ) w i t h y o u r i n d e x f inger , w i t h o u t l o o k i n g at i t . C h e c k y o u r a l i g n m e n t t o s e e if y o u w o u l d h a v e b e e n " o n t a r g e t , " had y o u r f i n g e r b e e n y o u r g u n . C o n s i d e r i n g t h a t y o u r g u n is regarded as a n e x t e n s i o n of y o u r h a n d i n i n s t i n c t s h o o t i n g , t h i s e x e r c i s e c a n h e l p s h a r p e n y o u r a i m . A t n i g h t y o u c a n m a k e t h i s e x e r c i s e h a r d e r by f i rs t l o o k i n g at l i g h t s , t h e n l o o k i n g a w a y and a b r u p t l y p o i n t i n g at s o m e t h i n g . Y o u ' l l b e surpr i sed h o w far off y o u ' l l b e — u n t i l , w i t h p r a c t i c e , y o u l e a r n t o r e c o g n i z e and c o m p e n s a t e for t h e w a y b r i g h t l i g h t s c a n a l t e r y o u r
A $6 investment in improving hand strength, even during patrol. Squeeze until the handles touch, then release. Now turn the Hand Grips® with your thumb at the open end of the handles. Squeeze and release and repeat up to 30 counts each way. Practice with each hand as well.
An effective exercise which requires no gym or expense. The purpose is to strengthen the shoulders and arms, especially the tricep muscles. The result is improved coordination in using a firearm.
v i s i o n . A n o t h e r e y e s h a r p e n e r is t o t ry t o read l i c e n s e p l a t e s Goming t o w a r d y o u — n o t to d e t e c t w a n t e d c a r s n e c e s s a r i l y , b u t t o q u i c k e n y o u r r e a c t i o n s a n d o b s e r v a t i o n s .
O f c o u r s e , b y e l i m i n a t i n g or r e d u c i n g y o u r i n t a k e of n i c o t i n e , a l c o h o l , c a f f e i n e a n d o t h e r c h e m i c a l s , y o u c a n i m p r o v e y o u r p h y s i c a l f i t n e s s in m y r i a d w a y s — a n d y o u r l i k e l i h o o d n o t o n l y of s u r v i v i n g g u n f i g h t s b u t e x t e n d i n g y o u r l i fe in g e n e r a l .
If, d e s p i t e c o n s c i e n t i o u s p r a c t i c e , e x e r c i s e and " c l e a n " l iv ing , y o u f ind y o u s t i l l h a v e t r o u b l e s h o o t i n g s w i f t l y and a c c u r a t e l y , c o n s i d e r h a v i n g y o u r s e l f t e s t e d b y a p h y s i c i a n or t h e r a p i s t w h o s p e c i a l i z e s in d e t e c t i n g and t r e a t i n g d y s l e x i a . T h i s is an i n - b o r n d i s t u r b a n c e of t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e e y e s and t h e b r a i n w h i c h c a n c a u s e p e r c e p t u a l d i s t o r t i o n s ranging f r o m m i l d t o s e v e r e . S o m e p o l i c e t r a i n e r s h a v e f o u n d as h i g h as 3 0 per c e n t of t h e i r s t u d e n t s suf fer ing f r o m s o m e f o r m of d y s l e x i c d i f f i c u l t y . A c l u e t o t h i s o f t e n is t r o u b l e in l e a r n i n g t o read as a c h i l d . S u c h d i sorders f r e q u e n t l y c a n b e t r e a t e d a n d e i t h e r c o r r e c t e d f u l l y or c o m p e n s a t e d for . B u t if y o u ' r e u n a w a r e of t h e s i t u a t i o n , i t
3 9 4
m a y b e a f a c t o r in y o u r m i s s i n g y o u r a s s a i l a n t in a c o m b a t e n c o u n t e r .
Sports C e r t a i n p o p u l a r g a m e s t h a t p e o p l e p l a y for
r e c r e a t i o n , p l u s o n e s y o u c a n d e v i s e w i t h a t a c t i c a l p u r p o s e i n m i n d , c a n a l s o h e i g h t e n y o u r s u r v i v a l r e a d i n e s s . P i n g - p o n g , r a c q u e t b a l l , b a s e b a l l , h a n d b a l l , i n d o o r b a d m i n t o n — t h e s e f a s t - m o v i n g s p o r t s c a n h e l p d e v e l o p y o u r e y e - h a n d c o o r d i n a t i o n and ge t y o u a c c u s t o m e d t o m a n i p u l a t i n g e f f e c t i v e l y a n o b j e c t in y o u r h a n d s w i t h o u t h a v i n g t o l o o k at w h a t t h e y ' r e d o i n g . T h i s c a n w o r k t o i m p r o v e y o u r m a n i p u l a t i o n of y o u r g u n in a c l o s e c o m b a t s i t u a t i o n . H u n t i n g , t o o , is g o o d . O r s k e e t - or t rap-s h o o t i n g . A n y a c t i v i t y t h a t d e m a n d s q u i c k s h o o t i n g or h i t t i n g of a m o v i n g ta rge t .
