Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival Flashcards by Matthew Ramsey

Physical Fitness, Equipment, Shoot Skills, Mental Preparedness, Tactics

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

WINNING SURVIVAL CIRCLE;

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Aerobic conditioning is activity which conditions the cardiovascular system (heart and lungs)

Strength training allows development and maintenance of muscular strength and structure

Flexibility training helps the body to stay limber, increases speed of movement and helps to prevent pulled muscles or back injuries

Weapon retention and proper use of physical control techniques are crucial to winning

The Winning Survival Circle

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

PHYSICAL FITNESS;

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Important that officer’s train and understand how their ____ functions, the limitations, and ensure it is working properly. Checked at the beginning and at the end of shift.

Body Armor
Service, back up, and off duty weapon - proficient, clean/ready for duty
Magazines - properly clean/maintained for duty
Flashlights - extra batteries
Holsters - level of retention
Force options
Handcuffs - be proficient in getting them on quickly
Vehicles - routine maintenance and professionally inspected
Radio/phone communications - essential to safety for LEO’s

The Winning Survival Circle

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

EQUIPMENT;

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Most law enforcement related shootings occur in low light

Aggressive shooting techniques - taking the fight to the suspect

Proper cover/concealment, leverage the darkness using darkness and shadows as concealment, mobility, and accurate return fire

Egress back to cover if scene becomes unsafe

The Winning Survival Circle

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

SHOOTING SKILLS;

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Foundation for winning - Visual and Win
Allow us to be able to make on-the-spot decisions during critical situations
Method of mental conditioning is crisis rehearsal

The Winning Survival Circle

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

MENTAL PREPARATION;

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Techniques and tools that law enforcement officers use in the performance of their duties that give the officers an advantage over the adversary

Each situation is unique, requiring flexibility in selection and use of specific ____.

The Winning Survival Circle

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

TACTICS;

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Reduces negative reactions and stress during high risk situations

Exposes hidden reserves of energy and endurance

Provide for better sound tactical judgement

W.I.N. prioritizing the most important thing, addressing that particular thing and then moving on

Mental Preparedness

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

VISUAL AND WIN;

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Consider the ____ principle (What’s Important Now) is every situation. Thinking about What’s important now can help officers make difficult, complex decision during tense, uncertain, rapidly evolving

Mental Preparation

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

W.I.N.

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Every tactic is evaluated by two criteria ____ and ____

Tactics

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

SAFE; EFFECTIVE;

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____ and ____ communications (eye contact, hand signals, body-to-body or positive contact) are crucial with your partners or with potential suspects.

Keep the language, signals simple an easy to understand

Use short phrases.

Communication to suspects should be clear and concise, and easy to understand

Use common phrases - “Police, stop” which are designed to stop movement instead of initiate movement.

Tactics

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

VERBAL; NON-VERBAL;

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The tactics a LEO may employ are dictated by the existing circumstances and the LEO’s ____ and ____.

Tactics

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

TRAINING; EXPERIENCE;

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One of the leading causes of line of duty deaths in traffic crashes

Collisions occur at intersections or by the vehicle leaving the roadway and striking a fixed object

Speed, failure to wear a seatbelt, and improper vehicle handling skills (main contributing factors for death/serious injury)

Proven vehicle handling skills and manage the cognitive load by using commentary driving

Identify the Dozen Deadly Errors

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

FAILURE TO EXERCISE DUE REGARD WHILE DRIVING;

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Arrested/transported - policies required that they be handcuffed

Placing suspect in restraints is the safest method when performing a Terry Frisk

Search like your life depends on it

Identify the Dozen Deadly Errors

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

IMPROPER USE OF HANDCUFFS, FRISK, OR SEARCH

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Result can be severe fatigue that degrades officer’s cognition, reaction time, and alterness

This ultimately impairs their ability to protect themselves and the communities they serve

Identify the Dozen Deadly Errors

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

NOT ENOUGH REST/SLEEP;

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Officers must resist the tendency to relax when they confront compliant suspects, because of an appearance of compliance is a common criminal tactic

Nothing is “routine”

Identify the Dozen Deadly Errors

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

RELAXING TOO SOON;

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Suspect’s muscular tension, an increase in respirations, modified offensive stances, offensive hand positioning, glances toward exits, looking for witnesses, checking out your weapon, furtive movements, demeanor, signaling toward accomplices and verbal threats to do you harm

Avoid developing tunnel vision

Never underestimate a suspect

Identify the Dozen Deadly Errors

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

MISSED THE DANGER SIGNS;

Constantly evaluate your positioning

Recognize locations of cover, concealment, and leverage darkness and shadows as concealment

Use barriers, mobility and relative positioning to your advantage

Add distance between you and the suspect

Identify the Dozen Deadly Errors

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

TAKING A BAD POSITION;

“WATCH THE HANDS!”

