8 July 01

This from a friend who is an LEO and trainer in Texas:

"Within the last ninety days, two Harris County (Houston) Deputy Sheriffs have been shot to death in two separate incidents. Both involved the deputies attempting to make arrests of high-risk suspects by themselves. In both cases, only one suspect was involved.

With sidearm drawn, the deputies commanded the suspect to face away and put his hands behind his head. The suspects complied. As the deputies approached, holstered their pistols, and unsnapped their cuff case, the suspects continued to be cooperative.

Both suspects made their move just as the first cuff was snapped onto their wrist. With their free hand they retrieved a pistol, one from his waist band and the other from a back pocket, and immediately fired shots backward, over their shoulder. Both officers were suffered fatal neck wounds. Since the suspects didn't actually turn their bodies to face the officers, their movements were not immediately interpreted as threatening. Both suspects fled the scene with a handcuff still on their wrists.

Both suspects (since arrested) were gang members, as there is considerable speculation here that the shooting technique they employed is being taught within the membership of several local gangs."

Lesson:

>Don't make high-risk arrests by yourself! Any high-risk arrest requires at least two officers. When arresting a dangerous suspect, there needs to be at least one gun pointed at him continuously throughout the entire process. If he becomes threatening, at least one officer needs to be able to fire immediately.

>Make judgments based on suspect capabilities, NOT suspect "intent." Don't try to guess at what a suspect is thinking or "read" him as fictional detectives do so unerringly. You only have to be wrong once!

/John