1. LACK OF CONCENTRATION: If you
fail to keep your mind on the job while on patrol or carry home
problems into the field, you start to make errors. It can cost
you and your fellow officers their lives.
2. TOMBSTONE COURAGE: Just what
it says, if time allows wait for backup. There are very few
instances where you should try and make a dangerous apprehension
unaided.
3. NOT ENOUGH REST: to do your
job you must be alert. Lack of sleep or being sleepy can
endanger yourself, the community and fellow officers.
4. TAKING A BAD POSITION: Never
let anyone you are questioning or about to stop get in a better
position than you are. THERE IS NO SUCH ANIMAL AS A ROUTINE
STOP!!!
5. NOT HEEDING DANGER SIGNS: As a
cop you will get to recognize "danger signs". Movements, strange
cars, warnings that should alert you to watch your step and
approach with caution. Know your beat and watch for what is out
of place.
6. FAILURE TO WATCH THE HANDS OF A
SUSPECT: Is he or she reaching for a weapon or getting to
smack you? WHERE ELSE CAN A KILLER STRIKE FROM, BUT FROM THEIR
HANDS!!!!
7. RELAXING TOO SOON: YES, the
rut of false alarms are accidental or whatever. Still, observe
the activity. NEVER take any call as routine or just another
false alarm. It could be your ass on the line.
8. IMPROPER HANDCUFFING: Once you
have made the arrest, handcuff the prisoner CORRECTLY! See that
the hands that can kill you are safely secured.
9. NO SEARCH OR POOR SEARCH:
There are too many places to hide a weapon that if you fail to
search you are guilty of committing a crime against other
officers that will have contact with your prisoner. Many people
carry weapons and are able and ready to use them on you. Never
assume that the next guy or the jailer will do a "GOOD" search.
10. DIRTY OF INOPERATIVE WEAPON:
Is your sidearm clean? How about the bullets? Did you clean your
weapon since the last range? Or have you even shot or practiced
drawing your weapon recently? Can you hit your target in a
combat situation? You must practice faithfully and religiously.
* Remember to practice safe gun handling
at all times when cleaning or drawing for practice. Also,
remember the 1 + 1 rule, if you find one weapon during a search,
there is another, or if there is one suspect, there is another.
NEVER STOP WHAT IFING!
POLICE
TACTICS