W i t h s o m e i m a g i n a t i o n , y o u c a n t u r n t h e p r a c t i c e of s u r v i v a l t e c h n i q u e s i n t o a spor t or g a m e . O n e o f f i c e r p r a c t i c e s r e l o a d i n g h i s s e m i - a u t o m a t i c (using a n e m p t y m a g a z i n e , o f c o u r s e ) b y t u r n i n g off t h e l i g h t s in h i s l i v i n g r o o m a n d s e e i n g if h e c a n re load b y t o u c h b e f o r e h i s w i f e c a n tag h i m . U s i n g cap p i s t o l s , o t h e r s p r a c t i c e d i s a r m i n g t a c t i c s w i t h t h e i r w i v e s , w h o t ry t o c o m e up w i t h n e w w a y s of grabb ing or h o l d i n g a g u n t h a t c a n ' t b e q u i c k l y def e a t e d . K e e p in m i n d t h a t t h e l o n g e r y o u h a v e to t h i n k a b o u t h o w t o d i s a r m an a s s a i l a n t , t h e g r e a t e r l i k e l i h o o d y o u ' l l b e k i l l e d if i t w e r e rea l l i f e . I n S a n F r a n c i s c o , e x - c o n v i c t s i n a r e h a b i l i t a t i o n prog r a m m e e t w i t h p o l i c e o f f i c e r s t o s t a g e i m p r o m p t u , r e a l i s t i c i n c i d e n t s l i k e t h o s e t h e y f o r m e r l y exper i e n c e d o n t h e s t r e e t , so t h e o f f i c e r s c a n b e c o m e m o r e f a m i l i a r w i t h a d v e r s a r y t a c t i c s a n d h o w to dea l w i t h t h e m .
O n p a t r o l , y o u c a n t u r n " r o u t i n e " o b s e r v a t i o n i n t o a s u r v i v a l - o r i e n t e d g a m e . A s y o u w a t c h p e o p l e in a c r o w d or o n t h e s i d e w a l k , p i c k o u t c e r t a i n o n e s at r a n d o m and a s s u m e t h a t t h e y are a r m e d s u s p e c t s . H o w w o u l d y o u d e p l o y t o a p p r o a c h t h e m ? W h a t c o v e r m i g h t y o u use? H o w c o u l d y o u b e s t p r o t e c t y o u r s e l f a n d / o r s h o o t b a c k if t h e y s u d d e n l y disp layed a g g r e s s i v e b e h a v i o r ?
W i t h y o u r p a r t n e r or o t h e r o f f i c e r s , y o u m a y b e ab le to se t up y o u r o w n " a s s a u l t c o u r s e " for target p r a c t i c e . W i t h scrap y o u c a n get f ree f r o m m o s t d u m p s , y o u c a n e r e c t m o v e a b l e o b s t a c l e s , b a r r i c a d e s and " s u s p e c t s " and p r a c t i c e f i r ing u n d e r v a r i o u s s c e n a r i o s t h a t i n v o l v e t i m e a n d s t r e s s c o n d i t i o n s . If y o u u s e d u t y r o u n d s , r a t h e r t h a n l ight loads or b l a n k s , y o u ' l l get a c c u s t o m e d to j u s t h o w y o u r g u n f e e l s w h e n it g o e s off . N a t u r a l l y , y o u ' l l w a n t t o p r a c t i c e in a sa fe , i s o l a t e d area w h e r e t h e r e ' s a good b a c k s t o p , l i k e a dirt e m b a n k m e n t . M i x s o m e e m p t y
c a s e s in w i t h y o u r l ive r o u n d s so y o u ' l l h a v e a " m a l f u n c t i o n " t h a t w i l l g i v e y o u an o p p o r t u n i t y to p r a c t i c e " i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n " p r o c e d u r e s . W o r k i n g o u t t h e r e a f e w t i m e s a m o n t h , in a l l k i n d s of w e a t h e r , w i l l p r o b a b l y go a l o t f a r t h e r t o w a r d k e e p i n g y o u fit for t h e s t r e e t t h a n f i r ing o n a c o n v e n t i o n a l r a n g e .
