There have been an increasing number of incidents during which a clerk at a coffee shop or restaurant has denied service to an officer. Those restaurants are — for the most part — fast food chains like Arby’s where the fare is not exactly health food. This is a good opportunity to offer the reminder that if you want to be at your best after you go back on duty after your 10-7, you may want to skip those types of places in the first place.
One simple solution to this whole issue is to purchase a small cooler and make your meals at home. You will end up eating more healthy foods, and there’s a good chance you’re going to end up saving a fair amount of money in the process. Prepare a couple of sandwiches, some cut vegetables and dip (hummus is healthier than ranch dressing, by the way) and some fruit. Even leftovers from yesterday’s dinner will do. A reusable freezer brick will keep everything nice and cool even on the hottest day if you keep your cooler in the trunk. Head back to the department to eat or find a tactically sound place to eat in your car (360 visibility where you can see anyone approaching you).
If you do decide to eat at a restaurant, look for establishments that are pro-law enforcement (they do exist!) and establish relationships with the proprietors. Many restaurants are thrilled to have the reputation: “that’s where the cops eat, so it must be good.” These tend to be the mom-and-pop places, which enables you to support a locally-owned business by dining there.
When you’re eating in uniform, try to do so in pairs, so you can watch each other’s backs. Avoid sitting in a booth because they are considerably more difficult to escape from in a sudden attack.
Avoid sitting with your back to the door and if possible, sit where you can get a clear view of the entire restaurant. Remember that the kitchen is filled with knives, forks, glassware and heavy metal objects, all of which can be wielded in an attack against you, so try to have a line of sight to that door as well.
If you’re in an unfamiliar place, take inventory of your surroundings immediately upon entering. Where’s the nearest exit? How many routes in and out are there? Where would you take cover if an attack were to occur? Have you and your partner had a quick conversation about how you both would react to a sudden attack (so you don’t end up tangled up in a knot together). Have you had enough practice drawing and shooting from a seated position?
Your meal break is your time to decompress a little during your shift, but you cannot allow yourself to go completely out of condition yellow.
