4-24-08

I. 10 fatal errors that have killed cops

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10 fatal errors that have killed cops By Street Survival Newsline Staff

The following list is not new, but the crucial officer survival principals it reflects are as important to your safety and survival as ever. Consider printing this transmission and posting it somewhere where you’ll see it regularly. When you do, be sure to take the time to review it. It won’t take long and it could make the difference between life and death.

1. Not maintaining professional focus. If you fail to keep your mind on the job while on patrol or you allow distracting “home” problems to distract you in the field, you’re susceptible to making errors. That can cost you or fellow officers their lives. When you’re on duty, it’s critical to stay focused on police work. You’ve got a lot to stay alert to, so take every possible step to avoid having personal or other non-police related issues compromise your professional concentration.

2. Displaying tombstone courage. Taking unnecessary risks can be deadly. In situations where time allows, WAIT for backup if you’re about to enter into a dangerous contact. There are few instances where you should try to make a dangerous apprehension alone and unaided.

3. Running tired. To do your job you must be alert. Being asleep on the job is not only against regulations but it’s dangerous to you, the community and your fellow officers. Get the rest you need.

4. Bad positioning. Never let anyone you’re questioning or about to pull over get in a better tactical position than you and your vehicle. Remember there is no such thing as a “routine” call or stop. You should always maintain a position of tactical dominance, regardless of who you’re dealing with or what seemingly mundane task, like issuing a speeding ticket, you are about to undertake.

5. Overlooking or ignoring danger signs. As a police officer, you will get to recognize “danger signs” like suspicious suspect movements, strange cars, warnings that should alert you to watch your step and approach with caution. Know your beat, your community and watch for what is “out of place”. When your training and instincts tell you something is wrong, trust your gut.

[Editor’s note: Be sure to read Lead Street Survival Seminar instructor Jim Glennon’s PoliceOne article on pre-attack indicators and watch his new PoliceOne TV segment on reading suspect body language.]

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6. Failing to “watch the hands.” One of the cornerstone principles of officer safety and survival is knowing where suspect’s hands are located and what he’s doing with them doing. Is he reaching for a weapon? Is he clenching a fist? Is he gearing up for an attack?

7. Relaxing too soon. Repetition, false alarms, uneventful contacts…all of these can lull an officer into some level of complacency. A key to officer survival is to train yourself to never let your guard down too early. Diligently maintain proper tactical awareness and resist the temptation to let your guard down during a contact, regardless of how “well” it’s going or how uneventful and non-threatening it may seem.

8. Not handcuffing. If you have made an arrest, you need to cuff, regardless of who you’re arresting. As discussed in point 7, failure to follow appropriate tactical protocol, like cuffing a suspect, can cost lives. Once you’ve made an arrest, handcuff the prisoner properly. And keep this important fact in mind: even juveniles and the elderly can kill officers.

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9. Poor or no searching. This is about as basic, and critical, as it gets. Thorough searches save officer lives. Sloppy or non-existent searches can cost them. Search, and search again, and remember, just because you find one weapon doesn’t mean you’ve found them all. Find one? Look for the others.

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