Friday, August 19, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Carbine's for Duty Carry. Which One and Why?
By Jason Falla
The United States is the center of gravity for all things tactical. The U.S market represents 90% of the world market and because of this the world's premier weapons manufacturers have set up shop here in continental United States to sell their wears to the military, law enforcement agencies and private citizens.
However, after world events such as 911 there has been a huge demand for weapons in the U.S. This placed massive strain on quality control systems of weapons companies as demand overtook supply. As a result, manufacturers produced what could only be seen by the end user as lower quality products that failed to meet the expectation of the consumer.
Another issue to compound the existing problems was the injection of new companies looking to capitalize on the buyers market. This has become the biggest issue for end users as one weapon looks much the same as another, yet one is priced to meet the budget of most civilian shooters and law enforcement agencies struggling with budgetary constraints and the other priced for high end private users and military units. To the layman, both weapons meet the specifications of the end user and price then becomes the deciding factor.
I would like to focus this writing towards the law enforcement officer looking to purchase a weapon for duty carry or an LE department looking to outfit the department with a patrol rifle for general patrol use or for tactical SWAT applications.
Here is a list of considerations when selecting a weapon for duty carry/use.
1. Mil-Spec: I am a firm believer in buying a carbine that meets Mil-Spec standards. The military operates in the harshest environments on the planet and if it's good enough for them, it's definitely good enough for domestic use. All of my AR15's/M4's are fully Mil-Spec, as are the parts kits and accessories. I will not have anything on or in my weapons that do not meet these requirements.
2. Manufacturer: (This is a contentious issue as the industry is full of 'experts' looking to capitalize on promoting themselves by promoting a weapon manufacturer. Bottom line is, business is business, but don't fall foul of believing the hype! Remember, the U.S market is 90% of the world market. Everyone is out to make a buck!)
Stick with high end manufacturers that build guns for the military. Colt has been supplying quality M4's to the military for a long time. I used one while serving and it ran like a charm. I now have two H&K 416's. I have had nothing but success from both of these guns and don't believe the hype that's out there about the problems with this weapon. I have LMT guns all are Mil-Spec and all run like a charm. My latest project is a collaboration with Monty from Centurion Arms to produce a fully Mil-Spec carbine for Redback One. Centurion Arms is a small and up coming company that produces excellent quality Mil-Spec carbines. Monty has put together rifles and carbines that closely resemble those currently being used by Special Operations personnel. An example of this is his Mk 12 SPR.
3. Direct Gas Impingement or Piston: I have used all of the quality DGI and piston guns on the market today. I like both operating systems. My advise is this. Stay away from piston driven guns that are not currently in wide spread use by U.S Special Operations. I have seen all of the issues such as heat transfer to the hand-guards, reliability issues, excess recoil, accuracy problems, vibrations causing accessories to rattle loose and so on.
The fact is, good piston guns are more reliable than DGI guns because they will run without much lubricant and gas and carbon is not being deposited back into the bolt, bolt-carrier and body of the weapon which contributes to weapon malfunctions. FACT: piston guns need to be lubricated. Don't think that you will get away without lubing your weapon. Piston guns run better after a good cleaning and a light oil. This will not only enhance performance under normal conditions but it will prevent excess wear and tear on all parts, saving the bottom line of the department.
All piston guns recoil harder that a standard DGI gun. When I began shooting my HK416's I wasn't sure that I was going to like them due to the excess recoil. But, after only a short time I was able to manage recoil using our recoil management system just as effectively as any DGI gun.
4. Barrel Length: I believe that a 14.5" barrel is the best barrel length to issue patrol officers for duty. This length is perfectly suited for all conditions from rural to urban operations. Muzzle velocities are high enough to stabilize the projectile out to 200 meters, the lethal range of the weapon system. It's not too long so patrol officers can deploy the weapon quickly and effectively for active shooter response.
For tactical SWAT applications, I would encourage the decision to purchase a 10.5" barreled carbine. This will allow the officers to maneuver the weapon efficiently when conducting missions involving room clearing and CQB. Although terminal performance is compromised due to the much lower muzzle velocities. The 5.56 round can still be just as effective but relies more on shot placement that the terminal performance of the round selected. (The previous statement is true across the board, however training is the biggest factor effecting the lethality of the patrol officer.)
