2014 Meggitt Schedule

2014 Meggit schedule

 

Here is the 2014 Writers’ Police Academy Meggitt (Firearms Simulation Training) schedule. Please be early for your session. Once the door closes you will not be allowed inside. If you miss your scheduled shooting time you will not be permitted to make it up. There are no extra slots.

You must present your WPA name tag/ID to enter the session, and you are not permitted to exchange time slots with anyone for any reason.

Please make note of your three shooting partners. Their lives are in your hands…

Whew, that’s a lot of may not’s and no’s. So what can you do?? HAVE FUN!!

*Spectators are welcome.

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WPA 2014: A Place To Relax, Meditate, and Daydream

2014 WPA: a place to rest

 

Sure, our classrooms sometimes get a bit warm…

…so we open the sunroof, allowing the gentle southern breezes to flow freely.

Always accommodating, our staff opens the window of your choosing.

Our uniform dress code makes it easy to spot staff members.

The pursuit of knowledge is the quest of all WPA attendees.

Our staff takes pride in their clear and concise instructions…

…that are quite easy to understand, and follow.

Some, however, require a bit of one-on-one tutoring…

…but they eventually get the point.

Some WPA instructors utilize a “show and tell” method of instruction.

While others encourage meditation.

Sometimes, a “swift kick” approach works best.

Most instructors, however, prefer a more hands-on method. This helps the material to “stick” in the minds of students.

Workshop spaces are large and airy.

Quiet times are available for those who wish to stretch out and relax.

Outer wear is provided for those chilly North Carolina mornings.

Special accommodations are provided upon request.

Our lost and found department is second to none.

Instructors always welcome applause for a job well-done.

Recess is always a fun time.

Games, such as the ever popular, “Find The Gun On The Pool Bottom,” can stimulate the mind.

Of course, there’s always someone who dozes off in school, right? Well, we have “ways” of keeping our attendees awake and alert…C-4!

Now you see the suspicious backpack, and…

…now you don’t! We blew that sucker to somewhere beyond the suburbs of oblivion.

We look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I urge you to get plenty of rest in preparation of having more fun, seeing more action, and experiencing more excitement than you could ever imagine. The WPA truly is a Disneyland for writers!

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Keri Anne Clark: The Day The Light Went Out In Georgia

Keri Anne Clark

 

In May of 2013, Keri Anne Clark was named EMS Dispatcher of the Year by the Chatham County, Georgia EMS Council. At the time she was one of Savannah-Chatham Metro PD’s shining stars, credited with saving the life of a suicidal woman. Keri spent an hour on the phone with her while police frantically searched remote areas of the city. Officers were finally able to locate the distraught woman and take her to safety. The woman later phoned her hero, Keri Clark, to thank her for taking the time to listen, and to be there for her when she most needed someone.

I met Keri online while searching for someone who could answer a few questions for a tale I’ve set in Savannah. After a few email and Facebook messages, Keri had my story on the right path. It was easy, even in written messages, to understand why so many of Keri’s friends describe her as bubbly and always smiling and always happy.

Sadly, one year ago today, almost to the minute of this posting and just three months after being named top dispatcher, a light went out in Georgia. Keri was killed in a car crash.

Keri Anne Clark was 23.

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Our thoughts and prayers today are with Keri’s mom, Deborah Clark.

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Did A Police Officer Murder Michael Brown?

Did a police officer murder Michael Brown?

Michael Brown’s death is a disturbing tale, one that I’d expect to read in a work of fiction.

Not familiar with with this case? Here’s the background, according to the media and Brown’s family, friends, police, and eyewitnesses. The police aren’t saying much, though. After all, this is a death investigation and Brown’s demise was caused by police gunfire…several rounds.

By the way, as is true in all police investigations, it wouldn’t be appropriate for law enforcement to publicly discuss details of any criminal case until they have the facts in hand. However, the norm today is for media and family to demand instant answers, results, etc., especially when police officers are involved in a shooting situation.

Well, the last time I checked, everyone in this country has the right to a fair trial in a court of law. Vigilante justice is not what we as Americans should be screaming for at the top of our lungs from the top of city hall steps before the breeze has had the chance to blow away the odor of gunpowder. Proper investigations take time.

Anyway, back to Michael Brown, a young man who was shot to death by a Ferguson, Missouri police officer whose name and race is still being withheld (with the anger surrounding this case the officer’s safety would be a concern). Witnesses to the shooting say the officer is white.

According to various news reports and some witness statements, Brown and a friend (both African Americans) were strolling along in the middle of the street, minding their own law-abiding business, when a white police officer in a marked patrol car pulled alongside. The officer told the pair to get out of the street and use the sidewalk. The two men said they were near their destination and they’d get out of the street when they arrived there (or something to that effect). I think everyone, even the police, agrees this much is true—a police car pulled up beside Brown and his friend. After that…well, the stories of what happened couldn’t be further apart.

