Post by Dispatch on Mar 30, 2015 0:43:46 GMT -5
Every situation is different, and when an Officer is being beaten by a suspect he very well may panic and pull the trigger. If this is your only option, it is understandable. However, our policy is clear, and Officer must make effort to abide by it. One way we guarantee limited gunfire is the loadout we provide. Chalk it up to cutbacks department wide, but Officers have limited ammo capacity without returning to station. This should be the primary reason you do not carelessly discharge your weapon. When you need the ammo, you better have a couple of clips on hand.
DON'T FIRE FROM YOUR CAR
If you need to engage a firearm wielding suspect, and you're in your car then use the following procedure. Equip the service weapon of your choice while in your unit, the exit the vehicle while aiming. This will keep your door open for cover and allow you to emerge from the vehicle in an aiming stance.
If your suspect is shooting from a moving vehicle you must await dispatch to clear you to respond in kind. Permission to fire from your car is uncommon, so Officers are encouraged to employ defensive pursuit techniques.
BE READY FOR ARMED SUSPECTS
When you pull a suspect from his or her vehicle, be ready to use your baton. A suspect neutralized with a baton is considered alive and in custody. You will see a gun appear in a suspects hand before they have the chance to level it at you. This is your chance to use melee against them. The alternative is to raise your weapon and wait, only to open fire when they raise theirs. Less violent approaches are desired, Department-wide.
DON'T BE TOO AGGRESSIVE
Let's say shots are fired. Take cover. Unless he's in a vehicle, your suspect isn't going anywhere. Wait for back up, and then engage the suspect. You might want to quickly end the call, confident you can outgun your opponent. While this is probably the case it's preferable to take a more realistic approach. Waiting for back up isn't just proper in that situation, it's more enjoyable to share the experience with another Officer. Once back up arrives, tell them what's going on, where the suspect is, and what they're shooting. Make a plan and engage.
HIT AND RUNS
As mentioned elsewhere on this forum, the gun isn't the only weapon entrusted to our Officers. We are ever mindful that the car causes far greater casualties every year. Officers are not to use their car as a lethal weapon. It's true, sometimes the best way to end a foot chase is for a supporting Officer to strike the fleeing suspect with their cruiser. The key aspect of this type of stop is speed. Low speeds are the rule, as the goal is to unbalance the perp, not crush them. The same holds true with bikes and motorcycles. Ramming is not the solution to a failure to stop.
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