WEEK 4 REVIEW
Officer Safety
EPO #1 – LIST 10 FATAL ERRORS
Three fundamental errors in judgment:
o Fail to anticipate danger
o Fail to follow plan of action
o Fail to use proper tactics
10 fatal errors.
1. Failure to maintain proficiency with weapons.
a. Know how to use equipment / status / maintenance
b. Ensure equipment is functional
c. Know limitations
d. Practice with different size assailants
e. Practice OC, ESB, handcuffs
f. Proficiency = safety
2. Improper search and use of handcuffs
a. Cuff FIRST, Search SECOND
3. Asleep or sleepy on duty
a. If you nod off, go for walk, revive yourself however you can
4. Missing danger signs
a. Keep senses keen even during placid times
b. Notice things that are out of place
c. Recognize body language
d. Avoid distractions, BE ALERT
5. Taking a bad position
a. Pay attention to basics
b. Maintain reactionary distance
c. Avoid approaches that place you at disadvantage for ambush
6. Failure to watch a suspect’s hands
a. Hands kill
b. If you can’t see suspect hands, satisfy yourself there is no threat
7. Relaxing too soon
a. Always be prepared for resistance
b. Do not let guard down
8. Tombstone Courage
a. Call for back up sooner rather than later
b. Use “contact cover”
9. Pre-occupation
a. Personal life is not relevant during duty
10. Apathy or complacency
a. 70% fatal confrontations occur during routine patrol
b. 5th year most dangerous is most deadly
c. COMPLACENCY KILLS, it is not stupidity
EPO #2 – List Three Components of survival triangle
1. Physical Conditioning: Average Police Officer can only exert maximum effort for 20 to 45
seconds after that strength drops by as much as 50%
, WEEK 4 REVIEW
2. Tactical Conditioning: Train to develop muscle memory and reflex you can fall back on
during a crisis. Training, Commitment and Discipline = winning a confrontation
3. Mental Conditioning: Don’t be complacent, increase knowledge, know your
surroundings, don’t be distracted by personal life. Learn from mistakes, play “what if.”
EPO #3 – Identify the “Awareness spectrum colors”
White: state of environmental unawareness. Oblivious to surrounding activity due to
daydreaming. Avoid white very high possibility of injury.
i. State of emotional unawareness: You become oblivious to what is going on around
you because you are preoccupied with distractions, tired, daydreaming, or assuming
there is no possibility for trouble and thus, no cause for alarm. Avoid operating in
WHITE spectrum.
Yellow: Relaxed but alert. Cautious but not tense. Maintain observation of people and
surroundings, constantly perceiving and evaluating your surroundings; can maintain
indefinitely ideal condition for police officer.
Orange: State of Alarm!!! You know there is trouble. There is trouble concentrating on
evaluating it and resolving it further.
i. Call for backup.
ii. Cover/ Concealment
iii. ID Suspect
Red: What looks wrong is wrong! Immediate reaction required. Can maintain for a limited
amount of time. Act to control with:
i. Verbal Commands
ii. Soft/Hard hand controls
iii. Intermediate weapons
iv. Firearm
Black: Panic. “Blacked out” may have misdirected frenzy or paralysis, may back away, turn
and run in desperation, fall to ground in defeat.
EPO #4 – ID Components of “Triad of tactical thinking” (Threat Assessment)
1. Problem Areas: A problem area is a subject, vehicle, or building that may become a
hazard to you or another person.
2. Areas of Responsibility: An area of responsibility is anything that may become a
hazard. Ex: The head, arms, and legs of a subject.
3. Focus Points: A focus point is a clear and present danger, such as a weapon or an
animal that requires immediate action.
*Note* Remember that one of the overriding characteristics of emotionally disturbed persons (EDP's)
is their unpredictability. They can change in the blink of an eye from appearing friendly and
Officer Safety
EPO #1 – LIST 10 FATAL ERRORS
Three fundamental errors in judgment:
o Fail to anticipate danger
o Fail to follow plan of action
o Fail to use proper tactics
10 fatal errors.
1. Failure to maintain proficiency with weapons.
a. Know how to use equipment / status / maintenance
b. Ensure equipment is functional
c. Know limitations
d. Practice with different size assailants
e. Practice OC, ESB, handcuffs
f. Proficiency = safety
2. Improper search and use of handcuffs
a. Cuff FIRST, Search SECOND
3. Asleep or sleepy on duty
a. If you nod off, go for walk, revive yourself however you can
4. Missing danger signs
a. Keep senses keen even during placid times
b. Notice things that are out of place
c. Recognize body language
d. Avoid distractions, BE ALERT
5. Taking a bad position
a. Pay attention to basics
b. Maintain reactionary distance
c. Avoid approaches that place you at disadvantage for ambush
6. Failure to watch a suspect’s hands
a. Hands kill
b. If you can’t see suspect hands, satisfy yourself there is no threat
7. Relaxing too soon
a. Always be prepared for resistance
b. Do not let guard down
8. Tombstone Courage
a. Call for back up sooner rather than later
b. Use “contact cover”
9. Pre-occupation
a. Personal life is not relevant during duty
10. Apathy or complacency
a. 70% fatal confrontations occur during routine patrol
b. 5th year most dangerous is most deadly
c. COMPLACENCY KILLS, it is not stupidity
EPO #2 – List Three Components of survival triangle
1. Physical Conditioning: Average Police Officer can only exert maximum effort for 20 to 45
seconds after that strength drops by as much as 50%
, WEEK 4 REVIEW
2. Tactical Conditioning: Train to develop muscle memory and reflex you can fall back on
during a crisis. Training, Commitment and Discipline = winning a confrontation
3. Mental Conditioning: Don’t be complacent, increase knowledge, know your
surroundings, don’t be distracted by personal life. Learn from mistakes, play “what if.”
EPO #3 – Identify the “Awareness spectrum colors”
White: state of environmental unawareness. Oblivious to surrounding activity due to
daydreaming. Avoid white very high possibility of injury.
i. State of emotional unawareness: You become oblivious to what is going on around
you because you are preoccupied with distractions, tired, daydreaming, or assuming
there is no possibility for trouble and thus, no cause for alarm. Avoid operating in
WHITE spectrum.
Yellow: Relaxed but alert. Cautious but not tense. Maintain observation of people and
surroundings, constantly perceiving and evaluating your surroundings; can maintain
indefinitely ideal condition for police officer.
Orange: State of Alarm!!! You know there is trouble. There is trouble concentrating on
evaluating it and resolving it further.
i. Call for backup.
ii. Cover/ Concealment
iii. ID Suspect
Red: What looks wrong is wrong! Immediate reaction required. Can maintain for a limited
amount of time. Act to control with:
i. Verbal Commands
ii. Soft/Hard hand controls
iii. Intermediate weapons
iv. Firearm
Black: Panic. “Blacked out” may have misdirected frenzy or paralysis, may back away, turn
and run in desperation, fall to ground in defeat.
EPO #4 – ID Components of “Triad of tactical thinking” (Threat Assessment)
1. Problem Areas: A problem area is a subject, vehicle, or building that may become a
hazard to you or another person.
2. Areas of Responsibility: An area of responsibility is anything that may become a
hazard. Ex: The head, arms, and legs of a subject.
3. Focus Points: A focus point is a clear and present danger, such as a weapon or an
animal that requires immediate action.
*Note* Remember that one of the overriding characteristics of emotionally disturbed persons (EDP's)
is their unpredictability. They can change in the blink of an eye from appearing friendly and