The police say the officer got out of his car, or tried to get out, but was shoved back inside by Brown. The two struggled with Brown attempting to take the officer’s gun, and a shot was fired while the two were still inside the vehicle. At some point the two men ended up outside where Brown was hit with several rounds from the officer’s weapon. Brown was 35 feet from the patrol car when he was shot.

On the other hand, Brown’s friend, Dorian Johnson, says (again, this is according to several media reports) they and the officer exchanged a few words about walking in the street and then the officer stepped out of his car and immediately fired a shot. Johnson and Brown ran. The officer fired again. Johnson hid behind a car but Brown stopped in the street and held up his hands to give up and to show he wasn’t armed, which he wasn’t, and that’s a fact we do know. The officer then, according to Johnson, shot Brown twice. As Brown was going to the ground the officer approached him and fired several more rounds into Brown’s body. Brown died.

Witnesses to the shooting also say they saw Brown with his hands in the air when the officer fired his weapon. They say they saw the officer gun down the unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Now, I cannot speak to this situation with any authority because I wasn’t there. Didn’t see anything and I know nothing more than what I’ve read. The same is true for the people—protesters—who took to the streets after the shooting, looting stores and stealing whatever they could get their hands on at the time. The same is also true for the those people, the Monday morning quarterbacks, climbing on the bandwagon to write and preach about the shooting. None of the aforementioned people, including me, know the actual facts of the case.

One person—again, she wasn’t there—wrote that the police department waited to make a public announcement about the incident so they’d have time to “…omit and tamper and vilify, time to label the shooting as anything but misconduct, as “manslaughter” and not ‘entirely preventable murder’.” That’s a pretty damning statement to make about an entire department. Sure, things are looking a bit dark and bleak where this one officer is concerned, but to say that an entire police agency would condone and hide facts that support a possible illegal/deadly act…well, that’s totally and utterly ridiculous. Stupid is probably a better term. Ignorant would be an even better one.

As you all know I deal only in facts. So lets go back and look at this incident from a fact-only point of view. Remember, though, our “facts” are only what we’ve read.

1. Michael Brown and his friend were walking in the street, an unsafe act.

2. A police officer stopped and told them to move to the sidewalk.

3. According to Johnson, they told the officer they would leave the street when it was convenient for them, or something like that. They could have politely made the statement…I don’t know. But it was Johnson who said they told the officer they were not moving to the sidewalk since they were near their destination.

4. At some point Brown and the officer struggled. Police officials say the physical contact began inside the police car. To make this statement it’s pretty much a given they have evidence to support the comment.

5. Brown was fatally shot 35 feet from the patrol car.

6. Several witnesses say Brown had his hands in the air when he was shot and killed by the officer.

7. All rounds fired were fired by the officer’s gun. This does NOT mean the officer was responsible for firing each round. It’s possible that during the struggle the suspect pulled the trigger, or not. We do not know anything further.

8. Brown was unarmed at the time he was shot.

9. During a deadly force encounter, police officers are taught to shoot until the threat is terminated, meaning the suspect is no longer a danger to the officer or anyone else. When the threat ceases to exist, so should police gunfire.

10. A suspect who’s stopped moving and is holding his hands in the air is not an immediate threat.

11. An unarmed suspect who’s wounded and has no means of gaining control of a weapon or harming others is not an immediate threat.

12. Police can shoot a fleeing suspect if they believe that person will and/or is likely to cause serious harm or death to others. It is unlikely that an unarmed man who has surrendered is an imminent threat to others.

Finally, to read between any of the above lines would be a huge error. Evaluate only the facts, which are few at this point. Based on what we know, though, I’d love to hear your opinions.

Please do not bring race, gun control, politics, and hatred for all police into the discussion. Think like an investigator and leave personal beliefs and biases out of the equations. Did the officer murder Michael Brown, gunning him down in the street? Or, is there another explanation?

 

 

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Rick McMahan: Writers’ Police Academy Top 10

Rick McMahan: Close to Home

As anyone who has attended a Writers’ Police Academy (WPA) can attest to there’s so much to do and take in that is a sensory overload.  The days start early and end late at night, much later if you linger at the bar, and by the time Lee announces the end on Sunday morning, most everyone is mentally overloaded and physically exhausted.  But it’s a blast.  Every year when it’s over, I have had a great time and have a wealth of new memories. So as time grows closer for WPA, I find myself reflecting on previous years’ events and wondering how the upcoming Writers’ Police Academy will compare.

Since I have been lucky enough to be part of every WPA to date, I thought I’d come up with my own Top10  Memories of Lee Lofland’s Writers’ Police Academy (in no ranking order).

10.  Lee’s Vision.

I first met Lee way before WPA was around…you could say the idea was a mere twinkle in his eye. Lee and I had crossed paths at conferences before, but the first time he mentioned his idea for what became Writers’ Police Academy was when we both were speaking at Forensics University sponsored by Sisters in Crime in St. Louis.  We got to the hotel early and bumped into each other at the check-in desk. Lee invited me to lunch and we talked well after our meal was done. We had talked about all kinds of things, and then Lee asked me, “You know what I think would make a great conference? Something that’s not been done, and I’d like to do?”

