As a society, we live in a technologically advanced era. Nearly everything is faster than it was two decades ago. Everywhere one turns there is a faster alternative to what was ‘new to the market’ just last year. Even those of us in law enforcement are inundated with technological advancements. On board computer systems, advanced radio systems, global positioning systems, and so many other advancements in crime detection and prevention have made law enforcement a profession, not just a job. The downside to this paradigm is the over-reliance on technology and a trend of abandonment of good old-fashioned policing.
As a combatives instructor I have seen the full array of ‘the next-best tool’ for law enforcement officers to use in the line of duty. Everything from practical tools to those that appear to be derived from bedroom toys has been introduced as control tools. As law enforcement officers, we need to be flexible enough to accept some modifications [improvise, adapt, & overcome], but not a complete change of doctrine. Being over-reliant on a baton, a chemical agent, an electro-stun unit, or any other tool can lead to disastrous consequences. This is what we in the Use of Force arena call the Total Control Theory. Relying on one tool or technique to control the majority of resistance situations posed by the suspect is not advisable, nor is it practical. Unfortunately, in order to assimilate these new tools into our training schedule, a trend of cutting time spent on other techniques [or worse yet, dropping something completely] has become an issue for many training organizations.
I frequently read articles that explain scenarios where officers use a tool to excess because the tool did not work or properly function the first time. As opposed to transitioning to a form of empty hand control techniques (or another appropriate level of control), officers use a tool repeatedly because of a training failure to supply an acceptable alternative. This has resulted in more than an acceptable number of injuries or loss of life for the officer or the suspect. When an officer encounters resistance, typically he/she will respond as training prescribed. If the control technique fails then the officer should either escalate in their use of force or disengage and re-evaluate the situation. CS / OC, Baton strikes, and electro-stun devices are all great tools when used properly. However, many officers are under a misconception that these tools are Incapacitants. This, as most trainers & seasoned officers know, is not the case.
Some may ask, ‘Why does the officer strike the suspect repeatedly with the baton? Why does the officer use the electro-stunning device repeatedly? Why does the officer use the chemical agent over and over to no avail?’ The answer lies in the training. We have failed to teach students to transition when a failure is encountered. We have forgotten to teach stance, positioning, striking, takedowns, escalation, de-escalation, & controlling adequately. Simply glazing over these skills in order to make time for ‘higher-end techniques’ will not suffice. To simply show the officer how to strike the suspect is inadequate. To simply show the officer how to spray an offender with OC / CS is inadequate. To simply show the officer how to use an electro-stun device is inadequate. We, as supervisors & trainers, must show officers how to use follow-up control in those situations and, if failure is encountered, how to tactically, legally, ethically, & medically respond to that situation. It is imperative that we not forget the basics! As an old instructor used to explain to me, “Advanced techniques are the basics mastered.” He was telling me to learn the absolute basic techniques because everything else was a derivative of the basics. Once the foundation is laid, it is easy to build a great structure, but without the foundation, the structure will fall on it’s own weight. As warriors, it is our duty to remember where we came from, and as instructors it is our responsibility to make sure our students don’t forget. Our students are, after all, only a reflection of the training that we supply.
‘honos-integritas-revereri’
Tony E. Thomas, II
Lead Control Tactics Instructor for a State Agency