5. Round Selection: For law enforcement use I strongly advocate using the Hornady 75 grain TAP round as the preferred round for patrol and SWAT applications. This round has been tested and approved for use in U.S SOCOM and gives terminal performance similar to BH 77 grain OTM LR ammunition.
6. Accessories: I am a big believer in aiding the abilities of the shooter by equipping him with accessories that enhance his capability and lethality.
A. Having a quality weapon mounted flashlight is of paramount importance and should be seen as a standard accessory permanently mounted to the carbine. My preferred manufacturer is Surefire. No other flashlight compares, or comes close to them. I use scout lights on all of my carbine in various configurations from 3V, 6V, IR V series, low profile mounts to standard mounts. This is the best carbine flashlight on the market!
B. I believe that all tactical SWAT personnel should be issued with an NVG and Laser for there weapons. This force multiplier enhances the teams capability and enhances lethality by being able to target individuals without the need for visible light which can lead to mission compromise, potentially effecting a successful outcome.
C. Having a quality red-dot sight on the weapon is an obvious enhancement to the targeting capability of the officer during daylight or low light operations. I choose Aimpoint as my preferred combat optic and the T1 micro and the preferred model. You can't beat the battery life and how robust they are.
D. Keep a quality pair of iron sights on the weapon just in case the optic fails!
E. A sound suppressor can be an effective tool to enhance command and control at the tactical level. It also provides a silent entry capability for the assault team with the right set up and training. This is a desirable feature not an essential one. Go with a reputable brand such as Surefire or AAC.
F. You will need a sling for the weapon. Slings can be used for tactical use and for administrative purposes. Choose a sling that will best serve your purpose. The sling must NOT prohibit the maneuverability of the weapon or restrict the user from accessing the control features of the weapon. There is way too much industry hype on sling choice. Don't believe the hype! A two point sling will allow you to sling the weapon on your back to climb, go hands on, conduct admin, attend to a casualty etc. It will also allow you to operate the weapon tactically and transition to your secondary weapon as required. A single point sling is purpose built for CQB only and you will not be able to perform the functions mentioned of the two point sling. I have designed a two point sling that is low profile, only 1" wide, is adjustable for tactical use and administrative use. It will be available soon through RB1 and SORD USA.
My final thoughts are this. Buy quality and buy once! Don't believe the hype! Seek advise from unbiased people that know what they are talking about.
Please feel free to contact me or Redback One at any time for any advise on training, tactics or equipment.
Stay Safe.
The United States is the center of gravity for all things tactical. The U.S market represents 90% of the world market and because of this the world's premier weapons manufacturers have set up shop here in continental United States to sell their wears to the military, law enforcement agencies and private citizens.
However, after world events such as 911 there has been a huge demand for weapons in the U.S. This placed massive strain on quality control systems of weapons companies as demand overtook supply. As a result, manufacturers produced what could only be seen by the end user as lower quality products that failed to meet the expectation of the consumer.
Another issue to compound the existing problems was the injection of new companies looking to capitalize on the buyers market. This has become the biggest issue for end users as one weapon looks much the same as another, yet one is priced to meet the budget of most civilian shooters and law enforcement agencies struggling with budgetary constraints and the other priced for high end private users and military units. To the layman, both weapons meet the specifications of the end user and price then becomes the deciding factor.
I would like to focus this writing towards the law enforcement officer looking to purchase a weapon for duty carry or an LE department looking to outfit the department with a patrol rifle for general patrol use or for tactical SWAT applications.
Here is a list of considerations when selecting a weapon for duty carry/use.
1. Mil-Spec: I am a firm believer in buying a carbine that meets Mil-Spec standards. The military operates in the harshest environments on the planet and if it's good enough for them, it's definitely good enough for domestic use. All of my AR15's/M4's are fully Mil-Spec, as are the parts kits and accessories. I will not have anything on or in my weapons that do not meet these requirements.
2. Manufacturer: (This is a contentious issue as the industry is full of 'experts' looking to capitalize on promoting themselves by promoting a weapon manufacturer. Bottom line is, business is business, but don't fall foul of believing the hype! Remember, the U.S market is 90% of the world market. Everyone is out to make a buck!)
Stick with high end manufacturers that build guns for the military. Colt has been supplying quality M4's to the military for a long time. I used one while serving and it ran like a charm. I now have two H&K 416's. I have had nothing but success from both of these guns and don't believe the hype that's out there about the problems with this weapon. I have LMT guns all are Mil-Spec and all run like a charm. My latest project is a collaboration with Monty from Centurion Arms to produce a fully Mil-Spec carbine for Redback One. Centurion Arms is a small and up coming company that produces excellent quality Mil-Spec carbines. Monty has put together rifles and carbines that closely resemble those currently being used by Special Operations personnel. An example of this is his Mk 12 SPR.