A n o t h e r p r a c t i c e p o s s i b i l i t y w i t h y o u r p a r t n e r is a s o p h i s t i c a t e d v e r s i o n of h i d e - a n d - s e e k . U s i n g a b u i l d i n g , an a l l e y or o t h e r a p p r o p r i a t e l o c a t i o n , a s s u m e a g i v e n c a l l , s u c h as " p r o w l e r , " " m a n -w i t h - a - g u n " or " b u r g l a r y - i n - p r o g r e s s . " T a k e t u r n s b e i n g t h e o f f i c e r w h o p l o t s a t a c t i c a l a p p r o a c h and a s u s p e c t w h o t r i e s to h i d e and o u t w i t t h e p o l i c e t o ge t off t h e f i rs t s h o t . O b v i o u s l y , l ive a m m u n i t i o n s h o u d n ' t b e u s e d in t h i s e x e r c i s e and e v e n b l a n k s m i g h t b e d i s t u r b i n g t o o t h e r p e o p l e . W a t e r g u n s , t h o u g h , c a n add a l i t t l e zes t to t h e g a m e , w h i c h c a n b e p l a y e d b o t h by day l ight and at n i g h t w h e n y o u m i g h t n e e d t o c o n s i d e r l ight c o n t r o l . A f t e r w a r d s , a l w a y s c r i t i q u e t h e " o f f i c e r ' s " m o v e m e n t s and h o w t h e y c o u l d h a v e b e e n b e t t e r .
T o add a s t r o n g d o s e of r e a l i t y to y o u r r o l e -p l a y i n g e x e r c i s e s , c o n s i d e r r e c r e a t i n g in as m u c h d e t a i l a s p o s s i b l e t h e e x a c t c i r c u m s t a n c e s of i n c i d e n t s in w h i c h o f f i ce rs h a v e b e e n w o u n d e d or k i l l e d . W i t h y o u r p a r t n e r a n d o t h e r o f f i c e r s , e x p e r i m e n t w i t h v a r i o u s t a c t i c s in an effort to d i s c o v e r h o w t h e o f f i c e r i n j u r y m i g h t h a v e b e e n p r e v e n t e d . In t h i s w a y , y o u ' l l r e a l i z e h o w e a s i l y fa ta l m i s t a k e s c a n b e m a d e b u t a l s o b e c o m e a w a r e of t h e t a c t i c a l o p t i o n s a v a i l a b l e in m o s t a r m e d e n c o u n t e r s .
W i t h e x e r c i s e s and r e h e a r s a l s , as w i t h o t h e r c o m p o n e n t s of s u r v i v a l , t h e c o r e f a c t o r is instinct. Y o u r goa l is t o d e v e l o p y o u r t a c t i c a l e n g i n e e r i n g and y o u r m e n t a l and p h y s i c a l f i t n e s s to t h e p o i n t t h a t y o u c a n plan, move and shoot instinctively, in w a y s t h a t k e e p y o u a l i v e .
T h e c h a l l e n g e is n e v e r over , r e a l l y . T h e r e are a l w a y s n e w p r o b l e m s to c o n s i d e r . . . n e w t a c t i c s to d e v e l o p . . . n e w s k i l l s to m a s t e r in y o u r e f for t to ga in t h e edge over p o t e n t i a l a r m e d a s s a i l a n t s . B u t t h e w a y s in w h i c h y o u see y o u r s e l f i m p r o v i n g , y o u r s u r v i v a l s e n s e s s h a r p e n i n g , c a n k e e p y o u g o i n g . Y o u n e e d determination, persistence, and willingness t o w o r k h a r d .
Y o u are l i k e an a t h l e t e in t r a i n i n g . B u t w h e n you w o r k o u t , y o u are t r a i n i n g for t h e ultimate c o m p e t i t i o n .
3 9 6
ADDITIONAL READING
V a r i o u s o t h e r b o o k s a n d a r t i c l e s c a n prov ide u s e f u l s u p p l e m e n t a r y i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t s o m e of t h e s u b j e c t s w e ' v e c o v e r e d , p a r t i c u l a r l y in h e l p i n g y o u u n d e r s t a n d , e v a l u a t e and m a i n t a i n y o u r f i r e a r m s , a m m u n i t i o n a n d p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t . S o m e a l s o provide a d d i t i o n a l d a t a o n w h a t to e x p e c t in a r m e d c o n f r o n t a t i o n s a n d e x a m p l e s of m i l i t a r y c o m b a t p r o c e d u r e s and t e c h n i q u e s t h a t c a n b e a d a p t e d to s t r e e t s i t u a t i o n s . A m o n g t h o s e y o u m a y f ind h e l p f u l a re :
BOOKS and MANUALS
A g o s t a , R o y , Manual of Basic Police Firearms Instructions and Safe Handling Practices, Springfield, I l l inois : C h a r l e s C T h o m a s P u b l i s h e r , 1 9 7 8 .
, Ambush Attacks, A Risk Reduction Manual for Police, G a i t h e r s b u r g , M a r y l a n d : I n t e r n a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n of C h i e f s of P o l i c e , 1 9 7 4 .
B e l l a h , K e n t , Book of Pistols and Revolvers, N e w Y o r k , N e w Y o r k : C a s t l e B o o k s , 1 9 7 5 . B r o o k s , P i e r c e , Officer Down, Code Three, S c h i l l e r P a r k , I l l inois : M o t o r o l a T e l e p r o g r a m s ,
I n c . , 1 9 7 5 .
