NCJ Number
166984
Date Published
1993
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This training videotape demonstrates dangerous conditions associated with handling armed robbery suspects and indicates robbery-related calls constitute the most dangerous situation faced by police officers.
Abstract
Many police officers were killed upon arrival at the robbery scene. In many cases, police officers drove right up to the scene announcing their arrival. In 63 percent of the cases, multiple suspects were involved, leaving police officers surprised or outgunned. Police officers entering robbery locations without backup accounted for 10 percent of police officer deaths. Although a number of fatal incidents occurred at the robbery scene, most police officer murders occurred after the crime was committed and at some location away from the scene. In 28 percent of the cases, police officers died in the course of traffic stops. Several deaths occurred during high-speed pursuits, foot pursuits accounted for 20 percent of police officer deaths, and more than half of police officers who died failed to proceed in accordance with the danger posed by the situation. The videotape offers several suggestions to improve police officer safety in armed robbery cases: take cover and observe, look for multiple suspects, wait for backup, assess danger and plan approach, watch for an ambush, and take no chances.