3. Direct Gas Impingement or Piston: I have used all of the quality DGI and piston guns on the market today. I like both operating systems. My advise is this. Stay away from piston driven guns that are not currently in wide spread use by U.S Special Operations. I have seen all of the issues such as heat transfer to the hand-guards, reliability issues, excess recoil, accuracy problems, vibrations causing accessories to rattle loose and so on.
The fact is, good piston guns are more reliable than DGI guns because they will run without much lubricant and gas and carbon is not being deposited back into the bolt, bolt-carrier and body of the weapon which contributes to weapon malfunctions. FACT: piston guns need to be lubricated. Don't think that you will get away without lubing your weapon. Piston guns run better after a good cleaning and a light oil. This will not only enhance performance under normal conditions but it will prevent excess wear and tear on all parts, saving the bottom line of the department.
All piston guns recoil harder that a standard DGI gun. When I began shooting my HK416's I wasn't sure that I was going to like them due to the excess recoil. But, after only a short time I was able to manage recoil using our recoil management system just as effectively as any DGI gun.
4. Barrel Length: I believe that a 14.5" barrel is the best barrel length to issue patrol officers for duty. This length is perfectly suited for all conditions from rural to urban operations. Muzzle velocities are high enough to stabilize the projectile out to 200 meters, the lethal range of the weapon system. It's not too long so patrol officers can deploy the weapon quickly and effectively for active shooter response.
For tactical SWAT applications, I would encourage the decision to purchase a 10.5" barreled carbine. This will allow the officers to maneuver the weapon efficiently when conducting missions involving room clearing and CQB. Although terminal performance is compromised due to the much lower muzzle velocities. The 5.56 round can still be just as effective but relies more on shot placement that the terminal performance of the round selected. (The previous statement is true across the board, however training is the biggest factor effecting the lethality of the patrol officer.)
5. Round Selection: For law enforcement use I strongly advocate using the Hornady 75 grain TAP round as the preferred round for patrol and SWAT applications. This round has been tested and approved for use in U.S SOCOM and gives terminal performance similar to BH 77 grain OTM LR ammunition.
6. Accessories: I am a big believer in aiding the abilities of the shooter by equipping him with accessories that enhance his capability and lethality.
A. Having a quality weapon mounted flashlight is of paramount importance and should be seen as a standard accessory permanently mounted to the carbine. My preferred manufacturer is Surefire. No other flashlight compares, or comes close to them. I use scout lights on all of my carbine in various configurations from 3V, 6V, IR V series, low profile mounts to standard mounts. This is the best carbine flashlight on the market!
B. I believe that all tactical SWAT personnel should be issued with an NVG and Laser for there weapons. This force multiplier enhances the teams capability and enhances lethality by being able to target individuals without the need for visible light which can lead to mission compromise, potentially effecting a successful outcome.
C. Having a quality red-dot sight on the weapon is an obvious enhancement to the targeting capability of the officer during daylight or low light operations. I choose Aimpoint as my preferred combat optic and the T1 micro and the preferred model. You can't beat the battery life and how robust they are.
D. Keep a quality pair of iron sights on the weapon just in case the optic fails!
E. A sound suppressor can be an effective tool to enhance command and control at the tactical level. It also provides a silent entry capability for the assault team with the right set up and training. This is a desirable feature not an essential one. Go with a reputable brand such as Surefire or AAC.
F. You will need a sling for the weapon. Slings can be used for tactical use and for administrative purposes. Choose a sling that will best serve your purpose. The sling must NOT prohibit the maneuverability of the weapon or restrict the user from accessing the control features of the weapon. There is way too much industry hype on sling choice. Don't believe the hype! A two point sling will allow you to sling the weapon on your back to climb, go hands on, conduct admin, attend to a casualty etc. It will also allow you to operate the weapon tactically and transition to your secondary weapon as required. A single point sling is purpose built for CQB only and you will not be able to perform the functions mentioned of the two point sling. I have designed a two point sling that is low profile, only 1" wide, is adjustable for tactical use and administrative use. It will be available soon through RB1 and SORD USA.