C o o p e r , Jeff, Principles of Personal Defense, B o u l d e r , C o l o r a d o : P a l a d i n P r e s s , 1 9 7 2 .
D a l e y , R o b e r t , Target Blue, N e w Y o r k , N e w Y o r k : D e l a c o r t e P r e s s , 1 9 7 1 .
, Defensive Tactics, A Manual for Law Enforcement Officers, W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . : F e d e r a l B u r e a u of I n v e s t i g a t i o n , 1 9 7 0 .
F a i r b a i r n , C a p t . W . E . , and S y k e s , C a p t . E . A . , Shooting to Live, H o u s t o n , T e x a s : L a n c e r M i l i t a r i a , 1 9 7 1 .
Fyfe , J a m e s J o s e p h , Shots Fired: An Examination of New York City Police Firearms Discharges, A n n Arbor , M i c h i g a n : U n i v e r s i t y M i c r o f i l m s , I n t e r n a t i o n a l , 1 9 7 8 .
G r e n n e l l , D e a n A . , Law Enforcement Handgun Digest, N o r t h f i e l d , I l l inois : D B I B o o k s , I n c . , 1 9 7 6 .
3 9 7
J o r d a n , Bi l l , No Second Place Winner, S h r e v e p o r t , L o u i s i a n a : Bil l Jordan, 1 9 6 5 .
J o s s e r a n d , M i c h e l H . , a n d S t e v e n s o n , Jan, Pistols, Revolvers and Ammunition, N e w Y o r k ,
N e w Y o r k : C r o w n P u b l i s h e r s , I n c . , 1 9 6 8 .
, Law Enforcement Officers Killed Summary, W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . : F e d e r a l B u r e a u of
I n v e s t i g a t i o n U n i f o r m C r i m e R e p o r t s , A n n u a l .
M a s o n , J a m e s D . , Combat Handgun Shooting, Springfield, I l l inois : C h a r l e s C T h o m a s P u b l i s h e r , 1 9 7 6 .
M i l t o n , C a t h e r i n e , e t a l . , Police Use of Deadly Force, W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . : P o l i c e F o u n d a t i o n , 1 9 7 7 .
M o v e r , Sgt . F r a n k A . , a n d Scroggie , R o b e r t J . , Special Forces Combat Firing Techniques,
H o u s t o n , T e x a s : L a n c e r M i l i t a r i a , 1 9 7 1 .
, NRA Illustrated Firearms Handling Handbook, W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . : N a t i o n a l Rifle A s s o c i a t i o n , 1 9 6 4 .
, NRA Illustrated Shooting Handbook, W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . : N a t i o n a l Rifle A s s o c i a t i o n , 1 9 7 1 .
, Report of Police Body Armor Testing, G a i t h e r s b u r g , M a r y l a n d : I n t e r n a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n of C h i e f s of P o l i c e , 1 9 7 8 .
R e x e r , F r e d L . , Jr . , Dead or Alive, H o u s t o n , T e x a s : I D A C , I n c . , 1 9 7 7 .
R i c e , F . P h i l i p , Gun Data Book, N e w Y o r k , N e w Y o r k : H a r p e r & R o w , 1 9 7 5 .
R o b e r t s , D u k e , a n d B r i s t o w , A l l e n P . , Introduction to Modern Police Firearms, B e v e r l y H i l l s , C a l i f o r n i a : G l e n c o e P r e s s , 1 9 6 9 .
R o b i n s o n , R o b i n H , The Police Shotgun Manual, Springfield, I l l inois : C h a r l e s C T h o m a s P u b l i s h e r , 1 9 7 3 .
R u b i n s t e i n , J o n a t h a n , City Police, N e w Y o r k , N e w Y o r k : Farrar , S t r a u s and G i r o u x , 1 9 7 3 .
S c a n l o n , D e t . R o b e r t A . , edi tor , The Law Enforcement Bible, S o u t h H a c k e n s a c k , N e w J e r s e y : S t o e g e r P u b l i s h i n g C o m p a n y , 1 9 7 8 .
S k i l l e n , C . R . , a n d W i l l i a m s , M . , American Police Handgun Training, Springfield, I l l inois :
C h a r l e s C T h o m a s P u b l i s h e r , 1 9 7 7 .
S o n d e r s t r o m , D r . C a r l A . , e t a l . , Medical Assessment of a New Soft Body Armor, A b e r d e e n ,
M a r y l a n d : U . S . A r m y A r m a m e n t R e s e a r c h a n d D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m a n d , 1 9 7 8 .
T e r r y , R o g e r , Flatfoot, Fuzz, Pig & Screw, C h i c a g o , I l l inois : R o g e r T e r r y , 1 9 7 8 .
