The Article I Can't Give Away

I finally found it, spurred on by yet another incident. How many more Officers are going to get in trouble before someone listens to me? I can't get a single media source to reprint this, because the IACP's president, and a few other influential people, can't accept reality, and in fact, advise people not to stop for the police. Some traffic violator will wind up dead, and Police will get some of the most restrictive pursuit laws in the world as a result.

-Shawn

I allow this article to be reprinted without compensation as long as no profit is made from it.

Stopping for Impersonators – Another Viewpoint

Because of the breadth of experience and expertise here, I generally confine myself to a couple of specialties.

However, there’s been some advice offered I feel so strongly about that I decided to write a rebuttal to it.

I often get emails or people chatting me up when I am out wanting opinions on Law Enforcement topics. I try to give them the best data I can, keeping operational security in mind. (Even in the era of the Discovery Channel, and CSI:wherever, I still think there are things the public doesn’t need to know.)

One topic that keeps coming up is advice on traffic stops. Not so much for the Officer, but the violator. There is an email chain letter (probably, truth be told, many letters) that proffers the following advice:

“If you are out in a rural setting or an area that is sparsely populated and you see police lights in your rear view mirror, stick your arm out of the window to let the officer know you are aware of him and then drive carefully to a well lit, populated area.”

Of course, there are a million variants of this, such as: “turn on your flashers to let him know”.

Or, there are those who train women that if “it doesn’t feel right, its’ ok to …” and then they plug in anything but stop immediately.

In fact, googling the topic using the keywords “cop safety tips pull over lighted” returned 537 THOUSAND results.



At the risk of offending some of you, I think this is bad, bad advice. Give me a minute to tell you why.



With the current advice, you are pitting an immovable object against an irresistible force. On one hand, you have a vehicle that needs to be pulled over. Maybe it will stop, maybe not. Maybe it doesn’t stop because it is a co-ed who is a little more paranoid than she needs to be, maybe it’s because it’s Pookie who is holding and has no intention of spending the weekend in county lockup.

On the other hand, you have an Officer. Remembering the sage advice ‘NEVER allow the violator to choose the place for the stop’, in his (or her) head, there is a flow chart. “I activate the emergency lights. Either they stop, or they don’t. If they do, that’s good, and we move on to the next step. If they don’t….. we move to a whole other chart. This one is entitled ‘they are running, so we are now chasing’.” I don’t know about you, but I do *not* want anybody I care about on the receiving end of an amped up Officer who thinks they just ended a felony pursuit.

Add to this mix the increasing restrictions on who and what can make a traffic stop. There are jurisdictions that do not allow anything but a marked car with a uniformed Officer to make stops. This hampers Detectives and Narcotics guys, as well as State and Federal Agents, none of which typically drive marked cars or wear uniforms. In the ‘uniform only’ jurisdictions, this absolutely sets up a pursuit any time one of the non-uniforms needs to stop a violator, because the community knows ‘only Patrol makes stops’. It exposes them and their agencies to extreme liability exposure. What happens if a Detective obeys policy and fails to stop an obvious DUI that subsequently crashes into a crowded restaurant? Or a plainclothes supervisor violates policy and stops a car leaving an obvious robbery, and the lawyer uses that to their advantage in court and the subsequent lawsuit?

The number one thing we should be doing in Public Outreach is telling the same story. Conflicting advice leads to variable results leads to trouble. Consider; if one parent tells a child how to do something, and the other parent tells the kid a different story, whose fault is it when the child doesn’t do what the first parent told them? That’s not to say I advocate a parent – child relationship with your traffic violators, I could have substituted Senior Drill Instructor or Academy Staff for parent and recruit for child and the story still stands – consistency is the key to understanding. That’s why Dept. of Transportation personnel have very strict guidelines for tinkering with traffic – the traveling motorist already has a ton of things to consider. Giving them options to think about at 70MPH is an unnecessary and potentially lethal proposition.

What does one have to do with the other?

When you have publicly accepted police experts, and even Law Enforcement Agencies advocating drivers not to pull over if they think whoever behind them is not a Police Officer, and on the other hand you have departments that will shoot the tires out from under fleeing vehicles, you are setting the public and Officers up for failure.

