07June06

Good comments on gaining control of combatants, from a friend who is head bouncer at a big, gentlemen's club:

"Early yesterday morning, we had we had three, Hispanic males in a f ist fight with a fourth male of unknown ethnicity. By the time I became involv ed, the three were chasing the shirtless and bloody fourth actor through the cl ub. All were exchanging threats.

Using verbal commands, and my collapsible baton, it started to break up the

fight. Of the four, none were impressed with my baton, even after a substantial strike to the shin of one. However, the same actor who was not impressed with the baton was VERY impressed with a blast of Fox OC. He abruptly disengaged and stumbled away, wiping furiously at his face! Seeing their co mrade thus incapacitated, the other two Hispanics lost cohesion. Suddenly disorientated, they just gawked at their distressed comrade.

Taking advantage of their dithering, my officers and I, now brandishing ERDs, ordering them all off the property. All actors quickly departed. Th e show was over!

Once again, quick and decisive action, combined with an appropriate choice of weapons as well as stern, clear, and loud verbal commands is required to gain control of these situations. Uniforms and badges, by themselves, seld om impresses violent actors. Believe me. I know!"

Lessons: (1) Who dithers is lost! (2) Gaining control always requires quic k and decisive action. (3) Fox OC works just fine!

/John