V a n H e l t e b r a k e , Jerry, Bdsic Combat Pistol Marksmanship, N o r t h b r o o k , I l l inois : B u d d a A s s o c i a t e s , 1 9 7 3 .
V a n K i r k , M a r v i n L . , a n d L i n d e l l , J a m e s W . , Revolver Retention for Law Enforcement Officers, K a n s a s C i t y , M i s s o u r i : K a n s a s C i t y P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t , 1 9 7 6 .
W h i t t e m o r e , L . H . , The Super Cops, N e w Y o r k , N e w Y o r k : B a n t a m B o o k s , I n c . , 1 9 7 3 . W i l b e r , C h a r l e s G . , Ballistic Science for the Law Enforcement Officer, Springfield, I l l inois :
C h a r l e s C T h o m a s P u b l i s h e r , 1 9 7 7 .
W i l l i a m s , M a s o n , The Law Enforcement Book of Weapons, Ammunition and Training Procedures, Springfield, I l l inois : C h a r l e s C T h o m a s P u b l i s h e r , 1 9 7 7 .
W o o d , J . B . , Troubleshooting Your Handgun, N o r t h f i e l d , I l l inois : D B I B o o k s , I n c . , 1 9 7 8 .
J O U R N A L and MAGAZINE ARTICLES A y o o b , M a s s a d F . , " A m b u s h , " Law & Order, pp . 6 2 - 6 8 , O c t o b e r , 1 9 7 4 . A y o o b , M a s s a d F . , " W h e n t h e Off icer F a c e s a n A r m o r e d F e l o n , " Law & Order, pp. 7 4 - 7 9 ,
O c t o b e r , 1 9 7 7 . , " B o u n c i n g B u l l e t s , " FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, pp . 2 - 5 , O c t o b e r , 1 9 6 9 .
C h a m b e r s , H e r b e r t O , " T h e P o l i c e H a n d g u n a n d A m m u n i t i o n — T o d a y , " Police Officers Association of Nebraska Journal, pp . 2 3 - 2 9 , 1 9 7 6 .
C h a m b l i s , L u c y , " D o e s C o m b a t S h o o t i n g C o s t C o p s ' L i v e s ? " pp . 8 8 - 9 2 , 1 2 4 - 1 2 5 , Guns & Ammo, S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 7 6 .
C h r i s t y , J o h n , " B o d y A r m o r a n d t h e E n d a n g e r e d E x e c u t i v e , " pp . 3 0 - 3 3 , Assets Protection, v o l . 3 . n o . 2 , 1 9 7 8 .
, " C o m b a t S t a n c e s for P o l i c e , " American Handgunner, pp . 1 8 - 1 9 , M a y - J u n e 1 9 7 8 .
3 9 8
C o r y , B r u c e , " D e a d l y F o r c e , " Police Magazine, pp . 5 - 1 4 , N o v e m b e r , 1 9 7 8 .
D a v i d s o n , J o h n , " E x e r c i s e s t o I m p r o v e Y o u r S h o o t i n g , " National Marksman, pp . 1 4 - 1 5 , J a n u a r y - F e b r u a r y , 1 9 7 9 .
D i M a i o , D r . V i n c e n t J . M . , e t a l . , " A C o m p a r i s o n of t h e W o u n d i n g E f f e c t s of C o m m e r c i a l l y A v a i l a b l e H a n d g u n A m m u n i t i o n S u i t a b l e for P o l i c e U s e , " FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, pp . 3 - 8 , D e c e m b e r , 1 9 7 4 .
D r a g l a n d , Sgt . D o n , " S o f t B o d y A r m o r , S o m e B a s i c s , " FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, pp . 1 5 -17 , F e b r u a r y , 1 9 7 9 .
G r e e n , Sgt . J a m e s J . , " P l a i n c l o t h e d P o l i c e P e r s o n n e l : A n I d e n t i f i c a t i o n P r o b l e m , " FBI Law
Enforcement Bulletin, pp. 1 6 - 2 1 , Apr i l , 1 9 7 5 .
Guiff r ida , L o u i s O . , et a l . , " S e r v i c e S i d e a r m R e t e n t i o n , " The Police Chief, pp. 5 0 - 5 2 , O c t o b e r , 1 9 7 8 .
H a s h w a y , R o b e r t M . , a n d N u t t a l l , R o n a l d L . , " T h e Effec t of W e a r i n g P r o t e c t i v e G a r m e n t s a n d t h e A g g r e s s i v e B e h a v i o r of P o l i c e O f f i c e r s , " The Police Chief, p . 2 8 9 - 2 9 1 , O c t o b e r , 1 9 7 8 .
J o h n s o n , N o r m a n E . , " T h e H o w s a n d W h y s of P r o p e r G u n C a r e , " Guns & Ammo, pp. 6 2 - 6 3 8 8 , D e c e m b e r , 1 9 7 8 .