I told him no.

“I want to organize a writers’ conference just about law enforcement and first responders for writers.  I want this conference to be more than presentations.  I want the attendees to get a real hands-on learning experience like at a real police academy.”

I told Lee I thought it was a great idea. What I didn’t tell him were my doubts that it would work because–a) I didn’t think any police academy administrator would agree to let civilian outsiders into their facility and b) it sounded like a heck of a lot of moving parts and a lot of work to make it all come together. So when he asked if I’d be interested, I told him I would, but I really didn’t think it would happen. Yet as I’m typing this, he’s about to launch the fifth WPA.  Lee’s vision surely has surpassed what I had thought when he first told me about his idea for a “unique conference.”  Lee calls WPA a Disneyland for writers, and listening to the attendees talk, I think that’s an accurate description.

One of the most popular events at WPA (if you can get a slot) is the for attendees to participate in the FATS/MEGGETTS interactive shooting simulator. My next couple of WPA Top 10 come from my own experiences in the FATS room.

9. Shooting with Jeff Deaver.

At the first WPA, Lee asked if I would shoot FATS with Jeff Deaver (I’m old school, so all firearms video training systems are still FATS to me). The Jeff Deaver? I asked. Yup, Lee said. Sure thing—who wouldn’t want the chance to do gun scenarios with the devious mind and quick trigger finger of Jeffrey Deaver?  I had fun, and so did Jeff if his smile was any indication. Of course he was rocking-and-rolling full auto with the M4 in each scenario. We all had fun.

8. Christmas Story!

The second year, the FATS room was short an instructor, and they asked if I’d sit in and help as a safety officer for the day.  Most of the time, all I was doing was making sure the students understood how to grip the pistol and to keep their fingers away from any moving parts. And those of you who have shot FATS/MEGGETS know the pistols actually cycle like a real gun. I kept making sure the shooters kept their support thumb away from the back of the gun so that they wouldn’t get a nasty “bite” when the pistol’s slide cycles.

I didn’t know I had to worry about other body parts!

Things went smooth most of the day until after lunch we had three ladies running through some scenarios.  They had already run through one scenario and I thought things were going smooth, so as Jerry Cooper started the next one, I did my safety check and stepped back to watch scenario and the shooters. Things went from normal to “the fertilizer hitting the vertical oscillating device” super quick in the scenario with a badguy shooting shortly after they screen started rolling. Things seemed to roll along with several of the students even shouting police as they shot back.  On the screen, the badguy was pumping out rounds, bystanders were screaming and the students rounds were hitting. Total controlled mayhem.

Then I heard a voice just to my left shout—“I shot my eye out!”

I have to admit my first thought was that great movie a Christmas Story, and I was sure Ralphie and his Red Ryder were in the room.

My second thought was to get to the student and see what was going on. Taking the gun from the lady’s shaking hand, I asked what had happened.

“I think I shot my eye out,” she repeated.

Looking at the pistol and her face I didn’t see any blood. I did see a small scratch on her glasses. But nothing else. Once we got it all sorted out, I learned that the lady thought she could see the sights of the gun better if she put the gun up closer to her face. I mean like THIS close. Right at the edge of her nose close. You guessed it. When she fired, the slide cycled back and hit her glasses, shoving them up her nose. Thankfully no injuries. And even after the scare, our student, ever the Trooper, stepped right back up and went back to blasting badguys.

Still—“I shot my eye out.”

Donations for the silent auction and raffle. A few years ago, Lee was talking about how much work he had to do with WPA and hadn’t had time to start getting donations, so I offered to help out there. Now, it’s sort of a routine, that somewhere in the spring we’ll email and Lee will let me know—it’s time again. Then I’ll sit down and start emailing authors asking for them to donations. Some I may know and have met, but a great many I email through their website, and more often than not, we get a response. Doing the emails is a little time consuming, but you get to hear from a lot of people. And see how good the writing community truly is. The next couple of WPA Top 10 is about the silent auction and raffle.

7. Generosity.

Many people have never heard of WPA until my unsolicited email pops in their inbox. What’s heartwarming is that usually they email back saying how that the conference looks awesome and offering to help. Many of those same people send donations every year too. We’ve had authors donate signed books, t-shirts, character naming and even critiques all to support WPA’s silent auction and raffle. The people who donate are generous and have big of hearts.

6. Joseph Wambaugh.

I have to single out Mr. Wambaugh, the father of modern police procedures for a slot on my Top 10. One year, I started early on a Sunday morning with coffee at hand and a list of authors and started firing away emails for WPA. I had just finished sending out the first batch of emails, so I wasn’t very far into it, when my email dinged. My new email was from Joseph Wambaugh himself. Not an auto-reply. Not an assistant. But Joseph Wambaugh himself answered an email to his website at about 6am West Coast time. His email was short. He wished WPA success and offered to send an autographed book. Classy. A classic memory.

