June 13, 2007

K.C. police chief to rethink one-officer policy

Editor’s note: What are your thoughts on a decision like this? On the one hand, two-officer units require more personnel and can be a budgetary strain. In smaller jurisdictions, a two-officer policy may also result in some areas not being patrolled as consistently, or at all. On the other hand, two-officer units that work as a team can be a safer tactical option, allowing for contact/cover techniques to be employed and allowing for immediate back-up if things go bad, like they did in Kansas City. Two-officer units can also help deter an offender from attacking when he otherwise might have if only one officer was on the scene.

A decision like this can be a difficult one to make sitting in the Chief’s chair. What are your thoughts? Share your comments below.

The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Police Chief Jim Corwin says he's rethinking the department's policy of 1 officer per car, after 1 of his men was wounded in a shootout.

Corwin says that shooting and two other violent attacks on officers since March have prompted him to reconsider the 54-year-old single-officer rule. Police released audio and video of the June fifth gunbattle in which an officer was shot in the foot.

Are one-officer squads acceptable?
PoliceOne Poll Results

No, officers should always be partnered. 32%
Yes, unless it's a high-risk district. 51 %
Only if budget/personnel availability
leave no option. 17 %
Total 816

Corwin praised the officer for using his radio to give instructions to other cars, even though he had been shot by a nine-millimeter semiautomatic machine gun. The officer returned fire, causing the gunman to flee.