L i n d e l l , J a m e s W . , " O f f i c e r D i s a r m i n g s — A R e s p o n s e , " FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, pp. 8 - 1 3 , M a r c h , 1 9 7 8 .
L o v e t t e , Ed, " C a r r y i n g D u t y A m m o for R e v o l v e r s , " New Mexico Lawman, pp . 1 0 - 1 1 , J a n u a r y , 1 9 7 7 .
L o v e t t e , Ed, " F i r e a r m T r a i n i n g : N u i s a n c e or N e c e s s i t y , " New Mexico Lawman, pp. 1 0 - 1 1 , J u n e , 1 9 7 7 .
M u i r h e a d , J. C , " S o m e C o m m e n t s o n t h e H o s t a g e S i t u a t i o n , " The Police Chief, pp . 4 6 - 4 8 , F e b r u a r y , 1 9 7 8 .
O ' N e i l l , L i e u t e n a n t M i c h a e l T . , " G u n R e t e n t i o n , " FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, pp. 2 0 -2 3 , S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 7 9 .
P a r s o n s , K e v i n , " R e v o l v e r S p e e d L o a d i n g D e v i c e s : A T e s t R e p o r t , " Law & Order, pp. 5 2 - 5 6 , N o v e m b e r , 1 9 7 6 .
, " R e v o l v e r T r a i n i n g a n d N i g h t F i r i n g , " pp . 1-4 , FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, N o v e m b e r , 1 9 6 0 .
R u m m e l , B a r t l e t t , " P o l i c e F i r e a r m s T r a i n i n g : A n I n q u i r y i n t o t h e G o v e r n m e n t a l D u t y t o P r o v i d e A d e q u a t e T r a i n i n g , " The National Rifleman, p p . 1 7 - 2 2 , A u g u s t , 1 9 6 3 .
S c a c c o , D r . A n t h o n y M . , Jr. , " C a t c h ' 2 2 ' , t h e C o n t i n u i n g B u l l e t P r o o f V e s t C o n t r o v e r s y , " p . 2 2 , Law & Order, A u g u s t , 1 9 7 9 .
Salazar , I . E . , a n d L o v e t t e , Ed, " A n o t h e r L o o k a t t h e P r a c t i c a l P i s t o l C o u r s e , " The Police
Chief, pp. 2 4 - 2 5 , O c t o b e r , 1 9 7 7 .
S i m m o n s , D o n a l d M . , Jr . , " P r a c t i c a l G u i d e t o C o m p l e t e D i s a s s e m b l y of t h e . 4 5 A u t o P i s t o l , " American Handgunner, pp. 4 2 - 4 5 , S e p t e m b e r - O c t o b e r , 1 9 7 7 .
, " S o m e T h o u g h t s o n H a n d g u n A c c u r a c y , " American Handgunner, pp . 2 0 - 2 3 , N o v e m b e r - D e c e m b e r , 1 9 7 8 .
, " S p e e d L o a d e r s : H e l p or H i n d r a n c e ? " PWC Bulletin, p . 2, 1 9 7 7 .
Spi tz , D r . W e r n e r U . , e t a l . , " P h y s i c a l A c t i v i t y u n t i l C o l l a p s e F o l l o w i n g F a t a l In jury by F i r e a r m s a n d S h a r p P o i n t e d W e a p o n s , " Journal of Forensic Sciences, pp. 2 9 0 - 3 0 0 , July, 1 9 6 1 .
W a r t e r , D o n a l d V. , " R e a l i s t i c S h o t g u n T r a i n i n g , " FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, pp. 3 - 9 , D e c e m b e r , 1 9 7 6 .
W i l l i a m s , M a s o n , " T h e C o m b a t C o u r s e , A R a t i o n a l F i r e a r m s C o u r s e , " American Handgunner, pp . 1 1 - 1 3 , S e p t e m b e r - O c t o b e r , 1 9 7 6 .
Y o u n t , A u g u s t M . , Jr. , " W h i c h B u l l e t is B e s t , " Illinois Law Enforcement News, p. 4 , Fa l l , 1 9 7 7 .
Y o u n t , A u g u s t M . , Jr. , e t a l . , " A m m o M i s f i r e s , " Illinois Police Officer, pp . 1 3 - 1 5 , 5 1 , Spring, 1 9 7 4 .
Y o u n t , A u g u s t M . , Jr. , a n d O ' R o u r k e , T h o m a s W . , " B r e a k i n g t h e I c e : A S t u d y of A c c i d e n tal D i s c h a r g e s , " The Police Chief, pp . 7 0 - 7 6 , Apri l , 1 9 7 8 .