I won’t bore you by repeating it here, but feel free to read some of our other excellent articles on what happens when you take a trained, agile Police Officer, apply a startling stimuli, and then require them to make a decision between a couple of options. In fact, causing that confusion and hesitation is exactly why we use distraction devices.

So, how do we defuse this situation?

First, lets’ knock the sexist crap out. Telling women to do anything differently than we teach men is wrong. It sends the message from us, authority figures to women that they aren’t as powerful, or as cunning, or as able as men. As my Mom and my girlfriend will be quick to tell you, that’s a load of crap. Sure, you may be protective of your daughter or wife, but if you can’t bring yourself to have the faith they can handle themselves in a situation, neither will they.

It’s also a bit arrogant. The female driver just assumes the man with the flashing light behind them just intends to sex her. What if he (could be a she) is trying to tell her that her dog is still tied to the bumper (it happened where I live recently) or that her baby is in the carrier on the roof of her van? Or she tries to continue on to the service station over the hill, when they are actually trying to warn her that a drunk driver is barreling toward her in the next curve in the wrong lane?

Secondly, any first year jailer will tell you that you don’t give people options. You tell them what you need them to do, specifically. This increases the odds that the people being directed will do what you just asked them to do.

Lastly, it doesn’t matter if the car is a surveillance, unmarked, or marked car.

This is what we need to do regarding giving advice on traffic stops. We need to lock step, and give only one kind of advice; when you see emergency lights, you need to be pulling over. Not four miles later, or when you hit your driveway, now.

How the violator handles the stop after they have pulled over can be handled differently for different circumstances, just as we do.

For instance:

If the person you are giving advice to feels they are in danger, you still tell them to pull over. Turn on the dome light if its’ dark, but *don’t* put it in park. Get off the phone, turn off the radio, and roll the window down just enough to hear; keep their right foot on the brake. In other words, just like stopping at a red light (they do drive with the doors locked, right?)

Nobody is going to be expecting them to have their window still up, and it will be hard to break if it is a Bad Person. (To break a window quickly, you need sharp and pointy, something not historically seen in the hands of rapists and carjackers). The guy doesn't look like a cop, he says ‘open up’, you tell your person to say ‘let me see your photo ID’. They should then slow down, breathe, and LOOK at the person pulling them over. LISTEN to what the Officer is saying.

I can’t clearly recall ever hearing of a rapist or carjacker impersonating an Officer that thought ahead to make an ID card, too. But I know every sworn, certified Police Officer making traffic stops have one somewhere. Even so, this is a delaying tactic. Your friend previously has set their cell phone up to have 911 as a speed dial number. After pulling over and doing the other things I recommended, they should be calling Dispatch to see if who is behind them is on a legit stop. They should tell the Officer, “I am calling 911.”

If this is an Officer on this stop, they should be trained and seasoned well enough to see this is a scared individual and not a gangbanger or person with warrants. They can then scale back, and work from there. There shouldn’t be a pressing need most cases to extract the driver, because they immediately heaved to and are now presenting a reduced threat of flight.

On the other hand, if it is a Bad Person, they will want in, because that is the only way for them to control the situation. If Fake Cop starts screaming at the driver to get out, or he starts whacking at the window, you tell your friend to simply accelerate away and hopefully run over their feet on the way out.

On the very slight chance the Bad Person knocks the window out first hit, you tell your friend to stomp on the gas and drag him down the road. Remember they should be belted in, right? (!)

If the Bad Person points a gun, your friend or family member still just steps on it. Have you, as a trained marksman, ever try shooting at a moving target? It's hard. Versus, stopping at a gas station, where realistically no bystander ever gets involved, and your friend still gets yanked out of the car.

Stopping immediately reduces the adrenaline dump that a legit Officer is going to get from a perceived pursuit. It works in the drivers’ favor, because they have a plan. Few Bad People are prepared for someone who drives away. It gives your loved ones, friends, and the people you offer advice to a fighting chance. If you don’t believe it works, find a parking lot, borrow your kids’ airsoft gun, and then take turns being the Bad Person and the Driver.

This advice works, because it doesn’t limit us to types of vehicles or uniforms, which can all be spoofed. It applies as well to carjackers as it does blue-light bandits. It is straightforward, can be learned simply, and works as well in Anchorage as it does Miami. It does not discriminate, it works equally well for women, men, teenagers and the elderly. It is what we should be recommending. Anything else is a disaster in the making.

