A consistent problem among officers is failing to do a felony stop at the end of a chase. The videos at the end of this article are just a few that show approaching the vehicle immediately after a car chase has a serious strategic flaw that is overcome by performing a felony stop.
So why do so many officers do it? I couldn’t find any research on this issue, but conventional wisdom maintains it is the thrill of the chase and the adrenaline dump that goes with it.
There is an instinctual response from us when a suspect runs. We chase. Cops chasing robbers is like dogs chasing cats. If that isn’t your natural instinct, I question your heart as a police officer. And when the suspect has wrecked out, bailed out, or given up, we see the prize at the end of the chase and get tunnel vision on our opportunity to close the gap and grab the prize.
During the chase and all the dangers that come with it, our bodies start releasing that wonderfully addictive substance, adrenaline. We go through physiological changes that include our heart rate increasing and our cognitive processes deteriorating. (Grossman, 2004) Basically, the blood leaves our head and goes to our muscles making it easier to run and fight but harder to process information and make decisions.
However, we have to rise above this prey drive of an animal, with its inherent weakness, and employ the strategy and tactics of a professional warrior.
To combat these issues and refocus on strategy, try some of these ideas:
- Know you have a plan and focus on it. Remind yourself during the car chase that you have a plan of action for when it stops.
- An accident doesn’t automatically eliminate felony stops as the video below shows. When the suspect wrecks, attempt the felony stop first. If there is no response, get sufficient manpower to your location and make a safe approach. If the suspect is injured, handcuff him first, then get him treatment.
Skip to 1:50 for the end of the chase. - Unless the suspect bails out running, when the chase ends focus on slowing down and assessing the situation. He isn’t running so take the opportunity to see what he is doing in the car and how many others are inside with him. Look around and make sure you are not going to be ambushed by a trailing vehicle. Check to see if civilians are going to walk into your line of fire.
- Give yourself permission for the suspects to get away if you have to take excessive risks. If you know he just committed a heinous crime like killing a cop or child, that obviously factors in to the risks you are willing to take to catch him, but don’t be naive enough to believe that just because he is running he must have committed a horrible crime.
- Remind yourself the primary mission of each day is to go home to your family and friends.
- Show some leadership and reinforce felony stops over blind approaches to your friends and coworkers. Hold each other accountable for officer safety mistakes to reduce or eliminate any John Wayne culture that exists.
Chase Videos
End of chase occurs at :30.
End of chase occurs at :50.
End of chase occurs at 6:20
Reference:
On Combat, The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace
Related posts:
- Why Police Use Locks: Reinforcing Internal Barriers For Officer Safety A true burglar will never let a locked door deter...
- Officer Created Jeopardy: Defining the Problem What is “officer created jeopardy”? It can be defined as...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
{ 5 trackbacks }
{ 0 comments… add one now }