THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT REPORTS THAT 10 PERCENT OF ITS OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN 1977 WERE KILLED WITH THEIR OWN WEAPONS; THE FBI REPORTS THIS PHENOMENON INCREASED 111 PERCENT NATIONWIDE BETWEEN 1970 AND 1975. METHODS TO PREVENT THIS CRIME INCLUDE ENCOURAGING OFFICERS TO CONCENTRATE UPON THEIR WHOLE SURROUNDINGS, IN 360 DEGREES OF VISION, TO COMMUNICATE CAUTION AND DISCOURAGE SOME POTENTIAL GUNFIGHTERS, AND TO RECOGNIZE MORE READILY SURPRISE ATTACKS. TENSION AND FOCUSING TOO MUCH ON WHAT THEY ARE DOING PREVENTS THIS CONCENTRATION. OFFICERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAINTAIN STRONG, BALANCED MIND AND BODY POSTURE; TO STAND AN ARM'S LENGTH FROM INDIVIDUALS AND AVOID FAMILIARITY WITH THEM, AND GUARD THEIR WEAPONS. PROPER HOLSTER, PROTECTIVE VESTS, AUXILIARY WEAPONS, AND BEING IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION ALSO DISCOURAGE ATTACKS OR PROVIDE PROTECTION. PRESENT TRAINING TECHNIQUES TO HELP OFFICERS TO COMBAT ATTACKS ONCE THEY OCCUR ARE MISDIRECTED IN THAT THEY ARE NOT REVIEWED AND PRACTICED ENOUGH TO BE USEFUL, YET TEND TO GIVE OFFICERS A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. TRAINING IN GUN RETENTION SHOULD STRESS BASIC TECHNIQUES THAT CAN BE READILY REMEMBERED IN STRESSFUL COMBAT SITUATIONS. OFFICERS SHOULD ALSO REFRAIN FROM WRESTLING WITH ATTACKERS, BUT MAINTAIN THE POWER TO DISENGAGE THEM, THAT THEY MAY TO THE MEANS OR WEAPONS NECESSARY TO THWART THE ATTACK. (PAP)