An officer's discretion: To pursue or not pursue?

Submitted by:
Lt. Dan Marcou

In the 1970s there was a young recruit who experienced and survived his first “high speed chase.” After booking the formerly fleeing felon (FFF) he thought back on the experience and recognized his life or career could have ended any number of times during the pursuit. The rookie sought out a seasoned veteran and asked, “Is there ever a time when an officer should break off a pursuit if it gets too dangerous?”
The response from the veteran was, “Son, you chase them until their wheels fall off and if their wheels fall off and they keep going then you chase them until your wheels fall off. If word gets out you don’t pursue, no one will stop and everyone will run.”
Times have changed. Since those bygone days, litigation has caused anti-pursuit policies to be written all over the nation. Some of the policies make it clear for the officer in pursuit—they outline in so many words, “If they flee you shall not pursue!”
Other policies make it less clear and allow for a certain number of officers to pursue under certain conditions and when certain circumstances exist. How does the veteran field training officer answer the rookie, who says, “I’m confused. When is it time to pursue and when is it time to terminate the pursuit?”
If the policy states terminate all pursuits the FTO could say, “Son the policy says terminate all pursuits so, ‘when they run, the pursuit is done’.”
If the commander orders the pursuit terminated the veteran officer could say, “It’s simple: when the commander says terminate, you terminate.”
“If policies leave some discretion to the officer,” a veteran field training officer once told his young charges, “when they run, ask this question: ‘Am I chasing them because they are dangerous or are they dangerous because I am chasing them?’ If you’re chasing them because they are dangerous then you may decide to continue the pursuit with due care. If they are dangerous because you are chasing them then your life and career are not worth risking on this one. Terminate the pursuit.”

Always carry your knife off duty

Submitted by:
Matthew Collier

I know everyone carries a gun off duty, every time they leave the house, like they should, right? In a perfect world it would be that way, but too often we fall short of perfection and go out like the rest of the ‘sheep’ without our off duty gun and reload. In these (hopefully rare) cases, do you at least have your knife? Your gun and knife should be a pair on duty and off but it is hard to go to the beach or swimming pool with 1911 in your swim trunks. Gives a lot of credibility to the old saying “is there a gun in your pocket or you just happy to see me?”
Even the smallest micro gun is no fun in a pocket while in the water, not to mention what water does to guns and bullets or the fact that you’re taking a chance of losing it doesn't leave a taking gun always an option. Just because you had to temporarily leave your gun behind doesn't mean you should go totally unarmed. With the wide array of affordable tactical folding knives available today you should at least always have your knife. Syderco, Benchmade, SOG, Kersaw, Gerber and many, many more all make reliable clip style folders that won't break the bank.
Hopefully you already have one or two for duty. These "tools/weapons" are easy to conceal, and can go anywhere, even swimming. With a quick rinse after and maybe a drop of oil they can even stay clipped to your pocket or waist line while in the ocean. You may still feel like a sheep but at least you will be a sheep with sharp teeth. Don't forget the training and practice that will allow you turn that tool into a weapon.

Watch females and juveniles during gang contacts

During contact with groups of gang members some officers may have a tendency to focus all their attention on the biggest and baddest looking males in the crowd while disregarding females and juveniles who might be there. Streetwise gang members have been known to predict this kind of behavior and have females and juveniles carry their weapons solely because they think officers may pay less attention to them.
When it comes to juveniles, it’s also important to remember that although seemingly less physically threatening, they may be highly motivated to attack you in the interest of gaining higher status and more respect from the group.
Disregarding the threat potential of those you might consider lower risk could be a potentially deadly mistake. Don’t do it.

Don't Over Look The Trunk

When you’re approaching a stopped vehicle, your attention is obviously heavily focused on the interior of the car looking for things like suspicious movement and taking a mental head count of occupants. One place you definitely shouldn’t overlook, however, is the trunk. If you’re dealing with someone who has planned ahead for the possibility that he’ll be stopped and he’s dedicated to getting away at any cost, you could suddenly be faced with someone who’s planted in the trunk, lying in wait to launch a surprise attack when you approach.

Keep an eye out for signs that the trunk may be open a crack and continue to glance at it looking for even the slightest movement. Start looking right away, beginning at the point you pull behind the vehicle. When you get to the trunk, push on it to make sure it’s closed. If it’s not, remember this tip and be ready to kick your officer survival efforts into overdrive.

New CPR

This is the new CPR. It may not be taught by your department yet and may never be but I think you should know about it and maybe share it with family and friends that are not certified.

10 fatal errors that have killed experienced officers

1. Lack of focus. If you fail to keep your mind on the job while on patrol or you carry your “home” problems into the field with you, you will start to make errors. That can cost you of fellow officers their lives.
2. Tombstone courage. No one doubts that you’re a cop. But in any situation where time allows, WAIT for backup. There are few instances where you should try to make a dangerous apprehension alone and unaided.
3. Lack of sleep. To do your job you’ve got to be alert. Being asleep on the job is not only against regulations, but it puts yourself, the community and fellow officers at risk. Get the sleep you need.
4. Taking a bad position. Never let anyone you’re questioning or about to stop get in a better position than you and your vehicle. There is no such thing as a routine call or stop.
5. Missing or ignoring danger signs. As a police officer, you will get to recognize “danger signs” — things that tweak your “cop sense” like strange movements, hinky cars, warnings that should alert you to the fact that you should watch your step and approach with caution.
6. Failure to watch the hands. Is a suspect reaching for a weapon or getting ready to strike you? Watch the hands...they’re where attacks stem from.
7. Relaxing too soon. Constant false alarms can cause you to let your guard down. Don’t. It could be deadly.
8. Improper or no cuffing. Once you’ve made an arrest, cuff your prisoner properly. Be sure the hands that can kill you are safely cuffed.
9. No search or poor search. Your failure to properly and thoroughly search a suspect is a tremendous failure to meet your sworn responsibility to keep your community and fellow officers safe. Take the time to search...and search WELL.
10. Dirty of inoperative weapon. Is your weapon clean? Is it functioning properly? How about your ammo? When’s the last time you qualified? Can you stop an aggressor’s action and defend yourself and others?

Look for concealment in aftermarket gear shift tops

Kevin Lewis, New Boston (Ohio) Police Department

When searching vehicles, look at the gear shifter. Some after market shift knobs have hidden compartments in them, they either screw in half or the top screws off. Look in your local auto part store and become familiar with the different styles. They are a great hiding spot for narcotics.