My final thoughts are this. Buy quality and buy once! Don't believe the hype! Seek advise from unbiased people that know what they are talking about.
Please feel free to contact me or Redback One at any time for any advise on training, tactics or equipment.
Stay Safe.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
RedBack One coming to Alaska
hello, I will be hosting an upcoming RedBack One Carbine/Pistol course in Oct. This is to going to be an excellent course, A great opportunity to increase and reinforce your current skill level, train with a world class instructor and have a fun time with fellow shooters.
Please contact me soon if you would like to attend. and for more info, I'm looking forward to training with you....
Jason Falla is a veteran soldier from the Australian Army Special Forces community. He was a qualified Green Beret commando and former member of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). Jason dedicated 12 years to servicing his country and deployed to the Middle East as part of GWOT. Jason was actively engaged in offensive operations during OEF and OIF as well as many other theaters around the world. Jason relocated to the United States in 2005 and secured a full time position with Blackwater in 2006. He quickly became regarded and well respected in the firearms industry as one of Blackwater's best instructors. Jason left the company in Jan 2010 and became a training advisor for Redback One, a firearms and tactics school that emphasizes combat marksmanship. Jason's expertise and proficiency in Special Operations training including, CQB, urban warfare, military small arms, Land-Warfare and combat medicine makes him a highly sought after instructor within the firearms industry and the U.S military. He is a master class IDPA pistol shooter and master of the carbine.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Officer Survival
Use-of-Force
By Paul Howe
I’ve hesitated to write about the use-of-force for two reasons: 1) I am not currently
an active law enforcement officer, and 2) there are varied state, local and
departmental policies to take into account in the use-of-force equation. Instead,
I’ve resorted to showing students a variety of force options and tactical moves in
my training courses, with the verbal qualifier, “use what is legal in your venue and
what your chain of command will support you with.”
The recent deaths of several officers and civilians, and the torture and death of
hostages at the hands of their captors have prompted me to write an article
addressing this issue. I wish to discuss three areas:
* The Individual Officer and His Duty to Take Action
* The Use of the Taser
* Leadership and/or Lack Thereof in Tactical Situations
Most of us know that the first response is critical to saving lives. The motto to
protect and serve shouldn’t be only a saying stenciled on the side of your patrol car
for the public’s viewing pleasure. It should be a code by which we live. I believe
that we can do better in all three areas mentioned above by improving simple
issues such as combat mindset, controlled aggressiveness and training.
The Individual Officer and His Duty to Take Action
I have heard countless stories of officers being denied their request to move on an
active shooter by their chain of command, who is not at the scene. This denial by
command has happened with both patrol and Swat officers, resulting in the death
or torture of hostages. Yes, torture is the word I use to describe deliberate violence
inflicted on a person being held against their will.
I would argue that the patrol officer has a legal and moral duty, and obligation to
tactically move against these threats in a rapid, efficient and surgical manner.
Rapid means quickly, in order to save life and limb. Efficient is a practiced tactical
move that flows naturally from the officer, as a result of maintenance training.
Surgical is applying the appropriate force for the situation. Simply put, surgical
means hitting your target with every round you fire. You are responsible for being
able to apply surgical fire. This requires you to move or change your firing position
so that the shot is delivered safely. You must move right or left, up or down, to
change the angle of your shot, making sure that the foreground of your target is as
safe as the background.
How do you prepare for the movement necessary to make a safe and surgical shot?
Increased training in individual tactical skills and additional firearms training are
the answers to most problems law enforcement officers face. Realize this: you will
never have enough time in the day for the amount of training you need. However,
every one of us can make time for the following:
* 10-15 minutes of dry fire with your pistol and carbine. This will help ensure that
you make a first-round hit, as long as you practice using the sights.
* 5-10 simple hand-to-hand combat drills. These do not have to be fancy or
elaborate, just simple drills involving punches and strikes to get someone off of
you.
* 5-10 simple knife drills. Again, make sure you’re ready to cut someone off of
you if necessary.
* Get into good physical condition. I believe that you are less likely to be injured if
you are in top-notch physical shape. And, if by chance you are injured, good
physical conditioning will normally help during your recovery. Being physically fit
gives you a better chance of survival, no doubt about it. All combat I’ve personally
been involved in has been both physically demanding and has taken place in a fluid
environment, requiring me to move and create a safe firing position.
