Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

Question 1

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

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

Answer 1

WINNING SURVIVAL CIRCLE;

Question 2

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

Answer 2

PHYSICAL FITNESS;

Question 3

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

Answer 3

EQUIPMENT;

Question 4

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

Answer 4

SHOOTING SKILLS;

Question 5

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

Answer 5

MENTAL PREPARATION;

Question 6

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

Answer 6

TACTICS;

Question 7

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

Answer 7

VISUAL AND WIN;

Question 8

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

Answer 8

W.I.N.

Question 9

Every tactic is evaluated by two criteria ____ and ____

Tactics

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

Answer 9

SAFE; EFFECTIVE;

Question 10

____ 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

Answer 10

VERBAL; NON-VERBAL;

Question 11

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

Tactics

Introduction to Officer Safety & Survival

Answer 11

TRAINING; EXPERIENCE;

Question 12

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

Answer 12

FAILURE TO EXERCISE DUE REGARD WHILE DRIVING;

Question 13

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

Answer 13

IMPROPER USE OF HANDCUFFS, FRISK, OR SEARCH

Question 14

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

Answer 14

NOT ENOUGH REST/SLEEP;

Question 15

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

Answer 15

RELAXING TOO SOON;

Question 16

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

Answer 16

MISSED THE DANGER SIGNS;

Question 17

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

Answer 17

TAKING A BAD POSITION;

Question 18

“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

Answer 18

FAILURE TO WATCH THE HANDS;

Question 19

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

Answer 19

TACTICAL RESTRAINT;

Question 20

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

Answer 20

PREOCCUPATION;

Question 21

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

Answer 21

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH;

Question 22

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

Answer 22

FAILURE TO WEAR PROVEN SAFETY GEAR;

Question 23

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

Answer 23

COMPLACENCY;

Question 24

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

Answer 24

PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFY PROTECTION;

Question 25

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

Answer 25

TRAVEL WITH FAMILY;

Question 26

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

Answer 26

POLICE ON POLICE AWARENESS;

Question 27

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

Answer 27

POLICE AMBUSH AWARENESS;

Question 28

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

Answer 28

COUNTER AMBUSH TACTICS;

Question 29

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

Answer 29

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS: R.A.M.

Question 30

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

Answer 30

VEHICLE AMBUSH AWARENESS;

Question 31

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

Answer 31

CARRYING A WEAPON OFF DUTY;

Question 32

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

Answer 32

HOME SECURITY;

Question 33

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

Answer 33

AMBUSHES;

Question 34

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

Answer 34

APPROACHING HOMES AND BUSINESSES;

Question 35

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

Answer 35

APPROACHING MULTI UNIT BUILDINGS;