Empty Hands in Sight, Beat'em to the Fight
Researchers wanted to see the average time it took for a person seated in the driver's seat to shoot at a police officer. The two approach styles selected were the driver and passenger side windows. The results?
The research, just published last year, supports what other action/reaction research has found previously. No matter what side of the vehicle we stand on, once the driver has initiated the act of wanting to deploy a handgun, and the handgun is already in his hand, he will be able to shoot at us in less than .7 of a second.
Research also suggests most officers can take up to 2 seconds to respond to the observation of the gun being directed at them. In our profession, this delay can be particularly dangerous. A YouTube video titled "Action Vs Reaction" highlights this point by showing how an attacker's actions can be much faster than an officer's reaction. In the video, it is clear that the officer's reaction time is slower, which gives the attacker the upper hand.
Some may wonder why it takes so long for us to respond to an unanticipated attack. Keep in mind it takes time for us to;
While we are doing this the driver has already shot at least once, if not multiple times in our direction.
It is crucial law enforcement officers train to observe and recognize potential cues when stopping and approaching a vehicle. These cues can include the driver's body language, the position of their hands, and unusual objects or movements within the vehicle. By missing or ignoring these cues, officers put themselves at a tactical disadvantage.
In a situation where the driver has no intention to harm, this tactical disadvantage may not have a significant impact. However, when the driver has the intent to harm, an officer's failure to recognize and respond to these cues can have dire consequences.
Hands Kill
The significance of assessing behavioral cues cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to the absence of visible hands during interactions with the driver/occupants. Concealed hands may suggest an attempt to conceal something potentially threatening, such as a weapon.
For law enforcement professionals, maintaining vigilance regarding this indicator is imperative, prompting appropriate measures to be taken. This could involve altering one's position to attain a clearer perspective or relocating to the rear of the stopped vehicle.
Moreover, a driver's resistance to keeping their hands within plain view ought to be regarded as a potential warning sign, necessitating heightened caution. Consequently, the approach path chosen when approaching a vehicle is of paramount importance. Train to learn which approach path will give you the best visibility of the driver's hands and or getting off the X the fastest.
Location! Location! Location!
Seeing hands or behavioral cues as soon as possible begins with where we stop the vehicle. We may not be able to control where we come in contact with the driver, but when we can, let's use it to gain a tactical advantage.
We know the driver/occupants can shoot at us just as fast from either side. Therefore the purpose of our approach should be which path gives us more time to observe behavior, and once near the vehicle, how soon can we observe hands?
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Have A Plan
In addition to seeking out the hands, train to have a plan of action. For example: When/Then. When X happens, Then I will do Y. Just know, that your plan cannot be to stand there and deploy your firearm.
Get off the X!
This officer's plan of action worked out very well for him. Watch him get off the X and find center mass! Check out this officer's plan to handle business.
It is important to use research to construct evidence-based police tactics. This will ensure that we are prepared to handle real-world situations effectively. Therefore, we must train to observe and focus on the hands of the attacker as soon as possible. This will decrease our reactionary time and improve our chances of responding to the threat.
Remember, hands kill. Select a vehicle approach that allows us to see the hands. When we cannot see the hands we are at a tactical disadvantage. If you observe cues that make you feel the occupants are a potential threat, get off the X, create distance, and assess.
**This topic could be discussed for hours. There are so many variables to consider. Watching a 30-second Instagram video or reading this newsletter will not educate you about vehicle approach options. Please do your own research. Use the links below and begin to learn on your own. Then decide what is best for you! Know the pros and cons of your tactics!
Do your research. Don't take my word for it!
Public Safety Training & Consulting (*This is my personal page)
1 年Training officers in decision-making is critical. We need thinkers, not robots.