Every couple of weeks I link to the most recent police use of force articles that caught my attention. Right after the link I post a quote, summarize the article, or discuss my thoughts about it.
Lakewood Police Officers Memorial Video
Click here if you can’t see the video.
Tactical Preschool Parts 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and Movie Day by TGace
More tips from the tactical preschool series. My favorite of this series is 38 and Movie Day.
Contact & Cover: The supervisor’s critical role in officer survival by Steven Albrecht
Hand’s down the best, most comprehensive article about Contact and Cover I have ever read.
So Young, So Dumb by Bullethead
I’m a fan of bullethead’s opinions. He distributes wisdom bluntly, locker room style. In this article he describes a disease that has infected lots of cops.
Great cops don’t add extra danger to themselves or to other cops or the public as a way to feed their egos.
CEWs and Gun Fights by Brian Willis
Where are officers learning that a CEW is an alternative to the use of deadly force?
Willis discusses why Tasers should not be be used when deadly force is presented. A valid topic since there is constant public pressure to use them for that purpose.
Foot Pursuits, who has the advantage? by Fred Leland
I am starting to hear about the foot pursuit policies mentioned in this article and I agree with Leland’s opinion. If someone can explain why foot pursuit policies are necessary send me an email or put it in the comments. Also if someone has a foot pursuit policy at a medium to large agency please email it to me so I can see an example of one.
Training, awareness, collaborative efforts and good sound decision making are the key to pursuing and apprehending fleeing subjects, not some damn policy that takes initiative and innovation away.
One Warrior’s Creed by Randy Watts
For those looking for a mantra to recite as your getting dressed for work, this is a little long but good.
Responding to Extreme Violence: Safely Dealing with Society’s Most Violent by Kevin Davis
To prepare to effectively counter extreme violence requires that you change your mental paradigm from public servant to hard-core street warrior. You are not in a self-defense mode or reacting; you’re now aggressively taking the fight to the suspect. You are a predator, not the prey.
The Top 10 Things the Public Will Never Understand by Phil
My favorite is number 4:
4. Everyone’s an infant when they’re scared and need help, but somehow transform into use-of-force experts and world-class tough guys while talking about an officer-involved shooting.
12 Elements of Firearms Training: The dozen critical elements of modern firearms training by Bank Miller
Miller bases these twelve elements on the FBI study of felonious assaults and several surveys by California POST. I am always a fan of training based on data.
“Self Awareness” The Forgotten Attribute of Decision Making by Fred Leland
Superior situational awareness, however, is not just about the situation, the location and your knowledge of tactics. It is equally important to know what you are capable of in that situation.
Leland brings up a excellent point about situational awareness. It is not just about what is happening around you, it is about knowing what you can realistically do about it with the skills, knowledge, and weapons you bring to the table.
No More One Trick Ponies by Brian Willis
Willis makes a good point about the flawed training process many departments use. They send an officer to a manufacturer certification school who then comes back and teaches that weapon to other officers. Trying to spread the wealth of the “expert” title, they send different officers to different schools and piecemeal it together assembly line style when they get back.
Seven keys for successful tactical leadership by Sgt Glenn French
A leader should have the vision to see beyond the current dilemmas they are faced with, and the strength of character to stay the course as they command in the face of adverse conditions.
On War #323 Milestone by Bill Lind
Interesting story about the US Military using counter-insurgency tactics on the California city of Salinas because it is becoming overrun by Hispanic gangs. (Hat tip to Fred Leland at LESC)
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Guys thanks for the postings here on Spartan Cops I appreciate it.
I just read Steven Albrecht Contact and Cover and you are correct the best piece I have seen written on this important topic. I was going to write one myself on the topic but Steve hit all the critical points. The “need for speed” that overwhelming urge and false sense of urgency to get involved while dropping our responsibility as cover man can be costly. Awesome offcier safety points in this article… I will post his over on my site instead.
Stay Oriented!
Fred
The article on CEWs was interesting. When deploying any less lethal weapons I recommend the following. Always have lethal coverage ( don’t try to transition to lethal, you will no be fast enough when things turn from sugar to @%$*) . Consider the “priority of life” that is 1. the public 2. patrol 3. SWAT 4. the %^#@bird that started this mess ( suspect) . If your tactics place the suspects “priority of life” above your own or the public, its time to evaluate them.
R/S
Steve