Of course there’re so many memories from the actual conference:

5. Fan moments.

Most people have “fan moments” at conferences, but I remember a really cool one the year Lee Child was guest of honor.

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After the banquet, people drifted to the bar. A couple of WPA students were already at the bar. Also at the bar was a guy with a beer and an e-reader, but it was obvious he wasn’t part of WPA. One of the WPA students asked him what he was reading. He said the latest book by his favorite author Lee Child. One of the people told him that Child was at Writers’ Police Academy and would probably be at the bar. You could tell the guy thought they pulling his leg. One of the WPA students went and told Lee Child, and a few minutes later, he wandered into the bar and sat down and talked to this guy for a few minutes. He signed the guy’s ereader. And the guy was tickled to death.

4. Code-names.

It seems that cops are not the only ones who have their own lingo, jargon, slang and code words. It seems that a few of WPA’s attendees (YOU guilty parties know who you are) came up with some personal nicknames for some of the WPA instructors. There were– (RANK) Hot Pants and (RANK) Honeybuns.

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The ranks of the parties have been withheld less they be identified.

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But, no pun intended, those of you have been to previous WPA, you know what those code-names mean AND who they’re about. I’m sure more code names will be forthcoming.

3. The weather.

Lee always tells you that North Carolina in September is usually hot, but can get rainy. Most of the time, we’ve had wonderful weather for the equipment and vehicle demonstrations and display….but.  The first year Bill Lanning orchestrated a shallow grave complete with body and accompanying smells, it rained. It did not just rain. It poured buckets. Nonstop. However, the ghoulish WPA students didn’t let the weather deter them from trekking out to see and smell the shallow grave. Even though they were water-logged, the shallow grave demonstration was a hit.

2. Surprises. Surprise, surprise, surprise.

Each year, Lee and his Minions come up with tons of surprises. Now, it’s probably getting harder and harder for Lee and his mischievous makers to pull off the surprise, but they’ve done it every year. What kind of surprises? Students standing around waiting to hear a briefing when gunfire erupted in the GTCC building followed by screams. An active shooter. The cops and first responders arrived—and WPA students had front row seats. Next year was the squealing tires and sirens of the car chase followed by a tense standoff and shootout.  How about Stan taking Sandra hostage in the auditorium until a well placed shot by Codename Honeybuns ended the standoff.  Then last year was the bomb squad and a suspicious package which had to be blown up on the tarmac while the students all watched. What’s in store this year? Only Lee knows. And he plays his cards close to his vest.

1.Friends.
Most of all I look forward to seeing old friends and making new friends. It’s nice to catch up with people I’ve not seen for a year. Also each year, I always meet new great people and come away with new friends. To me the best memories of WPA are the ones of the friends and the fun we have. The time leading up to WPA is like an accelerating train for me. Usually, I have to start squeezing time in to get my presentation ready, try to help out on last minute auction/raffle items until it’s a frenzy to get in the car and drive to North Carolina. By the end of this “Disneyland for Writers” (as Lee calls it) I am exhausted but have had a great time from being around so many friends. And to think it’s just three weeks away!

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Copy of Rick at still

Rick McMahan is a special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The year 2013 marks his twenty-first year in law enforcement. Rick’s work takes him to counties across central and southeastern Kentucky, including Bell County, the area featured in “Moonshiner’s Lament.” His mystery stories have appeared in various publications, including the Mystery Writers of America anthology Death Do Us Part. He also has a story in the International Association of Crime Writers’ forthcoming collection of crime fiction from around the world. In his free time, Rick enjoys writing, and he’s had short stories appear in anthologies such as Techno Noire, Low Down & Derby and the Mystery Writers of America’s Death Do Us Part edited by Harlan Coben.

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The Soldier

The Soldier, Sgt Franks

Standing ankle deep in black, slimy swamp muck, Sgt. William “Billy” Franks paused to catch his breath and to look over his shoulder, for the umpteenth time.

Nothing moving, not even a leaf. Good.

The humid jungle was also silent. Even better.

They were still a ways behind him, he hoped. But they were coming. He knew so because every hair on the back of his neck was standing at attention, and the neck-hair test had never been wrong before. Not ever.

Unfortunately, he was confident it wouldn’t be wrong this time, either.

Sgt. Franks was parched. His lips and throat as dry as desert sand, a reminder of the last time he’d been in a serious battle, fighting to survive. Hard to believe that conflict beneath a blazing Iraqi sun had been only a week ago.

He just couldn’t seem to steer clear of trouble, no matter how hard he tried.

No time to think about it, though.

Not now.

The setting sun had already begun to paint the surrounding landscape in various shades of gray and black. Giant shadows crept slowly across the forest floor, feeding on splotches of light along the way.

Night was coming as fast as they were.

