County Commission | The Magazine August 2017 | Page 33

NEWS YOU CAN USE reducing preventable line-of-duty deaths, techniques known as the five tenets: • Wear your belt. • Wear your vest. • Watch your speed. • WIN! (What’s Important Now?). • Remember – Complacency Kills. Below 100 began in 2011, a year marked by 180 line-of-duty deaths. While risk can never be eliminated fully from the work of law enforcement, the program is based on addressing the issues most under an officer’s control, and the concepts are increasingly being incorporated into training for new law enforcement officers. Officers can put on their bullet- proof vests every day, though they cannot control who is armed. Nor can they control how safely or recklessly others drive, but they can wear their seatbelts every time and t rain themselves how to exit a vehicle quickly. They can control the speed of their own vehicles, giving themselves more time to react to the unexpected, say when a kid on a bicycle darts in front of the patrol car. On the day of the class, the year- to-date count for line-of-duty deaths nationally was 61. Data shows that 23 of those deaths were from gunfire, and another 23 were auto-related, which seemed to surprise some class members. In fact, 18 of the last 20 years, the leading cause of death has been vehicle-related, said instructor Douglas Howard, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District. Collectively, the class of 24 – representing state, county, municipal and tribal police – had more than 350 years of law enforcement experience. The Chilton County Sheriff’s Office hosted the training in partnership with ACCA’s self-insurance funds. “Douglas did an excellent job of instruction and opened the eyes of the tenured staff. This rekindled our drive to advise and mentor the younger class of law enforcement officers working here for the Sheriff’s Office and encouraged us to take a second look at ourselves also,” said Chief Deputy Gerald Mims, who recommended the Below 100 Intensive for other law enforcement agencies. “It helps a lot,” said Sgt. Dewayne Sanders from Dallas County. “I just wish maybe the whole department could go through.” Class members were encouraged to share what they had learned with their colleagues, and Howard was pleased with the session. “I think it went well,” he said. “A lot of them probably buckled up on the way home.” n What is Below 100? Created by the law enforcement community, Below 100 works to permanently eliminate preventable line- of-duty deaths and injuries through innovative training and awareness. The last year the number of line-of-duty officer deaths was below 100 was 1944. How can I get Below 100 training in my county? Alabama sheriffs and ACCA’s self- insurance funds have partnered to host Below 100 Intensive and Train- the-Trainer sessions throughout the state over the last several years, and there is no registration fee for participants. To schedule a Below 100 class in your area, visit www. below100.org or contact ACCA and ask for Marcia Collier (334-263-7594 // [email protected]). To count toward the 2016-17 Safety Incentive Discount Program (SIDP), the training must be led by a certified Below 100 instructor and must occur prior to Oct. 31, 2017. @Below100 COUNTY COMMISSION | 33