Every couple of weeks we link to the most recent police use of force articles that caught our attention. Right after the link we post a quote, summarize the article, or discuss our thoughts about it.
It has been about a month since the last recommend articles post so I have too many links for one post. I will follow up with another one next week.
Counter-ambush tactics for patrol officers by Lt. Dan Marcou
After the ambush of three Pittsburgh police officers, this is a good time to refresh counter ambush tactics for patrol.
Dealing with Conflict, Violence, and Crisis by Fred Leland
The question is how do we fight complacency? Is it with by psyching yourself up and rushing to a scene? This false sense of urgency is driven by pressure to get there and anxiety, fear, and anger and maybe even ego. This false sense of urgency that results in reckless responses to just get there and the activity surrounding it is more distracting than useful.
Leland is a expert applying the OODA loop to strategic and tactical responses by police. This article delivers more of his in depth analysis on these topics. If you are attending the IALEFI conference this week, he is teaching The Boyd Cycle: Threat Assessment and Management Methodology on Tuesday, June 2. Sign up for his session.
Helping families of officers killed in the line of duty by Scott Buhrmaster
Most officers don’t have much experience in these situations and this article gives some good tips for an important issue.
The Evolution of Terrorist Tactics: Hit and Run to Sustained Conflict by Keith Lavery
The Mumbai attacks were unique in that it was a stark break away from the typical hit and run tactics employed against a numerically superior force. The attackers openly established themselves within the city and fought a long, protracted, battle that tied up thousands of security forces and captivated the world. The terrorists never had an exit strategy, rather their plan called for the continuation of killing until they were ultimately killed.
Lavery reviews the history of terrorist tactics and how they appear to be changing with the Mumbai attacks. He follows with a suggestion about how police should prepare for the next attack.
OC to Gun and Back: From 0 to 60 and back again by John Wills
Transitions happen every day in police work. We ramp up quickly, only to have to de-escalate when we find the situation becoming less critical. Or, something innocent suddenly starts to grow out of control and we find ourselves going from non-lethal to lethal in an instant.
Competitive Shooting: Dangerous Diversion or Practical Pastime by Ralph Mroz
Action-based competitive shooting sports are both derided as the province of silk pajama-wearing game players, and praised as the single most important exercise you can do to improve your shooting. So what’s the truth? Well, the politician’s way out would be to say that the truth is somewhere in between.
Mroz explains the good, the bad, and the bottom line of this subject.
How to prevent panic by Dave Smith
Dave Smith routinely applies scientific research to police survival issues. In this article he uses Enrico Quarantelli’s work to give some tips for reducing the disabling effect panic has on police officers.
Fights and Landsharks by Roanoke Cop
Roanoke Cop is a popular police blogger who does a great job describing the experiences, emotions, and perspectives of police work in his blog The Roanoke Cop. He uses this incident as an explanation for why he carries his gun off duty.
New officers always carry a gun off duty. It’s one of the exciting new things that comes with the job. Veteran officers are not as good about it because the new feeling has been worn off and replaced by the difficulties of concealing it. For me, the thought of encountering an active shooter while off duty helps motivate me to carry.
The Contradiction of Training, Part 2: Telling them one thing and teaching another by Ross Torquato
Last month we linked to part 1 of this series which dealt with contradictions of firearms training and qualification. This article discusses the contradictions of defensive tactics training.
Six secrets for stronger survival training by Chuck Remsberg
Some innovative ideas for better police survival and use of force training. Here is a clip from the Manipulating Simulator Scenes section.
Black out the screen for five seconds, but keep the scenario playing so when the screen is lit up again the action is at a different stage. This adds some realism, because on the street you don’t always fixate on the suspect all the time. You may be distracted or deliberately look away to check the environment, and while you’re diverted you may miss some of the action. The suspect may be in a different posture, or in a different place. You need to learn how to adapt quickly to changes as they present themselves.
The Art of ‘Not Getting Hit’ by Richard Nance
Nance discusses the differences in blocking techniques for martial arts and police along with a discussion on parries and footwork.
While a parry is not as strong as a typical block, it doesn’t need to be. All a parry is designed to accomplish is to re-direct the incoming strike enough to miss its intended target. In fact, if you were to redirect the attack to far from your body, you will be vulnerable to follow up strikes.
What you really need by Seth Nadel
This article has a similar theme as Matt’s article, What is the best pistol for police officers. You don’t need to have an expensive, tricked out gun to be effective as a police officer. You need something reliable, accurate, and durable. Spend the money you save on good training instead.
Mastering the Shield by Police One Tips
A good comprehensive article about police shields. It describes the six types of shields used in police work today, lists topics that should be covered in shield training, and gives video clips demonstrating shield drills.
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- Recommended Police Use of Force Articles: December 2009 Every couple of weeks I link to the most recent...
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