There comes a time in a career when an officer encounters a situation that we don't believe will, and most likely hoped would never come. I have, and some of my closest friends as well have, experienced such an incident. The result; a shooting incident, some intermediate weapon usage, some empty hand control. The difference maker is that in all of these cases they chose to act. Situations that started as a disturbance or a simple arrest turned into a shootout or a confrontation with multiple subjects. When this occurs, we are usually so blown away at the lack of cooperation we say to ourselves "What is happening?" We just cannot believe that anyone would be more than verbally non-compliant or, at the most, a defensive resistor only trying to escape. When the fight-or-flight syndrome kicks, in it may be too late for the flight option. This calls for us to use our knowledge and training to overcome, but a lot of us do not train any more than required by the department, and only at the minimum required level.

 

Courage simply put is: "acting in the presence of fear." It is not that we lack courage, but we may lack the knowledge and/or confidence to use our training in our defense. At what point in our life do we decide that we will not become a victim, or that we are responsible for what happens to us? Will we learn from another officer's situation, or will it take a significant event of your own to drive home the importance of your training? As the holidays arrive, I hope you will enjoy every moment you can with your family. I hope you will consider how their life would be without you being there during those times. And if anyone should be able to take those moments away from you or your family? Ask yourself the following questions;

q  Is my physical condition good enough to handle a personal attack?

q  Is my comfort level or proficiency with empty hand control where it should be?

q  Is my knowledge and abilities with my intermediate weapons (O.C. Baton, Taser, etc.) where I can control those levels of resistance?

q  If confronted with a deadly force encounter or multiple offenders, would I be able to come out on top? Alive?

 

If you honestly answered these questions and the answer to any of them was no, what will it take to get you to change your answers? Will you continue to rely on good luck instead of good tactics? Will you finally make a decision to prepare yourself for the worst? Remember "chance favors the prepared." Think about yourself, think about your family, think about your friends and co-workers, and think about making a change for the better. A new year brings new beginnings, and no one is beyond being able to improve. The training staff at the USDSA offer our help in assisting you to achieve your fitness, self-defense, or other training goals through any of our training programs.