Use of the Taser
I am neither for, nor against the Taser. It is simply a tool that should be used in the
correct manner and applied to the appropriate level of threat. What we must realize
is that it will not guarantee success in certain force-level situations. I know of two
incidents in my state alone, where officers attempted to employ a Taser before they
were sure of the level of threat they were facing. Both died as a result of taking a
Taser to a gunfight. The Taser is sometimes viewed by many administrators and
officers alike, as a “solve all your problems tool.” This is simply not true. Tasers
can and have malfunctioned. Suspects have fought through their effects. Officers
have missed their mark when firing them. Sadly, they have also attempted to Taser
individuals who were carrying firearms, and have died as a result.
Officers should not approach a lethal threat with a Taser in their gun hand. The
same applies to edged weapon threats. It is my understanding that an officer
recently died doing just that. The problem this officer faced was the fact that the
offender had a knife in one hand and a gun in the other. As can be imagined, the
firearm-toting subject won the altercation, and the officer became another line-ofduty
death. First and foremost, officers must establish that the situation does not
require lethal force before deciding to deploy their Taser. If you are facing a lethal
threat, by all means, have your firearm in your hand.
Additionally, protective live-fire cover needs to be instantly ready during Taser
deployment. If you have a policy of using a Taser in a lethal force situation, you
have got to practice this on a flat range, with your live-fire cover officer on line
with you. Why on line? First, your live-fire cover officer cannot shoot safely from
behind you. Next, when you see the lethal threat, your live-fire cover must also see
it in order to react. If your cover officer cannot see what you are seeing, he cannot
act quickly enough to protect you.
Finally, Tasers will occasionally fail, and people will fight through them in the
future. In one instance, an officer fought through a Taser ride during a training
situation. His incentive was to recover a $100 bill on a nearby table. When asked,
how he was able to do it, the officer replied “a man’s got to eat.”
Finally, do not allow your officers to become complacent and fail to use immediate
physical hands-on force when it is required. In this kinder and gentler society, we
must still be willing to physically fight to protect individuals and save lives. This
must be practiced periodically during training and on the street. If you allow
officers to rely solely on the Taser to finish their fight, realize that there is a good
chance they may one day become a casualty. In fact, you are allowing them to
become mentally and physically out-of-shape. More importantly, you are
encouraging them to drop their much-needed mental combat mindset.
Tactical Leadership and the Lack Thereof
More often than not, centralized leadership will fail in tactical situations. Both
tactical and patrol commanders who respond to an officer’s request to act by
saying, “not until I get there” show problems in training, problems in trust and
problems in competence.
As I’ve mentioned in previous training, SWAT has given patrol officers a false
sense of security. This “let’s wait and see” or “it’s too dangerous, let SWAT
handle it,” mentality, does not wash. The reasons are many and varied. In the
larger cities, it may be 30-40 minutes after the call before SWAT is on-scene, due
to response times, traffic, etc. Patrol officers need to be authorized and empowered
to act, and their training levels need to be elevated to meet the threats that they
face–namely, armed opponents with deadly weapons.
Police administrators need to become leaders. They need to get out of their offices
and get to training. They need to physically watch training at the academy level, as
well as in-service or sustainment training in the department. Patrol and tactical
officers need to interact with administrators, and there needs to be honest dialogue
between the two entities. Yes, you need to talk to the people you work with. This
way, you can know their capabilities and limitations, and they can know what you
expect of them. They need to know that you are going to back them up if they need
to act in a rapid manner in order to save lives.
I borrowed this from Ron McCarthy. It is a simple and easy-to-follow matrix for
those who need a flow chart about when you can act during high-level use-of-force
incidents.
Law – Is the suspect violating the law and is deadly force a lawful option to
resolve the situation? If the answer is yes, keep going!
Policy – Does your policy allow the use of deadly force in this situation? If the
answer is yes, keep going.
Ethics – If negotiations are ongoing but the offender refuses to disarm and
surrender the hostages, and you can make a safe shot, should you shoot? Answer:
Yes.
If he kills the hostage later, your decision not to take him out will have put the
suspect’s welfare over that of the hostage. Realize that the window of opportunity
only stays open so long. After that, you need to force it open and this may cause
time delays, which generally favor the suspect. We must manage time, as it
directly influences the health and welfare of the innocent.
Through scenario-based training, the patrol and tactical officer should know the
answers to the test before they get there. If they do not, you have failed as a leader.