-Shawn Hughes

How cheap art thou, labor?

Could be a hoax, but I bet it ain't.


CHEAP TOMATOES?

This should make everyone think, be you Democrat, Republican or Independent


From a California school teacher - - -

'As you listen to the news about the student protests over illegal immigration, there are some things that you should be aware of:

I am in charge of the English-as-a-second-language department at a large southern California high school which is designated a Title 1 school, meaning that its students average lower socioeconomic and income levels.

Most of the schools you are hearing about, South Gate High, Bell Gardens, Huntington Park, etc., where these students are protesting, are also Title 1 schools.

Title 1 schools are on the free breakfast and free lunch program. When I say free breakfast, I'm not talking a glass of milk and roll, but a full breakfast and cereal bar with fruits and juices that would make a Marriott proud. The waste of this food is monumental, with trays and trays of it being dumped in the trash uneaten. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)

I estimate that well over 50% of these students are obese or at least moderately overweight. About 75% or more DO have cell phones. The school also provides day care centers for the unwed teenage pregnant girls (some as young as 13) so they can attend class without the inconvenience of having to arrange for babysitters or having family watch their kids. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)

I was ordered to spend $700,000 on my department or risk losing funding for the upcoming year even though there was little need for anything; my budget was already substantial. I ended up buying new computers for the computer learning center, half of which, one month later, have been carved with graffiti by the appreciative students who obviously feel humbled and grateful to have a free education in America. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)

I have had to intervene several times for young and substitute teachers whose classes consist of many illegal immigrant students here in the country less then 3 months who raised so much hell with the female teachers , calling them 'Putas' (whores) and throwing things, that the teachers were in tears.

Free medical, free education, free food, day care etc., etc., etc. Is it any wonder they feel entitled to not only be in this country but to demand rights, privileges and entitlements?

To those who want to point out how much these illegal immigrants contribute to our society because they LIKE their gardener and housekeeper and they like to pay less for tomatoes: spend some time in the real world of illegal immigration and see the TRUE costs.

Higher insurance, medical facilities closing, higher medical costs, more crime, lower standards of education in our schools, overcrowding, new diseases etc., etc., etc. For me, I'll pay more for tomatoes.

We need to wake up. The guest worker program will be a disaster because we won't have the guts to enforce it. Does anyone in their right mind really think they will voluntarily leave and return?

It does, however, have everything to do with culture: A third-world culture that does not value education, that accepts children getting pregnant and dropping out of school by 15 and that refuses to assimilate, and an American culture that has become so weak and worried about 'political correctness' that we don't have the will to do anything about it.

If this makes your blood boil, as it did mine, forward this to everyone you know.

CHEAP LABOR? Isn't that what the whole immigration issue is about?

Business doesn't want to pay a decent wage.

Consumers don't want expensive produce.

Government will tell you Americans don't want the jobs.

But the bottom line is cheap labor. The phrase 'cheap labor' is a myth, a farce, and a lie. There is no such thing as 'cheap labor.'

Take, for example, an illegal alien with a wife and five children. He takes a job for $5.00 or 6.00/hour. At that wage, with six dependents, he pays no income tax, yet at the end of the year, if he files an Income Tax Return, he gets an 'earned income credit' of up to $3,200 free.

He qualifies for Section 8 housing and subsidized rent. He qualifies for food stamps. He qualifies for free (no deductible, no co-pay) health care.

His children get free breakfasts and lunches at school.

He requires bilingual teachers and books.

He qualifies for relief from high energy bills.

If they are or become, aged, blind or disabled, they qualify for SSI. Once qualified for SSI they can qualify for Medicare.

All of this is at (our) taxpayer's expense.

He doesn't worry about car insurance, life insurance, or homeowners insurance.

Taxpayers provide Spanish language signs, bulletins and printed material.

He and his family receive the equivalent of $20.00 to $30.00/hour in benefits.

Working Americans are lucky to have $5.00 or $6.00/hour left after paying their bills and his.

The American taxpayers also pay for increased crime, graffiti and trash clean-up.

Cheap labor? YEAH RIGHT! Wake up people!

THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE SHOULD BE ADDRESSING TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR EITHER PARTY. 'AND WHEN THEY LIE TO US AND DON'T DO AS THEY SAY, WE SHOULD REPLACE THEM AT ONCE!'