Finding clean water to drink would have to wait.

It was time to move on.

He’d fought the enemy—the entire outfit—all afternoon, before finally escaping into the jungle where he’d been running for hours.

The sergeant’s hair was caked with mud and his camouflaged BDU’s were wet and filthy. His rifle, thankfully, was dry. He was exhausted and unsure how much longer he could continue.

They were relentless in their pursuit, and he was sure they were closing in.

He had to find the strength to keep moving.

Suddenly he heard a voice from beyond the vines and thick, lush plants to his left. He dove for cover behind a moss-covered log. Something large and long slithered away through the undergrowth covering the forest floor.

He heard it again. This time the voice seemed closer.

The sergeant, knowing his options were now few, took a quick peek over the rotting tree. He saw someone standing in a clearing just beyond the treeline.

They called out again.

“Billy, it’s time to wash up for dinner!”

Sgt. Billy Franks, knowing it would not be in his best interest to dilly-dally, stood and used his hands to brush the dirt from his knees. Then he stepped from the small patch of woods into his backyard where his mother stood waiting. He whispered to himself, “Maybe tomorrow I’ll be a cowboy.”

Glancing back over his shoulder he saw a tall Native American man standing in the shadows—his face painted for battle.

The warrior locked eyes with Billy for a second and then faded into the forest. A drumbeat began to thump from a place deep in the woods.

“Tomorrow, Chief, right after I’ve had my Fruit Loops and orange juice, it’s you and me. Because those woods aren’t big enough for both of us.”

Shouldering the stick he used as a pretend rifle, Billy marched toward his mother, wishing he were five again because being six was really hard work.

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Suicide By Cop

Suicide by Cop

Suicide By Cop

One of the more challenging calls for police officers is the suspect who is at a point in his life when he wants to end it all, and he’ll do what it takes to reach that goal. Unfortunately, achieving that objective sometimes involves shooting at a cop, hoping the officer will do as he’s trained and return fire. And he’s right—shoot at a cop and you’ll quickly find a volley of lead headed your way.

When the suspect exhibits signs that he may be trying to use the officer as a means of suicide, well, that sometimes changes the mindset of the responding officer(s). It shouldn’t, but sometimes it does. Why? Because this is a person who needs help and harming a person in need goes against everything a cop stands for and tries to accomplish. After all, isn’t it a cop’s job to keep everyone safe, no matter what?

Police officers are sort of like mother hens in uniform. They try to keep everyone out of harm’s way and, contrary to a lot of people’s belief, only as a last resort do they use force of any kind.

When someone is hurting, officers are pre-wired to render aid. When someone needs help, they provide it. When a life is in danger, they save it. That’s what they do. Therefore, when the suicidal individual confronts a police officer it’s possible the officer could let down his defensive guard, feeling compassion for the troubled person.

Cops are trained to defend themselves and others, at all costs, and they should. They should also be hyper-alert when a distraught suspect exhibits one or more of the following signs. Remember, if the officer is faced with a deadly force situation and he or she hesitates to shoot it may very well be the last thing they ever do. A dead hero will not be in attendance when the chief presents a posthumous commendation to his next of kin.

Some telltale signs/indicators that a suspect could be/is planning a suicide by cop.

– He’s just killed a close family member—a wife, his child, or even a parent.

– The suspect has supplied a list of demands to the police and none of those plans include a means of escape.

– Very rapid breathing. Hyperventilating.

– Something happened recently that the suspect feels is life-altering—someone close to them has died, they’ve been arrested and face a lengthy prison sentence, loss of a job, divorce, spouse is cheating on him, money troubles, foreclosure, etc.

– Refusal to obey any commands.

– Rocking back and forth. Beating a fist on a table or other surface. Or any other movement in a repetitive, cadence-like tempo. The rhythmic movements often increase in speed and intensity.

– Just before encountering officers, the suspect gives away everything that’s important to him.

– He says things like, “You’ll never take me alive.” “When I die everyone will remember it.”

– Suspect is constantly, frantically, and rapidly looking around, searching his surroundings.

– He expresses a desire to die and demands that the officers kill him.

– He may reveal that he has a terminal illness.

Of course, there are times when a suicidal suspect does back down and allow himself to be taken into custody. And the reversal, or diminished signs from above are indicators that he has changed his mind about dying. BUT, at no time should the officer let down his guard. AND, at no time should the officer hesitate to do what must be done at the proper time.

So I ask, could you make the call? If so, would it be the right call?

Writers’ Police Academy recruits will be faced with similar, live-action scenarios during their Meggitt training.  Will they make the right decisions? We’ll find out in just a few short weeks.

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The Art of Peace: Controlling Aggression Without Inflicting Injury

The art of peace

Before police officers actually hit the streets to begin making arrests, directing traffic, responding to domestic complaints, and investigating murders, they must attend a basic police academy to receive their certifications as police officers. The time spent at a police academy varies. Some basic classes last for as little as twelve weeks while others may last in excess of five or six months. Police academy training is quite similar to military basic training.