The incident they face should not be the first time they’ve encountered such. They
should have experienced a similar situation in training. Remember, you have the
chance to influence what is taught in the academy. If you don’t have influence over
academy training, you control how and what is taught in your department’s
training section. Fix this problem – get out of your office and get the right training
for your officers. Be a leader!
Key Points
* At the individual level, ensure you are doing your part and dry firing, practicing
hand-to-hand combat moves and keeping in good physical shape.
* If you are going to use a Taser, make sure you practice with lethal cover on a flat
range and with live fire. Also, don’t forget how to fight, in case the Taser fails.
* Leadership: Get out of your office and see what is going on and what is being
taught. Go through the training when time permits. If necessary, change it for the
better so that you are sure your officers are getting realistic and relevant training.
Use-of-Force
By Paul Howe
I’ve hesitated to write about the use-of-force for two reasons: 1) I am not currently
an active law enforcement officer, and 2) there are varied state, local and
departmental policies to take into account in the use-of-force equation. Instead,
I’ve resorted to showing students a variety of force options and tactical moves in
my training courses, with the verbal qualifier, “use what is legal in your venue and
what your chain of command will support you with.”
The recent deaths of several officers and civilians, and the torture and death of
hostages at the hands of their captors have prompted me to write an article
addressing this issue. I wish to discuss three areas:
* The Individual Officer and His Duty to Take Action
* The Use of the Taser
* Leadership and/or Lack Thereof in Tactical Situations
Most of us know that the first response is critical to saving lives. The motto to
protect and serve shouldn’t be only a saying stenciled on the side of your patrol car
for the public’s viewing pleasure. It should be a code by which we live. I believe
that we can do better in all three areas mentioned above by improving simple
issues such as combat mindset, controlled aggressiveness and training.
The Individual Officer and His Duty to Take Action
I have heard countless stories of officers being denied their request to move on an
active shooter by their chain of command, who is not at the scene. This denial by
command has happened with both patrol and Swat officers, resulting in the death
or torture of hostages. Yes, torture is the word I use to describe deliberate violence
inflicted on a person being held against their will.
I would argue that the patrol officer has a legal and moral duty, and obligation to
tactically move against these threats in a rapid, efficient and surgical manner.
Rapid means quickly, in order to save life and limb. Efficient is a practiced tactical
move that flows naturally from the officer, as a result of maintenance training.
Surgical is applying the appropriate force for the situation. Simply put, surgical
means hitting your target with every round you fire. You are responsible for being
able to apply surgical fire. This requires you to move or change your firing position
so that the shot is delivered safely. You must move right or left, up or down, to
change the angle of your shot, making sure that the foreground of your target is as
safe as the background.
How do you prepare for the movement necessary to make a safe and surgical shot?
Increased training in individual tactical skills and additional firearms training are
the answers to most problems law enforcement officers face. Realize this: you will
never have enough time in the day for the amount of training you need. However,
every one of us can make time for the following:
* 10-15 minutes of dry fire with your pistol and carbine. This will help ensure that
you make a first-round hit, as long as you practice using the sights.
* 5-10 simple hand-to-hand combat drills. These do not have to be fancy or
elaborate, just simple drills involving punches and strikes to get someone off of
you.
* 5-10 simple knife drills. Again, make sure you’re ready to cut someone off of
you if necessary.
* Get into good physical condition. I believe that you are less likely to be injured if
you are in top-notch physical shape. And, if by chance you are injured, good
physical conditioning will normally help during your recovery. Being physically fit
gives you a better chance of survival, no doubt about it. All combat I’ve personally
been involved in has been both physically demanding and has taken place in a fluid
environment, requiring me to move and create a safe firing position.
Use of the Taser
I am neither for, nor against the Taser. It is simply a tool that should be used in the
correct manner and applied to the appropriate level of threat. What we must realize
is that it will not guarantee success in certain force-level situations. I know of two
incidents in my state alone, where officers attempted to employ a Taser before they
were sure of the level of threat they were facing. Both died as a result of taking a
Taser to a gunfight. The Taser is sometimes viewed by many administrators and
officers alike, as a “solve all your problems tool.” This is simply not true. Tasers
can and have malfunctioned. Suspects have fought through their effects. Officers
have missed their mark when firing them. Sadly, they have also attempted to Taser
individuals who were carrying firearms, and have died as a result.
