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OFFICER SURVIVAL

NCJ Number
55339
Author(s)
R EINFIELD; M MCGARRY; C JOHNSTON
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS THREE-PART POLICE OFFICER TRAINING FILM RECREATES ACTUAL INCIDENTS OF POLICE ASSAULT ENDING IN POLICE CASUALTIES AND TEACHES SURVIVAL AND PLANNING TECHNIQUES FOR DEALING WITH POTENTIALLY FATAL SITUATIONS.
Abstract
THE PARTS ARE DIRECTED AT THESE SPECIAL SITUATIONS: DEALING WITH AN ARMED SUSPECT, A BARRICADED SUSPECT, AND A FELONY STOP. THE FILM DISCUSSES FATIGUE, COMPLACENCE, AND ANXIETY AND HOW THESE FACTORS EFFECT POLICE PERFORMANCE. WHEN CONFRONTING AN ARMED SUSPECT, POLICE OFFICERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED, REMAIN BEHIND THE COVER OF THE POLICE VEHICLE AND CLOSE TO COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, USE THE MICROPHONE AND OUTSIDE SPEAKERS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH THE SUSPECT, USE VEHICLE LIGHTS TO INTERFERE WITH SUSPECTS' VISION, AND WAIT FOR BACKUP SUPPORT BEFORE APPROACHING THE SUSPECT. IF THE SUSPECT IS BARRICADED, POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD NEVER STOP DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF OR IN FULL VIEW OF THE SUSPECT, PREPLAN AND KNOW THE ADDRESS BEFORE REACHING THE NEIGHBORHOOD, CONTAIN THE LOCATION AND REQUEST SPECIAL TEAMS, AND STAY BEHIND COVER. BARRICADED SITUATIONS ARE AMONG THE MOST DANGEROUS OF POLICE CALLS. THE FELONY STOP VIGNETTE PORTRAYS A SITUATION SIMILAR TO THE FAMOUS NEWHALL SHOOTOUT. KEY POINTS INCLUDE THE ROLE OF THE DISPATCHER, USE OF THE VEHICLE FOR COVER, COMBAT SHOOTING TECHNIQUES, APPROACH TECHNIQUES, USE OF THE OUTSIDE SPEAKER FOR COMMUNICATING WITH SUSPECTS, AND PLACING THE SUSPECTS AT A DISADVANTAGE BY HAVING THEM COME OUT OF THE CAR ONE BY ONE FOR A SEARCH OR USING THEM AS COVER TO APPROACH THE CAR. THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING, DRAWING WEAPONS BEFORE APPROACHING SUSPECTS, AND KEEPING IN CONTACT WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT IS CONSISTENTLY EMPHASIZED. (DAG)