PHOTO CREDITS
Dennis Anderson, o n e of t h e n a t i o n ' s f o r e m o s t d i r e c t o r s of m o t i o n p i c t u r e s for l a w e n f o r c e m e n t t r a i n i n g , s u p e r v i s e d t h e u n i q u e v i s u a l c o n t e n t of t h i s b o o k . F r o m h u n d r e d s of p o s s i b i l i t i e s , h e sel e c t e d t h e d o c u m e n t a r y n e w s p h o t o s u s e d h e r e i n for t h e i r s p e c i a l i n s t r u c t i o n a l r e l e v a n c e . A l s o , e x c e p t w h e r e o t h e r w i s e i n d i c a t e d , h e w a s p e r s o n a l l y r e s p o n s i b l e for al l o r ig ina l p h o t o g r a p h y , w o r k i n g w i t h o f f i c e r s f r o m a v a r i e t y of m u n i c i p a l , c o u n t y and s t a t e d e p a r t m e n t s . A n d e r s o n , p r e s i d e n t of B r a v o P r o d u c t i o n s , I n c . , of A r l i n g t o n H e i g h t s , I l l i n o i s , h a s b e e n an a c t i v e p a r t i c i p a n t in t h e o f f i cer surv iva l m o v e m e n t . H e h a s h e l p e d c o n d u c t surv iva l t r a i n i n g s e s s i o n s in s e v e r a l s t a t e s and h a s d i r e c t e d a v a r i e t y of r e a l i s t i c f i l m s o r i e n t e d to surv iva l m e t h o d s , i n c l u d i n g : H o s t a g e N e g o t i a t i o n for P o l i c e , High-Risk P a t r o l T a c t i c s and Shoot ing D e c i s i o n s .
Aurora (CO) Police Department—36; Bianchi Gunleather — 7 5 , 308 , 313 ; Tony Bulaski—321; Burger King Corp.— 305 ; Chicago Tribune—258, 280, 368; Bob East III—56; Ernie Cox Jr./Chicago Tribune—192, 282; Bob Fila/ Chicago Tribune—55; Gustav Freedman/Evanston (IL) Review—34; Jim Frost/Chicago Sun-Times—310; Don Gruben/Evanston (IL) Review—34; Roy Hall/Chicago Tribune—77; Frank Hanes/Chicago Tribune—239; Bill Kesler/St. Louis Post-Dispatch—193; Arthur Kleist Jr.— 389; Walt Lemmon—320; Jack Lenahan/Chicago Tribune —6; Ron Lentz—62, 211 ; Marty Levin—317, 343 , 344,
3 4 6 , 3 4 7 , 3 5 6 , 3 6 4 , 4 0 0 ; L i b r a r y of C o n g r e s s — 1 9 1 ; Bil l M a y e r — 8 , 4 8 , 6 0 , 6 7 , 8 9 , 9 0 , 1 0 2 , 1 0 5 , 1 3 0 , 1 3 1 , 1 3 2 , 1 3 5 , 1 8 6 , 3 0 0 ; M a r c M i l l e r — F r o n t C o v e r , 1 4 - 2 0 , 2 2 , 2 8 , 4 1 , 1 1 0 , 1 4 1 , 1 4 3 , 1 6 1 , 1 6 5 , 1 6 9 , 1 7 3 , 1 7 6 , 1 7 7 , 1 8 5 , 1 8 8 , 1 8 9 , 2 0 8 , 2 4 5 , 2 4 8 , 2 4 9 , 3 3 6 , 3 4 5 , 3 5 6 , 3 5 8 ; N e w O r l e a n s S t a t e s - I t e m — 9 9 ; P r o v i d e n c e (RI] J o u r n a l B u l l e t i n — 7 3 ; Ar t S h a y — 3 3 , 3 6 , 2 3 3 , 2 7 7 , 3 4 4 , 3 5 3 , 3 7 3 - 3 8 3 ; U P I — 2 4 , 2 7 , 3 4 , 3 8 , 5 0 , 6 5 , 1 1 3 , 1 1 7 , 1 5 7 , 2 4 6 , 2 6 7 , 2 7 9 , 3 0 7 , 3 1 2 , 3 3 3 , 3 6 9 ; Bil l V a l e r i e / L o s A n g e l e s T i m e s — 4 ; L i n d a W a r r e n — 2 0 7 ; T h e W i c h i t a E a g l e — 2 8 5 ; W i d e W o r l d P h o t o s — T i t l e P a g e , D e d i c a t i o n , 3 , 5 , 1 0 , 4 4 , 5 3 , 7 8 , 1 5 5 , 1 6 3 , 1 7 6 , 1 8 2 , 1 9 1 , 2 0 9 , 2 4 7 , 2 8 3 , 2 8 4 ; J i m Y o u n g — 1 0 0 . P h o t o g r a p h s n o t identif ied w e r e o b t a i n e d w i t h t h e r e q u e s t t h a t t h e i r s o u r c e s be k e p t c o n f i d e n t i a l .
