NCJ Number
92798
Journal
Police Marksman Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (January/February 1984) Pages: 29-34
Date Published
1984
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Greater St. Louis Police Academy (Missouri) advocates a unique approach in its Advanced Patrol Training to provide maximum safety to patrol officers responding to family disturbances.
Abstract
Most officers killed in family disturbance calls never even enter the residence. The Academy recommends an inconspicuous approach to the residence. At the front door, the officer should take a position about an arm's length from its hinged side, listening for a few seconds before knocking. If the person at the door displays a gun, the officer needs to immediately leave the kill zone by running along the front of the residence and simultaneously yelling 'gun' as a warning to his/her partner. This forces the assailant to expose himself outside the door if he intends to shoot and enables the partner, already aware of the intended assault and prepared to react, to take appropriate action. Drawing his/her weapon, the partner steps back and squats or drops to one knee, placing himself/herself below the assailant's natural line of fire, and angles any shots upward so they will be less likely to hit the other officer. With imagination, positions can be adjusted to allow for structural peculiarities which may hinder the use of this tactic. The approach also includes guidelines for the officers to follow once in the home and if an arrest proves necessary. Any subsequent calls to the same address should be handled by the same officer if available. Photographs and three references are supplied.