NCJ Number
136127
Date Published
1992
Length
162 pages
Annotation
This book presents the procedures and techniques of "contact and cover," which is a concept and a set of operating tactics for use any time and every time two or more police officers deal with one or more suspects.
Abstract
This includes field interviews, traffic stops, arrests, radio calls, and on-scene investigations where suspects are present. One officer assumes the role of "contact" officer initiates and conducts all the business of the contact itself. The contact officer talks to the suspect, writes all of the suspect or incident information, performs all pat-downs and searches, gathers any evidence, writes all citations, and notifies the dispatcher of any relevant information. The cover officer's primary role is to protect the contact officer from a position of surveillance and control of the suspect and the scene. After discussing the contact and cover officers' roles and duties, the book explains the cover officer's approach and observation techniques as well as position and intervention. One chapter addresses officer-to-officer communication; five chapters on tactics cover procedures and techniques for two-officer/one suspect situations, suspect positioning, assault situations, multiple officers/multiple suspects, and "counter-instinctive" feelings. A chapter on special circumstances discusses ambush tactics, the challenge ambush, communication errors, arrest errors, handcuffing errors, the tactical retreat, and fatal errors. Supervision and training for contact and cover are considered in two chapters. Subject index