The hands have the most opportunity to kill so the suspect should not be permitted to hold any time that could be used as a weapon

Identify the Dozen Deadly Errors

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

FAILURE TO WATCH THE HANDS;

LEO’s should avoid performing high risk tasks alone

Wait for back up, avoid rushing in or ignoring danger signs

Do not routinely search cars and building alone, or conduct traffic stops in isolated/suspicious locations

Best done when done as a team

Identify the Dozen Deadly Errors

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

TACTICAL RESTRAINT;

Stay focused on the job, be aware of your surroundings at all times,

Cell phones, tablets, in car computers, completing reports, and writing tickets can all distract an officer

Identify the Dozen Deadly Errors

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

PREOCCUPATION;

Resilient lifestyle

Peer support programs, chaplaincy, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), and access to agency provided mental/emotional health professionals

Many statistics indicate that heart disease and suicide are the leading causes of non-line of duty deaths in law enforcement, often outnumbering line of duty deaths

Identify the Dozen Deadly Errors

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH;

Safety gear such as body armor, seat belts, reflective vests in traffic, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like gloves and masks

Common excuses are uncomfortable, cumbersome, or restrictive

Wearing them can save your life!

Identify the Dozen Deadly Errors

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

FAILURE TO WEAR PROVEN SAFETY GEAR;

To avoid complacency, we have to take a cognitive approach and think about why we are doing what we are doing. Then we have to do it with meaning, purpose, and safety in mind

Complacency Kills

Identify the Dozen Deadly Errors

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

COMPLACENCY;

Professional occupation should be restricted to “Need to Know”

Your clothing, speech and certain professional habits can give away your identity. Scanning the area, using police terminology, telling police stories, backing vehicles into parking spaces, and repositioning of a concealed weapon on your person

Identify Risk Trends

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFY PROTECTION;

Vary your travel routes to and from your residence if the incident requires immediate attention, have a predetermined plan with your family so they can safely leave the area and allow you to give the incident your full attention Identify Risk Trends Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

TRAVEL WITH FAMILY;

The intentional shooting of a Law Enforcement Officer/Agent by a responding officer due to mistaken identify The decision to act: evaluate the need to become involved or when to be a good witness When to take action: violent crime, active threat Good Samaritan Act - states that LEO's/agents is construed to be within "scope of employment" (on or off duty) to take reasonable actions; also retired members Identify yourself as "POLICE", Notifying 911/Dispatch, given responding officers every reason NOT to shoot you Identify Risk Trends Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

POLICE ON POLICE AWARENESS;

Generally, four factors define an ambush assault: Element of suppose Concealment of the assailant, their intentions, or weapon Suddenness of the attack A lock of provocation Identify Risk Trends Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

POLICE AMBUSH AWARENESS;

Avoid routine Use contact/cover tactics to work in sun with other officers and assigning a cover officer to protect police against yet unknown threats. Limit choke points or times you and other officers are channeled not what could be danger area Avoid a LEO target rich environment Use cover/concealment and leverage darkness Scan your environment Identify Risk Trends Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

COUNTER AMBUSH TACTICS;

Increase your survivability by: Recognize - that you have been surprised and that you are in the position of disadvantage Assess - your options and avenues of escape Move - get our of the attack zone, keep engine compartment between you and the adversary while creating distance until at a safer location Identify Risk Trends Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS: R.A.M.

Patrol vehicles are not armored and since they are highly visible, they may draw the attackers firepower Whether moving or stopped Always leave at least one vehicle length between you and the car in front of you Identify Risk Trends Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

VEHICLE AMBUSH AWARENESS;

Agency policy should be considered in deciding to carry off duty firearms When carrying a firearm, LEOs must carry credentials Identify Risk Trends Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

CARRYING A WEAPON OFF DUTY;

Physical Security - such as lighting, locks, shrubs, doors, and alarm systems; gun locks/safes for securing your firearm Telephones - personal cell phones if used in the line of duty can be confiscated for court use; number should be unlisted or listed in your spouse's name Mail - should not handle any suspicious or unexpected packages Identify Risk Trends Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

HOME SECURITY;

Hasty Ambush - has time to establish an ambush without being detected by target Deliberate Ambush - conducted at a predetermined location and requires detailed info about target Point Ambush - assailants deploy to attack a target in a single location Area Ambush - assailants deploy in two or more related point ambushes Far Ambush - position greater than 50 yards from target Near Ambush - within 25 yards Identify Risk Trends Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

AMBUSHES;

If you can see the front window or from door of residence/business the suspect can probably see you If no one is there have dispatch call location Don't have the "customer" mindset Identify Risk Trends Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

APPROACHING HOMES AND BUSINESSES;

Should have a back-up officer present before entering the locations Familiarize your self with the makeup of its occupants DO NOT use elevators, never stand in front of door Identify Risk Trends Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

APPROACHING MULTI UNIT BUILDINGS;