THIS HAS GOT TO BE PASSED ALONG TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE OR WE WILL ALL GO DOWN THE DRAIN BECAUSE A FEW DON'T CARE.


AMEN!!!

Converting them, one incident at a time

I don't care about attributing or whatever. This speaks volumes.


http://www.keepandbeararms.com/newsarchives/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=680

Forgive me, for I have sinned. An About Face After Being Saved by a Gun Owner

Sent in by Brian Clifford, from his Dear Friend

I am one of those people who you loathe. One of those invisible people who come into your living room without asking your permission. One of those people who follow you while you shop, and make it harder for you to make legal purchases. One of those people who try and tell you how to raise your children, as if you don't know how. One of those who gives ratings to stations that promote our demise as a free nation. I am your enemy. Or at least I was.I followed it all, all of the propaganda, all of the hoopla. Believed it too. Believed that leaving my house was more dangerous than being in a war. At any given moment one of you evil gun owners would open fire on me. I saw the NRA stickers, the Gun owners of America stickers on the cars that passed, and I thought you were all fools. I did everything in my power financially to try and help more laws pass that would prevent you from owning guns.

I wholeheartedly believed that only the Police, and Military should have guns. Every time I heard of a gang shooting, or other criminal act committed with a gun, I honestly believed that if we could curtail the legal sale of guns, we could make a difference.

Boy was I wrong.I have children, three actually, and to me the only thing more important than raising them properly, was seeing that they aren't hurt in anyway. I wanted to ban guns, save my children, save all children. No child should have to be part of any kind of death, especially the kind that involves being shot. I gave money to all of the anti gun organizations I could think of, went to the "Million" Mom March, even loo ked at Rosie when she spoke, and actually admire her. Brought the kids as well, and even yelled some not so nice things to those other marchers. I'm sure some of you know who I refer to.

I was on my way back from the march, on my way back to Connecticut, when I stopped off of the highway at a rest stop by one of those McDonalds they have off I-95. By this time I had dropped off two of my kids with their father, and only had my little one with me. I went into the restroom with her, and on my way out noticed two men hanging out by my car. There were only two other cars in the lot at the time that were anywhere near my vehicle. I immediately felt threatened by their demeanor, but continued on to my car. The smaller of the two approached me with a knife as I was about to open the door to put my child in her car seat. He yelled at me to get in the back of the car, they were taking me for a little ride. I obviously told them to just take my keys, they could have the car, but they insisted I get in the back.

I then heard a man yelling something I don't quite recall, and saw him running towards me with a gun in his hand. The two men vanished into their car, and sped away. I stood there frozen in time, and by the time the gentleman with the gun got to me I just broke down and cried.

To make a long story short, you were all right, and I'm sorry. This man with a gun saved me, and I just keep thinking if I had gotten my wish and guns were banned, there is no telling where I'd be, and what would've happened to my daughter. The only regret I have is not getting the man's phone number who saved my life.

I thanked him over and over again, and told him that he saved me, but he calmly said to me something I'd never forget. He said "That's what people like me are here for Ms., and I'm happy to have been able to help."

"That's what people like me are here for," those words keep on running through my head everyday. Maybe this gentleman by some chance is part of your group, and will read my message. If he does I would just like to say something to him, and to everyone else reading this note.

Thank you for saving my life, and to the rest of you thank you for fighting for this man's right to protect me and my child. Tell him for me that I will no longer be part of the group who invades his home, and tries to tell him how to store his guns. Tell him I will never be part of any group who tries to make it impossible for him to buy his tool he used to save me. And tell him I will never again tell him how to raise his children properly, because obviously I was oblivious to the fact that responsible people such as him know how to raise their children better than I do. I did rectify that situation the other day; I bought a shotgun for home protection, and am in the process of getting my concealed permit. Next time I will be ready to defend myself, or others for that matter. Some of my friends think I'm crazy, but they try their best to understand. I just tell them that as soon as their child's life is put in jeopardy by some criminal with a weapon that they will understand, but until then don't tell me how to live my life. I've lost some friends, but surprisingly most of them understand.

If not for this man I could very easily have been killed or raped, and my child could've been taken from me, so once more I need to say thanks for saving me, and with all sincerity to the rest of you, forgive me, for I have sinned.