Page 7 - Texas Police Journal May June 2016

react or have an escape route. The same when at a suspect ambush you. The slight reaction that you read
stoplight, leave enough space between the car in front and how you react to them may be just enough to be
of you to get away. All of this being said is to prepare in your favor to mess up their OODA loop (observe,
you if you start taking fire. This could also save you orient, decide and act- by Col. Boyd) for you to have
from rear ending someone if you were hit from the advantage to win the fight. Remember action is
behind. Never let someone approached you on foot faster than reaction. This leads me to the next one.
while you are sitting in your vehicle. Remember
AGAIN being lazy or complacent will get you killed. 5. While on duty and especially in public, we should
Be sure to get out and make contact with them. always be in condition yellow. Be prepared to imme-
Another option, although frowned upon because you diately react to an attack. Frequently scan your envi-
are not visible to the public, is just going back to the ronment and that's not just 360, but 560 degrees.
PD and write your reports there. Attacks can come from any angle or direction at any
time.
3. While taking breaks or mark outs, again, be on
heightened awareness of your surroundings. We 6. Don't be hesitant or scared to react to do your job.
always have learned when sitting inside a restaurant The media seems to continuously put fuel on the fire,
be sure to sit where you can watch the door and I especially since Ferguson. Don't allow this to keep
would add try to sit near the nearest exit for point of you from doing your job in a lawful manner so you
cover near the kitchen counter. Another option is just can go home to your family at the end of your shift.
eating at the PD. Bringing your lunch can offer health- This includes using the appropriate amount of force
ier options instead of eating out and is usually cheap- with the threat that has presented itself according your
er. policies and procedures.

4. Interviewing - I can't stop mentioning the word To conclude, if you're being ambushed and you’re
complacency enough. Maintain your reactionary gap under fire whether it's on foot or in your vehicle, get
with your gun side away. Keep your hands out in front off the X and moved to cover then take the fight to
of you ready to defend yourself in case of an attack or them. We must train for all the above, mentally on a
to be able to draw your weapon. Remember to daily basis we have to have the right winning mind-
always watch the hands. If multiple subjects are in set. We have to have this same mindset on the range
question, be sure to monitor all of them, give verbal and take advantage of the opportunity every chance
commands and don't allow them to surround you. you get to shoot. If you have not learned and prac-
Most of you that have been in law enforcement for a ticed how to shoot from inside a vehicle and through
while, you have been in certain circumstances when glass make that happen.
you have a gut feeling or the hairs on the back of your
neck start to stand up or tingle. Don't ignore that, if You don't want to experience that for the first time
something does not feel right it usually is not. Learn when you are fighting for your life. Practice utilizing
how to read and pay attention to the body language of your vehicle as cover and understand what points of
people. If they all of a sudden clinch their first, start cover on that vehicle are to your advantage to stop
rocking or appear to change their stance, these could incoming rounds. Remember to shoot and move, but
be all pre-indicators of an attack. Also, how they react only move as fast as you can shoot accurately.
to your eye to eye contact with them. I'm not saying
be paranoid, but suspicious-yes. That's what we get Until I see you at the Conference ...
paid to do. At the same time, we must communicate Stay Safe!
and be professional. Just the sight of an officer of pres- John 15:13
ence and how they present themselves or wear there
uniform or how you give verbal commands to take Chris Havens
control of a situation could change the mind of the

May/June 2016 www.texaspoliceassociation.com • 866-997-8282 5