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Four hands are better than two: Have multiple officers go
hands-on to ensure that nothing was missed. Do not ever take
someone’s word that a subject has been searched.
Use positions of disadvantage: Make sure the subject knows
he or she is being controlled. Subjects are stronger when they are
on their base, even standing up against the wall. Position subjects
against the wall with legs spread wide and well off the wall or
vehicle so that they are almost in a push-up position. Subjects
can also be placed with legs apart and heels against the wall and
their arms out also against the wall. By using either of the two
positions, the subject has lost the ability to move suddenly.
Verbalize and Articulate: Tell subjects exactly what to do. Talk
them into these positions and let them know what is going on,
instead of just kicking their legs back or apart. Be able to articulate your actions and justify them when writing any reports.
Control the scene: Nothing looks worse than a three-second
video in which multiple officers are striking or piling on the subject. One officer needs to direct the actions that are taking place.
Remember: in chaos, leadership must take over.
Officer safety is always paramount and a police officer’s ability to control that chaos and stay systematic will prevent tragedies
and lessen liability.
Stay Safe! d
I have done UTM training in a hallway.
Another training option when live fire is not available is the use
of a digital simulator. With hundreds of real-life scenarios available on the digital simulator, there are endless learning opportunities. In my experience I have seen many noteworthy results
from this type of equipment. Some of the interesting things I have
witnessed were an officer who took the time to put his OC spray
back on his belt holder when the scenario went from the OC level
of force to requiring a firearm. After speaking with the officer who
had only a few months on the job, it was revealed that when he
was issued the OC spray as a new officer, his supervisor said to
him “if you lose this you will be in trouble.” That “training scar”
stuck with him and caused him to make a deadly mistake.
The digital simulator is also very useful for coaching officers
who, when under stress, may say or yell words that the may be
offensive (“get on the [expletive deleted] ground!”). Instead of
bringing the officer in and telling him not to do that again, supervisors can retrain the officer under realistic stressful situations
and document the training. If the behavior continues, there is
documentation of the attempts to make the corrections.
The digital simulator is also excellent for enforcing why certain
policies are important. The cost of the use of a digital simulator is
significantly less than live fire and officers can immediately see
where their shots are going and how they respond to each scene.
The excuse of not having ammunition or a range should not
keep officers from training. d
Bill Fearon is a 20-year New Jersey State Trooper and Lead
Instructor at the Woodland Park Range. He has trained thousands of Police Officers from Local, County, State and Federal
Departments, as well as thousands of military personnel and
civilians. Contact Bill at 973-464-7796 or [email protected].
Jan Wright is the Director of Training at RTSP in Randolph, a
retired chief of the Hamburg Police Department with 25
years of service and a retired member of PBA Local 138.