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Special Agent Ronald J. Adams h a s b e e n a p r o l i f i c i n n o v a t o r of s u r v i v a l t a c t i c s s i n c e h e j o i n e d t h e R i v e r s i d e , C a l i f o r n i a , P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t in 1 9 6 9 . H e is a g r a d u a t e of n u m e r o u s t a c t i c a l t r a i n i n g c o u r s e s , i n c l u d i n g t h o s e s p o n s o r e d b y t h e C a l i f o r n i a S p e c i a l i z e d T r a i n i n g I n s t i t u t e , t h e F B I and t h e U . S . M a r i n e C o r p s ; H e p l a y e d a m a j o r ro le in d e v e l o p i n g o n e of t h e m o s t u n u s u a l a n d r e a l i s t i c o f f i cer s u r v i v a l s c h o o l s i n t h e n a t i o n , l o c a t e d at F o r t I r w i n M i l i t a r y B a s e in t h e M o j a v e D e s e r t . H i s o n - g o i n g s t r e e t e x p e r i e n c e h a s i n c l u d e d a s s i g n m e n t s as a p a t r o l o f f i c e r a n d w i t h t h e R i v e r s i d e t a c t i c a l u n i t . H e h a s s e r v e d as t e c h n i c a l advisor o n s e v e r a l award-w i n n i n g i n s t r u c t i o n a l m o t i o n p i c t u r e s a n d m a n u a l s p r o d u c e d b y M T I T e l e p r o g r a m s I n c . , i n c l u d i n g H i g h - R i s k P a t r o l T a c t i c s , Survival Shoot ing T e c h n i q u e s , H a n d l i n g F i r e a r m s and S h o o t i n g D e c i s ions . H e h a s a l s o served as t e c h n i c a l c o n s u l t a n t to C B S 60 Minutes o n t h e s u b j e c t of o f f i c e r s u r v i v a l .
4 0 2
Lieutenant Thomas M. McTeinan h a s h e l p e d t ra in t h o u s a n d s of l a w e n f o r c e m e n t p e r s o n n e l in surviva l procedures as a f i r e a r m s and t a c t i c s t r a i n e r and i n s t r u c t o r supervisor for 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 . A p o l i c e of f icer s i n c e 1 9 6 3 , w i t h t ra in ing in e m e r g e n c y m a n a g e m e n t at N e w Y o r k U n i v e r s i t y , h e h a s served as guest i n s t r u c t o r for t h e N a t i o n a l R i f l e A s s o c i a t i o n ' s P o l i c e F i r e a r m s Ins t ru c tor S c h o o l , t h e f i r e a r m s t ra in ing program of t h e U . S . C u s t o m s S e r v i c e and o t h e r o u t s t a n d i n g c o u r s e s c o n c e r n e d w i t h t a c t i c a l f i r e a r m s u s e . H i s s t reet e x p e r i e n c e has i n c l u d e d patro l dut ies in t h e h igh-r i sk S o u t h B r o n x P r e c i n c t and a s s i g n m e n t s w i t h t h e B r o n x T a s k F o r c e . H e h a s appeared in federal cour t s as an expert w i t n e s s o n w h a t f i r e a r m s t ra in ing programs for l a w e n f o r c e m e n t of f i cers should e n c o m p a s s .
\ \
Charles Remsbeig is a j ourna l i s t w h o s e t w e n t y - y e a r career has e n c o m p a s s e d w o r k s on a var ie ty of l a w e n f o r c e m e n t t o p i c s . A u t h o r of m o r e t h a n 8 0 0 m a g a z ine ar t i c les a n d several b o o k s , h e w a s w o n t h e prest ig ious S i d n e y H i l l m a n F o u n d a t i o n and P e n n e y -M i s s o u r i J o u r n a l i s m awards for h i s repor tage . T h r o u g h o u t h i s career , h e h a s spec ia l ized in w r i t i n g about v i o l e n c e , c r i m e and l a w e n f o r c e m e n t for a var iety of p u b l i c a t i o n s , inc luding T r u e , P layboy, Reader 's Digest and the World B o o k Y e a r B o o k . He researched and w r o t e t h e scr ipts for t h e m o t i o n p i c t u r e s Survival Shooting T e c h n i q u e s and Handl ing F i rearms and is t h e a u t h o r of t h e w i d e l y used i n s t r u c t i o n a l m a n u a l s , Hostage Negot ia t ion for Pol ice , C o u r t r o o m P e r f o r m a n c e and T h e E x e c u t ive Survival Handbook (for k i d n a p v i c t i m s ) . D u r i n g t h e 1 9 6 0 s , h e served as a spec ia l c o n s u l t a n t , o n p o l i t i c a l disorders, t o t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s C o m m i s s ion on t h e C a u s e s and P r e v e n t i o n of V i o l e n c e .
/ /