With lawsuits abounding, many officers spend more time worrying about how a use of force will be perceived by their agencies and communities rather than what they need to do to survive it. This can cause officers to hesitate.
The hesitation problem is exacerbated when the individual officers do not have a clear understanding of when they are legally allowed to use force.
There is a famous maxim that says, “He who hesitates is lost.” The decision to use force should never be taken lightly, but once the decision is made, appropriate force should be used without fear of what could or might happen after.
The United States Supreme Court gave us clear direction in the landmark case Graham v Connor in 1989. The court expects the force used by police to be “objectively reasonable.” If you use “objectively reasonable force,” you will have the full weight of federal law behind you.
Using tactical communication is great. “Be nice,” like Patrick Swayze said in the movie “Roadhouse.” Don’t let your mouth write a check other more delicate parts of your body
might have to cash. Showing respect to arrestees, their families, and friends doesn’t cost anything, but it can pay off
with increased officer safety and cooperation. Good cops turn arrestees into informants.
A key element in Dr. George Thompson’s “Verbal Judo” is “When words fail, act.”
When it comes time to act, act! Use force. Too many cops are killed with their weapons still in their holsters because they were talking when they should have been shooting.
-- Courtesy Officer Survival Guide--
The hesitation problem is exacerbated when the individual officers do not have a clear understanding of when they are legally allowed to use force.
There is a famous maxim that says, “He who hesitates is lost.” The decision to use force should never be taken lightly, but once the decision is made, appropriate force should be used without fear of what could or might happen after.
The United States Supreme Court gave us clear direction in the landmark case Graham v Connor in 1989. The court expects the force used by police to be “objectively reasonable.” If you use “objectively reasonable force,” you will have the full weight of federal law behind you.
Using tactical communication is great. “Be nice,” like Patrick Swayze said in the movie “Roadhouse.” Don’t let your mouth write a check other more delicate parts of your body
might have to cash. Showing respect to arrestees, their families, and friends doesn’t cost anything, but it can pay off
with increased officer safety and cooperation. Good cops turn arrestees into informants.
A key element in Dr. George Thompson’s “Verbal Judo” is “When words fail, act.”
When it comes time to act, act! Use force. Too many cops are killed with their weapons still in their holsters because they were talking when they should have been shooting.
-- Courtesy Officer Survival Guide--
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