Some academies require police officer recruits/cadets to live on-site during their training, such as the Virginia State Police Academy pictured above. The VSP academy is a full-service operation, complete with dormitories, an indoor pool for rescue swimming, and cafeteria facilities.

Police academy training is similar to military basic training

Other locales require their police candidates to attend public police academies, such as those taught in some local community colleges. Officer candidates there must pay for and complete their own training before they can apply for a job with the prospective police agency.

A fantastic example of a college/police academy is the Basic Law Enforcement Training program at Guilford Technical Community College in North Carolina, the home of our own Writers’ Police Academy.

Sheriffs and police chiefs often scout the college police certification programs looking for top candidates. If one of the recruits stands out (high academic and practical achievements) the officials may offer a job to that particular officer-to-be.

Basic training consists of many aspects of law-enforcement, but perhaps the most memorable course is the one recruits often refer to as Hell Week.

During Hell Week recruits learn how to defend themselves from weapon wielding attackers, and they learn various techniques, such as weapon retention, weapon disarming, handcuffing, baton use, how to effectively arrest combative and non-combative suspects, and the proper and safe use of pepper spray. They’re also required to exercise and run….lots and lots of exercising and running. And when they’ve finished all that exercising and running, they run and exercise some more.

The training is intense, painful, and exhausting.

Recruits learn to control and handcuff combative suspects by using pain-compliance techniques—wrist-locks and joint control. The tactics taught to police are based on the techniques used by martial artists. Aikido and Chin-Na are two of the martial arts used as a foundation for these highly-effective techniques.

Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei, “The Great Teacher”).

Aikido (The Art of Peace) uses the attacker’s own force against him.

Sticking to O-Sensei’s original teachings, Yoshinkan Aikido was first taught to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police in the early 60’s. The Tokyo Riot Police receives Yoshinkan Aikido instruction to this day. Aikido techniques in American police academies are a bit less intensive.

To give you a better understanding of Aikido and what the techniques look like in action, think of Steven Seagal, a 7th dan black belt in Aikido.

The purpose of police defense tactics training is actually threefold—to protect the officer, make a safe arrest, and protect the attacker/assailant from harm.

Basic Aikido For Law Enforcement

1. Develop a keen sense of awareness. Learn to observe the entire picture. No rear attacks!

2. Being able to quickly move forward, backward, side-to-side, and diagonally… all without losing your balance.

3. Verbally calm down any potential aggressor.

4. Knowing the right time to arrest or detain a suspect. Avoid any escalation of violent behavior.

5. Having the tools to cause pain without causing injury—use of pressure points to safely effect the arrest.

6. Always use the minimum amount of force necessary to make the arrest.

Remember:

– Unbalancing the suspect is key to reducing their resistance.

– Control the head and the body will follow.

– Move the suspect into a position where their chance of reaching you with an attack is greatly reduced—controlling their arms, wrists, elbows or shoulders.

Officers are taught a variety of techniques, such as:

A wrist turnout, for example, applies intense pressure to the joint in the wrist while forcing the suspect off balance. The proper grasp to begin the wrist turnout (Kotegaeshi Nage) technique is pictured below.

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To complete the technique the officer maintains his grasp, rotates the suspect’s hand up and to the rear in a counter-clockwise motion.

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The officer then steps back with his left leg, pulling downward on the suspect’s wrist and arm (this is all one swift and fluid motion). The suspect ends up on the floor on his back. Any resistance inflicts excruciating pain in the joints of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder.

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Combative suspects are normally forced the ground for handcuffing. From this position, a quick turn of the suspect’s wrist and arm will force him to roll over on his stomach. Any resistance causes extreme pain and could severely injure the controlled wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Combative offenders typically cease resistance when they feel pain. When the resistance stops, then so does the pain. The more they struggle the more pain they feel. The amount of pain, if any, induced by the officer, is entirely up to the offender. No resistance = no pain.

In other techniques, to effectively control the wrist the elbow must be stationary. From this position, the suspect is easily handcuffed.

Wrist and other joint locks can cause intense pain in the wrist, the elbow, and the shoulder. In the image below, forward and downward pressure forces the suspect to the ground.

 

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I served as a police academy instructor and instructor-trainer for many years, teaching basic, advanced, and in-service classes such as, Defensive Tactics, Officer Survival, CPR, Interview and Interrogation, Homicide Investigation, Drug Recognition, and Firearms. I also trained, certified, and re-certified police academy instructors. Outside the academy, I owned my own school/gym where I taught classes in rape-prevention, personal self-defense and self-defense for women, and advanced training for executive bodyguards. I trained others in stick (tambo) and knife fighting.

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Throughout my law enforcement career I maintained the rank of Master Defensive Tactics Intructor/Aikido and Chin-Na.

