De-Escalation
Maintain Control of Communication
Be mindful of your tone when speaking to citizens or suspects.
Ensure that others involved in the situation remain calm and respectful in their speech.
Use Discretion
Make thoughtful decisions in how you approach situations, avoiding unnecessary threats or escalation.
Separate Individuals
Whenever possible, separate individuals to reduce tension and prevent conflict.
Remain Calm
Stay composed and focused, regardless of the situation, to help de-escalate the situation effectively.
Adapt Your Communication Style
Learn to adjust your communication to the needs and preferences of the person you're speaking to, understanding how they respond best.
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Learning Proper Trigger Control and Callouts
Understanding Trigger Control
Learn when to shoot and when not to shoot. Always assess the situation thoroughly before making the decision to use force.
Avoid unnecessary actions that could escalate the situation; use your firearm only as a last resort.
Mastering Callouts
Understand the importance of clear and concise callouts in high-tension situations.
Use callouts to communicate effectively with your team and maintain situational awareness.
Effective Callout Examples
“Suspect is north!”
“On your 6!”
“On me!”
“Watch right/left!”
“They’re close, on me!”
“Shots north!”
Keep It Simple (KISS Principle)
Avoid overcomplicating your communication. Simple and direct instructions are the most effective in critical moments.
Questions Answered
Why are callouts important?
Callouts provide real-time updates and directions to your team, improving coordination and ensuring everyone's safety.
What is trigger control?
Trigger control involves knowing when to use your firearm, focusing on restraint, judgment, and only using force when absolutely necessary.
How do I improve my callouts?
Practice regularly with your team, familiarize yourself with common phrases, and focus on being calm and precise under pressure.
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The Use of Force Continuum consists of many levels of escalating actions and allows an officer to move from one level to another level as necessary, even skipping a level if specific circumstances warrant it. Under the guidelines of the Use of Force Continuum officers are justified and permitted to use equal force to what they are encountering or even one level above the force they are encountering to de-escalate or neutralize the force that is being used against them.
Use of Force Continuum Levels:
Officer Presence
No force is used. This is always the preferred method of resolving a situation or conflict. The mere presence of a lawman is often enough to stop a crime in progress or prevent a situation from escalating
Verbal Commands
If the physical presence of a lawman is not enough, verbal commands can be added to achieve the desired results. A verbal command can be as simple as “Lawmen stop” or “Sheriff's office” When using verbal commands, the content and the tone of voice used are very important. It should be non-threatening and calm, but firm
Less Lethal Alternatives
This is a level of force that involves using less-lethal weapons as an alternative to lethal force. These weapons are designed to temporarily incapacitate, confuse, delay, or restrain an adversary in a variety of situations. If the suspect is violent or threatening, more extreme but non-deadly measures may be used to bring the suspect under control or to arrest them. These should only be used when other methods have failed. Less-lethal weapons are valuable when the use of lethal force is not appropriate and the hope is that lesser force will work. It is also used if lethal force is justified but its use could cause injury to bystanders or damage to property and environment.
Deadly Force
If a lawman believes that a suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to others, then the use of deadly force is justified. Police officers must believe that they have no other option but to discharge their firearm in order to protect their lives or the lives of others.
Someone is selling contraband - what do I do or how do I approach the situation?
FIRST - Get out your binoculars or camera to take evidence (optional).
Next, you need to watch for the handoff between the suspect and the local.
Once you see the handoff, then you may approach the suspect. Be ready for anything - expect the unexpected.
Start a conversation with the individual - ask how they are, etc.
Ask what they were just selling (to instigate the RP).
If they provide a good story, then you may let them go.
If not, then inform them you are going to handcuff/hogtie them to search them.
If any type of contraband is found, then arrest them; i.e. take them to a station to be processed.
Roleplay > Ruleplay
Occasions to Seize Cash
Cash may be seized when it is linked to illegal activities, such as:
Contraband Sales: Money earned from selling illegal items like drugs, weapons, or other prohibited goods.
Proceeds of Crime: Cash obtained through theft, robbery, fraud, or other criminal acts.
Bribes: Funds offered or exchanged as part of corrupt activities.
Procedure for Seizing Cash
Document the Evidence: Clearly identify and record the connection between the cash and the illegal activity. Ensure all details are logged, such as location, amount, and context.
Follow Department Policy: Adhere to your department’s specific protocols for handling seized cash to maintain accountability and avoid legal issues.
Log the Seizure: Input the details of the seized cash into a Secretary Ticket, ensuring transparency and compliance.
Do NOT Pocket or Fine the Cash: Never take the cash personally or add it to the suspect’s fine. All seized money must be processed as evidence according to policy.
Key Considerations
Maintain a professional and lawful approach to avoid accusations of misconduct.
Ensure all actions are justified and documented to protect the integrity of the case.
Collaborate with your department’s legal team to confirm that the cash seizure aligns with local laws and regulations.
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