Officers should not approach a lethal threat with a Taser in their gun hand. The
same applies to edged weapon threats. It is my understanding that an officer
recently died doing just that. The problem this officer faced was the fact that the
offender had a knife in one hand and a gun in the other. As can be imagined, the
firearm-toting subject won the altercation, and the officer became another line-ofduty
death. First and foremost, officers must establish that the situation does not
require lethal force before deciding to deploy their Taser. If you are facing a lethal
threat, by all means, have your firearm in your hand.
Additionally, protective live-fire cover needs to be instantly ready during Taser
deployment. If you have a policy of using a Taser in a lethal force situation, you
have got to practice this on a flat range, with your live-fire cover officer on line
with you. Why on line? First, your live-fire cover officer cannot shoot safely from
behind you. Next, when you see the lethal threat, your live-fire cover must also see
it in order to react. If your cover officer cannot see what you are seeing, he cannot
act quickly enough to protect you.
Finally, Tasers will occasionally fail, and people will fight through them in the
future. In one instance, an officer fought through a Taser ride during a training
situation. His incentive was to recover a $100 bill on a nearby table. When asked,
how he was able to do it, the officer replied “a man’s got to eat.”
Finally, do not allow your officers to become complacent and fail to use immediate
physical hands-on force when it is required. In this kinder and gentler society, we
must still be willing to physically fight to protect individuals and save lives. This
must be practiced periodically during training and on the street. If you allow
officers to rely solely on the Taser to finish their fight, realize that there is a good
chance they may one day become a casualty. In fact, you are allowing them to
become mentally and physically out-of-shape. More importantly, you are
encouraging them to drop their much-needed mental combat mindset.
Tactical Leadership and the Lack Thereof
More often than not, centralized leadership will fail in tactical situations. Both
tactical and patrol commanders who respond to an officer’s request to act by
saying, “not until I get there” show problems in training, problems in trust and
problems in competence.
As I’ve mentioned in previous training, SWAT has given patrol officers a false
sense of security. This “let’s wait and see” or “it’s too dangerous, let SWAT
handle it,” mentality, does not wash. The reasons are many and varied. In the
larger cities, it may be 30-40 minutes after the call before SWAT is on-scene, due
to response times, traffic, etc. Patrol officers need to be authorized and empowered
to act, and their training levels need to be elevated to meet the threats that they
face–namely, armed opponents with deadly weapons.
Police administrators need to become leaders. They need to get out of their offices
and get to training. They need to physically watch training at the academy level, as
well as in-service or sustainment training in the department. Patrol and tactical
officers need to interact with administrators, and there needs to be honest dialogue
between the two entities. Yes, you need to talk to the people you work with. This
way, you can know their capabilities and limitations, and they can know what you
expect of them. They need to know that you are going to back them up if they need
to act in a rapid manner in order to save lives.
I borrowed this from Ron McCarthy. It is a simple and easy-to-follow matrix for
those who need a flow chart about when you can act during high-level use-of-force
incidents.
Law – Is the suspect violating the law and is deadly force a lawful option to
resolve the situation? If the answer is yes, keep going!
Policy – Does your policy allow the use of deadly force in this situation? If the
answer is yes, keep going.
Ethics – If negotiations are ongoing but the offender refuses to disarm and
surrender the hostages, and you can make a safe shot, should you shoot? Answer:
Yes.
If he kills the hostage later, your decision not to take him out will have put the
suspect’s welfare over that of the hostage. Realize that the window of opportunity
only stays open so long. After that, you need to force it open and this may cause
time delays, which generally favor the suspect. We must manage time, as it
directly influences the health and welfare of the innocent.
Through scenario-based training, the patrol and tactical officer should know the
answers to the test before they get there. If they do not, you have failed as a leader.
The incident they face should not be the first time they’ve encountered such. They
should have experienced a similar situation in training. Remember, you have the
chance to influence what is taught in the academy. If you don’t have influence over
academy training, you control how and what is taught in your department’s
training section. Fix this problem – get out of your office and get the right training
for your officers. Be a leader!
Key Points
* At the individual level, ensure you are doing your part and dry firing, practicing
hand-to-hand combat moves and keeping in good physical shape.
* If you are going to use a Taser, make sure you practice with lethal cover on a flat
range and with live fire. Also, don’t forget how to fight, in case the Taser fails.
* Leadership: Get out of your office and see what is going on and what is being
taught. Go through the training when time permits. If necessary, change it for the
better so that you are sure your officers are getting realistic and relevant training.
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