 

“To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace.” ~ Morihei Ueshiba

 

Finally, speaking of “Steve ‘n’ Seagull”, well…

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What To Do If You’re Stopped By The Police

What to do if you're stopped

We’ve all experienced that moment of anxiety and apprehension when we look in our rear view mirrors and see a police car following closely behind. The sweating. The knot in the stomach. Not to mention the “what did I do’s” flashing though your mind like a slide show on speed. Oh no, did I say speed? How fast was I going? They don’t give tickets for twenty miles-per-hour over the limit, do they? I mean, the law says they have to at least allow a margin of 10mph, right?

You glance in the mirror again.

No matter how fast or how slow you go, it’s there, in stealth mode, with headlights glowing like the eyes of a demon. The driver’s monster-size dark silhouette sits unwavering behind the wheel. You can’t see them, but you know the driver-creature’s eyes have met yours. It knows, and you know it knows. It’s probed deep into your soul, the place where you keep all your dark secrets. Yes, it knows what what you’ve done and what you’re thinking. It knows you rolled through that intersection, brazenly ignoring the stop sign. And it knows about the day when time had run out on the parking meter, but you threw caution to the wind and left your car there for ten extra minutes, slapping Big Brother in the face with your devil-may-care attitude. But you knew it is was only a matter of time before…

Yes, IT is coming for you.

Okay, that’s a little overboard, but I think the feelings we get when we see a police car in our rear view mirrors are pretty darn intense. And all that intensity, anxiety, and trepidation often leads to trouble in the form of saying too much and doing all the wrong things at all the wrong times. And, no matter how calm and cool you think you are, this tongue-tangling often occurs when approached by police officers…even when we’ve done absolutely nothing wrong.

So what should you say when approached by a police officer? Or, what shouldn’t you say?

Okay, let’s start with a few basics. First of all, if the officer is aiming a .12 gauge at you like Officer Crawford in the top photo, well, you should definitely obey any and all of his commands. That is not the time to argue.

However, under normal circumstances, if you are stopped by the police you should be aware of:

1. Body language/mannerisms – It’s a good idea to not make any threatening gestures, like suddenly reaching into your pockets or placing your hands behind your back, unless you’ve been ordered to do so by the officer. Let’s face it, if you’re at the point when the officer has asked you to place your hands behind your back, much of what follows is moot.

2. What you say and how you say it – Arguing with the officer will earn you no favors. He/she wants the incident to be over and done as quickly and easily as possible. They don’t want to get hurt, nor do they want to hurt you. However, arguing automatically brings about a hostile atmosphere, an act that places the officer on guard. Therefore, simple things that normally wouldn’t seem harmful suddenly become potential threats in the eyes of the officer. Besides, anything you say can and WILL be used against you in a…yada, yada, yada…

Also, asking to see the officer’s supervisor is a silly thing to say while you’re arguing with him/her, because , if you’ve been hostile and combative, you’re probably a matter of seconds away from meeting the supervisor and the four or five other officers who’re on the way to help arrest you.

3. Your hands – Keep them to yourself. The officer does not know you or what your intentions are toward him. Do NOT touch the officer. Do not pretend you’re going to touch the officer. Believe me, this is not the time to play Tickle Me Elmo or “Got Your Nose”.

4. When operating a motor vehicle, you ARE required to present your driver’s license and registration when asked. By the way, if you are arrested/detained, you are required to give the officer your correct name. Failure to do so could result in an additional charge against you.

5. You do not have to give permission to search you or your property.

6. You should not physically resist a pat-down search. If you think the officer is overstepping his bounds then file a complaint with his supervisor at the police station.

7. You can be arrested if you don’t sign a traffic ticket. Your signature on the summons is like a bond, and the officer is allowing you to go free if you sign promising to appear in court on the date designated on the ticket. By not signing, the officer has no choice but to think you’re refusing to appear in court. Next up…handcuffs. Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right.

8. If you are arrested and you ask for an attorney, that does not mean Perry Mason will drop what he’s doing and immediately drive over to the jail. It might be several hours, or even days, before you see a lawyer. In fact, your first meeting with an appointed attorney could take place at the courthouse mere seconds/minutes before you go before the judge. This is not TV.

9. You will get a phone call (after arrest) but that doesn’t mean you’ll get to make that call the second you hit the jail floor. Booking and processing will probably be completed before you’re allowed to make the call. Sometimes, it’s hours before an officer has the time to get you to a phone. They have many other things going on, and bringing a telephone to a screaming, angry, blubbering drunk is not high on their to-do list.

10. Use your common sense, and for goodness sake, don’t quote law and police procedure based on what you’ve seen on TV.

Finally, do not operate a riding lawnmower on the roadway, especially while drinking alcohol.

 

 

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Chokehold Ruled Partial Cause Of Eric Garner’s Death

Choke hold: Eric Garner

The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office said Friday that neck compressions as well as compression of the chest while in the prone position were the causes of Eric Garner’s death. Garner’s existing health troubles—asthma, heart disease, and obesity—were also contributing factors.

