NCJ Number
166985
Date Published
1991
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This training videotape describes the circumstances and conditions most often present when police officers are killed while investigating suspicious persons and circumstances.
Abstract
The re-creation of actual cases shows the largest number of police officers were killed upon first contact with the suspect. In virtually equal numbers, police officers were killed during initial conversations and foot pursuits and at a point where suspects realized they were in real danger of being taken into custody. More than 60 percent of police officers could have been more cautious. In the suspicious person context, caution most often equated with fairly passive techniques such as using a cover. In many cases, indications of danger were immediately present or became apparent during police contact. It appeared police officer victims failed to respond to these indications or responded inappropriately. In 45 percent of cases, police officers actually interrupted a crime in progress. Of the officers killed, 63 percent had more than 5 years experience. Only 17 percent wore vests. Suspicious vehicles and suspicious people in vehicles accounted for a sizable number of fatal responses. Several officers who approached occupied vehicles used inappropriate tactics, either when walking or driving up to the suspicious vehicle. Many officers were alone, and only 15 percent called for backup. The videotape examines characteristics of the suspicious person who becomes desperate and offers suggestions on how to conduct safe suspicious person/circumstance investigations: observe from a position of safety, call for backup, confront from cover, stay alert for danger signals, and keep a position of advantage, and examine tactics.