After watching the initial cellphone video of the arrest and subsequent shakedown and scuffle to retrain, I was almost certain the officer’s arms around Garner’s neck were not quite in a position to cause death, or even unconsciousness. Actually, I never saw (in the video) a true chokehold applied. Goes to show that even a trained eye cannot totally rely on bystander video to draw an adequate conclusion.

However, I was firmly convinced that the weight of the officers “piling on” could have indeed been enough to cause Garner’s demise. Both the chokehold and piling on tactics are dangerous when used by anyone. Also, smashing Garner’s face against the pavement was not a pretty technique, but controlling the head could be an important part of gaining total physical control of a violent suspect. The “face smash” is not a technique I’ve ever taught to police, nor do I know anyone who has. But that’s not to say it isn’t taught to NYPD officers. I have, however, seen it used by officers when a suspect was attempting to bite them.

The chokehold, as everyone should know by now, is a banned technique in most, if not all police agencies. Chokehold deaths have occurred over the years, and that should be no surprise to officials. I stopped teaching “the choke” to recruits decades ago. I’ve always believed it to be an unsafe tactic, especially when used by those who are untrained. Its use could also be questionable for people who learned the technique “years ago” but failed to practice and train and re-train in its use.

Remember, though, when fighting for your life, well, anything goes. But not when making the “everyday” arrest. For those, there are clear-cut procedures and tactics/techniques taught to every officer. Sure, rules and regulations vary from area to area, but the basics are the same.

Piling on—the use of the combined weight of several officers—is not a restraining technique/tactic that’s taught to any police officer. Actually, officers are taught to control joints (wrists, elbows, etc.) and limbs (arms and legs) using compliance techniques, and even pain to the joints, if necessary. If those tactics fail the officer must move on to a higher degree of tactic—stun guns, TASER, the wrap, baton, ASP, pepper spray, etc.

I was a master defensive tactics instructor, and I’ve trained hundreds upon hundreds of police officers and other professionals over the years. I was pretty darn good at what I did, too. And, in all my years as a police officer, I never once used a chokehold to force a suspect to comply. Didn’t need to. On the other hand, I probably went through a couple of gallons of pepper spray and carved a few dents and notches in my baton and flashlight.

Properly utilized tactics work well, and with less effort. For example, I’ve brought combative people out of car windows and through their locked seat belts. Once I even made a very large, unruly man “un-ball” his fists. This list is long, and I won’t bore you with it any further, but my point is not to babble about things I’ve done, but to explain that properly used techniques, and there are many, do not require forcing a suspect into unconsciousness.

Now, to address piling-on. Imagine lying face down (prone) on a hard, flat surface, such as a concrete sidewalk. That act alone makes breathing a bit difficult. Next, add the weight of several grown men pressing down on your torso, forcing your back toward your chest and the walkway. The sidewalk does not give, causing an intense squeezing together of the back, chest, and the organs and bone between—heart, lungs, ribs, spine, etc.

To better picture the effect this has on a human body, think of a python and how it kills its prey. The large snake coils itself around the body of its victim, and each time the captured prey exhales the snake tightens its grip. The action prevents the prey from taking a new breath of air (inhale). The reptile repeats the exhale/grip-tightening until its victim’s oxygen supply is totally exhausted. The end result is death.

This is what I saw happen to Eric Garner—officers piling on—, and what I believe caused the immediate respiratory distress that later contributed to his death (he was heard saying, “I can’t breathe”). The tone of Garner’s voice clearly indicated distress. Not like the typical suspect who attempts to escape custody by feigning illness, etc., hoping officers will release their grip. Actually, at the time Garner indicated he was experiencing difficulty breathing, the tone of his voice was much different than when he spoke to officers at the onset of the incident. He was well on his way toward dying at that point.

Many people are calling for murder charges for the officers involved in Eric Garner’s death. And, the medical examiner did indeed rule his death a homicide. However, there’s a huge misconception about the word homicide and how it relates to a criminal charge. So lets clear the air. Homicide and Murder are not the same. That’s right. They. Are. Not. The. Same.

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Do I believe the officers intentionally killed Eric Garner? No, of course not.

On the other hand, are they responsible for his death. Yes. Why? Because they used techniques that are not approved by their department, techniques that have caused death in the past. In addition, there was an ample number of officers on hand to make the arrest. If the situation had been Garner against a single, or even two officers, things may be looked at differently due to the vast size difference between the officer(s) and Garner. And, had Garner attempted to flee, certain other factors might be considered in a more favorable light.

But, it is what it is. Garner is dead and his death was caused by three factors—police tactics that have been proven to be unsafe and potentially deadly, Garner’s health issues, and the fact that Garner committed a crime that brought the police to him in the first place.

I do predict we’ll see manslaughter charges for at least one of the officers. I also predict a huge settlement paid to Garner’s family. And, I think it’s safe to say we’ll see across the board changes to many officer training programs throughout the country.

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